Bernie is at it again...

Artificial Rain???

The sport has seen a number of initiatives in recent times aimed at increasing overtaking, such as KERS (a sort of turbo boost button that will be reintroduced this season), and adjustable rear wings (which will make their debut in 2011). However it is widely acknowledged that for true unpredictability and excitement, a heavy rain shower cannot be beaten. "Look at the races we have now," Ecclestone told Formula One's official website. "Overtaking is almost impossible because in the dry there is only one line good for maximum speed because of the rubber on the track. "You have a completely different picture when it is wet. We always had the most exciting races in the wet - so let’s think of making rain. "There are racetracks that you can make artificially wet and it would be easy to have such systems at a number of tracks. Why not let it ‘rain’ in the middle of a race for 20 minutes, or the last 10 laps? Maybe with a two-minute warning ahead of it. "Suspense would be guaranteed and it would be the same for all." Not all of Ecclestone's ideas have been warmly met in the past: such examples include having shortcuts available to drivers in races and his desire to decide the World Championship on medals rather than the current points system, which itself was only revamped last season. In its maiden campaign the system, which awards 25 points to the winner and 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 point to those following, saw Sebastian Vettel crowned the youngest F1 champion at a dramatic final race weekend. However Ecclestone has not given up hope on his medals dream just yet. "Drivers want to win and they are not racing for second, third or fourth place - so let’s have a system where wins count," he added. "Last season it would have worked pretty well. Vettel and Alonso would have been even after the last race with five gold medals each, and the same number of silver and bronze medals. "Vettel would have won the World Championship because he had more fourth places... I call that a thriller." The 2011 season start was delayed by the civil unrest in Bahrain, with that grand prix postponed for now. The season will now instead start with the Australian GP in Melbourne on March 27. Eurosport

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/01032011/58/ecclestone-wants-artificial-rain-f1.html

"Why not let it ‘rain’ in the middle of a race for 20 minutes, or the last 10 laps?"

Why not just race 10 laps in the wet and call it a day?

Hell, why make it that complicated, lets just line all the cars up line abreast at the start line and have a standing start like horseracing, whoever crosses the finish line after one lap wins...

he's trying to make a better show, not a better race. the big problem with artificial rain is that it's artificial, man-made, with some degree of predictability even though it is theoretically "random". if trackside sprinklers are used, what happens if a car goes off and runs over the sprinkler head, damages it, and causes it to gush out water uncontrollably? what happens if the sprinkler head malfunctions and either sticks open or sticks closed? then you have either a wet spot on an otherwise dry track, or a dry spot on an otherwise wet track, at least for a few laps until the cars going by dragged water onto the dry spot. also, doesn't it seem like this is the perfect opportunity for the FIA to help or hinder a driver whenever they want? speak your mind regarding the FIA's decision on a particular issue, get "rained" on at every race afterwords until you repent? be a massive suckup/FIA's pet, it never rains on you? this is just plain a bad idea, and like the medal system and the proposed shortcuts available to drivers, I highly doubt it will ever happen, Bernie, and the internal combustion engine for that matter, will go the way of the dodo bird before FOTA and the drivers will let the racing get that screwed up

No. that is all: no.

This is up there with his recommendation for adding "shortcuts" ala need for speed style.

How about random tire deflators at Spa?

This was MY idea! I never should have told anybody, and now Bernie has stolen my idea.

I was going to draw one of three cards 10 minutes before the green flag- Dry, damp, or wet.

What was that old Schwarzenegger movie, "Running Man?" Is that where it's headed?

This seems like the first step toward making what was real racing into something best compared to WWF, full of artifically-contrived drama, turning real-life into a TV movie where we're supposed to pretend it's still real. What's that called, a "willing suspension of disbelief?"

Glad we cancelled our cable service 10-yrs ago...

I do not advocate violence.. but in Bernie's case.. I might make an exception.

mad_machine wrote: I do not advocate violence.. but in Bernie's case.. I might make an exception.

hahahaha...........

the problem as Sir Jackie has so rightfully pointed out.... too many tracks all designed by Tilk...

It is time for tracks to be built and designed so that stupidity costs you

Btw... the new Pirrelli tire... DESIGNED to degrade around 20 laps or so... will also make the show better.........

And pretentious F1 fanbois STILL look down their noses at NASCAR?

oldeskewltoy wrote: hahahaha........... the problem as Sir Jackie has so rightfully pointed out.... too many tracks all designed by Tilk... It is time for tracks to be built and designed so that stupidity costs you Btw... the new Pirrelli tire... DESIGNED to degrade around 20 laps or so... will also make the show better.........

In Tilke's defense, you do realize he designs the tracks to meet tight, FIA-designated specs, don't you?

And, he's limited by terrain and acreage on top of that......

Why not just have all the drivers draw a card, face value of the card will determine a number of ounces of vodka to be tossed back 20 minutes before the start of the race.

Yeah, its crazy stupid and unworkable, but so is Bernies wack- job idea!

oldsaw wrote: In Tilke's defense, you do realize he designs the tracks to meet tight, FIA-designated specs, don't you?

Gee willicurs, I guess we only need a single spec car/series with everyone driving the same car..........

if you have only one man designing tracks you only get one mans persepctive....

nd concerning the surroundings(terrain and acreage)... that is utter BS... the perfect example are the tracks in Bahrain and Abu Dabi.... no expense was spared to make these tracks........

If Bernie had his way, F1 would look like a bad game of Super Mario Kart....

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: If Bernie had his way, F1 would look like a bad game of Super Mario Kart....

Might not be a bad idea....

DoctorBlade wrote:

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: If Bernie had his way, F1 would look like a bad game of Super Mario Kart....

Might not be a bad idea....

Hamiliton throwing Banana peels?

oldeskewltoy wrote: Gee willicurs, I guess we only need a single spec car/series with everyone driving the same car..........

Isn't IndyCar enough for you already?

if you have only one man designing tracks you only get one mans persepctive....

You have a good point! Now, find the person who has the experience and an organization equal to Tilke's. And be certain the FIA and the financiers want to deal with that person while you're at it.

nd concerning the surroundings(terrain and acreage)... that is utter BS... the perfect example are the tracks in Bahrain and Abu Dabi.... no expense was spared to make these tracks........

What's wrong with Bahrain? If no expense was spared, the circuit should include elevation changes made via excavations. Maybe he had a budget and had to meet other contractual obligations with the organizers?

Abu Dhabi is built on an island.......

Duke wrote: And pretentious F1 fanbois STILL look down their noses at NASCAR?

When did NASCAR start racing in the rain?

Who else expected the source for that article to be The Onion instead of Eurosport?

kb58 wrote: What was that old Schwarzenegger movie, "Running Man?" Is that where it's headed? This seems like the first step toward making what was real racing into something best compared to WWF, full of artifically-contrived drama, turning real-life into a TV movie where we're supposed to pretend it's still real. What's that called, a "willing suspension of disbelief?" Glad we cancelled our cable service 10-yrs ago...

Lemme see who I can recognize:

Space Ghost, Captain Picard, Homer Simpson, Stephen Colbert, Bart's teacher (don't remember her name), Hank Hill, Bad guy from Reboot, Jon Stewart, Future Bruce Wayne (BoTF), Silver Surfer, Yagami Raito.

If Bernie had his way, F1 would look like a bad game of Super Mario Kart..

I would totally watch that.

How about we give each driver a split cane pole and hang Bernie from the Start Finish bridge? They can whack at Bernie each lap like a Pinata. I betcha the edge of that cane pole hitting you at something north of 150mph would sting a bit...

Bernie's age is starting to show. Like crazy old guy show. One issue it raises is who pays for the damage incurred (or injury, or worse) when someone gets it all wrong on the suddenly wet track? Racing in the rain is cool, but there's no denying it's also more dangerous. When the heavens open, it's nobodys "fault", when the sprinklers open, it's Bernies fault.