ushing the limits is
part and parcel of
racing, whether
you’re in the final
throes of a wheel-to-wheel battle or taking
part in your first track day. That said, the line
has to be drawn somewhere to guarantee
the safety of the drivers and the preservation
of the circuit. In time for the start of the 2014
season, the Motor Sports Association (MSA)
revised its regulation on track limits, permit-
ting drivers to drive on the track asphalt up to
and including the white line, and on the full
extent of any kerbs, but not permitting them
to put a wheel beyond the white lines or
kerbs. Previously, since 2010 in fact, the MSA
had stipulated that provided one wheel was
within the white line, the rest of the car could
be beyond it, so the significant regulation
change certainly grabbed the headlines.
Among those impacted by the new rules
was MSV, owner and operator of Brands
Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton, Cadwell Park
and Bedford Autodrome. While accepting
that the previous regulation was suitable for
Formula 1 with its wide kerbs and tarmac
beyond, the company highlighted the rule’s
unsuitability for most UK national circuits and
welcomed the change.
Speaking to MSD at Brands Hatch about
the previous version of the regulation, MSV
explains: “Some competitors soon realised
that they could drive well off the track,
beyond the kerb and on to the grass, and
there was nothing in the rules to stop it. All
MotorsportDays.com
MOTORSPORT DAYS ANNUAL
9
its
e
irer
.
P
The 2014 season brought about a
major change to the regulation
concerning track limits, prompting
MotorSport Vision (MSV) to introduce
a CCTV-based system to stringently
enforce the new rules.
MSD
explores
why the changes were made and
what impact they have had to date.
