Sonoma paddock area. Good or bad??

I arrived back home with jet lag after a long, uncomfortable flight from Brazil. I would just like to thank Renate, who works for DHL, for being a superb travelling companion and making the flight time a little more enjoyable.

Cars under tents, Puebla

I have been trying to get some information on the USA race at Sonoma as I am having flashback memories of the races which were held at Puebla, Mexico, a few years ago. Due to the circuit layout, the garages were no where near the pit lane area. The cars, tyres, toolboxes, air bottles and everything else needed by the teams, had to be taken approximately 200-300 metres to the tents in the pit lane. The whole team was forced to carry something to the pit area, secretaries and team managers included. If a car came into the pits and needed a spare part during practice, qualifying or even the race, if you did not have it with you, the fastest runner from the team was sent back to the garages to collect it and get back as soon as possible. To try to bring enough spares for every eventuality was impossible and could potentially prevent the car from getting quickly, back on the track. And for the poor guy who has to do the running, a sweaty pair of work clothes was his reward !!!!

View from the garage area towards the tents in the pit lane, Puebla

Garages in Puebla.

Due to the American tracks normally having a NASCAR style pit lane, I think we will find ourselves in this same situation again. When the teams are so used to working out of garages, except in Macau, it can be a major challenge for everyone to adapt to this new situation. Macau is not so bad as it is only a short distance back through the paddock area to the team garages. And we also have access to some power supply for the tyre warmers. In Puebla, we had been provided with large generators and we also had the generators which are mounted on the tyre trollies to supply electricity. Will we encounter the same at Sonoma?
Hopefully, I will get this information back from the circuit when they reply to my email.

Due to the short duration of the WTCC races, the importance of speed when the cars are in the pit lane cannot be be emphasised enough. The Truckies will have to ensure that all of the necessary equipment is available. Also, the Truckies are the ones in the teams who act as store men. They should have a good knowledge of where everything is kept in the garages. So when the runner is sent back to the garage, he can be told exactly where to locate a nut, bolt or body panel.
The containers are now on their way from Brazil to the USA and August is a time for a longer break in the WTCC calendar. Although I have just heard that one team is already testing a car this week. I hope it all goes well guys! For everyone else, it is a chance to take some time off work, go on holiday or spend time with the family.

Changing into overalls, Puebla.

UPDATE..........................
Well, it looks like the team garages are a distance away frome the pit lane area so we will be forced to move everything like we did in Puebla. Apparently generators are available for electricity but I am sure that they will be 110-120v. This may cause us problems as the teams are used to running on european voltage which is 220-240v. It is possible to rewire a 110v, split phase generator to give 220v. We have done this in Japan.  But his will only work if the 110v live wires are out of phase.
This sort of problem is one that the Truckies encounter and once again, a good Truckie will be the one who can find a way to work round this.