Internet PSA: F1 vs NASCAR Pitstops - Let's Drop It.

"McMike" (mcmike)
11/21/2013 at 12:46 • Filed to: Rants, F1, NASCAR, Pit stops

Stop !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! them and whining about one being better than the other. Each squad does the absolute best with what they are allowed to do - both are impressive.

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F1 has no refueling, one lug, 12 tire guys, two jack men, eight nut guns, and a dozen other guys standing around waiting for something to do. Even when they did refuel, it was what? Flightline couplings and 4 gallons a second, or something like that?

NASCAR has gravity refueling, five lug hubs, five tire guys, two nut guns and a jack from NAPA, and have to fucking hustle.

So please stop it. They are both awesome.

Here are two more videos, showing an analysis of each. (F1 video is a little old, it has refueling and those silly wheel brake cooling fairings) A good pit stop back with refueling was limited by how much fuel they needed. The tire changers were always done long before the fuel guys were. It was usually 7-8 seconds of fuel.

It was scary at the end of every one of them. Car on the ground - first gear selected - impatient driver in the car holding at 8,000rpm staring at the lollypop, asking himself "Can I go? Can I go? How bout now? Now? Can I go I NEED TO GO!!!!" The lollypop man (head mechanic) knew this, and was waiting for his cue from the fuel guys. Not for a thumbs up, but for movement. He knew that as soon as they tugged on the nozzle to remove it, it was time to release the car. The delay in the driver's reaction would match the action of the nozzle and off he went.

The scary part was when the fuel nozzle stuck, and the head mechanic released the driver when the hose required a second tug. It happened often enough that the cars now leave with enough fuel for the race.

I don't know a terrible amount about NASCAR stops. Maybe someone can share some details in the comments.

DISCUSSION (20)

For Sweden > McMike
11/21/2013 at 12:50

But how else will I feel superior? :(

McMike > For Sweden
11/21/2013 at 12:51

It's OK, you can still feel superior for watching NASCAR.

dinobot666 > McMike
11/21/2013 at 12:52

Instead marvel at what rally drivers sometimes have to do to change their tires in all conditions.

Kinja'd!!!

ddavidn > McMike
11/21/2013 at 12:54

I agree! I find NASCAR boring, but I wouldn't ever discount their pit crew until I could do their job anyway. They are all awesome.

Naijaflavor, I Love Doritos > McMike
11/21/2013 at 12:59

but what if i don't watch either?

McMike > ddavidn
11/21/2013 at 13:00

I have seen some pretty impressive footage of what those five guys can pull off.

One guy removing the tire and setting it to roll away, while they continue to work on the corner, only to catch up with it when they run around to the other side and direct it back to the wall. The fuel guy sticking his leg out to stop it sometimes, the guys behind the wall managing the air hose so no one trips on it. It's all impressive.

While it may not be quick as a 2 second F1 gangbang, it's fucking hustling for what they have to deal with.

Especially when you imagine all the Golden Corral sitting in their stomachs while they do it.

For Sweden > McMike
11/21/2013 at 13:01

But if I watch F1 as well, does it cancel out?

McMike > Naijaflavor, I Love Doritos
11/21/2013 at 13:01

Then tell us about your favorite series. What mechanics impress you?

ddavidn > McMike
11/21/2013 at 13:04

Completely agree. This would actually be a really fun job for me, if it wasn't NASCAR. I don't take well to Golden Corral for dinner every day.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > McMike
11/21/2013 at 13:10

What if I like comparing apples to oranges?

Team6.1 > McMike
11/21/2013 at 13:30

"A jack from NAPA" that had me laughing. Technology is great but we get jaded. Compare the iphone to nokia snake. So to me F1 is less impress. It's kinda robotic. NASCAR I imagine all the guys hootin and hollerin, it's harder to do quick and easier to fuck up. There is feeling in it...I can't believe I said nascar pit stops have "feeling" haha