Wagons In Motorsports As Safety/Medical Cars

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve) 10/18/2014 at 14:04 • Filed to: Wagons In Motorsport

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Formula 1, Touring Car Championships, and a lot of other races imply the need for a safety car. A safety car is what keeps the enraged, adrenalin pumped racing drivers from hurting themselves (although they still find ways of doing it). Racing is a serious activity that requires safety regulations such as this that may seem as annoying to us as when our mothers grabbed the supermarket kart when WE were the ones driving it. But this safety "regulation" was thankfully turned into something way cooler than we thought. Enter, the Wagons that serve as Safety or Pace cars.

Safety cars, if you dig into what they do, is supremely cool. Their job essentially is to keep the cars racing, make the drivers more eager to start, increase competition as the distance from the leaders to the loosers shorten, and they all have to do this at a damn quick pace because the tires of the race cars behind them have to stay warm. This means, that safety cars not only need all those light bars and cool Police car equipment (We all think cops=badass) , but they need the power to keep the speed. Thats why most Pace or Safety cars have to be based on things with more muscles under their bones. Except for the Oldsmobile Bravada safety car, I literally have no idea how that would bring more safety to the race.

As satisfying as the Bravada was as a safety car, its origins were equally as humble to say the least. The Brazilian Grand Prix of 1993 was the introduction of the Safety or Pace car, and the car in question was a Fiat Tempra. The Tempra did have a 2.0L 16V Turbo engine, and it was offered as a wagon, though the one used on the race wasn't the magical combination of the two. But the role of this little Fiat on that race was far more exciting than what it looks like. This race was the first time racing driver Ayrton Senna won the Brazilian GP, which was a biblical moment in Brazils history, and that bright red sedate looking Tempra took Senna for a Victory lap as the fans waved and cheered with unmatchable euforia.

Fast forward 17 years and the fastest safety car ever is the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG which debuted in the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix. But that isn't the AMG safety car we are interested in at all. The one that gets me the most excited is of course the C63 AMG Wagon.

If Formula 1 would have chosen something more sensible, like a Diesel Opel, it would be much less exciting , but they went full awesome with their choice. And this appreciation for the "Estate" over other AMG variants also applied to the C55 in 1999, then to the 2004 C55 making the same appearance as a medical car. Then, with the W204 pre-facelifted C63 around 2009 that kept going until the current 507 Edition C63 AMG wagon.

But Mercedes wasnt the only German in the business. In fact, the three big names did it. BMW, in 2010, revealed the E60 M5 Touring Safety Car for the Moto GP and for the BTCC in the same year. It was also praised for its hauling AND towing capabilities. I wish I found a picture of the E60 Touring towing something, still, a very important contribution to safety cars.

Then, there are the RS Avant Audis, either the 4 or 6 in DTM racing. As the BMW and Mercedes, their task was important and they were preferred to their sedan counterparts. Audi RS Wagons have also served civilian people to move their "indispensable" drugs quickly, but thats !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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Then, we have 2 other gorgeous italian contributors to bringing safety to the tracks, the Alfa Romeo 156 and 156 Sportwagons. In 2006, the 156 was the safety car for the China circuit Championship (Its very hard to find info. of this). Then, the appearance of the 159 was in the 2007 Superbike world Championship where Alfa Romeo was the official sponsor.

Finished in Pastel black with a nice italian colored livery, this would've been a sweet spectacle to watch. Currently, these races are still sponsored by Alfa, but they use Guillietas and Mitos which in every possible way you can see it, its worse. But don't worry, because if you still want that timeless beauty and purposefulness appearance of the 159 Sportwagon, you can buy the 1:43 scale model right !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! either as a sedan or a wagon. HA! As if someone would choose the trunk over the hatch.

Fancy something more american? How about a Chrysler 300 SRT-8 Wagon? Yes, this existed in the Australian V8 Supercar series from 2005 to 2008. A sedan version also took part, but the "Touring" versions were a lot more welcomed and loved by the Manager and staff of the racing series. Currently the Jeep Grand Cherokee took its position as medical car, but using those 300's made so much sense and just belonged.

And the Japanese weren't out of this either. And this time, this wagon is one you can buy in the U.S.! This Honda Accord/Acura TSX wagon made its appearance in the F1 Singapore Grand Prix in 2011, although it wasn't as quick as the other wagons it still made its country proud and the viewers very happy.

Wagons are a very unique kind of vehicle, and their job being Safety and Pace cars was equally as special. It makes me happy when I tune in to Formula 1 to see that long roofed lunatic silver Mercedes crave corner through corner, and all those other wagons who served their duty bringing safety to the tracks and pleasure to our eyes.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 14:12

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Meanwhile, in Macau...

Vicente Esteve > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 10/18/2014 at 14:17

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Damn!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 14:19

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The Bravada had that 4.2 Atlas under the hood, sir. How about we question the Camrys that safety car NASCAR races now.

MAXIMUMVRM > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 14:23

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My favorite by far

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 10/18/2014 at 14:23

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The Hybrid power train, torque bro. I had no idea of the bravada though.

Svend > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 14:25

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Viggen > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 14:28

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ALMS used a Panamera Turbo as the safety car.

Vicente Esteve > MAXIMUMVRM 10/18/2014 at 14:28

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Red Bull Livery is awesome!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 14:29

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they dont sell an Accord wagon. Not sure about the Acura though

Vicente Esteve > Svend 10/18/2014 at 14:33

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In what sort of races do those Astons work as safety cars? And what can they carry? Band aids and Pepto??

Vicente Esteve > Viggen 10/18/2014 at 14:34

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GET THE HELL OUT OF MY RACE

Vicente Esteve > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 10/18/2014 at 14:36

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Acura TSX wagon, they used to last year

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 14:41

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Yeah, I never looked at Acuras so I wouldn't know. Have never seen an Accord wagon that I know of.

Vicente Esteve > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 10/18/2014 at 14:45

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Yeah, they only sold it as a 4 cylinder auto in the US.

Ed, for the old good times > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 15:16

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Cīmon I would race this!

Svend > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 15:20

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Safety cars are mainly for checking the course is clear and the road is safe from hazards or debris. The Aston and the Ferrari (there was another car but can't find a clear picture of it) were safety cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. There was also a Bentley Mulsanne Doctor car.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 15:21

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2 pallets of AMG safety/medical cars arrived at COTA earlier in the week.

Alex from Toronto > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 15:23

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We need a cts-v safety car.

Vicente Esteve > Ed, for the old good times 10/18/2014 at 15:36

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The guys inside seem to be ready to do just that.

Vicente Esteve > Svend 10/18/2014 at 15:37

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I knew it was Goodwood. Also, that Bentley Doctor car IS the biggest demonstration of wealthiness Ive seen.

Vicente Esteve > Alex from Toronto 10/18/2014 at 15:38

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We do!

Vicente Esteve > Alex from Toronto 10/18/2014 at 15:39

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This is the closest they have

Vicente Esteve > Clown Shoe Pilot 10/18/2014 at 15:39

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Sweet!

mr2gud2u > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 15:47

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That Alpha is a beauty.

tromoly > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 10/18/2014 at 15:47

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Pace speed is something like 45mph, you could have a Prius be the pace car and it would do just fine.

Although, if you take the Camry Hybrid and put it in pure Electric mode, it does have some decent scoot to it.

tromoly > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 15:48

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You know, I'm laughing so hard at the words that I don't even care it's the wrong series, that's awesome.

Svend > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 15:48

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It reminds me of the Rolls Royce Phantom the BBC used in the police comedy TV series A Touch Of Cloth.

At Goodwood the average price of the cars racing around would put me in a cold sweat just being near them. It's good PR for Jaguar and Bentley to have their cars on display.

Alex from Toronto > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 16:01

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Vicente Esteve > mr2gud2u 10/18/2014 at 16:44

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*Those Alphas

Vicente Esteve > tromoly 10/18/2014 at 16:45

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Hahah I didn't even know, I just searched for Panamera Safety Car and found it!

Vicente Esteve > Svend 10/18/2014 at 16:47

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True and True. Also, Rolls Royce police cars would be awful for arresting people, you couldn't slam the door on them since it closes with a button!

Svend > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 17:02

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Yes, but you could scowl at them while you pushed the button with great intent while doing the I'm watching you fingers with the other hand.

Vicente Esteve > Svend 10/18/2014 at 17:09

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Haha, and where once there was Champagne there would be chloroform.

Svend > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 17:13

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I think the chloroform would be in the scent vapouriser, the place where you would of had the champagne would be disposable travel 'johns'.

Vicente Esteve > Svend 10/18/2014 at 17:16

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Thanks to you I now know the existence of this product.

Svend > Vicente Esteve 10/18/2014 at 17:44

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I bought a pack for my friend as she was going on a long journey with two young children (two and four year olds). I went over board to be honest and gave her a big first aid kit, minor burns kit, warning beacons, mobile phone holder and advice for long distance journeys. I love her and the kids to bits and woul hate for anything to happen to them.

The kit isn't by any means expensive and can be had for Ģ6 (USD$10) for a pack of three.