Pit stop
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In motorsport, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tyres, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above. The pits usually comprise of a pit lane which runs parallel to the start/finish straight and is connected at each end to the main track, and a row of garages (usually one per team) outside which the work is done. Pit stop work is carried out by any number of mechanics whilst the driver waits in the vehicle (except where a driver change is involved).
Pit stops in Formula One
In Formula One, cars make pit stops with the primary purpose of refuelling and changing tyres (but during the season 2005, tyre changing during the race was prohibited). Teams sometimes also make adjustments to the front and rear wings, and conduct minor repairs (most commonly replacing the nose and front wing assembly). A pit stop involves about twenty mechanics, with the aim of completing the stop as quickly as possible. It lasts for six to twelve seconds depending on how much fuel is put into the car. However, if there is a problem (such as a fuel pump failing or the engine stalling) or repairs have to be made it can take much longer. Cars are fuelled at a rate of more than 12 litres per second. This is accomplished by a fairly complex closed system, that pumps air out of the cars fuel tank as the fuel is being pumped in.
By making pit stops cars can carry less fuel, and therefore be lighter and faster, and use softer tyres that wear faster but provide more grip. Teams usually plan for each of their cars to pit one to three times and sometimes more. Choosing the optimum strategy of how many pit stops to make and when to make them is crucial in having a successful race. It is also important for teams to take competitors' strategies into account when planning pit stops, to avoid being "held up" behind other cars and unable to overtake. An unscheduled stop, such as for a repair, can be very costly for a driver's chance of success.
The pit crew
A pit crew services a racecar during a pit stop. The crew chief is the head person on a pit crew. In the United States, NASCAR regulations dictate that only seven individuals can go "over the wall" to service a racecar during a pit stop.
Thus, the active pit crew is comprised of:
- The jack man: jacks up the car so that the tires can be replaced.
- The front tire changer
- The rear tire changer
- The gas man: fills the car with gasoline with a special gas can
- The gas catch man: catches any fuel overflow
- Two tire carriers: bring the new replacement tires and guide them onto the lugs.