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TEAM TALK
Why the orange armbands?
Letter from SWRT
1 July 2005
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In an effort to reduce staffing costs for teams contesting the WRC series, the FIA introduced new servicing regulations for the 2005 season to limit the number of mechanics per car.
Previously, teams were free to use as many mechanics as they wished during each 10, 30 or 45-minute service. But from the Monte Carlo Rally onwards, the number was limited to eight for each of the teams' two Manufacturers' Championship nominated cars.
A recent amendment to the regulation gives additional team cars an exemption from the limit.
Bright orange, numbered, servicing armbands are now compulsory uniform for all service personnel who come into contact with the cars. The new system does allow a certain degree of flexibility, and two of the eight are transferable, enabling the wearers to work on either car. An observer, appointed by rally organisers, is present during each service and any rule infringements will be reported to event stewards.
While some teams have had to change the way they work to fit the new limit, the changes haven't greatly affected the Subaru team.
' For us, the armbands haven't had too much of an impact in terms of technicians ' responsibilities," said John McLean, number 1 technician on Petter Solberg's crew. "Whereas in previous years, we may have had a member of the logistics team to jack up the car or wash it before it goes back onto the stages, we now have to ensure one of the allocated technicians can do these tasks in addition to their servicing duties. To avoid confusion, and to allow a degree of flexibility, our approach is to allocate six of the armbands to 'fixed' technicians on each car and keep the other two available for shared personnel like engine, gearbox or electrical specialists."
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2006
2005
