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iANiNnNGlifi.'6i- d6iNctif Hi-diif i')S t'off -Cnnee-<rn:ex tm'-nsw-Orwur.-9r•Je.u bnF.....x-C.encn-6w;osr nMx Vabu M.IAn. Y . p.1•rpii ><2!C'.S SE' 1. 1399 MrEnrrCrr Mt5em Weenrnq iW/961C 9E? 1• 1599 SEP 1, 1999 .:nmia . 4iCNMONC POST aln r.umrx-OqnnO-irn uer WnAm YrGwGRY 'M 13.v'i.] SEP l, 1999 Nu!uio9u4i'llli,.illip!P M~1iGUialqiiruuill:,1n111R1 A 113 iiB9ri(1i1f AllIPfV irullufllu1111iNaiNi[ilpr P2]159 LtIt9~9L:1 P2]154 P2Ril2 ~rrrseccrrrrnes Ierzeccrllr.cs 1RitlV[fy I'N'ff/i1171 P21196 IRP.S~C/nl,n/: f,,.dt.nnf9J. ft£SLCClfIt~6] I 'Life In The Pits' With Al Unser Jr.'s Marlboro Team Penske Crew One of the key elements of a successful Champ car team is its pit «ew. It is this group that can make or break a race fm their drive. While 15 or more team members are in the pit during the race, by CART rules only six ean go over the wall: the 4 tire changera. the fueler, and the airjsck/vent man. Each member of the pit erew per- forma a specificjob during the routine stops es well as other respooaiblities in between etops and during race week. Rebind-the-wall jobs during E80tiZL080Z pit stops (passing tires. feeding haae Ifrm-ete) may be performed by the team engimlina, managera, and even advisors and ownere. If all goes weR, top pit crews such as AI Unser Jr.'s b{adhi Teem Penske crew cen eum- plete the stop in under 12 seconds. Here's a look at the duties each pit crew member per- forms during a routine stop: 1. Inside Frmt - Chevgee in- side front tire. Usuallly per- formed by one of the car mechanics, the tire changer takes his tire and air gun over the wall on the lap before the pit atop and in already in posi- tion when the car arrives. He temovea the old tire and fite a new one in 6g seconds. Since the left front changer doea not have to rua aaoss the car, he isoneoftheCusttogethistue changed and will assist with wing adjustments and clear the used tire from the right front. 2. Peae Front-Bringe t,iree from garage to pifa. Helps pme thas over the wall and assists whereyer else is needed. 3. Deadmm - Operates the apring-loeded leta m the tank that allowa methannl to Ifow through the hoee into the cer to aecure quickest fuel flow. Called-••deadman'• beeawa if a fuel problem such ae a fire ariaee, be can eWp the flow by rebaaingthelever.ICeepefuel hoee level to aesure quickest flow. S. Water Hoee - Holde water hoea which is aprayed afta fuel haee is removed to wash away spillage. 5. Fueler-Fitethefuelnm- zle into the tanh opening on the inboard side of the car. The fuel mnn is me of two erew members required to wear a helmet and a three layer fire suit. 6. AirjacklVent - Applies the sirjadc which raiav the car for tire changes. He also in- serts the vent hose which capp turea any fnmea or e:ceee fuel coming f4om the tenk. Due to his proximity to the fuel cm- nection. he is also required to wear a safety helmet and a three layer suit. 7. Iveide Rear • Changes in- side rear tire. Like front tire changen, Is in pusitiun m the lap before the pit stop. Once paaeee the etartcr over the tire change is mmplete, he wall should the ear stall in the helps push the oar mt of the pit. pit and cleers the used right f.uRipp Man - Holde the raar tic®. pole and sign (lolgpapl over the g. Outside Front- Changes pit wall to show driver his pit outside front tire. He takes his locatioaand atoppingpoint in tireandairgvntohispneition the pit. This duty is usually sndguidesthednverintothe performed by the team pit aru After completing his manager or owner whose pri- tire change endclearing his a'v mary duty is to mmmunicate gm over the wall, he makes raee strategy via radio with any neceeaary front wing the driver and inform him of adjuatments• track and car conditions. 9. fhrteide Reer - Changea. pit wallBovdMm-Holds outside rear tire. Unlike the sign over the outside pit wall otherthreet-aechangas,must giving driver visual instrur wait by the wall with tire and tions on when to pit, track a'v gun in hand. When car position, leads and other I pulis in, he sprints around the necessary information. This rearofthecarandrhangesthe funetionbecomeevitalifthe I tireandhelpspushthecarmt team erperiences radio pro- j of the pit. blems. 10. Engineer - Responsible Electronics Engineer -forworking with the driver to Responsible for the computer set up the car. Based upon data acquisition, telemetr) driver input. directs aew chief and eommunications systems and mechanics as to what inuseduringpractice-qualify- changes need to be made to ing and the raee. improve performance and Ttre Techaid.a. pzsponsi- ~ speed. ble for preparing all tires for ; OthermemberaofthefdarL practice, qualifying and rac- ' boro Tevn Penske pit crew Ng.Mounte,filleandbalences that are not pictured include: eech tire end keeps track of ~ Starter(fire P.eeer - Pri- themilesllepaoneachsetand ~ mary responsibility is paeaing the order they are used during ! the inside rear tire. hue alsn /he ~~ce.