موضوع آناتومی یک تجمع گودال توقف

The brief hiatus between stages calls for intense teamwork from Skoda UKs IRC operation. We examine the anatomy of a service stopMichael Delaney, Steve McQueens character in Le Mans, utters the (slightly paraphrased) sentiment, Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting. For rally mechanics, though, the opposite is true. While the competitors are out giving it maximum attack on the special stages, team members back at the service stop can do little but anxiously wait and watch the timing screens for information on how their man is getting on.
As the drivers head back to service, however, its time for the mechanics to spring into life. In the limited amount of time that the rules permit – usually 30 or 45 minutes – their mission is to turn a well used rally car into one that looks as good as new. They must carry out repairs, replace parts, fine-tune the cars set-up, fit new tyres and give the car a quick shine to keep the sponsors happy, of course.
For the driver and navigator, meanwhile, the service halt is a chance to refuel with food and drink, discuss tactics with team chiefs and prepare for the next section of the event.
Service is a blur of high-pressure, well drilled activity that can have a major bearing on the outcome of a rally. Heres the story of how its done.
One hour before service
Preparations begin when Andreas Mikkelsen and Ola Fløene leave a stage and embark on a road section back to the service stop. During the trip (in which they often swap places so that Mikkelsen can relax for a moment while Fløene drives the Fabia S2000) they discuss how well the car has been suited to the conditions and what changes, if any, they want to make to the set-up.
30 minutes before service
Before the cars go into service, they are sent to a regroup area that acts as a holding station to bring the whole field back together. At the regroup they are met by Dario DEsposito (Skoda UK team co-ordinator), Nicolas Roux (car engineer) and Lorenzo Borghini (technical co-ordinator). They take snacks and drinks to the drivers and discuss the job list for service.
10 minutes before service
DEsposito, Roux and Borghini return to service before the car is released from the regroup area. Borghini briefs the mechanics about the work thats going to be carried out at service. Five minutes before the car arrives, the boys are ready to go; they have all the tools and parts they need to hand. Mikkelsen and Fløene leave the regroup and drive to the service in time control.
Service begins
On the allotted minute, Fløene books the Fabia into service and Mikkelsen drives into the Skoda UK area. A large digital clock at the back of the awning starts ticking down. As soon as the engine is switched off and stationary, the Fabia is jacked up and set on axle stands.
One mechanic is responsible for each corner of the car. Before they remove the wheels, they check for any play in the wheel bearings and suspension. They work quickly but thoroughly; they dont want to get to the end of service only to discover theres damage that wasnt spotted earlier. If all looks well, the wheels come off.
Once theyve been removed, each mechanic carries out a visual check. Then the underbody guards come off and a second visual check will be made before they carry out a spanner check. If a longer job such as a transmission change is needed, it takes priority. Otherwise, standard jobs such as differential changes and gear ratio and damper adjustments will be carried out.
By the time the wheels are off, Renaud Chevalier, the man who is responsible for the engine bay, has downloaded the data from the car to his computer and is studying the engine telemetry to check there are no anomalies to investigate.
Borghini carries out any work needed but primarily focuses on the inside of the car. For example, if the crew has any issues with the intercom system, he will investigate. Other jobs such as replenishing the drivers individually specified drinks are done.
15 minutes to go
While service continues, DEsposito – the controller – makes sure all the mechanics know how much time is left before the car has to leave. At the same time he takes phone calls from the weather crews deployed at various points across the next loop of stages. When DEsposito has information about the conditions, he, Roux and Mikkelsen discuss then settle on a tyre choice.
As Mikkelsen and Fløene eat some food, they discuss tactics with team manager Andy Rogers and team principal Pierfrancesco Zanchi. From the recce and weather crews they will know all about the conditions on the roads, whether the terrain will suit the car and on which stages they can take risks and which ones require a more prudent approach.
Five minutes to go
As the clock ticks down, the engineers start to finish up their various tasks.
The last one is to bolt on the chosen tyres. Often there will be spies from other IRC teams in the crowd of spectators in front of the service area, trying to glean information on Skoda UKs next tyre selection. To keep them guessing, the mechanics keep the tyres in their heated blankets until the last possible moment.
Service ends
Fløene is aware of the specific moment when he must book out of service; to miss this would incur a time penalty. With just a minute or so in hand, the car is dropped off the jacks and Mikkelsen drives to the service out time control.
He and Fløene are now ready for the next competitive section of the rally to begin – and so is the Fabia S2000.