New Japanese GP Start Procedures

Scuderia Toro Rosso has decided to exclusively reveal new rules regarding the start of tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix.

STARTING PROCEDURE

(a) Minimum Visibility
There must be at least one nautical mile visibility over the entire race course and there must be no forecast or other reason to believe that there will be any lesser visibility on any part of the course or its vicinity throughout the expected duration of the race.

(b) Procedure for Starts
I.
The distance between the muster area and the first turning buoy on a rolling start must be at least one nautical mile.
II.
The muster area will be defined in Race Instructions and further explained at the drivers‟ briefing. Boats should proceed to the muster area as described at the drivers‟ briefing. Competitors are reminded to comply with the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea and local bylaws whilst proceeding to the muster area.
III.
Once in the muster area, boats must be off plane (bow down, no wake) and must circle in a counter-clockwise direction.
IV.
The start chute, between the muster area and the first turning mark must be straight, be adequate for the number of starters and be kept clear.
V.
Two minutes before the start of the race, the start boat will raise and continue to display a yellow flag. This indicates the commencement of the start procedure. The start boat will then proceed across the start chute between the fleet and the first race mark and then return across the start chute. When the start boat has crossed the start chute for the second time, it will turn and begin its start run towards the first race mark – see diagram
1.
VI.
N.B. The start boat may begin crossing the start chute in either direction.
This will be detailed in the drivers‟ briefing.
VII.
All race boats may then begin their start run towards the first race mark remaining at least 30 meters behind the start boat until the raising of the green flag.
VIII.
Race boats must observe a safe spreading distance of at least 3 meters
Between boats and no boat shall run directly behind the stern of the start boat – see diagram 2.
If at any time during the start procedure (prior to the green flag being raised) a red flag is raised, the start has been aborted and all boats must return off