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After the recent incident at Phillip Island it got me thinking about a simple way to have a rain or brake light flash if a car is stalled on the grid. Whilst this may not be a perfect solution it may give some advance warning. My problem is to have it automatically activate and not require driver input.

Brainstorming a solution would be to tap into the charge/oil lights that come on when the car normally stalls or tap into the RPM signal and at zero RPM the brake/rain lights flash. Additionally it would need a seperate on off switch where you would activate it just before a race.

F1 cars have anti-stall but it would be way too complicated for what is needed, plus in some instances rain lights are mandated, however all cars have brake lights, so it is making use of what is already there. Thoughts?

Putting your foot - gently - on the brake pedal would do the same, without complications/expense/failure points/etc.

The real problem is the confusion on the grid as cars start, and the difficulty of actually seeing the stopped car until you are on top of it - when flashing lights are only a formality at that point.

If you want a system that might work, a series of VERY bright red lights spaced over the grid, and operated by the starter, might do the trick. That would be the signal for 'abort the start, reform on the grid for a second attempt', because if the start remains alive, what 'real' driver will back off and give a rival an advantage?

Points noted greenMachine. However a flashing light, in my opinion would be more effective, but your suggestion of the starter having more control sound a good move as well.

Magpie,
Shoot Droo a PM.
Greg.