Title: What is a Snatch?
The STIG - July 21, 2007 10:10 PM (GMT)
The Snatch is a method used by certain circuits for fast recovery under yellow flag conditions (live track) or Saftey Car conditions (neutralised track). It typically consists of using a JCB/Crane/other appropriate vehicle to pick up or tow the striken vehicle to a point of saftey from where it can be recovered by regular means, often during racing. a typical snatch crew consists of a driver/operator and a hooker. No prizes for guessing who does what.
Circuits have to be licenced to operate Snatch vehicles - those without such vehicles have to resort to recovering between races, or under red flag conditions.
Licences are issued according to wether or not cicuits have CCTV, apparently, as well as a safe refuge for the snatch vehicle (Snatch gap) which also has enough room for at least one vic... recovered vehicle.
Not to be confused with tow trucks/wreckers/general recovery vehicles - which seldom operate on a live or neutralized track.
(please correct if you know better!!)
wickedwitch - July 21, 2007 10:17 PM (GMT)
Currently there are only two circuits in the UK licenced to operate snatch vehicles. Donington and Silverstone. Otherwise, you are correct.
Dave Brand - July 24, 2007 09:49 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (The STIG @ Jul 21 2007, 10:10 PM) |
| (please correct if you know better!!) |
I don't claim to know better; maybe a matter of semantics, but, to me, a snatch is a recovery performed with the track live.
At circuits not licensed to snatch recoveries can still still be done with the race controlled by the safety car - I've done it a few times at Oulton, using the normal recovery vehicles. For some of the big meetings Oulton does have Manitous available, but they can only be used if the race is neutralised.
The STIG - July 24, 2007 01:27 PM (GMT)
Thank you Dave and WW. prehaps I should have said "If you can add something please do"
Grandslammer - July 24, 2007 02:29 PM (GMT)
With Castle Combe being able to utilise the Safety Car for all it's races,snatch/recoveries are available using breakdowns (and a manitou which appears from time to time) <thumbsup>
flood1 - July 24, 2007 10:27 PM (GMT)
A snatch? My girlfriend ............ Well, nevermind.
Steelstallions - July 25, 2007 05:14 AM (GMT)
What is a Snatch? <sarcasm> <sarcasm> <sarcasm>
Thats when a half German car at a German circuit thats out of the race beached on gravel, gets air lifted back onto the track and Bernie's cronies let it race on <sarcasm> <sarcasm> <sarcasm> <yes>