Spot on Bozz. A normal road car is dangerous enough , a purpose built contact racing machine is basically a lethal weapon against soft human tissue , if a person is unable to control their emotions when in a position of responsibility ie :guiding said racing machine through a public/pedestrian area then they should not have the privelage of driving it .Just imagine Dave if that had been you ,your friend , your child who was hit by the gate , how would you feel then ? . There is no need to even rev up the engine in a stockcar until it is on track . There was a particular F1 driver , now thankfully retired , who seemed to think that the racing began the moment he pulled away from his transporter , i always joked with Kev that this driver was quicker in the pits than on the track which wasnt far from the truth , at the time Kev had 3 young kids and it terrified me to think what would happen if one of them stepped out in front of him , i eventually had a word with him about it but it made no difference so i resorted to dobbing him in to the pit marshall at most meetings , still made no difference though but at least he has retired now . There are still one or two drivers who could do with a bollocking regarding speed in the pits , banger drivers being the worst culprits . I have also seen a small boy run over in the pits by a Super Moto race bike at a practise meeting and again the rider was at fault because he was going way too fast , i had actually asked at the pre meeting riders briefing if we could make it that you had to push your bike in the pit area , most of the other riders laughed at me !!!!!!.
I wasnt at the meeting in question but if the reports i have heard are true then i think the punishment fits the crime . I presume the ban is an ORCI one meaning it is basically a blanket ban from all formula's ?.

Comparing the description of Polley's incident with the one I referred to in my previous post, the outcomes of what appear to be two very similar incidents resulted in punishments which are poles apart.

There was literally an inch or two between me and quite a few other spectators being seriously injured when that F1 driver spat his dummy out, in full view of several officials. All he got was loaded up for that meeting.

If he had actually mowed a few people down, would he still have only been loaded up, or would he have got a lengthy ban like Polley has?

Did the said F2 driver stop after the marshall was hit and check he was OK?
Did the said F2 driver post regret and remorse on his social networking site?

Drink driving carries one sentance, knocking someone over through drunk driving carries a tougher sentance. Ozzy is right in ALL drivers should be aware of the dangers in the pit areas and should only be "racing" on the track. They all know that, so if anyone of them disregards this and causes injury to someone because of thier actions, then they suffer the consequenses of thier actions. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Those defending this driver think on - would you be happy if pit access for the public was banned because of such an incident????????

I don't think anybody is defending him?

It's the apparent inconsistency in the punishment for dangerous behaviour across formulae that I find puzzling.

e.g.

F1 - spinning the car around and almost taking the catch fence and some spectators out - loaded up.

F1 - repeatedly ramming a stationary car after the red flags - nothing.

F2 - ramming a gate in the pits and injuring a marshall - 12 month ban.


The only noticeable factor is that somebody got injured.

To be fair, it was Polley's second offence, which was probably a factor.

On face value, there seems to be some inconsistency as you say Carl but, I don't know how long ago the incident with the F1 you describe happened ? Things may well have moved on H&S wise since that which have seen punishments strictly enforced and increased ? If it is true that it was a second offence then the punishment is even more relevant. He has shown contempt for the rules and for others.

I'm not here to argue but someone made the comment that Dave Polley didn't intend for anyone to get hurt. Whether he did or did not intend for anyone to get hurt is irrelevant. Pit speed is set to 5mph for a reason. Be that as it may, he certainly did not show much concern at the scene or at his keyboard.

I think Dave should count himself lucky he only got a years ban for it. He lost it in a public area, not on track which is a differant thing altogether. You can't get away from the fact his actions hurt somebody.

Incosistencey if you ask me, i seen a few drivers lose there rag at the pit gates on may occasion, ramming them or speeding away aggresivley after being locked out, he not the first and wont be the last, also i believe Dave was trying to join whilst race on rolling lap and wouldnt hold it for him while they opened the gate, but i recently witnessed the exact same thing happen very very recent, rolling lap held whilst pit gate was opened at the very same track (not there fault i know), like i say incosistent, i cant condole what polley has done, but lets have it fair for everyone.