The Unprofessionals: Unofficial Pit Lane Rules

There are unwritten pit lane rules, or who knows maybe they were written down at some point, but there are things pit men and women should know. I'm really just writing this because I'm tired of my father bugging me to write it, but after SIC I finally am taking time to do it. Pit lane etiquette is important and what better way to talk about it than this column.

The 5 Pit Lane Commandments:

1. Stand back when not actively pitting your person. (Why? Well if your person flames out or something happens wouldn't you like to easily be able to run to go get their car? Wouldn't you like for your driver to be able to see the pit lane when driving through it?)
2. No more than 2 pit people, you don't need your entire crew down in pit lane just existing.
3. Stand below your driver, this is a little more relaxed if the pit lane is really big but just for the sake of keeping things organized this definitely helps. (Also makes it a lot easier to actually be able to communicate with your driver.)
4. Please look back down the pit lane before you throw your car down after fueling. (If your driver gets dropped onto the pit lane and then smashed into by a driver driving down the pit lane already, that is entirely on you if you didn't look and is a good way to break two cars.)
5. Communicate with those around you. (Ultimately the people around you will likely work with you if you communicate, you can come in on different laps, or help each other fuel both cars.)

The list isn't long the rules aren't very difficult nor are they official, but people around you will appreciate you if you kind of stick to at least these 5.