Surprisingly enough, some top tier teams in Little 500 do not go into race day with any type of plan regarding wrecks. While it is impossible to predict what accidents or equipment failure will happen, it is critically important for every team to have a plan in the event something happens that stops you from racing.
The myriad of structures on the infield interferes dramatically with your ability to see what is going on for at least 50% of the track. So the best bet is to compensate for it. In a previous section I mentioned providing your lap counter with a hat so he can signal you in the event your rider goes down. It was also mentioned that prior to the race to determine what you can and cannot see on the track. The diagrams below illustrate this.
The team's pit is in blue and the green represents the part of the track you can see from that pit. There are spots across the track where you can catch a glimpse, but remember, the bikes are moving, and most of the time you don't realize that you have a rider down for as long as an entire lap. Another way to compensate is to have your mechanic stand on a chair and have the bike ready to go. So don't clamp it to the stand or anything like that. If there is a wreck, have that guy jump on the bike and ride it to the site of the wreck, running it is way overrated. As far as the replacement rider, they need to cross the track as quickly and a safely as possible. You don't need an impeding penalty on top of going down in a wreck.
In the diagrams, the green sections of the track are where the rider can see you and you can run towards each other. Do not run backwards on the track, run along the side of the track on the grass. Remember, if you cause any problem on the track, you can be assessed a penalty. So in the green zone, you can take the bike in the direction of your pit if it can't be ridden. However, if you go down in the red zone, and your rider or bike is broken, just stay put. Having people running around trying to find each other is the best way to loose multiple laps. Stay still and hence limit the damage.
If your rider is hurt and goes to the medical tent, you will not be allowed into that tent, nor will the rider's parents. The medical staff will send someone to the pit with any information regarding your rider.
The most important thing you can do in the event of a wreck is to not panic. You have to be the eye of the storm and keep the rest of the team focused. Your energy is best spent revising your race plan, rather than freaking out.
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