If we are to foster the growth of our "sport" then use the word in a good
way as in "good sport". In our Region, the Novice program (thanks, Carl) is
growing by leaps and bounds. Our Region has less than 100 full time members
and had 27 novices at our last event. If we want to attract these people and
have them become members, then let the experienced drivers help make the
event fun and a learning experience. I would hate to finish four runs and
look at the scoreboard and have an Off-course marked on all of them. We
always have 2-4 people who are willing to ride and help point the way. Or
have the novice ride in their car with them. If the drivers in the region
are complaining it is an unfair advantage (I can understand at
National/Divisional level), maybe it's time to find a region that is not so
uptight (Nomex on). Let's relax and try to have fun and remember it is a
sport not a fight.
Don Miller
Asst RE/ Comp Dir
Snake River Region
68 Datsun Roadster with a Turbo V6
-----Original Message-----
From: David Hawkins [mailto:otgrouch@twosrus.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:19 PM
To: PZahornask@aol.com; autox@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: How does a region foster nationally competitive drivers?
>Another outgrowth was the ride-along program. Basically experienced
drivers
>are allowed to have better drivers ride with them, even during competition
>runs. This is to foster improvement among the drivers that are above the
>novice level but haven't reached the higher levels. This program also
allows
>a person that is highly developed have another highly developed driver ride
>along for critique as well.
THANK YOU!
I have been trying to get ride alongs approved in my region for over 6
months
now and keep getting resistance based on 'it gives an unfair advantage as
the
person is seeing the course more often than everyone else.' I just want the
novices to be able to ride with the more experienced folk as I'm trying to
help
a couple of them improve and you can only go so far out of the car.
Ideally,
I'd like to get open riding....after all, we're competing for a jacket and a
mug!
If ANYONE can give me ammunition to combat the 'unfair advantage' and 'it's
just not safe' arguments, I'd like to hear it. I think I've exhausted my
cache, but
it'll keep coming up at the meetings until I get what I consider a viable
reason.
David Hawkins
85 Mr2 CSP/ITA
TLS 15
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