alextzi@yahoo.com writes:
> If you look at the previous post,
> you will note the results of my pro solo Poll.
>
> A full 89.7 % of the 96 respondents think that reaction time
> must still be used in the class competition.
>
> only about 10% of the 96 respondents said it was ok for RT
> to not be included in class competition, but should be included
> in the challenge.
>
In a discussion with a long-time Pro Solo driver of notable fame, he put it
best:
"what has always happened in Pro Solo is that there is always 10-20% of the
serious membership who are never satisified with how things are and always
want to keep fiddling with it until it is exactly what *they* want. The
other 80-90%, who are satisified with the way things are, get taken for a
ride they don't want to take"
I think what's happened here is somebody's idea to emulate drag racing has
gone too far. I can understand the tree/light change to accomodate the
typical drag system rather then spend a bunch of money copying the old
tree/light system. However, there's nothing extra involved in counting RT
during the class competition, unless you want to emulate drag racing's way of
doing things to a tee. I can't see any reasonable cause for us to want to do
this. I don't believe the decision to not use RT during class competition is
agreeable to the majority of competitors who support this sport, and IMO it
serves no logical purpose or benefit to not count RT during class competition.
The idea of class competition being qualifying for the Challenge, and
therefore requiring us to emulate the drag racing system, is a farce. It
represents a poor understanding about what is worthy of change and what is
not. We don't have to do it the drag racing way, unless our goal is to have
the 10% of my-idea-is-best-even-though-it-serves-no-real-purpose dictating
what the rest of us will or will not have to endure for the minority's own
misguided self interest. We are not the NHRA. Copying the NHRA will not
make us successful. Unlike the NHRA, Pro Solo class competition means more
to the majority than simply qualifying for the Challenge. The majority want
RT to count during class competition. Using RT during class competition is
not going to impact the end goals we seek to achieve in Pro Solo; spectators,
etc. To do do otherwise is a misguided idea that we don't support.
FWIW, that's my opinion.
Mark Sipe
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