In a message dated 9/4/2001 3:16:27 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
tjn56@swbell.net writes:
Tom,
The posting I did wasn't directed at anybody in particular. If you'll
read my posting again perhaps you'll see that.
I have no problem with changes in the LSR organization. I do however
have a problem with people lobbying for radical changes in procedure, using a
chat bulletin board for leverage as opposed to following the established
procedures of the LSR organization.
I'll respond directly to your various comments below, hilited with
########.
> Doug,
> I somehow felt this message was partially aimed at me and do not fully
> understand why or the intent of the message. If I am in error or if I
> misunderstood your intent, I apologize. I also apologize for the very long
> response but the recent discussion thread is rubbing me very raw. I have
> tried to address each of your discussion points.
>
> Although I have never been down the salt, I have built a vehicle, paid two
> entry fees, have one trophy (another on the way) and my son (we are a Team)
> has been down the salt. Are you telling me my opinion is not wanted or
> valuable?
> ####################################################
I don't believe that my posting in any way inferred that anybody's
opinion and input wasn't wanted or valuable. What I said was that once you've
been a competitor (that includes driving and/or managing a team) you get an
entirely different perspective regards rules, procedures, etc. and why they
are as they are. To jump into the fray and start suggesting procedural
changes without actual experience on the race course is not a wise idea. My
comment regards following the long black line(s) was regarding people who
have never driven, suggesting changes impacting the driver(s).
#########################################################
> You are correct we need to use the forms if we have ideas or suggestions.
> At Speedweek, I found lots of people willing to take money for entry's,
> shirts, posters or telling me I was in the wrong line, but nobody pedaling
> or pointing out the suggestion forms. If I had a idea right now that I did
> not have at Speedweek, how do I get it on a suggestion card?
#######################################################
A good place to start would be the registration trailer and Warren
Bullis or Roy Creel.
#########################################################
> year? At Speedweek, I was in such awe of the whole event I
> never thought about making any suggestions or changing it. Maybe when they
> send out
> registration forms, entry forms or trophies they could include a suggestion
> form, just a suggestion (now where is that form).
>
> The paragraph about the old SCTA/BNI versus the current SCTA/BNI reads like
> this to me....Now that we got those guys out, we are in charge and we don't
> need improving. Or maybe "they were a bunch of screw-ups but we are perfect,
> don't ask us to make changes" (this is not what you stated, but that is the
> message I get from it).
##########################################################
Your interpretation is your interpretation. Those are your words, not
mine. That's not what I said or even implied. Many of todays officials of
SCTA-BNI such as Bob Higbee, Dan Warner, Warren Bullis, Ron Cohn, Bob
Overman, to name a few, were on board prior to 1990 also. Many of the
"post-1990" procedures that changed were in the Tech area (introduction of
the "Big-Top" Tech Inspection as opposed to inspections done in the
competitors pit). The incoming board felt that some big changes were needed
in the early 90's and implemented them. They were in many areas, including
bookkeeping, finances, tech inspection to name a very few.
I wasn't anything more than a member of SCTA-BNI in those days, and
I'm not today. In the mid to late 80's I was an engine-partner in the RedHead
streamliner, owned by long-time SCTA-BNI officials Jim Lattin and Elmo
Gillette, but that's the extent of my involvement.
#############################################################
>
> I agree that the Volunteers do a great job and have on several occasions
> stated that. I very much want to volunteer once my job constraints stop
> limiting my off time. I have volunteered for the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts
> and the United Way, all local organizations that do not require me driving
> 1800 miles, I am not a stranger to giving my time. I also agree that
> everybody sees a different picture from their position in the event. I am
> sure Speedweek is a totally different experience if you are working as a
> volunteer versus running the event.
>
> I mostly lurk on the list, trying to get information from others
> experiences, gain knowledge from the people who have done more at Bonneville
> than I have. I try to be very respectful of their accomplishments. I also
> try to contribute to the list when I can. In the last two years that I have
> been reading the Landspeed list, I have on many occasions seen new ideas and
> "young spirits" dampened by inappropriate responses given on this list.
> Sometimes a suggestion is twisted or interpreted to mean that the
> volunteers are not doing a good job when that was not said. This diverts
> the attention from the suggestion to "beat up on the messenger". I have
> seen some bad ideas shot down and that is good. But I also think there
> might have been some good ideas shot down because of who submitted them.
> From what I've observed, it seems that there is still a "Good Ole Boys" club
> being run.
###############################################################
Next August take a closer look at the SCTA-BNI offocials and what
they're doing. For the most part they're keeping the meet going smoothly for
us participants. If indeed they get to run their cars it's usually either
late in the day or after the first weekend's runs. There is little payback
for these guys other than the satisfaction of seeing the event happen.
I'm sure that from the perspective of the "yet-to-run" or
"not-intending-to-run" observer his idea(s) seem like the logical way to do
things. What my posting was trying to point out was that things look a lot
different from the sidelines than they do from within the helmet and/or
tuning/wrenching/sponsoring. What sets me off is when an interested observer
skips the step of inquiring why things are done a certain way and jumps right
into what changes should be made.
########################################################
>
> Lastly, the recent discussion was about the long time spent in line. It is
> a fact the lines were long. As Glen stated they have been long before.
> They were so long that they decided that they needed to make 2 courses. I
> am willing to bet that at that time, the time when making a second course
> was first suggested, somebody said it would be impossible. Maybe they said
> "it already takes 50 volunteers and it can't be done". I am glad that the
> spirit of the individuals that wanted to make two courses did not get
> drowned by a bunch of "Good Ole Boys". I'm glad that they kept pushing
> until the second course was added and "we now have over 100 volunteers".
###########################################################
Your supposition. I wasn't a party to the decision to run 2 separate
courses.
##############################################################
> Please read Glen's following statment" We have over a hundred volunteers to
> put on an event. We can't do any better." Think about the wording, I do not
> believe this statment, yes there are over 100 people involved but, if a
> safety concern was identified and it required another volunteer would they
> not consider it? No, they would find a way "to do better", of this I am
> sure. I wish Glen would have said "I don't see how we can do it, there are
> no extra clocks, not enough room for the course" or someother reason. There
> must be valid reasons, if they were stated, then maybe they could be
> addressed and a soultion worked out. His response showed an total
> unwillingness to work with new ideas.
####################################################
May I suggest counting to 100, take a few deep-breaths, and possibly a
cold shower. Glen is one of the true heroes of SCTA-BNI. His Speed Week is
over 2 weeks long. He, along with Starters Bib Higbee, Jim Jensen, Bill
Taylor, and Bill's assistant are involved in every single pass down the
course. No breaks, no visiting or sociability, no "tire-kicking", just being
on duty for 12-14 hrs every race day, not to mention the week spent setting
up and taking down the timing equipment.
########################################################
>
> I know you have a lot of knowledge and experience in life and in racing.
> I plan on taking advantage of it.
########################################################
You wouldn't know me if I walked past you. My car has no name on it,
just the number. Regards my experience in life, you know nothing about me.
Regards my racing experience, I'm a relative newcomer (first drove in 1987)
despite my age. Regards my knowledge, I've spent a lot of time listening to
those who are presently competing with the setup I run, or who ran long
before me with my particular type engine. My approach is to listen to those
with experience, and when I'm asked a question I don't have an answer for I
don't hesitate to admit I don't know.
##########################################################
Thank you for your time.
> Respectfully, Tom
############################################################
No reply necessary.......................................Ardun Doug King
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