Simon:
I concur with your report on CSRG Sears. And of course I have a few comments
to add (when have I ever been shy??).
I agree whole-heartedly with your opinion that CSRG needs to be tougher on
those involved in incidents. If you attended the so-called "tire" discussion
meeting last weekend, you quickly learned that the board is trying to
regulate tires to reduce incidents instead of dealing head-on with offenders.
I must say, though, that they have been somewhat tougher of late, but they
still need to do more. A friend of mine did a stupid spin in T11 in the
mechanical picnic and they put him on the trailer. I hated to see it happen,
but it was the right thing to do.
If you recall, I was volunteer Chief Driver Observer for half of last year.
After doing lots of work to recruit D.O.'s, document incident reports, and
talk to errant drivers, I found the that last year's board often ignored my
recommendations for disciplinary action. So, I resigned as I saw no benefit
to what I was doing if the board wasn't willing to stand behind it. While
some accused me of being the "Driver Nazi", I still believe its going to take
some strong action to bring some of these guys back to reality. Its my
opinion that if you have or cause contact in a vintage race, you need at
least 6 months off to think about it. The CSRG board often would not take
such measures, or if they did, would rescind them when the offending driver
would come crying to them with some lame excuse. I think it should be made
abundantly clear up front....crash, or hit somebody or something and you're
going to be out for a while...then there should be no crying or questions
when they tell you put it on the trailer. And, it just might cause you to
rethink those last-minute, dive into the apex passes, or give that rookie
just a little more track as you go by.
And I believe you are correct that most of the incidents were in the formula
and sports racing groups. Us production car guys were pretty clean as far as
I know...this time
You don't want to hear what I'd suggest for the Formula car groups....JUST
ELIMINATE THEM!!! There's nothing more boring than watching a bunch of FFs
or FVs buzzing around below the K-rail where all you can see is the top of a
helmet and the roll bar. Bring on the NASCAR boys, TRANS AM cars, and more
door bangers that can put on a show!!!! OK, all you formula car guys, spam
away!!
Myles H. Kitchen
1965 Lotus Cortina Mk1 #128
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