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Ok, I will stand as Dictator and I proclaim "point bys" or else! :lol:
David has hit a point that I support, a benevelent dictatorship ruling the series by the letter of the CCR and AI revision is what is needed. Once we all come to common ground on any gray areas the CCR does not specifically bring up such as grid arrangements, ONE person should run things as dictator. Now as a dictator and to be fair to the group, that person should NOT be a participant in the series or be a friend of any of the competitors....that's not his job.
In the words of rodney king...why can't we just all get along? or just get in the cars and race and race hard!
I can't wait for TWS....I am bouncing in my seat!!!!!
Throttle back Turbo... there can be only one Sherriff in this here town. 8) :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by AI#97
Not sure why I just fell out of my chair laughing ... but I did ....Quote:
Originally Posted by CMC17
:lol:
Who the hell told you about my new turbo motor?! Somebody has been snooping around the garage I guess.... :?Quote:
Originally Posted by CMC17
I'm going to try and cover a few points that have been brought up.
1. Directors at an event - There are two directors for AI/CMC - Todd and myself. It's been that way since 2003. If only one director is present at an event, that's who is running the show for the weekend.
Hallett is the only event a regular series director wasn't present - ever. I was there in the morning, but a family emergency called me back to Dallas. To complain about a director not being present for this event in particular, based on the circumstances, doesn't give any justice to Todd or I.
There are 2 directors for a reason - 1 person can't do the job alone, and there has to be a contingency when one director can't make an event.
Richard Pedersen and David Donovan were acting series directors that weekend, as they've been a huge asset in the past with series items. You all owe them a "thanks" for their support.
MSR-C in April was a tough one due to NASA Texas getting a handle on contact. Was it perfect? No. Did we all learn a valuable lesson? Yes - how do we know? Contact issues have dropped dramatically since.
MSR-H in May wasn't rough at all from a series perspective ( tech issues of Nomex socks and the fines aside ), IMO, with the exception of a few people being very dissatisfied about having to weigh after qualifying. For those who thought it was pure BS the AIX cars had to weigh after qualifying on Saturday...here is a quote from the 2006 AI/X rules:
Section 8.4 - Impound
Using the argument "We've never done that before!' is irrelevant. We will continue to change things up regarding tech inspections from time to time to keep everyone on their toes. It's the right thing to do for the series.Quote:
All finishing drivers in both classes must proceed to impound immediately after any race or qualifying session unless released by a NASA official. Failure to do so may result in penalties being imposed on the driver. It is purely the driver’s responsibility to report to impound with the vehicle and vehicle’s logbook at the proper time. If the vehicle is unable to report to impound, the driver must report to impound and remain until released by a NASA official.
2. Dictatorship - interesting point of view. In the past, when we ( the series directors ) have made a decision/decisions that is, in our opinion, in the best interest for the series, but is unpopular amongst a few racers, a vote has been demanded. That has caused our ship to veer off course when we are working so hard to steer in the right direction for the series.
So....some want a dictator, some want to vote on everything. Makes it confusing, huh?
As to the comment of the directors alientating some drivers - each racer has their own reasons for racing/not racing. We do our best to encourage each person to come and race with us, but fully realize that we aren't going to keep every single racer 100% satisfied.
It's unfortunate, and it bothers Todd and I greatly, but that's the reality. We aren't giving up, and we aren't leaving as directors.
To some specific points/people now:
David Armstrong - it's clear you feel I've done a very poor job as a series director. It's unfortunate you feel that way, but I disagree with your assessment. I'm always open for a phone call to discuss - that goes for ANY competitor. Has since 2003.
Matt White - as I alluded to above, we've worked hard to make the right decisions for the series, even when that means it won't be the right decision for a particular competitor. We have to keep an eye on what's right for the group as a whole, which is what keeps the series strong, and brings in new cars/drivers. As I've mentioned before, the CCR's and the AI rules do not cover running the series - that's what you have series directors for.
Whoa Adam! Not intending to push buttons here but asking questions only. The dictatorship comment was meant as a suggestion once we iron out the gray areas with a vote. From that point on, lead with an iron fist of consistancy.
sorry if it sounded like I was bitching... Heck, i wasn't even there to have anything to complain about!!! :lol:
Adam,
I don't think you have done a poor job. You have a thankless job. I think things have grown out of hand. There was not enough control in the beginning when the series was small. Now that NASA has pushed a bunch of cars into the series, there is anarchy.
I don't understand why it should take complaining before change is made in a positive direction. Anticipation of a problem followed by a smooth transition keeps everyone happy.
example:
1. Impound: techs should tell everybody what is going on and allow us to rehydrate. What is the need for secrecy? That is my only complaint. Impounds are good. Plain and simple. It keeps the field honest. I don't have an issue with teching cars.
2. Inverted starts: I don't know how many times I have heard you are not racing the field. Why then put AIX behind AI? Why not allow us to start in front of AI? There are less AIX cars for the AI group to pass. You can bet if I don't feel like keeping pace with the front AI cars, I will let them by me. I have done it at MSRC during the 40 minute race. No problem with pride to wave someone by me.
Those are my only complaints. I don't care about the politics of this series. I don't care who is running this ship. I want to race. I want to race in a relatively safe environment. Added risk is not necessary.
I have never cared about the rules of CMC or AI. That is why I moved my car to AIX. I don't want the headache of those two classes. I want to do what I want to to my car and for the most part be left alone. I have that freedom in AIX.
Again, I don't care about the politics. I just want a safe, organized, and consistant race weekend. That is it.
Sincerely,
David Armstrong
I'm not going to comment on the other great stuff you wrote in the message, but I want to comment back on the AIX weigh in at MSR-H.Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Ginsberg
The bit about AIX having to weigh at MSR-H was BS and I believe you heard that from a number of people that day, including a few women. So that alone is a perception in your eyes, and you and I both know we never see eye to eye and probably never will. You have always and I mean always said everyone must weigh or top 5 and we all are usually pretty good about coming to the scales. But when AIX got to the scales in the past events AIX was always turned away.
So when David (AIX) did not show up to the scales he gets DQ’d, that was total BS!
You did that exact same thing the next day, second time you wanted everyone to weigh, and David came over and to the scales you said just AI and CMC only. You were holding the white board that said “everyone”!
Please Note: I had no problem with me getting DQ'd for not showing up after qual. I understand and know I should have come in. I was just too busy working on my car and trying to work out issues and just didn't think about it.
No, it wasn't. He was told multiple times on the grid that all cars were required to weigh after qualifying. All cars, including AIX. It's unfortunate he didn't come to the scales, but it's his responsibility to do so when directed by a Series and/or NASA official.Quote:
Originally Posted by chicane23
And, for clarification, only is qual time was thrown out. He was not DQ'd from the race.