Quote:
Originally Posted by James OLC
Bill,
Great post and as you are more than aware, you don't owe any of us an explanation, you've been doing this for a long time and it's great to have your leadership in the community.
Im my opinion this "conversation" is more than overdue and anyone who would shut you out from bringing it up has their head in the sand. The elephant has been in the room for a LONG TIME and it was only a matter of time before someone saw it for what it is. There are lots of ways for the ASCS to adapt and most "grass roots" events have taken steps to address safety and experience disparities and frankly, if you don't have the safety equipment or experience then you have no place being on the track on the leading edge. OLOA requires that you document your experience and the organizer can choose to accept your entry or not. SSCC requires graduating safety gear with speed and limited NOOBS to the event to a mandatory half day drivers school and lower speeds - they don't care who you are or what you've done, if you haven't done one of their events you do the school and low speed class or you don't compete. TARGA has a Grand Touring class for folks who lack the required (and substantial) safety gear - same course, slower times/speeds; don't like it? stay home. It can be done and you guys will figure out the framework that works for you.
I haven't been at this for long but I can remember early events where a long sleeved shirt and helmet was considered OK for driving gear and people were complaining about that. Today I won't get on a track without a suit, shoes, gloves, and HANS device and my "cheapest helmet that meets the rules" has been replaced with a lightweight, professional grade piece. Total investment was less than a set of tires and while none of that will keep me from running out of talent, it does increase my odds of being able to cry about it when the damage is done.
I look forward to seeing where you go with this and am happy to help if I can. It's a bummer not to have RTTC in the spring but summer is fine too. Personally I would be happy with ASCS events becoming (very) mini Power Tours with "competition" events in the afternoon before some kind of big ass BBQ with friends in the evening. But that's just me...
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Thanks James, and you are so right with the last part of your post. As I said in my last post, and I know it is things people don't like or maybe want to hear, but for too long now, we have fooled ourselves into thinking one car can be an antique, daily driver, a cool ride AND a RACE CAR. It simply can't and do all well. At this point, I am not sure what is our ultimate answer, and until we get a handle on it, I am not willing to take the risk. BBQs, cruises with maybe an autocross was the events that I remember as fun anyway. No need to reinvent the wheel or make another race series, lets get back to having fun.
