Points Event #1

[Jedi1]

Here is the only problem with all this. I do agree it's a good idea to let people know what they are missing. I don't remember this being done at a regional or national event though. We can do this local to help people progress, but we need to let any of them that may want to go to a tour or regional event that this will not happen and they need to really make sure they memorize the course.

The course walk is your friend! It can make our break your runs. Walk walk walk walk! All this coming from someone that hasn't been able to walk at all for 2 years, lol.

[JohnW8]

Here is the only problem with all this. I do agree it's a good idea to let people know what they are missing. I don't remember this being done at a regional or national event though. We can do this local to help people progress, but we need to let any of them that may want to go to a tour or regional event that this will not happen and they need to really make sure they memorize the course.

The course walk is your friend! It can make our break your runs. Walk walk walk walk! All this coming from someone that hasn't been able to walk at all for 2 years, lol.

I agree 100% Sean. At a big time event if you DNF all three runs too bad. "Thanks for coming see you next year!" It is vital that all drivers do the walk through on the course and memorize it. Draw it out on a piece of paper or walk it 3-4 times more til you get it. But for local events we can help by showing the missed section. Hopefully we're not that hardcore that we would exploit someones mistakes for a position. On the other hand.....

[Jedi1]

That might have come across wrong on my end. I am absolutely saying that it's a great idea to let people know where they are missing gates and hitting cones at our events.

I just want those that would like to attend events outside of our area that this will not happen at a regional or National event thats all.

[TouringBubble]

Also, from a T&S perspective, there are many times where we can barely keep up with the cone calls, much less discuss what specific gate someone missed. It gets VERY hectic in there. Not to mention the extra time required at the station to note the gate number and the extra radio traffic.

We also often get people at the trailer asking about these things while we're trying to keep up ... not only do we not know, we usually don't have the time to talk to the people that walk up.

So, my opinion is to not make things more hectic for T&S or the stations. IT will likely lead to larger issues than a DNF not being called.

As I stated, I try to put the DNF station in the notes area when I hear it called. I will be more consistent with that and the announcer can call the station with the DNF to help with direction and recommend the driver to go for a ride if needed. I honestly think that's all we can (and should) do.

[dr_phatcity]

I defer to the timing and scoring chief...

[JohnW8]

Also, from a T&S perspective, there are many times where we can barely keep up with the cone calls, much less discuss what specific gate someone missed. It gets VERY hectic in there. Not to mention the extra time required at the station to note the gate number and the extra radio traffic.

We also often get people at the trailer asking about these things while we're trying to keep up ... not only do we not know, we usually don't have the time to talk to the people that walk up.

So, my opinion is to not make things more hectic for T&S or the stations. IT will likely lead to larger issues than a DNF not being called.

As I stated, I try to put the DNF station in the notes area when I hear it called. I will be more consistent with that and the announcer can call the station with the DNF to help with direction and recommend the driver to go for a ride if needed. I honestly think that's all we can (and should) do.

Noting where a driver DNF'ed isn't the responsibility of Timing and Scoring. Drivers in the grid can handle it by helping a fellow driver find the errors of their ways, or at least point them onto the correct path.

[rodhx]

So, my opinion is to not make things more hectic for T&S or the stations. IT will likely lead to larger issues than a DNF not being called.

I agree also. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have only been to one event, but at that event I had to work a station alone and had little idea what to do and no idea how to make the radio calls. As helpful as it may be, I think it would be hard to work a station solo and keep up with this too.

[JohnW8]

I agree also. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have only been to one event, but at that event I had to work a station alone and had little idea what to do and no idea how to make the radio calls. As helpful as it may be, I think it would be hard to work a station solo and keep up with this too.

Sorry to hear that Rod. Was it the Test N Tune or the 1st points event? It sounds like if there was only one person at your worker station the course was too big for the number of workers available.

[TouringBubble]

Noting where a driver DNF'ed isn't the responsibility of Timing and Scoring. Drivers in the grid can handle it by helping a fellow driver find the errors of their ways, or at least point them onto the correct path.

This is true, but we can do what we can to help. If a new driver knows they goofed near station 4, they can pay close attention to that section on a ride along.

[rodhx]

It was the test'n'tune. There was at least one experienced person originally assigned to the station but he was a no-show for the group 3 assignment. I mentioned that I was alone on the radio a coupla times before runs started but there were other stations they were scrambling to get manned as well. I have been flagging for a year so I picked it up fairly quickly, but watching 2 areas 180 degrees apart is tough

[JohnW8]

It was the test'n'tune. There was at least one experienced person originally assigned to the station but he was a no-show for the group 3 assignment. I mentioned that I was alone on the radio a coupla times before runs started but there were other stations they were scrambling to get manned as well. I have been flagging for a year so I picked it up fairly quickly, but watching 2 areas 180 degrees apart is tough

For a Test-n-Tune there shouldn't have been any cones called in. Since the event didn't count for points, cones didn't count either. Basically the worker stations were manned to pick up cones. that's something that needs to be clarified for future Test-n-Tune events. If ever you are the only one at a station during a points event radio it in and the workers can be redistributed around the course if there are enough. That's why I think the courses need to be built to accommodate the number of workers available. Sorry you got hung out there alone. We'll try not to let that happen again.

[mpcavana]

Here is the only problem with all this. I do agree it's a good idea to let people know what they are missing. I don't remember this being done at a regional or national event though.

FYI, At National and some Divisional events there are audit sheets which are posted after each 1/2 run cycle in a heat. They note the number of the cone that was hit or the station where a DNF was reported. This board is usually near the grid so you can go look between runs. It's easy to see since there is a mass of yellow paper.

For regional events I ride in someone's car to see where I screwed up. Maps are not always your friend since no plan survives reality.

[DAB21]

Timing and scoring can be downright hectic at times. If you're working station 3 and call in a DNF, is it for the lower or upper side of the course? It is difficult enough trying to discern between all the class letters that rhyme, B, C, D, E, G and P when they are called-in, especially when multiple stations are calling in cones on multiple cars; even more so if the trailer is positioned where someone is running out every time to see which car just finished to keep the computer straight! Sounds ugly, but it does happen. Add to that walk-ups and its near total chaos. Sean and everyone with the similar tact are correct- it is everyone's responsibility to walk/memorize the course. Then if a person DNFs they should ride with someone to review the course at speed. We can be as accommodating as we wish and send each driver an email critiquing after each run and measuring how many centimeters (or feet in my case) off line at every gate, etc. But running our program very closely to the Regional’s ultimately helps everyone both driving and working. And if you are properly trained, you won't make our club look silly or stupid when you are driving and working a Regional event. "Wake-up Ah mer i ca, ...... (cue the anthem) You tell 'em, Pearl!

That's my $0.02. Thanks

[Jedi1]

FYI, The 4 Tours I've been to, didn't do that, lol. Maybe they have gotten better over the last few years.

[mpcavana]

Maybe back in the old 80's they didn't need to. All the national tours and National Championships I've been to in my short time have done this.