DG writes:
> Ian J McFetridge <g8r@bellatlantic.net> wrote:
>
> > Here we go again. It is basically assured that I will be protested for
> > running in ESP this season. I just got back from a meeting where my
> > region's reigning ESP champ made some pretty strong accusations to my face
> > (always laughing afterwards, but still strong words). I heard the
> > following in conversation:
> > * "I know you DSM guys cheat, you're a cheater." (I just moved here and he
> > has never seen my car)
> > * "I talked to a guy at the NE Divisionals and he told me all the tricks"
> > (I don't even know the tricks)
> > * "Better bring your owner's manual"
It sounds to me like this guy is trying to take the wind out of your sails
by resorting to psychological warfare, commonly known as mind f^ck, FUD,
head games, etc. If he can make you so insecure that you can't perform,
then he has one less competitor to worry about. Fortunately, those who
like this tactic pay a price in terms of popularity. Even those who are not
the target will usually be repulsed by it. It can also be difficult to tell
if the intent was malicious or comical. If it was the latter, then this guy
should have realized the risk of being misunderstood and kept his mouth
shut, but now it is too late. Sometimes you don't realize what a dork
you're being are until everyone is giving you funny looks. Its tough to
recover gracefully from that, but since you couldn't know him very well yet,
either, you owe him a chance.
Your best response is to assure yourself that you have nothing to worry
about, and even more importantly, resolve the conflict once and for all by
inviting him to protest you. Believe it or not, trying to be a nice guy and
pretending that the posturing never happened will only perpetuate the discord.
> > 2. He saw my website and has picked something from my website that proves I
> > am ESP illegal. I asked him exactly what on my car is illegal, but he
> > wouldn't say. WTF, if it was something I could make legal, I would.
This is very unsportsmanlike. If a protestable issue is known in advance
of a competition, it should be brought to the attention of the driver. If
the driver insists that he won't fix or re-class his car, then a protest
after the competition is a legitimate process. Be aware, however, that very
few regional drivers own factory shop manuals, let alone bring them, so
if for no other reason than this, protests are discouraged at the regional
level. A lack of objective information would put the protest committee in a
very difficult position, and requiring everyone to bring a factory manual
would be too much of an obstacle to getting a good turnout.
Some event organizers even announce that protests can only be made if the
protestor submits to a "cruel and unusual" process, which I don't like.
What I do like is that every event I ever went to has encouraged resolving
all conflicts without resorting to the protest process. But if it ever came
to it, I would want the unqualified right to protest an illegal car. That
is only fair.
I know DG's response was very similar to mine, but for some reason I felt
like adding my two cents worth. I think I touched on some fresh ground.
--
Jeffrey D. Blankenship Senior Technical Consultant
jblanken@itds.com ITDS - TRIS
Champaign, IL, USA
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