Can't help but interject a bit since I'm probably one of the butt-showing
competitors you are referring to. And to all who had to witness my little
soapbox, I apologize wholeheartedly. But when it comes down to competing in
an event such as this from a region such as this, I expected way more. The
format was great, IMHO. Had a great time on course, and thought it was a
great "spectator" attracting concept. It's what the "spectators" didn't see
that really made the event not so enjoyable. Rules making as the day went
along, even changing ones mandated by SCCA. Crowd control...crowds of people
walking across the course during the event. Driving across the course as
well. No control over who came into the paddock/pit area (i.e, spectators
doing burnouts next to my paddock spot.) Shouting over the PA system telling
people to get the hell off the parking lot doesn't sound like the right
course of action as far as crowd control. Being laughed at by an event
official when I wanted to protest a course official's actions didn't fair
well with me either. So, when it came down to losing due to the wrongs of a
course official, yup, I was more than a little miffed. It was a culmination
of the day full of problems. These weren't problems just for me. It was for
quite a few other "major" competitors attending. I'm sure that I could go on
for hours about this, but I won't. I just want to make a point that the
competitors that did decide to show their butts (no, Dick wasn't there,
unfortunately), had a legitimate excuse for doing so. If I do recall, I'm
not the first to show my butt over this organization....I'll leave it at
that.
--Mike
----------
>From: TeamZ3@aol.com
>To: KFine@sarcom.com, autox@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: NOPI Results
>Date: Mon, Sep 20, 1999, 4:01 PM
>
>From my tired memory (got home at 1 AM), so highly unofficial:
>
>Overall winner: Carter Thompson (Koenig Caffiene wheels)
>Class Winner: Mike King, 2nd Mark Allen
>Class Winner: Heath McMillan, 2nd Phil Currin
>Class Winner: Carter Thompson, 2nd Steve Waters
>Class Winner: Bob Monday, 2nd Jonathan Roberts
>Class Winner: Don Ahrens, 2nd Clint McMahon
>
>Class winners received $350 and a set of Toyo tires
>2nd place received $150
>Overall winner received a set of Koenig Caffiene wheels
>
>The double elimination tournament was mega-fun IMO. A few rough edges, but
>not too bad considering this was the first time trying a totally new format.
>I expect things to be ironed out for a smoother, quicker operation next year.
>
>
>The only real negative in my mind was the unsportsman-like conduct of several
>competitors who didn't mind showing their butts at an event intended to
>showcase the SCCA to many potential new members.
>
>Mark Sipe
|