----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Oliveira" <ilium@attbi.com>
To: <autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 9:49 PM
Subject: Nationals Protests
> Anyone know what the protests in GS, GSL, FM, FML, FSP and ESP are about?
What cars are involved
> and what was protested?
I am, of course, an utterly unofficial source, this is just from my notes
off the scoreboards. Summaries with the Official Results will be the Real
Version, but knowing not everyone sees those....
GS/GSL - Car of Brian Priebe/Michael Eckert/Katie Elder protested on a small
shopping list of items (IMHO, not so much fishing as a listing in logical
order things would be found). Valve clearance measured, some other items
visually inspected, all found in order, remainder of protest withdrawn.
ESP #1 - Conor and Henry Botkin protested for front crossmember component
modified beyond factory specs/allowances. Competitors stipulated to the mods
and DQ.
ESP #2 - Tom Berry/Steve Eguina protested on similar grounds. Protest
upheld, having to do with slotting of a lower control arm and an additional
brace. Both DQ, but have appealed. This one is still pending appeal decision
(it is the only protest item unresolved as of the end of the event).
FSP - Richard Windberg/Tommy Regan protested on six items, first of which
was that their cylinder head not available on any 8v Scirocco. DQ on that
item with others being withdrawn or drawing reprimand only.
FM #1 - John Whitling protested on claim his exhaust length was longer than
the allowed 24 inches beyond centerline of rear axle. It was 26-5/8" He was
DQ, appealed, but withdrew the appeal.
FM #1a - Eric Heller took one run in the Whitling car. That run was DQ
(Originally Heller was assessed a 2-sec penalty on an officials' protest
from impound because he came in 2 lbs underweight, but that was before the
Whitling protest was concluded).
FM #2 - Stuart Phipps was also protested on the exhaust length item. His
measured 26-23/32". He was DQ and appealed, citing both the reason for the
mod was sound abatement requests by his local regions, the pipe was supplied
by the manufacturer of the vehicle, and that except for the pipe the
operative items of the exhaust system were all within the required package
length. His DQ was reversed and he was given a 10-second penalty on all runs
and a requirement to fix it for the second day (he was DNR the second day).
FML - There was something of a timing FUBAR during the FML heat Tuesday and
all five competitors joined to protest the timing, seeking a provisional
fourth run. Chief Steward decided not to grant any reruns. Protest was
disallowed as having no material effect on the results, but their protest
fee was returned.
--Rocky Entriken
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