OK I guess I'll pitch in my $0.02 on this one as well.
My answer is...yes, I would go and correct a mistake, even if it costs me a
potential win (or even the overall championship). Like Jerry pointed out, I
wouldn't enjoy getting points that I feel I didn't really deserve either.
I'd feel guilty if I received my 1st place trophy at the awards banquet
(this is a hypothetical scenario that most likely will not be happening
anytime in my autocrossing career of course), knowing that I had only won
because of some mistake in Round 11 that was never picked up. What would my
fellow competitors be thinking as they see me receive that trophy?..."grrr,
that bastard only won 1st place because of that unreported DNF in Round
11." On the other side of the picture, I'd too would be a bit miffed if I
knew that someone beat me because of some mistake in the results.
That said, I applaud the person who DQ'd himself on his unreported DNF on
sunday, thereby costing him a win, and possibly costing him a chance to win
the championship. I'd hope that there are more people out there who'd do
the same under similar circumstances.
Elbert Chin
98 Prelude #32 GS-r
----------
> From: Rich Urschel <OSP13@attglobal.net>
> To: bay area list <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
> Subject: Ethical Question regarding Autocrossing
> Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 3:44 PM
>
> We make a lot of mistakes running and scoring
> autox events. Don't even think about disagreeing
> with that statement. We're Human, we're unpaid
> volunteers, and sh*t happens. Let's not argue over
> how much a lot is either, ok? My final positions in
> three out of the last four series I've competed in
> were affected by administrative mistakes of various
> kinds. I'm qualified to say it's a lot.
>
> So here's the question. When a mistake is made that
> turns out to be to your competitive advantage, do you
> correct it?
>
> I'd like to hear other's opinions, and if you keep
> reading, you're going to hear mine (last warning).
>
> By and large, rules are not enforced unless a
> competitor protests. Nice people follow the
> rules and in general won't protest those who
> don't. Double whammy. Now, if you go out of
> your way to correct mistakes you happen to
> know about that are to your advantage, triple
> whammy.
>
> I want to win outright, fairly, and by the rules, but
> I figure if I get the occasional break it just offsets
> the occasional break my competitors are getting.
> Not all mistakes are even known. So my answer
> to the question is, "no, I won't go out of my way
> to correct a mistake that is to my advantage." I
> figure the mistakes even themselves out over time
> if you don't correct the ones you happen to know about.
>
> Rich Urschel
>
> Ps. The sign of the ancient whammy hex is
> not to be mistaken for the sign language
> symbol for "I love you."
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