All true, but I would always correct a problem in
my favor, just as I have seen a number of our
fellow competitors do. I believe we
get about as many requests to change something
that was in favor of the requester as the reverse --
we just got a request to modify a first place time
to a DNF because the driver went off course after
the lights but it was not picked up.
I wouldn't enjoy getting points I didn't deserve.
If all my other competitors did the same, I'd
be no worse off (than I already am ;-) I'd
feel better if I thought all my competitors
would do the same, but it wouldn't matter.
Isn't it kind of like getting too much change?
I'd always return the excess, occasion
permitting (i.e. I wouldn't drive back
2 miles to give back a quarter, but...)
And I'd let small infractions slip, too.
I know somebody is running wider wheels
than allowed, but it's not a factor in his
results, so why sweat it?
These trophies don't get you into heaven, and
they ain't good to eat. If I know I did not
strictly speaking deserve to get them,
the only good they are is to impress others,
and that's of no interest to me. If I
know I was faster than somebody else,
I don't need the trophy to prove it.
They are just a game that's not really
directly related to autocross skills,
anyway. I won A Stock this year,
but there are definitely A Stock
drivers who are faster (See Round 11!)
So just what is the big value of the
championship?
They are mighty nice, though, to be sure.
Mighty nice. Having them is really
great. Real keepers! I just have to keep
in mind what they really mean.
Interessting question, though, Rich.
Might just keep the list alive for the next
few weeks!
Jerry
Jerry Mouton mailto:jerry@moutons.org Laissez les bons temps
rouler!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Urschel" <OSP13@attglobal.net>
To: "bay area list" <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 3:44 PM
Subject: Ethical Question regarding Autocrossing
> 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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