Recording every car on every run could be done at every event at every
work station, as is done at divisionals, Tours, & Nationals. Each corner
station is given a clip board where one worker is assigned to list each
car as it goes by, jot done the number of cones hit in the corner's area
(all areas need to be clearly defined so that there is no overlapping),
or jot down with a dash that is was clean.
At the end of the group, the pylon logs (as these sheets are called)
can be turned in and the cone counts that had been called in can be
verified by the chief scorer. Hmmm, could that be me? Or by an audit
committee of 2 each group. This could come under a separate job heading,
and would be "in between run groups," and count as a work assignment. I
suggest separate workers besides me because a pair of fresh eyes eight
times a day is far more accurate than one set of tired eyes the next
day.
We wouldn't need to stop the event as is done at the "higher" level
events so the pylon logs can be picked up, delaying the event.
We can do this, if we want.
--Pat Kelly
Donald R McKenna wrote:
>
> David Rowney responds:
>
> >This is getting WAY to serious...
> >
> > > I think we ought to start handing out some DNWs for course workers who
> > >don't >announce cones promptly and accurately, don't reset the course
> > >promptly and >accurately, ...
> >
> >So who is the "WE" that renders this judgement? This IS a great way to get
> >entry numbers down. How many of these people branded as indolent will be
> >back? I have seen plenty of mistakes (and made them), but I have never
> >witnessed course workers deliberately ignore downed cones they actually
> >have seen or not reset a course they knew was wrong.
>
> Like Dave, I've made all the mistakes we see others make, so my comments
> come from my learning from my own mistakes. I'm sure there have been
> circumstances where a worker (appeared to be) "indolent". However, I think
> the bulk of observed course-worker "mistakes" are due to in-experience,
> ignorance or the "cool" attitude and posture observed amongst some of the
> younger participants. The thing we, more experienced competitors, should do
> is to actually make a point of explaining to deficient/in-experienced
> workers the finer points of working the course as part of, even, a voluntary
> extra work assignment. I've done that and surprised myself as to how many
> things needed to be communicated in order to just do the basic job.The
> following aren't, by any stretch, all of the important things to be learned,
> just a few key points.
>
> 1. STRESS never working in a position where you can't keep your eyes on
> the car(s) near you on the course.
>
> 2. Emphasize the need to QUICKLY RUN to, and FROM the dis-placed cone(s)
> to correct the course for the following competitors while maintaining
> personal safety by keeping an eye out for the following car. Remember
> there's only, nominally, 25-30 seconds between cars.
>
> 3. When following a car on its path focus on the rear of the car, not
> the front, or worse yet, ahead of the car. By looking at the rear of the car
> you see the course imediately after the car passes and the opportunity to
> see wiggling or dis-placed cones is vastly improved.
>
> 4 Always pick up the red flag and hold it at all times, furled but NOT
> rolled-up!! And, don't hesitate to use it if an errant driver isn't
> recovering fast enough or the course isn't getting fixed fast enough for the
> workers' safety. As we all gain more experience, we are more able to,
> safely, judge when to withold the use of the red flag. New workers should
> err on the side of safety.
>
> > > I'm tired of hearing cone counts come in on "the red car" (which has
> > >two-foot class
> > >and numbers on the sides) ...
> >
> >Fact of life: sometimes the radio person is viewing the car from the rear
> >or front, and can't see the numbers clearly enough to read them.
>
> Although Dave's comment is very true, I've found that there's almost always
> a point on the course where you can get a good view of the number/class
> before the car gets to your part of the course. I try to put the
> number/class in my memory before the car gets to my spot and drop it as the
> car leaves my area, with or without any deviation, and go on to pick up the
> number on the next car.
>
> Don
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