To all:
I, generally, agree with the commemts of Rich, Pat and Dave on this thread
but just can't resist taking the opportunity to both expand on this subject
and make some other observations I think are timely at the beginning of a
new season. What a surprise :-)
Tally Brooks writes:
>It's a bit hard to believe that the season is just around the corner!
For general information, since I refer to them below, we are starting the
2002 season with the same set of supplemental regulations(supps) as were
used for most of 2001. The complete supps can be found from a "button" on
the SCCA, SFR, SOLO II web page at:
www.sfrscca.org/solo2/
Now might be a good time to refresh ourselves on the supps. content.
>I'd like to follow up on a thread from several months ago regarding
>multiple drivers. At the time, there seemed to be some angst about
>double and triple driver cars, especially when a competitive driver got
>multiple ride-alongs before each run.
>
>Is that still the feeling? Or are there any new rules in that area that
>I've missed?
You touch on two points here:
First, I'm not aware of any "angst" concerning "double and triple
driver cars" participating. Our supps. para. #33 allows up to four drivers
in one car per run group. BTW, the number of four was initially established,
some years ago to accommodate/allow/limit the, then, occasional entry of two
open and two ladies class entrants (but eliminate disruptive 3/3, or
greater, entries) in the same car/run group. As a practical matter, the
words were changed to "four entrants per car per run group" some time ago to
accomodate any combination of up-to-four entrants in the same car/run group.
If there is any "angst" concerning multiple-driver/car entries, it targets
both the timeliness of changing drivers between runs and the accuracy of
numbers/class designations on the car each time it is presented for a run.
It is an important responsibility of each entrant to have correct
number/class designations on both sides of the car (supps para #17) and to
be ready to run when the grid worker(s) direct you to the start line.
Obviously, multiple-driver entries make it more challenging but, also,
because of more chances for error, more important, to live up to these
responsibilities. Accomplishing quick and accurate (numbers) driver
change-overs is not only polite behavior but, is of prime importance in
facilitating time-efficient operation of events.
Second, supps para. #15 allows that "any entrant may ride as a passenger
at any time without penalty". The primary/original intent of this allowance
is/was to provide the means, for new and less experienced entrants, to be
able to get up-to-speed quickly by obtaining instructional rides, during
convenient regular runs, without penalty to the entrant or passenger. Also,
as a practical matter, the words "any time" were added both to provide the
optimal learning experience by clearly allowing instructional rides before a
new or less-experienced entrant's runs and to eliminate the need to account
for whether entrants rode as passengers.before or after their official runs.
The "angst" you may have sensed, in regard to instructional runs, involves
competitor concerns about those more experienced competitors who could/have
taken, what might be considered, unfair advantage of the intent of this rule
by getting multiple rides before their competitive runs even, sometimes, in
earlier run groups. This kind of behavior, although allowable, is not in the
intended spirit of rule #15 and, in my opinion, should be discouraged. Most
of us, despite our competitive natures, do this sport for fun and enjoy the
comradery we share with our fellow competitors. Therefore, when a fellow
competitor "takes advantage" (my words) of the intent of this rule, the only
thing he/she risks is being ostracized by fellow competitors --- which might
just put a damper on the comradery/fun part.
>Would it be preferable to people if the most competitive
>driver took all three runs first, then rode along on coaching sessions
>with the less competitive drivers (who might still be top-half or
>mid-pack)? Or are same-group co-driver ride-alongs discouraged
>altogether?
Supps para. #32 specifys that "all entrants will take their Nth run before
any entrant takes his/her Nth+1 run". Therefore, although there may/may not
be a competitive advantage to the more experienced driver, in your suggested
run sequence, it is not allowable. However, it is not necessary with
multiple-driver cars for the driver sequence in any Nth+1 set of runs to be
the same as the driver sequence of any of the previous Nth set of runs.
Also, for clarification, "same-group co-driver ride-alongs" are, definitely,
not discouraged.
As an aside, in my personal experience, the most effective teaching
sequence, when school-instructing new drivers, is to first, ride with the
student, then, after the ride, verbalize a few ways to improve performance
and third, take the wheel and show (or attempt to show) the
student/passenger how to accomplish the verbalized improvements. Seeing it
done is a more effective teaching tool than just being told how to do it. Of
course, in the school environment, this is usually done with both student
and instructor driving the same car. Even if different cars are involved in
passenger/instructor rides during events, I think this "teaching" sequence
(riding-showing) is still effective. However, if used during a regular
event, this sequence with the additional course exposure does also, at least
potentially, provide an advantage to the instructing driver. I think, when
the true goal is teaching, that any advantage to the instructor is
acceptable when balanced with the learning opportunity provided to the
student driver.
On a personal note, I encourage "learning participants" (my words) to ask
myself, and other experienced drivers, if they would mind giving an
instructional ride. Many experienced drivers are more than happy to give
early-run rides to other participants.
Finally, the following comment is mine alone but, I believe, represents the
sentiment of the SFR SOLO II Steering Committee (SC): Although the SC
guides/plans the operation of the SFR SOLO II program, the events are
actually run, mainly, through the effort, and for the pleasure, of all
competitors. As such, all competitors are welcome to attend SC meetings,
participate in those meetings and, if interested, become voting members of
the SC. The SC is open to hearing suggestions for change in the operation of
events by those willing to take the effort to bring such concerns or
suggestions to the attention of the SC. Advance notice to the chief and
in-person attendance at an SC meeting is the most effective way of
communicating with the SC. Information on SC officer contacts and
location/schedule for SC meetings can be found on the above referenced web
page.
Hope this is helpful.
Don
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