Now then, we can't have a duel if we're all shooting in the same direction
can we now? Except in the case of carburretors ...
Anyhow, I think there are a couple points to be made. First, the
participants need to understand that there will be consequences for actions
like Mr. Moss's. It's one thing to allow the driver's committee to make
their decisions in private, but when people describe Stirling's shunt as
"just a racing incident" that is misleading. Other drivers, or potential
drivers, may get the impression that the rules don't matter, and they can
drive aggressively & make mistakes with impunity. That is a dangerous and
wrong impression.
Secondly, I think people need to know that driver's committees will render
their decisions in a fair manner. Stirling, whether he had been a World
Champion or not, deserves the same penalty as I would had I done the same
thing. Or had Steve Earle done the same thing. In fact, I might argue that
Stirling should be held to a higher standard than us mere mortals, like we
hold the President of the -- no, scratch that thought.
That doesn't necessarily mean that all driver sanctions should be made
public. What I do mean is that de Cadenet's comments, and the AutoWeek
article, were misleading and detrimental to the sport (oh shit, didn't want
to start that argument again!) ... make that "detrimental to the activity".
I think the organizers ought to make it clear that they have levied
appropriate punishments for all driver infractions, without naming names,
and reporters should help convey that message.
By the way, our open discussion isn't trial by hearsay -- we have video
tape. The tape is pretty clear & damning evidence.
Now back to my dueling SU's to get ready for Summit Point ...
Mark Palmer
MGA #185
>From: Jim Hayes <hayes@mediaone.net>
>Reply-To: Jim Hayes <hayes@mediaone.net>
>To: Simon Favre <simon@mondes.com>
>CC: vintage-race@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: Our Sport
>Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 21:07:56 -0400
>
>Bravo, Simon!
>Guys, we are all out there racing, no matter what we say, and racing can
>have consequences. If we cannot accept that "incidents" occur, we should
>not be involved. Stupid drivers should not be tolerated, but the blame
>should be placed by a board of inquiry if it is serious enough to
>warrant it, not trial by hearsay.
>Or bring back duels, an honorable way to settle arguments.(bad, really
>bad joke...sorry)
>Jim
>
>Simon Favre wrote:
> >
> > My point was that publicly chastising a racing legend, no matter how
>dumb
> > his actions were, would make us sound even more like whining "rich boys"
> > who got their favorite toys bent.
>
>--
>Jim Hayes Winchester, MA, USA
>hayes@mediaone.net http://www.fotec.com/jim/jim.htm
>jeh@fotec.com http://www.fotec.com/
>All generalizations, with the possible exception of this one, are false!
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