The racing season is over and unfortunately Justin did not win the championship...but he sure could have! It was a crazy day at the club; we have been having issues with them (along with others who have as well) where the club follows the rules one race and the next they don't, etc. For about 3 races in a row now there have been "rule issues" where the other kart in Justin's class has parts missing, etc. and it is in the rule book that they HAVE to have these things on and in working order, but they don't and nothing is done about it except for getting an "I'm sorry I didn't do anything about it" from the "high ups" at the track. The last race of the day yesterday, where winner takes all, was just a flub of the rules. First Garrett, who is standing on the #2 spot (who by the way has not raced in this class once ALL YEAR), spun out in turn 3 and had to get out of his kart. Once you are out of your kart, the rules state you are finished. You finish the lap (if you can get your kart started) and then you get off the track and you do not finish the race. You can do whatever you can to get yourself back on the track and your kart started, as long as you DON'T get out of your seat. Well, Garrett got out of his kart, pushed it back on the track, and they didn't flag him to tell him to get off the track; they let him keep going. While he was trying to get back on the track both Trevor (in the number one spot) and Justin lapped him, so keep in mind they were both one lap ahead of Garrett. A few laps later, Justin, who was RIGHT on Trevor's back bumper, touched Trevor's back tire and Justin's front bumper flew off, just like at the IKF race. So according to the rules Justin should have gotten the "meatball" flag and when he got to the end of the track he needed to get off. His race was over. (Just like they did at the IKF race). When anything falls off your kart, no matter what the reason, you have to get off for safety sake. So theoretically, both Garrett and Justin should have been finished. Justin backed off Trevor and slowed down, expecting to get the "meatball" flag. He didn't get it, so he kept racing (there were just a few laps left). So then at the awards ceremony, he is given a 3rd place trophy, when he should be 2nd, because regardless of the flags, etc., he and Trevor were still 1 lap ahead of Garrett, so he should have placed second. It's just a big mess there. No matter how many people go to the meetings and talk about this etc. it keeps happening, in many classes; not just the kids' classes. I told John I'm seriously re0thinking us signing up next year. We are spending all this money to race in a fair environment where rules are followed and we keep getting screwed. We believe, as many others who came up to us afterwards, that if Justin's bumper didn't fall off he had a HUGE chance of winning. He caught up with Trevor, when they had a large distance between them, so he had a real chance of winning the championship. So we'll see what happens at the meeting next weekend, but Justin came in second in the championship and we are proud!!!!!!!!Monday, October 6, 2008
Racing Season is Finished....
The racing season is over and unfortunately Justin did not win the championship...but he sure could have! It was a crazy day at the club; we have been having issues with them (along with others who have as well) where the club follows the rules one race and the next they don't, etc. For about 3 races in a row now there have been "rule issues" where the other kart in Justin's class has parts missing, etc. and it is in the rule book that they HAVE to have these things on and in working order, but they don't and nothing is done about it except for getting an "I'm sorry I didn't do anything about it" from the "high ups" at the track. The last race of the day yesterday, where winner takes all, was just a flub of the rules. First Garrett, who is standing on the #2 spot (who by the way has not raced in this class once ALL YEAR), spun out in turn 3 and had to get out of his kart. Once you are out of your kart, the rules state you are finished. You finish the lap (if you can get your kart started) and then you get off the track and you do not finish the race. You can do whatever you can to get yourself back on the track and your kart started, as long as you DON'T get out of your seat. Well, Garrett got out of his kart, pushed it back on the track, and they didn't flag him to tell him to get off the track; they let him keep going. While he was trying to get back on the track both Trevor (in the number one spot) and Justin lapped him, so keep in mind they were both one lap ahead of Garrett. A few laps later, Justin, who was RIGHT on Trevor's back bumper, touched Trevor's back tire and Justin's front bumper flew off, just like at the IKF race. So according to the rules Justin should have gotten the "meatball" flag and when he got to the end of the track he needed to get off. His race was over. (Just like they did at the IKF race). When anything falls off your kart, no matter what the reason, you have to get off for safety sake. So theoretically, both Garrett and Justin should have been finished. Justin backed off Trevor and slowed down, expecting to get the "meatball" flag. He didn't get it, so he kept racing (there were just a few laps left). So then at the awards ceremony, he is given a 3rd place trophy, when he should be 2nd, because regardless of the flags, etc., he and Trevor were still 1 lap ahead of Garrett, so he should have placed second. It's just a big mess there. No matter how many people go to the meetings and talk about this etc. it keeps happening, in many classes; not just the kids' classes. I told John I'm seriously re0thinking us signing up next year. We are spending all this money to race in a fair environment where rules are followed and we keep getting screwed. We believe, as many others who came up to us afterwards, that if Justin's bumper didn't fall off he had a HUGE chance of winning. He caught up with Trevor, when they had a large distance between them, so he had a real chance of winning the championship. So we'll see what happens at the meeting next weekend, but Justin came in second in the championship and we are proud!!!!!!!!
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2 comments:
I am so proud of him and ihe certaonly should have one second place! First could have happened, but second truly did. I am surprised that everyone didn't protest the entire race unless they switched the last two awards? Did they? Gram Gram and Grandad are very proud of Justin and how hard he worked all year practicing and learning to race at his best. We will celebrate together when we see each other this weekend!
Congratulations, Justin, on your finishing the year so successfully. Uncle Arlen and I are very proud of you.
It sounds, Jen, as if there needs to be a real change in leadership in your club to assure that the rules are followed by and for everyone. That's not an easy task unless everyone who agrees with you is ready to attend meetings snd support proposals to rectify the problems.
Hugs, Auntie Vaden
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