To the organizers of the Rock Island GP

Mark Dismore Jr · Advertiser Joined: 21 Jul 2001 Posts: 1097

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Willis:
[QB]

Concerning the burning hay bale? If anybody seen the Red Flag waving, please let Tom know that you say it! It would make Preston feel better.
QB]

I did see the lady holding the red flag on the corner after the right hander. She was just standing there and wasn't waving it. But hey the green was out at start-finish!

Roger Ruthhart · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 1298

This red flag issue has been well reported by Jeff on this site and was discussed in great detail after the race. There's really no point in rehashing it on the forum, but I do want to make one point which other racers might find helpful in the future.

According to SKUSA rules, if a red flag is shown "drivers should slow and be prepared to stop where directed by officials -- preferrably the Start/Finish line. A driver may not enter the pits and may not work on the kart unless directed by the race director ...''

One or perhaps two drivers did enter the pits. NONE of the drivers drove to the Start/Finish line and stopped. As Tom A. noted in the post-race discussion, he could not see Corner 5 (behind tall buildings, a street race remember), and did not know that a red may have been briefly shown until after the race was completed. By then a lot of racing has happened, and everyone knows the winner -- it makes things a lot more complicated.

As Tom said, if just ONE DRIVER had driven to the Start/Finish line, stopped and reported a red flag, he would have had to investigate and likely restart the race. So to some degree, the blame is shared.

One other point: Mr. Argy and others involved in the post-race discussion made of point of telling me how mature and professional Preston was in discussing the issue. I'm sure that comes as no surprise to those of you who know him and race against him. Whether everyone ended up agreeing or not, I can't say. I'm not involved in protests -- that's why Tom gets paid the big bucks. But even though the race outcome did not change, everyone understood the rationale behind the decision.

For the record, corner marshals at RIGP are told that the race director (on the front side), or his assistant (on the back) are the only ones who can call a red flag. Actually, I think maybe they are told it's just the race director. Anyway, neither did. Sometimes sh*t happens, especially at the speed things happen in a SuperPro race. Flaggers can make a mistake and drivers can forget proper protocol. If we're wise, we learn from the experience and go on to race another day.

QUOTE]Originally posted by Mark Dismore Jr:

I did see the lady holding the red flag on the corner after the right hander. She was just standing there and wasn't waving it. But hey the green was out at start-finish![/QUOTE]

Dave Ridenour · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 79 Location: Middlebury, Indiana

Thanks. We had a great time. April and I agree with Marshall M. that it was one of the ,if not the, most competant(sp?) staff I have ever seen.

Russ McGrane

I don't think anyone can blame the corner worker for waiving the red flag, for god's sake the track was on fire in the racing line. I didn't see it myself, but the guy I was there with was running 5th and said he got hit in the helmet with a buring ball of hay. There was also a pretty cool picture in the Monday morning paper showing the fire. It is just too bad that no one let Tom know during the race. I was near the start finish line, and the karts came around the last turn onto the front straight very slow and ready to stop, when they saw the green flag, they hit the gas.

Anyway, had a great time, and might be back next year.

Russ

[ September 07, 2001: Message edited by: Russ McGrane ]

Kim Zobbe-Hogdal

quote:
Originally posted by Roger Ruthhart:
[QB]

And Charlie, with Courtney Weeks, Mishael Abbott and Gina Codalata here (among others -- we had 8 females racing this year), we finally had folks in the pit with hair longer than yours !! QB]

I personally contributed to 2 of those! My daughters are just starting out, so it was a little overwhelming, but everyone was sooo helpful and friendly! We had a great time playing in the "big time racing". Hopefully with more experience we will be able to Beat The Boys!

Roger Ruthhart · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 1298

From what I saw, your girls acted, and raced, like pros. They stuck their noses in against some tough competition and finished all their races which is half the battle here. The track is physically demanding and rough on karts & drivers. Hope you guys will be back next year.

OTE]Originally posted by Kim Zobbe-Hogdal:

I personally contributed to 2 of those! My daughters are just starting out, so it was a little overwhelming, but everyone was sooo helpful and friendly! We had a great time playing in the "big time racing". Hopefully with more experience we will be able to Beat The Boys! [/QUOTE]

Kim Zobbe-Hogdal

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Roger Ruthhart:
[QB]From what I saw, your girls acted, and raced, like pros. They stuck their noses in against some tough competition and finished all their races which is half the battle here. QUOTE]
Thanks for the kind words. We really did have a great time.