[Greg Pierson]

RE “DIEGO LAROQUE POOR SPORT AWARD” post by ‘racing mom’

Using the name of a 10-year-old boy in a negative post on a public forum is inappropriate and just plain wrong!

And anyone that would suggest Diego or his dad Aaron are poor sports obviously doesn’t know them.

Here’s the content of the post …

“If you can’t beat em, buy em! Racing mom has learned that Diego Laroque’s dad has just CLAIMED Reece Gold’s motor at the Supernats. Everyone knows although SKUSA is a claiming race, it’s an unwritten rule that this JUST ISN’T DONE. If your child can’t win with his equipment, buying someone else’s isn’t going to help! No problem with Diego here, I’m sure he doesn’t even know his daddy is trying to buy him a podium. By the way, I’m not Reece’s mom, just a racing mom trying to keep it real. SHAME ON YOU MR. LAROQUE!”

What’s going on here seems pretty simple to me. After qualifying 5th overall and going on to win all three of his heat races (simply a phenomenal performance), Reece Gold started the main on pole. For whatever reason, Reece ended up finishing 15th. I don’t know why as I was preoccupied watching my own kid struggle. Missed setup, mechanical issue, racing incident, the pressure got to a young driver … Whatever the cause, you were super disappointed. Fine. Who wouldn’t have been? And then to add insult to injury, the dad of a kid that finishes ahead of you claims your engine. I get it. But this is absolutely no excuse to create an account on ekartingnews to post this or ask someone else to do it for you. If you don’t already, I suspect you will regret doing this and hopefully you’ll give Aaron a call to apologize.

Reece, you’re a great driver and I’m sorry the final results on Super Sunday didn’t reflect that. Keep your head up.

Diego, You’re a great driver, a great kid and a good sport. Try to ignore what others say that don’t know you.

More life lessons from the track.

[Greg Pierson]

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[Greg Pierson]

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[Greg Pierson]

In SKUSA, you can put up a certain amount of money (generally about $500 more than the cost of a new engine) to take (claim) another competitors engine. You fill out a form and put up the cash before the final race of an event, and when the competitor comes off the track tech facilitates the transfer.

When engines aren’t sealed by the factory like they are in L206, engine builders seal them and racers can spend thousands looking for a few tenths of a horsepower. Claiming rules help keep this to a minimum.

Here’s the actual rule for MiniSwift, the class being ‘discussed’ here.

“Claiming: Any competitor may claim an engine entered in the event subject to the following conditions: Claimant must be entered in the race and have participated in at least two events in the class during the calendar year. For the first race of the year, participation in the last race of previous year will meet this requirement. Claimed engine must have cleared Technical Inspection for the event. It is not implied or a guarantee the claimed engine is legal or will pass future technical inspections — “let the buyer beware” engines are claimed as is. Claimant must provide certified funds or cash in the amount of $2500 USD. Claimed engine will be delivered to the Claimant under the supervision of the event Technical Director and Race Director at the end of the event. Claimed engine will be complete, less engine mount and chain/clutch cover.”

[Greg Pierson]

Having never received the unwritten rule memo, I claimed LaRoque’s engine in Phoenix. He was a perfect gentleman about it and has subsequently said hi and shook my hand and every race.

Again, anyone that would suggest Diego or his dad are poor sports clearly doesn’t know them.

[Greg Pierson]

Please give me a call if this is still available.

Thank you,

Greg – 503.799.0893

[Greg Pierson]

Bill,

Please give me a call if this is still available.

Thank you,

Greg – 503.799.0893

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