Disapointed

[Mi2_Tastic]

First of all, let me say how nice it was to race outside again and meet up with a few racers from last year, however!

I was very disapointed yesterday, a couple of points that were picked up on not just by myself but others as well.

Driving standards, it seems that no-one has read what the meaning of qualification means or lapping or other seemingly simple concepts.

Driver standards, more than once I and others heard swearing and foul language coming from the rostrum, some from those who should have known better, and some from those who shouldnt have learned those words yet.

I just hope things change for the next meeting.

[Paul Sanders]

That, and the lack of commentary made for difficult racing, not knowing who is leading or on FTQ etc. The other races (when spectating) were slightly boring without anyone letting you know what was going on.

Hope i'm the only one who thinks this because the series does have the potential of being better than last year.

[Xrayed]

Ahhh, i agree Paul, The lack of commentary didnt help esspecially in some of the heats as well as the finals. Made the day feel less active and lively IMO perhaps we can get some for the next round of the STCC

[Mr.B]

Yes i'm afraid i agree as well.:(
Wether your being lapped or doing the lapping its nice to know.
Its not so bad at normal club meetings because generally everybody knows each others cars but when racing with others a bit of commentary goes a long way.
And also it did seem a bit crash and bash,maybe the commentary would help that as well.
I also heard the bad language,i might add that it wasnt in my heats or finals,this WILL NOT be tolerated at some other clubs so i suggest those that offended take note.
Oh well on to Eastbourne.:)

[exint2]

There did seem to be a lot of "bash and crash" yesterday but I'm not sure it's an indicator of anything more than "first meeting of the season exhuberance" and also the tricky nature of the Southend track, which doesn't allow the usual levels of precison that you get at flatter, more forgiving circuits.

however bad language cannot be tollerated and the culprits need to be picked up by the meeting referee and penalised - (no warnings it's the same as your car failing scrutineering, you have failed to meet the standards to be a driver so you lose your FTD)

Commentary is relatively easy, none of the circuits needs 10 marshalls, at least for the finals get one of the previous racers to do it, I'm sure each race will have on "big mouth" in it (I'll do it:D )

[MikeS]

I agree with Nick, and I would also add that we haven't been swamped out with people who would like to commentate!
I would also add that I refereed all the subsequent A finals, after witnessing the first 27T one.

If you have commentary experience, or you think it's easy then, let's hear your talents at the next meeting please.........you know where to contact me ;)

[jo90]

I would be happy to give it a go, but with sorting out your car etc it doesn't leave you alot of time, so guys bare that in mind - generally the commentator isn't a racer at the event.

It was a bit difficult to know where you where for sure, but I guess we will all come to terms with it somehow.

Refereeing is a diffult one to. Again comes down to numbers and people who are not really racing (it is hard enough to setup your car between rounds without having to make sure your eyes are on the track).

One idea we could think about is this.

At the end of qualifying the names of those people in each A final are given a overall final to watch. Mod would say take care of 27t, 27t take care of 19t and 19t take care of mod. With 30 drivers im sure we could all manage at the very most 15 minutes spread over a few hours from our tables. This way each final will have a set of eyes on the track, which would not only benefit the latter heats, but also help teach the lower heats the degree of race etiquette im sure we would like to breed.

What do people think ? If you are happy with it I will draw it up better and put it to Mike at the STCC team to look at.

[Xrayed]

Im Happy to try that out John. What could also be an idea, would be to randonmly pick, 2 numbers or even 1, from the previous heats ( a different number every round???), They dont marshall as such , but stand on the rostrum with them, or near trackside and Ref. This way your never going to need a racer. But counter argueing. Will people be Biast. i know you shouldnt but most people are going to be, one way or another.

Just a thought?

Same with Commentating?

[Mi2_Tastic]

Better to have a full time ref at each track, as was the norm at most meetings last year. Certainly would stop the abismal language on the rostrum for one thing, and would make drivers think twice about the standard of driving.

[Barry_Hughes]

Better to have a full time ref at each track, as was the norm at most meetings last year. Certainly would stop the abismal language on the rostrum for one thing, and would make drivers think twice about the standard of driving.

It was a condition in previous years that the host club provide certain officials one of which was clerk of the course/referee.

[MikeS]

I would say "condition" is too strong a word, it was more a request. As usual, early season exuberance is the problem nothing else, there really is no need to get overboard with it.

For the record, Southend did offer to put a referee on the rostrum, but due to the large number of Southend club members they were concerned of being accused of bias, so I elected to do all the A finals. This whole area will be looked at in the future.

Now lets put this to bed and start thinking about the brand new track to everyone........Eastbourne.

[jo90]

Bias...noooooo (and even the tenner we gave them im sure wouldn't have swayed their judgement) ;)

Good luck to all at Eastbourne, i affraid im elsewhere that day. Enjoy the new track and give me some feedback as im there later in the year ;)

[greyfox]

I would say "condition" is too strong a word, it was more a request....

Under the STCC 2007 Championship Rules, Driving standards and Organising Club sections, it mentions quite specifically - '2 people to act as Clerk of Course'.
Have all the rules now merely become 'requests' or just these elements?

[MikeS]

Yes agreed, but do you see the word Referee anywhere in that requirement?

I think this topic has really been done to death, the more it continues the more people feel they have an input. I would suggest that if anyone want to contribute more constructively, to ANY championship, the best way is to offer your services rather than criticise!

[mkdean]

I think drivers are more than capable of policing themselves; I saw several instances on Sunday of superb sportsmanship, drivers waiting because they jumped the track, or waiting because they had misjudged a manoeuvre and clipped the car they were intending to pass. Just the spirit the meeting should be approached with. The Southend track is a great track but its very nature does make a small error look like a catastrophic one and with exaggerated results. Hence I am sure we will see an improvement at the next meeting. Cannot wait for the next one.

[jo90]

Your right there, a small mistake, a cm to tight to a bend and wham your off into the air calling ground control for clearence. Im sure we have all learnt from this round that we need to calm a bit, thats all. I hope the next round fairs well, see you all at Barham (which is so big i'd find it hard to get taken out....i hope)

[greyfox]

Yes agreed, but do you see the word Referee anywhere in that requirement?

Actually, yes, in the rules under the heading 'Heat or final abandonment', paragraph 5, word 12!

It also states that the Clerks of Course can award a time penalty for bad driving, and that no bad language will be tolerated. The answers therefore to all the comments and requests on this thread are already in the rules.

[MikeS]

[Rob Fitzgerald]

I would like to thank Mike (and his crew) for running what is most likely one of the most popular TC series in the UK.

Where would you all be without him and the STCC series ?

[littlemac]

As a young driver in my 2nd year of the STCC may I just ask that we all take a "chill pill".

What marks this championship out as being special is the balanced approach of most of those involved. First class drivers enjoying a meeting with some novice drivers watching excitedly as they dream of matching the skills of their seniors.

I dont think anybody gets paid to run this series and it must take quite a bit of personal time. To all those people I say many many thanks cos without you I'd never have had the opportunity to meat a whole host of other drivers and make some new friends along the way.

I'm in no doubt that at some point this year I'll suffer from a bit of a nudge from someone and end up eating grass. Certainly I'm just as likely to be doing the nudging at some point! SORRY! That's racing is it not. We're not all team drivers, nor are we all angels. I'm sure a quiet polite reminder to all to watch our language is a firm enough nudge in the spirit of a friendly championship.

Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Cam

[Steve Cann]

of making the headbanging 'smilie' available to all? Or an occasional 'borrow' of it :D ...

[jo90]

I would like to thank Mike (and his crew) for running what is most likely one of the most popular TC series in the UK.

Where would you all be without him and the STCC series ?

Probably at home doing DIY ..... thank god for Mike and the STCC :)

[MikeS]

Yes Steve, take it, I know what you mean :)

On a lighter note, thanks for the comments, but as I have always said this championship could never happen without all the unsung people that support it behind the scenes, both formally and informally, the host clubs and of course the drivers.

The latest involuntary recruit is Colin Bysouth, who took over 160 pictures on the day, and sent me the memory card (which is on it's way back to you today Colin) with them all on. I have now converted and transferred these to the STCC gallery so there are now over 190 images in the Southend Gallery.
THANK YOU COLIN from all the STCC.

Now who would like to have a go at writing race reports........;)

[Rob Fitzgerald]

Now who would like to have a go at writing race reports........;)

WoW - where did everyone go ?

[skelsey]

Now who would like to have a go at writing race reports........;)

Ha!

Don't give me another excuse to not write this essay that's due in, erm, tomorrow :o

[MikeS]

Do your essay FIRST Simon....:D