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Robbed at Octoberfest

Guest · 2010-10-19T00:36:19Z

I run the #8 Thunder car from Sauble Speedway(raced as 81 this weekend). I started 4th in the feature and after a hard fought race finished 3rd. After the race I went up to pick up my pay and was informed that I finished 4th. At first it was explained to me that I jumped the original start?? Of course I wasn't happy and wanted an explanation on how someone starting in 4th could jump the start. No one could give me any answers and a 'Protest Form' was placed in front of me. Now I was advised that I had to wait around until all the races were over to speak with anyone about it. I was lucky enough that a friend had videotaped our race. I viewed the video numerous times and it clearly shows the exact opposite of what the track official was claiming(I will be attaching the video once it is downloaded).I took the camera back up to the tower and attempted to show the officials/management my proof. No one would listen to me, watch the video or get involved(even the track owners). They just advised that I needed to wait to speak with the flag man.I waited around for probably close to 2 hours. The flagman came up read my protest form and began to write his reply. I walked over and introduced myself. He then advised me that I was docked a position because I went out of line before the start/finish line. I attempted to explain my side of the story and advised him that he was wrong. My argument fell on deaf ears. I then advised him that I had proof and could show him the video to settle it. He wanted nothing of it.I am upset obviously with his decision, but also how it was dealt with. I can understand using video in some circumstances isn’t appropriate, but I feel that for something like this it was. They had held back the cheques for 3rd and 4th place until this was settled. The video clearly shows 1st and 3rd getting a great jump on the start. 3rd gets up under 2nd and after the start finish line I fall down behind 3rd. When I move down before the corner I was at least 1 car length behind 2nd/3rd and at least 1 car length ahead of 5th/6th. I ran probably 20 laps in 4th. I did not jump the start(actually I think I was sleeping) and I did not jump out of line.Now for my final beef. Since I’ve been home, I began reading the rules on the Flamboro site. Here is a cut and paste;b) On all original starts, cars are to line up 2 abreast. No passing allowed before the start/finish line. Cars are to maintain a pace equal to that set by the official pace vehicle, and must maintain that minimum pace once the pace vehicle leaves the track. Pole sitter must NOT reduce the pace heading to the green flag or he/she will face a penalty. On re-starts, cars are to line up 1-2-3 and then double. Late Models will line up side-by-side, 2 abreast, for restarts. On restarts passing is allowed once the green flag/light is shown. Cars moving out of line or jumping before the green will be penalized positions accordingly. Same rules apply as on original start with regard to maintaining speed and accelerating to the green flag.So in reading this….even if the starter was correct in saying that I jumped out of line(moved down in the track) before the start/finish line on the original start….is that illegal by the way the rules read??I will finish my novel now. It has been very frustrating and unfortunately I think with the way it was handled, it will be some time before I return to Flamboro. Thanks to all the Thunders for an awesome race. Matt

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crazyhorse

Oct 20, 2010 1:18 pm

(@crazyhorse)

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hogg
last year at frost fest,i just watched a video of the 69 car,scott from the beach who was runnin 2nd in the feature,he pulled out of line and was beside the 10 car who was the leader at the time,he was beside him before they even hit the line,scott went on to win the race,id say that was jumpin the green,the hell with flam,every year its a shit show,flam cars get away with murder,the out siders put on the show an bring the car count up yet they get shafted every year!!

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crazyhorse

Oct 20, 2010 1:27 pm

(@crazyhorse)

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sorry not for hogg

for crazy8's

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racinroy

Oct 20, 2010 6:05 pm

(@racinroy)

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crazyhorse,
Were you at Flamboro?

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Crazy8s

Oct 21, 2010 5:09 am

(@Crazy8s)

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I agree that going to video in all cases would be pretty crazy. I guess I was hoping they would at least look at it in this circumstance. The only thing it really affected was either giving me the 3rd or 4th place cheque.

I was just really frustrated with not only the call, but with how the protest was handled. It didn't matter that I filled out a form or waited around for 2 hours....my opinion didn't matter at all. The flagman didn't care what I had to say and wouldn't listen....so not much of a 'protest'….more like a total waste of time.

I am still pretty new to racing and have a lot to learn. I have been to Flamboro a few times and love the track...however I have heard numerous comments on how the 'out of town' cars are discriminated against a fair bit. This just makes me wonder about that even more.

Hogg you're right....I guess it is part of racing and hopefully next time when I return I will win by so much and not give them anything to question.

25 JLM thanks….yeah I think if we would have gone a few more laps I would have come out on top…and then received 2nd place payout!

Thanks jwo racing…..look forward to seeing your video. Once my friend gets his downloaded, I will be adding it.

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mike32

Oct 22, 2010 12:56 am

(@mike32)

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from the spectator side (and maybe this is why I only go to Flammy a couple times a year while it's the closest track to my home), I believe I saw J.R.'s 14 hit the 76 on a caution as it appeared he didn't like Shawn's side slam to move him and no black flag was shown. What the late model 05 did was nothing. Read Gary Elliot's website about it.
Also, that false start in the late model race was brutal. I thought if the start was waved off, the starter still displayed the green but was supposed to let it hang limp rather then wave it, then throw the yellow when the cars were in a safer position like the back stretch. Guess I've been going to too many dirt races where it's done this way.
Again with the starter---- when Kenny Forth was turned over Saturday night, supposedly a red was thrown but did anyone notice the leaders did half a lap and the top three seemed to be jacked up under each other in corner four. What the heck happened there?

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