A black flag means nothing...
If someone is an idiot out there wrecking people, they most likely will not be doing so great themselves. There are not there to race, they are there to do what they do best, be an idiot.
Since a black flag will not stop a wreck and can only be thrown after one, its useless...
What you have here is a bunch of folk that don't want to put cages in their cars. For the most part, they are the idiots, as described above...
Every driver agrees that the cars as they are, are deathtraps. Those that don't are not drivers...
I can't help but get the feeling you are writing to see your own posts. I have to disagree with your post. Sure I will give you the death trap thing but black flags work.
You know damn well that drivers in any class are competitive and will look for any advantage to get to the front. It is what we all are there for. Some outright cheat, some find grey areas while others just show up and turn in a circle and are happy to get out of the house for the night.
We learn and know what will be expected of us in tech. You know the things to watch for and the others that may slip through the cracks but are willing to take a chance. This has been very clear in the four funs with drivers running camber, H rated tires and on and on.
In the past the four fun class would get a little out of hand (usually a few weeks into racing) and after our drivers meeting they would get held back for a talk with our starter. He would let them know that he is in charge and will not tolerate any more goofiness on HIS track. This is how it is with no favourites and no excuses!!! All the people that drove dirty, eager or gritty still shrugged it off till a black flag, then another and yet another then you have realize if you keep it up and have any contact you are done and you will not get away with it. Of course this would last for about 3 or 4 weeks then it would slide again. This year I don't think there has been that "talk" at all.
If someone needs to be babysat and needs a talk, they shouldn't be out there. But they are, so you need a cage.
As stated in your post, even after the talk things go back to the way there were. Same is true with a black flag. I don't wreck guys I race with, and my reason isn't fear of the black flag.
Yes I like to see my posts, don't you?
Okay Mark I'm reading this again and it still sounds the same to me. Yes you mention lack of driver respect and lack of black flags has "caused these wrecks". If drivers are allowed (I take it this means the starters are allowing it) to bash each other and "not suffer consequences" (another assumption but I would think lack of black flags), then the wrecks happen.
Your analysis of what I said is correct Deb, but your conclusion isn't quite right. I'm not blaming the starters for the rough driving, I'm blaming the disrespectful drivers. The starter should then be using the black to punish them, that's what it is there for. How am I 'throwing blame' at the starters for the rough driving, other than to say they should black flag the little buggers?
Nothing against you personally Mark but you're not even there to make the judgement call in the first place.
You are absolutely right, I haven't been there. I have been going from conversations with numerous people I talk to that are there - drivers, staff and fans - who tell it like it is. And I understand that the directive is for less yellows and blacks to keep the show going and that the final call hasn't been Rob's as it has in the past - please correct me if I'm wrong. So by that I am not blaming Rob, I'm blaming the situation he and the officials are currently in.
But understand by the same token you haven't been there for the last 5 years - I have, and I've heard first hand on the radio how a handful of these Four Funs need to be constantly babysat into not trying to kill their peers on the track! Unfortunately that job has fallen on poor Rob's shoulders, and he's suffered the migranes because of it. But back then he actually made that call.
All I'm trying to say is they need to get a cuff in the head every once in a while to set them straight. Harold said it well a few posts back. Is this right? Of course not. But those select few just keep doing it and won't stop until they move up and get dressed down by faster more experienced cars.
The bottom line is it is all moot now anyway because the class is dead.
Mark
If someone needs to be babysat and needs a talk, they shouldn't be out there. But they are, so you need a cage.
+1
Mark