Model Railroad guys can do it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Garry Sharp
........COTA only will really work with an electronic flagging system because that is how it was designed. I was at the F1 race and could see several of the lights. There was NO doubt about the status of the track in those sections.....................
After an absence of 60 years or so I went to see a modern computerized model railroad this evening (neighbor's basement is full of it). Fascinating to see ALL the signal lights change sequentially around the entire track. Thinking of COTA and being of devilish mind I asked him what would happen if two trains were programmed in conflict - he showed me - basically both signal systems automatically throw up the equivalent of our 'yellow flags'. Of course in this case the same computer also controls the trains!!! Hmmm.
But my point is in this day and age we should have a master system controlling lights round the whole track. Can't happen overnight but we should start moving towards this right now. I first made this point about 15 years ago.
Notification of Decision: Protest in Group 5 at COTA
Here's the email I got from the Divisional Steward. I think it's a little harsh compared to what I witnessed other drivers doing. It's a kick in the teeth! :redflag:
Dear Mr. Pierce,
Upon review of all of the information available to this court of the SOM, including track camera video, timing and scoring data, and your statements made to us via email, we have found that you were in violation of GCR 6.1.1.B. (pass under double yellow flag condition) during the last lap of the Group 5 race on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at COTA.
We are assessing the standard penalty for this particular violation, which is loss of 3 finishing positions in class for that race plus 2 penalty points against your competition license.
You have the right to appeal this decision. Your appeal must be in writing and postmarked (by US Postal Service, UPS or Fedex) within 10 days from the date of this notification. Please see GCR Section 8.4 (located on page 78 of the GCR) for details regarding the appeals process.
Thank you for taking the time to respond to our inquiries regarding this incident. We wish you successful and safe racing in the future.
Best regards,
Joe Gilmore
SCCA Member #357462
Divisional Steward
So, I spend THOUSANDS to participate for the weekend. I drive 22 hours (1372 miles) and use a week of vacation from my job. Our qualifying session is cut short to 15 minutes, our second qualifying session is cancelled, and we may have had 10 laps of green over two races. I pass one car, missed the first FCY station (that was poorly placed in T12 to begin with) and immediately let up. I find my accusor committing the same offense in my earlier video of the race. He missed the station entering T11. NO ONE was driving at FCY speeds and several cars missed multiply FCY stations while passing multiple cars at full speed. The officials screwed the pooch on several occasions (two pace cars, pace car not in front of overall group leader, failure to drop FCY at restart, and failure to report PUY).
AM I ALONE IN THINKING THIS PENALTY IS A LITTLE SEVERE????? To appeal the penalty would mean giving them $175 more and surrendering my license to the Chairman of the SOM before the appeal will be heard.