Originally Posted by
fv9
Jim,
I too had a less than impressive run in with the SOM and court of appeals. I believe everything started on Tuesday qualifying. I had another car spin in front of me coming out of canada corner, overcorrect, and end up right in my path as I was going around him on the outside. We both had to come in on the hook. After getting out of the car, I followed the direction of the RA safety crew who told me to go get in a passenger vehicle to take me in. I note the attitude of the driver of the red truck, was one where he most certainly carried himself with an air of thinking he was a big shot and everyone WILL respect him. Anyhow, I complied only to be dropped off at SOC due to the driver of the red truck reporting me for getting into the passenger side of the passenger vehicle which was on the track side of the vehicle. I explained it was basically habit and that the occupant of the front passenger seat was getting out to offer me the seat and I said I would just jump in the back. Anyhow, a slap on the wrist was all, but kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.
Fast forward to Wednesday qualifying and my motor blew coming out of canada corner. I made it around 13 and pulled off to driver's left against the wall. Completely safe as the cars are drifting right there. The SAME safety crew showed up and walked up to me with a hard hook. If anyone remembers the FV, Dennis Andrade, who was hard hooked at Indy in 2021, it did not work out for him and he ended up in the hospital after being flipped and dragged by the tow vehicle. When I saw the hard hook, I asked for a soft releasable tow strap that I hold and can let go of if needed. Being someone who wears hearing aids when not in the car, ear plugs in, and a helmet on, I need someone almost in my visor to hear them. This guy was standing near the left front of my FV. I didnt hear his response but he looked into the back of the truck and came back with the hard hook. Again I asked for releasable strap given what happened in 2021. I heard him say something about waiting for the session to end. I had assumed they were going to grant my request after the session. A few minutes later they instructed me to get out of the car and into their truck. I complied, but didnt know why I was being told to do so as I only needed a flat tow. Next thing I know Im being dropped at SOC a second time and was informed I had disobeyed an official and I needed to go to the SOM tribunal. Needless to say I was dumbfounded by this. So, I waited for my FV to brought in on the hook, go into the truck with the driver to head to the paddock space and the driver told me how sorry he was as that RA driver is the biggest "a$$hole" at the track and does this to drivers when he feels disrespected. After dropping the car, off I went to SOM without even changing out of my suit.
Once at the SOM, I chatted with a driver's rep and then went in to the tribunal. I gave them my story and, after explaining everything in much more detail than above, they asked me to write the highlights on a form. I did so. A few hours later I received a phone call clearing me of any wrongdoing. I was also told they discovered in my case that RA will ONLY hard hook a car, SCCA was not aware, that they believe small formula cars should not be hard hooked, that my request for a releasable tow was appropriate, and that they did not find I disobeyed an official. An hour or so later I receive a call from the court of appeals stating the Clerk of the Course, Dennis Dean, whom I never spoke to, was appealing. They asked if I had anything to add. I asked if they had all of the oral testimony as the written form was merely highlights at the direction of the SOM tribunal. I was told yes, they did have all information. I then said that I didn't have anything extra to add. 20 minutes later I received a call back stating they were reversing the tribunal, finding that I had disobeyed an official, that they had complete empathy for why I did it, but were nonetheless handing me a reprimand and one point. I asked for clarification on exactly what evidence they used to arrive at this decision and was told "you were twice told you were in a dangerous area and they needed to get you out immediately with a hard hook and twice you said no." I was incensed as this NEVER occurred. I was also told we were in turn 14, which was completely false. I asked if he was aware of my hearing issues and he said he was not aware I wore hearing aids. I told him "then you do not have the entire record on which to base your ruling." He stated he had what he needed, or something to that effect. I asked what the point of having a lower court making findings and conclusions if the COA doesnt consider those at all. He stated "Quinn, this isnt a court of law." He then explained the ruling is final and there is nothing more I can do.
To me, its not the penalty, its very minor, its how all of this was handled. I did NOT interact with the RA crew as they found and the entire appeal process is a complete joke. As for Dennis Dean, I could not care less if he has FIA credentials, etc. He decided to appeal for whatever reason I do not know, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I have zero idea why he did so. Further, the appeal process is absurd. They literally do not have to consider ANYTHING the lower court finds and can really arrive at any preexisting desired conclusion. They dont even have to have the established record. I was disgusted by the process and ended up emailing Mike Cobb who was kind enough to meet with me later in the week. He seemed concerned by how the process was handled and was especially concerned that RA would not use a releasable strap, believing SCCA needed to know that and it needed to be in the supps. He promised to look into it and he seemed genuine. I appreciated the interaction and hope it leads to some change.
In the end, there are too many little Napoleons running around, but that has always been the case. The thing that needs to change is how the appeals process works. This was an absolute joke and will continue to be so until we force change.
Quinn Posner
Formula Vee #9
EDIT: I also asked to read the report from the safety crew and that was never provided, so I still dont know what the accuser stated outside of what the COA told me.