Having started the petition it is clear that this is a wider problem than first thought.
We enter karting knowing that it is a dangerous sport, hence we go out and buy the regulation helmets, suits, boots, neck braces, rib protectors and so on, for our children. We are guided by the MSA Blue Book as to the standards we are to follow. We personally check that our sons/daughters kart is in a raceworthy condition, which is also checked by the MSA Scrutineers pre race.
I don't think anyone watching cadet racing doesn't heave a sigh of relief when their son/daughter makes it around the 1st corner safely. Chances are that someone will spin or be unavoidably nudged by another kart, the bigger the grid the more chance of it happening, and we are seeing bigger grids recently in Cadets. This sort of incident cannot be avoided, it is part of the drama of a race start and something although not wished for, is a likelihood, at any level, even F1.
We cannot wrap our children in cotton wool or keep them from doing the things they love. My son has had more injuries from playing football at school than in a kart, however, whenever we witness or hear of a child being seriously hurt, whether it be at a kart track or in daily life, we as parents instinctively feel for that child and its family.
We cannot stop this sport being dangerous, so we must ensure that we have taken every step to make it safer!
Some people are quering the point of a petition, well, I wanted to assess the scale of the matter before we approach the MSA and Zip. I need facts and figures to compile a report to present along with the petition. May I ask if anyone wishes to send me photographs or witness statements I would be willing to include them in the report(My email address is on my profile).
It would be unwise to suggest that every cadet accident is the fault of the Zip nose cone, however if we can prove that there is a higher incidence of serious accidents happening where this nose cone has acted as a scoop or ramp, it gives us the right to request that it is banned.
No photographs/statements will be used without all parties permission.
If anyone has any sensible ideas/comments that they don't wish to post on this public forum, again please feel free to email myself.
Many thanks for the support.
Joanne
|
|