The problem isn't necessarily simply one of the drivers not being reported or the incident not being spotted.
For example, an observer watching a 'local' bit of track can only observe what happens to in that sector. If a driver makes an enthusiastic move that looks like a racing incident, then it won't get picked up. If the same driver does it again, then the observer might see things differently and report it.
A driver in the race may see things a whole lot differently and his reaction may get coloured by what he hears later correctly or incorrectly.
But even when things do get reported, there are other problems. The CoC has to back up the observer but needs sufficiently strong evidence to overrule the offending drivers word. The stewards have to back up the CoC's and the MSA and MSC have to back up the stewards.
Unfortunately you get the effect that there isn't enough hard evidence to back up 'something that all the drivers know' by the time the affair reaches the MSC. So when they find a case not proven the effect filters down that without a sufficient case you shouldn't find anyone guilty. Cases certainly shouldn't be judged on the grounds that X will accept a penalty and Y will object, though we suspect that there are some Y's out there who regard appeal fees as part of the cost of racing.
The answer has to be more knowledgeable observers reporting their observations on the track and more of the right sort of observations.
So, observers need to observe "X ran into back of Y, possible racing incident" then it is up to the CoC to note that this is a frequent occurrence with X and therefore may be dangerous driving.
Equally Observers need to note "X, solo, taking the kerb, wheels off the track, appears to be deliberate" and again leave it to the CoC. After all, it would be difficult to refute 30 reports of X being off track without pressure in one race and not conclude it was deliberate.
The best source of knowledgeable observers is drivers. With a little bit of organisation it should be possible to get more drivers or drivers representatives onto the track as observers, even if each driver only observed one race (ie not one in which they are driving or have an interest).
Yes, one realises there are times when one wouldn't be able to fulfill that obligation, like when you have to repair a kart, but at any one time there seem to be enough people watching a heat to be able to get 10 'authorised' to observe either from trackside or on track. All it would take is an 'Observers' high vis jacket and a radio , to be handed on to someone else or back to race control at the end of the race.
With, say, 10 knowledgeable observers at a time, would you risk deliberately driving outside the rules?
Surely that would be a better solution than a series of meetings by probably irate drivers demanding something be done about X 'who always offends' or bitching at the officials.
Yes, honestly, as a Blue driver, I would feel that I could observe a Rotax race without bias and about once a meeting I do get to watch one anyway. If not, my wife has learned enough about 'racing incidents', 'off the track' and 'jeez, that was unacceptable' to do it for me.
So that's my club / driver obligation fulfilled.... now all I have to do is get the club to give me the jacket and the radio!
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NICKYW (re- Hooton Mayhem) by 'buzzinrussell' (16 Oct 2008 @ 12:10)
