I was amazed when I recieved this email tonight.
Whilst I understand some of the issues behind it the way this has been presented is insulting to most if not all competitiors.
I have posted this for the karting communities consideration
Comments please - mine are in the text below
In 2011 the Super One Championship was in a position to be able to elevate your class to run alongside the S1 Rotax Championship.
This put Honda Cadet drivers right at the heart of the Championship package and has given you the opportunity to promote yourselves on one of the highest platforms in UK Karting.
" appreciated - but surely this was a late change of dates and venues forced on the organisers by reduced TKM entries - I thought the Honda entries accepted the opportunity amd made little if no fuss about having to re-arrange booked holidays hotels and having to pay for an extra round all at an additioanl cost of £20 per round"
I am very sorry to say that you have not as yet been able ‘to rise to the challenge’.
"Patronising"
Racing wise you put on a fantastic show and we all can’t wait to watch the close and exciting tussles that develop – however A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF YOU let yourselves down with the manner in which you conduct yourselves at the events, which spoils it for others.
"Talk to the individuals not the masses - could S1 possibly look at themselves for repeatedly talking tough at drivers briefing then most having to witness aggressive driving (including practice) with seemingly little action as promised ??"
Firstly please remember that all the competitors are very young, in many cases are ‘rookies’ and are learning ‘the trade’. The amount of pressure you put on them and expect perfect races with no incidents or errors is unbelievable. We all have the racing spirit and will to win but at the moment this is being overshadowed by your behaviour – THIS IS STILL A SPORT.
The S1 Championship aims to bring together the best competitors in your class and allow them the opportunity to prove who is the best overall champion. While all forms of motor sport have people who are liked or disliked for many reasons, there will always be winners and losers but, usually when we go karting it levels itself out ......losing can hurt......and we might not like it.....but we have to accept it, improve, learn and move on.
We also have to respect each other both on and off track – again not easy but it is part of OUR SPORT. That respect should also apply to the S1 officials - in most cases these people are experienced and are working towards ensuring ‘fair’ racing takes place – whether you have a £20,000 budget or a £1000 budget! I have found it astounding this year the amount of bad feeling amongst some drivers and teams, the ease with which you lay blame with someone else and the ease with which you throw money at protests and so often not appreciating that on many occasions YOUR driver may be the cause of similar problems.
"If people feel strongly enough to protest - that is their right - perhaps the number of protests reflect lack of firm action by officials ??"
For the sake of your Championship I would suggest you all ‘take stock’ of where we are currently, evaluate and try to bring back some level of sensibility and reasoning to your actions. We are always willing to listen to constructive comments, officials will help where ever possible, of course you have a right to Protest or Appeal – that’s how our justice system operates but that shouldn’t be abused ! To date this year we have received more protests in Honda than all the other classes in S1 put together and it has to be said that some of these have at worst been dubious and some clearly frivolous.
" there are some valid points in this email but S1 please please talk to individulas in a professional manner if you have issues and do not blame the whole field - also please accept and respond to the critical comments that may come your way - it is a two way street and some of the behaviour you report may be side effects of patchy on and off track management by officials"
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