NitrolympX Hockenheim 2012
Discussion
The principle under which Speedgroup state their intention is a sound one. The difference between the European Dragracing Championships and the `other' disciplines (which tend to be FIA World Championships) such as WRC, F1, MotoGP, WSB etc is that we do not have a cohesive set of events, entry methods, officials, medical staff, track specialists etc that provide the consistency that a premier series should have. As a competitor we have to enter events in different ways and to different locations (email, post, fax and electronic entry) have to pay in different ways / currencies, and are remunerated for travel and prize monies in different ways / currencies.
At a race, it is not clear to a racer who has an issue as to who is `in charge' as different people have the key roles in different events.
On top of that event organisers are only looking to raise sponsorship / make promotions for their own events, without looking at the big picture of the series in it's entirety.
Speedgroup participate in a number of non race events, such as the PRI Show where they do a great job promoting the entire series for the benefit of all tracks and competitors, raising awareness of our series that provides a platform for tracks and competitors to seek further sponsorship, and at the same time signing up contingency sponsors that provide more return for the racer.
All of the above have never been available to racers before.
On the negative side, once they got stepped outside of the core activities and got involved in running actual races such as the EDRS and also started `treading on toes' at various tracks with established and competent teams of people it was inevitable that some concerns would be raised.
At a race, it is not clear to a racer who has an issue as to who is `in charge' as different people have the key roles in different events.
On top of that event organisers are only looking to raise sponsorship / make promotions for their own events, without looking at the big picture of the series in it's entirety.
Speedgroup participate in a number of non race events, such as the PRI Show where they do a great job promoting the entire series for the benefit of all tracks and competitors, raising awareness of our series that provides a platform for tracks and competitors to seek further sponsorship, and at the same time signing up contingency sponsors that provide more return for the racer.
All of the above have never been available to racers before.
On the negative side, once they got stepped outside of the core activities and got involved in running actual races such as the EDRS and also started `treading on toes' at various tracks with established and competent teams of people it was inevitable that some concerns would be raised.
A great and logical summary Graham. I believe the problem will always be down to vested interests and human nature which makes individuals unhappy about being told what to do. I'd you go back to the 60's and early 70's tracks were doing their own thing when running F1 grand Prix. When challenged by Jackie Stewarts safety crusade they got very bent out of shape. Eventually the FIA and the teams took away all control from the tracks. The best way for the tracks to keep some autonomy is to embrace the need for a central control of the European championship and make sure they are represented on that body. Not an easy process though.
Turbobird1 said:
at the end of the day we need a Responsible preson to take controll in the event of a catastrophic falier like we have seen, or mediate in lesser gripes,
If they are going to run events or oversee events we need action not words,
This responsible person will however have to work within a set of rules. Ideally making a decision on a tested track quality value, is better than somebody having to make a judgement which can be influenced by others.If they are going to run events or oversee events we need action not words,
The trouble with going down the path of extra regulation is once you have started you can't stop. Any inspection set of rules will have to be quite flexible or you will start losing sessions if you have a particularly cold or damp day or only one track meets the requirements if they are set too tight.
For more informed information and statements go to http://www.ukdrn.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&...
My account of the weekend is up on Eurodragster now,
http://www.eurodragster.com/news/120829.pdf
It's PDF format as the word file seemed to long to send as an e mail attachment.
Bill
http://www.eurodragster.com/news/120829.pdf
It's PDF format as the word file seemed to long to send as an e mail attachment.
Bill
Turbobird1 said:
i read it the same way but its been interpreted in a number of different ways,
One interpretation has brought anger from sprc officials that speedgroup would have their own club to run the events in every country to ensure consistency,
santa pod was the premier track in the event for decades and the staff there do a (in my mind) better job than anywhere else with the event running creating an easy way of doing things,
having not raced at Tierp i wont comment but as it has a lot of staff from Mantorp id say that it would probably be very good too, Finland and Germany have always had "their way" of doing stuff, That can upset racers at times (and im not talking track here in talking organization )
when it comes to track prep Ian marshal and Darren Prentice with their guys are as good as it gets in Europe, with the Kjell Petterson and his crew vying for that top spot as premier track prep guys, the Fins do a good job also in that respect but probably dont have the consistency of the others,
the Germans when they hire in the top guns usualy get a reasonable track but there has in all the years iv been there in super mod befour pro mod a major problem of way too much traction between the water box and the start line as mentioned by Michael Malgrem,
santa pod had a one off problem with the start line for 1 event but as bad as it was it got better and racing was possible, Finland had a major problem with the timing equipment last year that threatened the event, germany this year has the mother of all cock ups that ruined the event, Im sure tierp will have its day too,
I kind of agree that some one needs to be responsible, for the final decision of "is the organization good enough and the track good enough for an FIA race"
i would not want anyone coming to santa pod to tell them how to do it anymore than the guys at tierp would want us going there telling them how to do it,
there is enough experience on both sides to do a good fair job,
i would
appoint an infrastructure inspector either a group of 4 one from each country or 1 that was changed yearly to ensure no one country gained an advantage at the expense of others,
i would get every FIA racer to email with any major procedural complaints from which track then when i got them all id sort them out See which were valid and which were whining, and have an appointed speedgroup rep sit down with the track promoter/Race director from all the tracks and see how they can help the track to stop getting complaints and make everyone happy,
obviousy if any one refused to meet the minimum standards then sanctions would have to be taken..
thats how id proceed with this...
I think you will also find Lee Child is very well respected in Scandinavia and Malta.....
One interpretation has brought anger from sprc officials that speedgroup would have their own club to run the events in every country to ensure consistency,
santa pod was the premier track in the event for decades and the staff there do a (in my mind) better job than anywhere else with the event running creating an easy way of doing things,
having not raced at Tierp i wont comment but as it has a lot of staff from Mantorp id say that it would probably be very good too, Finland and Germany have always had "their way" of doing stuff, That can upset racers at times (and im not talking track here in talking organization )
when it comes to track prep Ian marshal and Darren Prentice with their guys are as good as it gets in Europe, with the Kjell Petterson and his crew vying for that top spot as premier track prep guys, the Fins do a good job also in that respect but probably dont have the consistency of the others,
the Germans when they hire in the top guns usualy get a reasonable track but there has in all the years iv been there in super mod befour pro mod a major problem of way too much traction between the water box and the start line as mentioned by Michael Malgrem,
santa pod had a one off problem with the start line for 1 event but as bad as it was it got better and racing was possible, Finland had a major problem with the timing equipment last year that threatened the event, germany this year has the mother of all cock ups that ruined the event, Im sure tierp will have its day too,
I kind of agree that some one needs to be responsible, for the final decision of "is the organization good enough and the track good enough for an FIA race"
i would not want anyone coming to santa pod to tell them how to do it anymore than the guys at tierp would want us going there telling them how to do it,
there is enough experience on both sides to do a good fair job,
i would
appoint an infrastructure inspector either a group of 4 one from each country or 1 that was changed yearly to ensure no one country gained an advantage at the expense of others,
i would get every FIA racer to email with any major procedural complaints from which track then when i got them all id sort them out See which were valid and which were whining, and have an appointed speedgroup rep sit down with the track promoter/Race director from all the tracks and see how they can help the track to stop getting complaints and make everyone happy,
obviousy if any one refused to meet the minimum standards then sanctions would have to be taken..
thats how id proceed with this...
I think you will also find Lee Child is very well respected in Scandinavia and Malta.....
Edited by Turbobird1 on Saturday 18th August 09:03
im sure lee is well regarded,
however he does not currently prepare any FIA championship tracks so for the purpose of this discussion i'll stick to those with proven records in FIA competition otherwise everyone else i dont mention will get the hump
however he does not currently prepare any FIA championship tracks so for the purpose of this discussion i'll stick to those with proven records in FIA competition otherwise everyone else i dont mention will get the hump
Edited by Turbobird1 on Monday 20th August 22:05
Turbobird1 said:
im sure lee is well regarded,
however he does not currently prepare any FIA championship tracks so for the purpose of this discussion i'll stick to those with proven records in FIA competition otherwise everyone else i dont mention will get the hump
however he does not currently prepare any FIA championship tracks so for the purpose of this discussion i'll stick to those with proven records in FIA competition otherwise everyone else i dont mention will get the hump
Edited by Turbobird1 on Monday 20th August 22:05
Crikey, we dont want anyone getting the hump on this thread!
I get my kick with making the tracks I prep the same or quicker than FIA tracks. I can fix Hockenheim without resurfacing and without a mountain of gold dust and a tanker of glue. Nothing is a problem the answer is in the solution. I will take the pepsi challenge any day of the week. You never know I might prep a FIA track one day never say never then Graham will add me to his list LOL
t ???????????a wise man on another thread said:
Least said soonest mended.
Now on a wholly different detail of the Hockenheim weekend :I had the great pleasure to be a couch potato in the Night Show,
sitting on the "Nitro Sofa" between the starting TF Dragsters of Urs and Micke
was a very unique and eye-watering moment, I still can feel the stereo ROOOAAAAAAR
I saw one photo of this scene in the gallery on eurodragster.com ,
but hope that another lensman has "got me" .
If this is the case, please bring this pic on paper or in digital form
to the Finals this weekend, I will be attending and a date can be set.
Edited by Benni on Monday 3rd September 19:23
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