Conference oass::racers

Make sure you car is up to spec and if the competitors don't change with
a few friendly hints, then file the protest.

If they start tearing your car apart more frequently then the cars that have 
been cheating, ask them why and possibly protest that action to the next
step up.  You should not be penalized by trying to get the race stewards to
enforce their own rules.

The other alternative, is that of everyone is doing something against the rules,
look and see if the rules need to be changed.

Yes, it can get nasty, but it's your club too and you're paying your money for
fair competition, just like everyone else.

Dave

    remember though, there's written rules and unwritten rules.  You may
    want to consider treading lightly as you get familar with the
    organizational environment and the pecking order.  If you're the new
    kid on the block, trying to change an entire social order may prove
    unrealistic.  If the club is large enough and not just a clique you'll
    have a better chance, if it is small and ingrown you probably can't win
    (except by joining the in-group).
    
    Major issue about rules is whether they are enforced equitably, as far
    as I'm concerned.  Written and/or unwritten rules must be applied
    equally to all concerned in order to provide a level playing field. 
    Beyond that, look at common practice as the de facto standard.  Also
    look at the significance of the rules, if they really don't have any
    effect on competition then protests will (probably correctly) be viewed
    as just for hassle effects.  If there is a competitive effect but all
    competitors are allowed the same latitude then you'll be extremely
    unpopular trying to protest the entire field.
    
    Learn the way your particular sandbox works.  If it's fair, you've got
    as good a deal as you could ask for, regardless of how reality conforms
    to the documentation.  If not, good luck changing it - if you can't
    change it you may have to pick up your toys and look for another place
    to play.

 This entire championship has come in for a lot of stick for lax standards
which have been published in the Club rag. 
	Letters have been sent by the RACMSA (governing body) to the club to
clean up. However no action has been taken. 
	I am not the first to create a fuss just the first to start
protesting.


				Derek

 removing brake lights favours the more expereinced and the rich.

 The gearbox regs prohibit "Professional racing gearboxes e.g. Hewland"
 This has been interpreted as Mid-engined cars cant use the cheap option.
yet front engined cars can use Quaife close ratio straight cut sets in
standard casings.

	I'm now looking for a Renault 25 box.....

But this is only one of several issues with the rules and their enforcement.

    It seems that most of the items listed in .0 would have been noticed in
    tech/scrutineering.
    
    Does the club perform this function or not?  Maybe it should be
    discussed with the Chief of Tech.
    
    Sounds similar to the SCCA vs. IMSA 'philosophy' - an example:
    
    (Years ago, when I was involved as crew) SCCA tech used to check
    everything, including the drivers underwear (fireproof?) while IMSA
    tech was cursory, not even openng the hood (bonnet).
    
    
    We almost got t-shirts made up:
    
    	front - SCCA 'wheel'
    		  RULES
    
    	back -  IMSA 'logo'
    		  RACING
    
    -Barry-
    

New guys are arriving with the battery strapped down in the passenger/driver
space with no box around it.
if it breaks the driver will get covered in acid. Other guys have fuel
breathers that will dump fuel if the car turns over. 
	The ommision of the alternator just shows to everyone that you
can interpret the rules anyway you wish and get away with it. Its got to stop!

			Derek

    Sounds like the SCCA Solo II series.  Lot's of personal
    interpretations.  

Sounds like there are safety violations going on as well as rules infractions
for some perfomance gain.  I'm sure the governing body would like to know about
safety violations since they can impact insurance rates should something happen
on the track.

'Simple' rules infractions should be dealt with seperately.

Dave