Julian
Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Posts: 378
Location: Manchester |
| Touring/Bumper cars at Mallory |
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What a way to start the series! With just 9 people on the grid you would think it almost impossible to have an incident of any kind but no...Peter Challis managed to put his boot in it and almost managed to stack Roger Donnan into the wall at the Esses.
If they had been competing for position it might just have been considered a racing incident but no, Roger was at the time lapping myself and was himself one lap down to Peter. Peter was so far clear of the competition that he was under no threat so why then did he not only attempt to cut across the track but also deliberately bounce Roger off.
From my vantage point I had put it down to an accident and a bit of red mist but witnesses saw Peter deliberately ram Roger's car and for that there can be no forgiveness.
I've already penned an open letter that has been sent to the Euro-Saloons authorities in the hope that something is done to curb this sort of behaviour before it can take root. The letter can be viewed at my own site: http://www.the-lair.demon.co.uk/mallory-letter.htm |
Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:16 pm |
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roger001
Joined: 17 Apr 2004
Posts: 12
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It is only fair to say that the incident was partly my fault in that I misjudged the closing speed of the Primera, whilst concentrating on a line to take me on the inside of Julian's car at the esses, I foolishly assumed the primera would have seen I was commited to an inside line and waited to the second part of the esses to pass me on the outside.
Moral DONT ASSUME ANYTHING!
Although I was cross at the time, I was glad I got the car stopped before hitting the tyre wall and no significant damage was done.
However had I destroyed £1000 worth of front body section I might have been somewhat crosser |
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Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:59 pm |
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Julian
Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Posts: 378
Location: Manchester |
I'm pleased to hear you are being your usual calm self in this matter Roger. I can certainly understand the relief at *not* hitting the barrier.
I have to agree on your assumptions about what Peter was going to do. He had nothing at all to gain by charging through. I know I was a bit of a rolling road block on the day but I was doing my best to keep out of everyone's way. If he had arrived a couple of seconds earlier then it would have been me that got bounced off the track and I don't think my car could handle another hit in the space of a week (I certainly couldn't handle the stress after getting the last lot of damage repaired).
Whatever happened on the day, it is done now and nothing can really change that. My point is how do we go about making sure this doesn't become a regular occurance? |
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Sun Apr 18, 2004 1:34 pm |
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dlw
Guest
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When I raced a Maestro in the MGOC champiohsip we had this very problem, no-one took it on board. Just keep on at the organisers if it continues but more importantly, make any real grievences known immediately to the Clerk of the Course then the organisers cannot ignore it, even if it is rejected the complaint will have to be noted. |
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Tue Apr 20, 2004 1:36 pm |
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Certainly from where Martin and I were standing at a spectator viewpoint in the infield not 30feet away the incident looked totally avoidable. The Primera actually had nothing much to gain by laping you guys (the next guy behind him was way back). The question is, should racers like Julian be expected to carry several spare sets of body panels to each race meet?!.... |
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Thu Apr 22, 2004 3:57 am |
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Julian
Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Posts: 378
Location: Manchester |
I had a long chat with Carol (our race organiser) last night and she has assured me (to my satisfaction) that things are being done to make sure such behaviour does not take a grip on the series.
Racing accidents will happen - that is unavoidable, but a higher standard of driving is expected with transgressors likely to be heavily punished. I'm certainly a lot happier with the situation now! |
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Thu Apr 22, 2004 7:45 am |
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PeterS
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Julian,
Thats good news, because if I felt my car was at risk I would back out of the series like a shot. I am there for some fun, not to have my car smashed to pieces.
Rgds
Pete. |
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Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:44 am |
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RutTheNut
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| Onlookers view |
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I was watching this event, with a view to hopefully competing again this year.
My view of the incident was from the other side of the track, but I did see that a blue flag was being waved - which would have been to indicate that the Primera was coming through. That doesn't automatically give right of way though, and as there were indeed two back markers (Roger and Julian) coming up to the Esses, it would certainly have been prudent to wait for a clearer route past both of these cars, allowing them to sort out their own positions on the track.
It was probably a combination of 'red mist' on the part of the race leader, and an amount of trust or faith from Roger that he would be given space to pass the X19 before being lapped. I won't offer my views on the balance between those factors, as I am somewhat biased.
It was certainly lucky that Roger managed to get things together before meeting the armco, which seemed to coming up real quick once he was punted onto the grass. Also lucky that the damage was basically superficial.
Carol appears to have said the right sort of things on behalf of the organisers, as there has certainly been too much contact in the LMAI series in the past and I do feel that has contributed to some of the decline in numbers. (But the main problem is costs overall, and the lack of money that most people seem to feel these days).
All the best,
John Rutter (john@rutthenut.com) |
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Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:27 pm |
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nyssa7
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Posts: 2194
Location: Princes Risborough |
John
Didn't spot you lurking at Mallory - hope to see you out with us again soon. Two Strati on track together, and an Integrale and a kappa, how did it take the abandonment of an Italian car series to get so many Lancias (real and honorary) out on track together?
Trevor |
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Thu Apr 29, 2004 8:34 pm |
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I have to admit the "red mist" factor is what I put it down to as well - at first. Whatever it was at the time we will just have to see how things fare at Oulton.
Only two weeks to go now and we see if it was a one off
Would be good to see you back though John! Last time I saw your car it was in the kitcar magazine calendar from a couple of years ago... |
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Fri Apr 30, 2004 3:02 pm |
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Julian
Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Posts: 378
Location: Manchester |
PS that last guest entry was me at work oblivious to the fact I wasn't logged in  |
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Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:02 pm |
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