washburn
06-24-2002, 11:49 AM
Despite the pouring rain in the morning, this event went off in dry conditions and nice weather. The course was long and fairly narrow. Quite bumpy...my car was skittering along the bumps and it was tricky maintaining traction. Course was around 55 to 60 seconds for most cars. Low turnout meant 5 runs and finished by 2:45 pm. When the event master refused to give additional runs, or buck runs, we packed up and went home early.
Thankfully, no one was involved in any incidents, although there was a couple close calls, and a lot of potential. We spent the morning trying to decide of we were going to run the event given the course layout. The outside of three or four corners were about 12' from a protruding curb, one was only 6 feet away. The center of the slalom cones were 14' from the curb running parallel the length of the slalom. Extremely dangerous was one thing that came to mind. No thank you was another. I have very little respect for the LaCrosse SCCA Liscenced Safety Steward who set up the course. He set it up knowlingly violating the SCCA rules on course layout and design. A liscenced SS does not do this. This was terrribly irresponsible, and he is very fortunate there were no incidents. He did make some late changes when prodded by a bunch of us, but most of the problems remained. Yeah, I know we could have chosen not to run, but at the same time he has an obligation to set up a safe course. Hope we continue to do safe courses. I also hope we serve the club members first by offering additional runs or buck runs instead of trying to get home early.
If Mr Menard feels that the event went off well, he will allow another this year. This is where MAC steps in and can run the event. We went through this at a membership meeting, and I hope it comes to be. Anyway, we managed to have some fun and the Chippewa Valley guys are great. A top coat of new pavement would make this a great site! O.K. everyone, start shopping at Menards!
Thankfully, no one was involved in any incidents, although there was a couple close calls, and a lot of potential. We spent the morning trying to decide of we were going to run the event given the course layout. The outside of three or four corners were about 12' from a protruding curb, one was only 6 feet away. The center of the slalom cones were 14' from the curb running parallel the length of the slalom. Extremely dangerous was one thing that came to mind. No thank you was another. I have very little respect for the LaCrosse SCCA Liscenced Safety Steward who set up the course. He set it up knowlingly violating the SCCA rules on course layout and design. A liscenced SS does not do this. This was terrribly irresponsible, and he is very fortunate there were no incidents. He did make some late changes when prodded by a bunch of us, but most of the problems remained. Yeah, I know we could have chosen not to run, but at the same time he has an obligation to set up a safe course. Hope we continue to do safe courses. I also hope we serve the club members first by offering additional runs or buck runs instead of trying to get home early.
If Mr Menard feels that the event went off well, he will allow another this year. This is where MAC steps in and can run the event. We went through this at a membership meeting, and I hope it comes to be. Anyway, we managed to have some fun and the Chippewa Valley guys are great. A top coat of new pavement would make this a great site! O.K. everyone, start shopping at Menards!