Below is an email I sent to the stewards of the NJMP Majors in 2 weeks. They are interested in the idea of a contact impound and in helping to improve the situation.
From: Kathy Barnes (2) [mailto:kjbarnes22@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 11:57 AM
To: Gardner, Russell <russell.gardner@dlapiper.com>
Cc: Amy Mills <amy__mills@hotmail.com>; JDKing39@comcast.net; majorseast@scca.com; stevep@pencegroup.com; WDEther@comcast.net; klmcleod@myactv.net; Butch O'Connor <bfo@spsk.com>
Subject: Re: NJMP Majors - SM Class - On Track Compliance for contact
Thanks for forwarding this. Many on this distribution list may not be aware of the contact impound at NASA events. Some regions have used it successfully. There is a lot of value in facing the person you just crashed into. A lot more if everyone can acknowledge that sometimes they are the problem.
Steve and Russ - that may be a good conversation to have at NJMP. We can continue it when we meet at MidOhio
Kathy
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 12, 2016, at 11:42 AM, Gardner, Russell <russell.gardner@dlapiper.com> wrote:
Thanks for your attention to this, Amy. I have forwarded to our Exec Steward for comment.
Steve Pence is the Race Director for the NJ Majors. He is responsible for adjusting driver behavior at this event. You may be fully confident that I and my ACSs will fully support Steve’s decisions.
Russ Gardner
Chief Steward
New Jersey Majors
From: Amy Mills [mailto:amy__mills@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 9:52 AM
To: JDKing39@comcast.net; majorseast@scca.com; stevep@pencegroup.com; Gardner, Russell; WDEther@comcast.net; klmcleod@myactv.net
Subject: NJMP Majors - SM Class - On Track Compliance for contact
Hello Stewards,
I am writing to you regarding the significant discussion on Facebook and the MazdaRacers.com forum regarding excessive contact and damage to cars in the SM class, particularly at Majors events. There is much discussion amongst the drivers about either forming a peer review group within the SM community to review all contact and dole out sanctions or, to have one of the stewards act as an on track compliance officer to review ALL contact. When I was at a recent NASA event, there was a special area at impound and anyone involved in any contact had to report there and discuss what happened. There was almost no contact at that event.
We realize that you are incredibly busy and also volunteering your time. However the current system does have a few flaws. The time window to report incidents (30 minutes) is not long enough, especially if the incident is a big one and the driver is injured. Also, many drivers feel that most incidents that are reported are deemed ‘racing incidents’ with no sanctions applied.
There may not be enough time to put anything new together for the next Majors race at NJMP in 2 weeks, but it would be great it we could do something. Attendance is dipping for both Majors races in the NE and in the SM class in general. Spec Miata is a fantastic class and I would hate to see it wither away. It has some flaws but I am hopeful we can help to repair them. I am happy to volunteer my time to assist in this project if needed. At the very least, perhaps we can have a stern warning on how all contact will be reviewed or something.
Thank you for your time,
Amy Mills