SAXMAX - you cant slag us off now

[Ian Sowman]

Buller was in the #32 dark blue Rockingham-backed car, Hopkins in the yellow one.

[chezza]

Originally Posted by anarchist123

Can I just say to Chezza, this was not a pop at you I stand firm on my views of giving these young drivers a break, however, the term race official was not directed at yourself, this was an official who gave the riot act to a bewildered bunch of young drivers during the morning drivers briefing!

To be honest with you I am pleased that he read them the riot act. One thing the annoys me more than anything is tiptoe-ing round these children. At the end of the day if they are old enough to race at major circuits then they are old enough to be treated like adults and you don't see clerks pussy-footing around any other drivers.

Originally Posted by anarchist123

My point, all be it a little long winded, the odd dinted door or wing, the odd mirror hanging off, it does not qualify for the bad reputation the sport and these youngsters are getting.

I’m sure they don’t want to be exchanging paint, but believe me they all do want to win! Deliberate contact, I am with the officials all the way, that cannot be tolerated, on only one occasion have I seen that happen and to my knowledge it was dealt with appropriately.

This is where I could get shot down in flames, what do you think would happen to the viewing figures in B.T.C.C. if the drivers were told to play follow the leader. Whether you want to admit it or not, we are all waiting for those do - or die manoeuvres that makes those 25 laps worth watching. How many of us watch F1, we turn it on, watch the start, then fall asleep in the middle and wake up for the end, follow the leader!

But this is not necessary. You don't have to trade paint or knock bit off other cars to win or have close racing. Yes racing incidents do happen, but they should be a rareity not the norm. I'll give the legends as an example of this. They have had their share of the bad reputation (for goodness sake this was the first season they've made it through without having one on its roof) but they have turned it round, and their racing is massively close...I'm talking 4 a-breast round corners and also the last round they were crossing the finishing line 3 a-breast. This racing is phenominal and I would take a legends race over a BTCC race any time. I have actually stopped marshalling BTCC races now because they are quite simply dangerous and aren't enjoyable.

Originally Posted by JimW

Now think of some of the drivers and players you admire most. Sure, they may well be sucessful and win but, for me, they are likely to be people who do so in ways which recognise the existence and even the superior skills of others.

For many people just taking part is the end in itself. That may not breed many world champions but gives lots of ordinary people enjoyment.

Hear Hear!!

One of my favourite drivers goes by the name of Gerrard McCosh. He was the founder of the "gentleman racers" class of the legends. He loves his racing and wants to compete and of course likes to go out for the win, but he takes himself out of the main dog fight so he stays out of trouble and has great races. I have never seen a bigger grin than the one on his face when he comes in from a race. He does it for the enjoyment...not to win at all costs.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by chezza

.....One thing the annoys me more than anything is tiptoe-ing round these children. At the end of the day if they are old enough to race at major circuits then they are old enough to be treated like adults.....

Sorry but isn't that a contradiction in itself? You admit they are children...but want them treated like adults?..should we let them drive on the road as well?..no we wouldnt, (it would be illegal) they have little or no experience of cars on the road, it would be wrong of us to EXPECT them to know what to do on the road so why do you expect them to have the ideals of competitors who have been driving for years? They are not adults, they are people, young enthusiastic people who want to succeed (and that doesn’t necessary mean win Anarc 123) because to succeed for some is to get back, to make it to the end, for others its a podium...picking up points , but for all it should be to ENJOY. I have a very dear friend who recently took part in a race and they said "you know...I dont care where I come cause just taking put is the nuts"...THAT is the spirit and the reason

This thread has gone more out of control than any driver it refers to, it was originally posted by a member of Saxmax who seemed to feel good about himself and his colleagues because quite rightly they and he had driven in quite appalling conditions and managed to do it without too much trouble. Perhaps he was looking for a bit of encouragement, perhaps a "well done", a slap on the back a "things can only get better if you continue like this" what he met with was a put down a "dont you dare praise yourself"

Now some might say that the title of his post was rather "football fanatic" and should not have been posted on a forum such as this, but, there is no age limit to ten tenths and it is an age thing as I have said so we could have cut them some slack “you cant slag us off now” I think some have tried to prove him wrong.

I referred earlier in this post to a sick patient, and getting them better, some of you I fear would rather turn off the life support.

It’s a championship for 14-17 year olds, its in affordable, street recognisable cars that are cheaper to buy and keep track worthy than most. Its grass roots motorsport with a way in for CHILDREN and young people who are keen to be involved with motorsport. They are not experienced drivers and just because they may have sat in a cart and wizzed round doesn’t mean that they automatically know how to handle a saloon car, they need encouragement when they do right, not negativity. Give them a chance please

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

"you know...I dont care where I come cause just taking put is the nuts"...THAT is the spirit and the reason

sorry that should be part not put ...what am I like!

[NJF]

Claire, I couldn't have put it better myself - thankyou.

[Abbie44]

I agree...thankyou claire & everyone who has stuck up for us.

I appreciate and realise that there is still a lot of reputation re-modelling for saxmax to be out of the dig list...but i think everyone in saxmax has realised that. A lot of drivers are moving out at the end of this season, so who knows what next year will bring...


Abbie

[deccerz77]

Wow I never expected this thread to go so far with so many different point of view, but I would just like to say thank you for all the people that have supported us and congratulated us. I also want to say a big thank you to Robin Night and Paul Mcmillan for putting this great championship together!
Declan

[chezza]

I don't think I can anything to what I've already said.

I'll leave you to your love-in.

[Adam43]

I am not really sure, what you have said that is so outrageous (or contradictory). Your views were expressed in a considered manner that are conducive to discussion. A bit of constructive discussion shouldn't make anyone be viewed as pure evil. I certainly don't see you as some one who dramatically "wants to turn off the life-support"! Quite the opposite. It is not as if you picked on someone's dress sense.

We should encourage the championship, yes. Although that does not mean that you are only allowed to say good things about it!

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

We should encourage the championship, yes. Although that does not mean that you are only allowed to say good things about it!

Indeed you are right ...as I said long ago in this post lets hear two sides...no one was asking for "just good things"...what we are saying (and I am now speaking collectively) is that when someone ....WHOEVER ....does something right..you give them praise not shoot em down in flames

Also there is no reference in any of MY posts to Chezza or anyone being viewed as "pure evil" so I would hope you would withdraw that as it is misleading

[Al Weyman]

Chezza pure evil? Shes lovely!

[Eddy V]

Sorry girls and guys, but this thread is becoming silly. Is this another one going towards "them and us"?

Aren't we all here for the same reason: racing.
Saxmax has good and bad things, as does any series where racing is involved.

It is up to the CotC, with the help of reports from Observers, to do something about naughty behaviour.



I'll get me coat now.

[chezza]

Thanks guys.

All I did was try to add some balance to the discussion and to give my point of view...if that or the manor in which I have done it are considered wrong then so be it. I have tried to be impartial and dispassionate about this, but there we go.

[Chris Y]

I think this has now run its course. 'Agree to disagree' is the final point here. Yes, standards have improved, and yes there's a long way to go. Credit to those that play fair and hopefully the bad drivers will be suitably chastised for their transgressions.

I guess we'll have to see how the championship continues from now on.

Thread closed, thank you all for your contributions.