QUOTE(byndbad914 @ Oct 23 2007, 09:07 PM)
Actually this is where I think the tech decision was actually based on bias and not a mechanical issue. The tech said not to run the car, but the article states it was later determined that it wasn't due to a mechanical issue with the car, but the car's tendency to oversteer. So I can see FOC overruling the tech, and IMO rightly so. If tech were to exclude cars due to tendencies to oversteer I would never get to race my car for instance.
Here's where I have to disagree (slightly). Tech is vested with the authority to deny cars access to the track for technical safety reasons. Granted, this decision was less mechanical, and more design. But it was not a personal bias. The design of the car (and if I recall it was referenced that this tech inspector had prior knowledge of THIS car, and found it to exhibit excessive oversteer) made it (in the eyes of the tech inspector) an unsafe car for the event. That should have been the end of it.
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In the end FOC was liable regardless because they let the moron keep endangering himself and others, but if the court found gross negligence based on the FOC overriding an opinion v. hard mechanical fact, I would be bummed, though not surprised by any means.
It's possible as well that the FOC rules should have required his being black flagged for his spins, but I have no idea about that. If there was a rule in place to bring in unsafe drivers, then THAT would be the flashing light that would draw the "gross negligence". Either way, it was operating in contradiction with the established rules that will draw attention from the legal vultures.
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That is where I wonder what the court determined gross negligence on the part of FOC to be. If it is based on the tech opinion, I see that as incorrect blame. If based on (as we agree) the fact they let the guy keep driving like a madman, then blame was well placed.
I don't disagree, but tech has to have the autonomous authority to make the decision. The chair should not be able to override without a very good reason that's backed up by other qualified event officials.
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The biggest thing I take from all of this is not how the case turned out, but just another reminder to watch how everyone is driving during events and keeping tab if the event organizers are monitoring crazy and removing it. FOC allowed others to be endangered by the CGT driver and in a typical event, I tend to be so preoccupied with my personal stuff, I wouldn't have necessarily realized that guy spun a bunch of times and find myself on the track next to him later in the day!
Absolutely. When our events are running, I'm in the tower, listening to all of the corner worker radio traffic. The corners are told to call in any wheels off, and any spins. We will bring in drivers for "career counseling" if there are more than one or two calls in on them during a given session. If they don't chill, they go home. If it's an experienced driver, they get a black stick for their first warning. But after that, it's open black.
I know we're all armchair quarterbacking here, none of us really know -all- the details of the case, and the article does paint with rather broad strokes.
If it was gross negligence solely due to the tech decision, it was wrong minded, but technically still in the WRONG. And a jury can easily find that to exhibit gross negligence. That's why you pick your tech inspectors carefully. You want them to have not only a thorough knowledge of what to look for, but a broad knowledge of the cars that will be entering said event. You need to be able to trust their opinion when they say "no", and support them in that decision, for whatever reason. After the event (over beer preferably), the chair and tech can argue and spit and curse about who's right and who's wrong. But on the day of the event, you do what the rules say you do, and you adhere to the decisions made by your event officials.
Countermanding the decision of tech will most likely loose that person as a tech inspector (unless they're very well paid). And getting into a beef about it will never be good. Trust me, day-of-the-event fights between event officials NEVER solves anything. The officials will harbor resentment, the entrants will loose confidence, and if everyone is VERY lucky, that's all that will be the result by days end. BTDT.
-Josh2