Lessons from other regions/sponsors?

[Hammerin Hank]

  

 

HH,

If you have the skills you would quickly be evaluated and placed in the appropriate group within RTR. RTR does not run like Schattenbaum. I have driven with Schattenbaum on many occasions and they view safety much differently than RTR. As you stated, you chose you own group...not safe. Schattenbaum has never asked to see my driver's license or PCA card. The tech line has never checked my brake pads or torqued a lug. (I check my car thoroughly each morning and quick check during the day) That is just not the way RTR runs a DE.  I hope you are not suggesting that the Schattenbaum way is better. 

You're correct, Schattenbaum runs things differently than RTR. As do most other organizations that do DE's. Schattenbaum takes a more trusting approach. They also put more responsibilty on the drivers to make sure things are "safe" prior to firing up. I'm not so sure that's such a bad thing. People should learn to double check there own lugs and become more familar with their cars.

I agree on the a little too loose part with the inital first event stuff. They should have at least a "check out ride" as Brian mentioned to verify the participant isn't a risk.

Better? I dunno. Depends on how you look at it. Less safe? I dunno, maybe. I see the ride to the track as the most dangerous part of all DE's, so it's all relative. 

How many DE's have you done with RTR?

How many DE's have you done with Potomac PCA?

How many DE's have you done with Zone 2 PCA, Zone 1 PCA, Northern New Jersey, Metro NY?

I assure you that Schattenbaum is the exception and not the rule within PCA. They are all good people but they represent a small region in terms of members. This leads to events being filled with a large percentage on non-Schattenbaum members. These out of region folks are needed to fund the event. It is just not possible for them to know everyone's skill and car in the event. Therefore, they do things a little looser.

FATT is a different event with different goals. I've driven at FATT and they started one day before the ambulance arrived....not safe.

SCCA is racing. DE is not racing. 

I've specatated/crewed a few RTR events and have a pretty good feel for what the deal is.

None of the other chapters you've mentioned.

Ya, Schattenbaum...they gotta eat, right?

FATT days not safe? Your ambulance example isn't the norm. There's been one there everytime I've been there. As a matter of fact I think BSR owns their own. Could be wrong. Like I said, the ride to the track is "not safe" either. If you want to be safe, take up knitting. Oh wait that's not safe either. Needles.    

SCCA thinks they're racing, it's actually bumpercars only you get to wear a helmet, unlike when we were kids. I think I eluded to DE not being racing in one of my long winded posts. It's so true. 

 

While we would love to have you participate in one our our events, there is no free pass. You would be evaluated by an RTR instructor and placed into an appropriate group according to your skill..................and of course you car. While this may inhibit someone with your honed skills, it allows time for a few instructors to evaluated someone and continue running safe events.

Hope to see you at the track. Stop by Summit this w/e and say YO! Car #19.

I'm not expecting a free pass. Nor I'm I sure I'll be running with RTR next year. You will more than likely see me in a support role for the #8 car, however. Hey, someone has to tighten her lugs.   Negative on this coming weekend. Other stuff to do. Thanks, just the same.