CKNA announced this week they were going to start using a penalty points/licensing system to police driving standards and keep track of who is and who isn’t racing clean. There was a big discussion on it on FB but wanted to open it up here too.
Obviously I have my opinions on it which can be read in that thread, but also because my dad worked hard to help develop this with Keith at RaceSelect, but then it lost steam as the major series got cold feet at the prospect of upsetting people with suspensions etc., among other concerns with rules across different series and more.
For the number of times my kids race has been ruined, I am for this to see if it works. But I think the officiating has to be fixed first. I get it, it is not easy. But sometimes things just aren’t called. And what is called needs to be harsher - which will make it easier.
Also, big series should not say something if they don’t mean it. “We will take your scooter away if we see it in the pit”…“Penalties if you don’t show to the driver’s meeting”…The empty threats set a bad precedent for penalties for the entire weekend.
It is all irrelevant without consistent enforcement. Need to have trained eyeballs watching the on track action that are willing to make the call and are going to be backed by the promoter.
Too many times there is a lack of training of officials, conflict of interest between a promoter and team/sponsor, or just a fear of pissing someone off that lead to no action or inconsistent action. Some of those elements exist in all forms of motorsport and will continue to do so.
I’ve been pretty happy with officiating at the big national series the past couple of years. The advent of camera systems (when they work) and some no-nonsense officiating has helped clean up a lot of the issues.
Hopefully those things trickle down to the regional level, along with penalty point systems.
It’s kind of hard to follow on the fb link. Is there a place that can read that articulate what the system entails? I may be dense, but since I refuse to use fb, the web version may be hindering my understanding.
In my little part of the karting world, having qualified individuals is becoming a serious problem. We started bringing along former kart racers in their 20’s to race direct. They did an amazing job, but got sick of being yelled at by adults. No we are stuck with not enough eyes on track, or bringing in old timers that haven’t officiated a race in 15 years.
I’m no longer a board director at our club, but if I would rewind the clock 5-6 years, I would have started junior programs:
Junior Tech Program: Shadow the tech official and learn how to tech the engines we race, and learn the rule book inside out out. Each year they advance from watching to actual tech-ing the karts. Eventually, they are our future tech officials
Junior Flag person Program: We have one driver who has been tutored by Porter Weisensel for the last 2 years and will eventually be a great flag person. But we should have at least 3-4
Junior Race Director: Same concept with teenage drivers shadowing quality race directors, and eventually assistant race directing.
At some point these kids will stop driving karts. But they may want to stay involved in the sport. My son is a great example. He’s an OK driver, but entirely too big for a kart. But, he loves being around the club. I am considering having him shadow our officials next year.