2010 WCMA Regional Autoslalom Series: Ride Alongs

[poSSum]

At our regular WSCC Championship events we allow, make that encourage, ride alongs as we believe it speeds the learning curve for novices and increases safety. During our WCMA event this past weekend we enforced the no ride alongs by competitors rule and it created a considerable amount of stress at the event.

I don't know what the ride alongs rules are for all the WCMA clubs at their regular events but if the majority allow ride alongs, I'd like to see us allow ride alongs at the WCMA Regional events as well.

Let's discuss.

[jeffjanzen]

Agreed. They are definitely a huge contributor to the development of talent in our club, and I heard a number of complaints last weekend because we disallowed them.

What is the argument for not allowing them?

[rx7racerca]

The reasoning against ride-alongs is to avoid allowing some competitors extra chances to see the course at speed.  Which does have some validity at a regional level event, if experienced competitors are catching rides. However, I'm certainly of a mind that for novices ride-alongs are an excellent idea regardless of whether it is a regional or club-level event.  As already noted, they help get inexperienced drivers "up to speed", which also enhances safety for both marshals and the drivers.

[markus]

I agree with ride alongs as a general rule, but I can understand why some folks may get a bit upset if a vetran and/or experienced driver gets to see the course at speed.  I have no issues with zero ride alongs of competitors for official regional runs.

HOWEVER, my 14-year old son has been riding "shotgun" with me for almost 4-years (2-years in the front seat).  Because of his age, he cannot compete, so I fail to understand why a "no ride along" rule would apply to him.  This is a "father & son" thing for us, so I fail to understand why the rules would not allow a non-competitor to ride with the driver.

[poSSum]

The passenger rule from the 2007 WCMA Regional Series Sup Reg's. If someone has a more current ruleset please direct me that way.

9. Passengers will normally not be permitted during official runs at WCMA Regional events. The only
exception will be novice competitors (3 events or less) who may ride along with a more experienced
driver, or have a more experienced driver ride along with them, subject to approval of all competitors
in the driver?s and passenger?s class(es). Non-competitors may ride along subject to regular WCMA
rules for passengers and approval from organizers and other competitors.

How about an intent statement for allowing passengers and trust that competitors will comply?

[markus]

I actually directed Terry Epp and Dino (don't remember last name) in Saskatoon to the same provision, but was given the answer to the effect that those are WCMA rules and not ASN rules.  Either way, my son sat on the sidelines for all of the Nationals, when I would have much rather him have rode with me.

I understand that some may see my bitch here as self centered/serving, but this is really something that I truly want to share the experience with my son.

I just don't get it.

[poSSum]

The WCMA rule is one we can easily modify at the AGM. The CNAC rule would take a little more effort.

[gary_t]

Why would the WCMA one need changing? as shown above, it allows non-competitors or a specific sub-set (novices with 3 events or less) of competitors to have ride-alongs.

I don't like rules that have 'intent' - it should be written in black and white exactly what the rule means, much like the above.

I would say ride alongs can be a competitive advantage, co-driven cars are the obvious example, where the drivers ride along with each other, thereby seeing the course at speed, in the car they are running, twice as many times as other drivers.

This is a different discussion than Markus' issue with the Nationals - which as Art points out, require change at the CNAC level.

Gary

[poSSum]

Here's the WCMA rule:

2.3.J Passengers may be permitted, subject to the following conditions:
i) Passengers must be of the age of majority in the jurisdiction in which the event is taking place
or must meet the same requirement for competitors under the age of majority as outlined in
Section 2.3.C. 
ii) Before being allowed to ride in a competing vehicle, the passenger must have signed the ASN
Canada FIA release and waiver of liability.
iii) Passengers must wear helmets, seat belts, and suitable eye protection of the same standard as
that promulgated for competitors, and the driver is responsible for ensuring that the passenger
wears this required equipment.
iv) Passengers may be prohibited by Series or Event Supplemental Regulations.   

Maybe we can leave it as is for WCMA Regional events.