Crime & Punishment as dished out by CCS

[Jeff]

Another new thread not to jack the SS thread.

One thing that has frustrated me quite a bit in the past is the inconsistency in the punishment doled out by CCS for certain offenses.  

Case in point, people hitting the track on pit bikes last year after being warned TWICE not to do it.  What happened?  Everybody lost pit bikes and the violators continued to race.  From my perspective, they should have been fined $500 each and forced to leave.  That night.

Last year, there was also a "fine" for crossing the blend line which was "donate $25 to the wegman".  For me, that seemed absurd!  It was taunting people.  It was funny...

Personally, I would like to see a more consistent and STIFFER punishment system implemented in CCS.  This would eliminate some of the B.S. that we see (people sneaking in with no wristband), and keep all of us safer.

Here's some of my recommendations.

Blend line incident.
First offense $25 fine
Second offense $100 fine
3rd offense $500 fine, lose your license

Pit bike incident (kids on pitbikes, stunting, speeding).
First offense $50 fine
Second offense $100 fine, you leave for the weekend with no refunds

Wristband violation.
You're escorted out of the track, fined $250 and refused re-entry that weekend.

Track violation (i.e., riding pitbike on track, driving car on track or bike on track after hours)
$500 fine and license pulled for the season

Maybe I'm a bit harsh, but when there is no punishment, there is no reason for some people to adhere to the rules.  Personally, I follow the rules, and it frustrates me when I'm punished (or the safety of myself and my family is compromised) for someone else's alcohol-fueled idiocy.

[Scotty Ryan]

+1

[Ridgeway]

I agree 1000%

This year was my first season racing, and I'd only spectated at one race prior to racing myself.

I had zero problem understanding and following the rules.

If I had no problem, NO ONE should find this that difficult.  If they do, then they need to figure it out quick or find another hobby.

Stiff and consistently enforced penalties for infractions should help IMO.

[ecumike]

heh heh, you said "stiff"

 ;D

[r1owner]

Another new thread not to jack the SS thread.

One thing that has frustrated me quite a bit in the past is the inconsistency in the punishment doled out by CCS for certain offenses.  

Case in point, people hitting the track on pit bikes last year after being warned TWICE not to do it.  What happened?  Everybody lost pit bikes and the violators continued to race.  From my perspective, they should have been fined $500 each and forced to leave.  That night.

Last year, there was also a "fine" for crossing the blend line which was "donate $25 to the wegman".  For me, that seemed absurd!  It was taunting people.  It was funny...

Personally, I would like to see a more consistent and STIFFER punishment system implemented in CCS.  This would eliminate some of the B.S. that we see (people sneaking in with no wristband), and keep all of us safer.

Here's some of my recommendations.

Blend line incident.
First offense $25 fine
Second offense $100 fine
3rd offense $500 fine, lose your license

Pit bike incident (kids on pitbikes, stunting, speeding).
First offense $50 fine
Second offense $100 fine, you leave for the weekend with no refunds

Wristband violation.
You're escorted out of the track, fined $250 and refused re-entry that weekend.

Track violation (i.e., riding pitbike on track, driving car on track or bike on track after hours)
$500 fine and license pulled for the season

Maybe I'm a bit harsh, but when there is no punishment, there is no reason for some people to adhere to the rules.  Personally, I follow the rules, and it frustrates me when I'm punished (or the safety of myself and my family is compromised) for someone else's alcohol-fueled idiocy.

I agree.  I assume you are referring to the people at BHF almost hitting someone walking on the track at night while on their pitbikes?

Did CCS know who they were?  If so, I agree.  Punish them, not the rest of us!

[Pierre - Team PMR]

i agree 100% as well.  Rules need to be enforced or else "some" people will not follow them.  I am one of the guys who follows the rules -and it really tics me off when I see someone breaking them over and over and not getting punished.  Why even have rules.  They should be called "recomendations" instead of rules if they are not being enforced.  just my 2cents

[Jeff]

I agree.  I assume you are referring to the people at BHF almost hitting someone walking on the track at night while on their pitbikes?

Did CCS know who they were?  If so, I agree.  Punish them, not the rest of us!

It was about mid-way through the year.  I don't think they came close to hitting anyone, but they hit the track and started racing their pit bikes.  Multiple times...

CCS knew who some of them were, but not all of them.  To my knowledge, there was no punishment other than EVERYONE losing pitbikes...

These were people who KNEW BETTER and relied on the fact that they were long-standing racers and would probably get away with it.  

They should have been publically executed IMHO.

[Jeff]

I get to explain to my kids at EVERY weekend that they CAN'T ride the pit bikes because it's against the rules...  Why do I have to explain it at every weekend?  Because bar none, there will be kids riding pit bikes before/during/after races.

[Super Dave]

The pit bike problem was handled by the track.  The track management was very angry about the whole thing, but the individuals that created the problem were unbelievibly responsible and up front in the whole thing to the authorities that were angry.  

Other issues...yeah, it should be simple.  You can get hurt doing this stuff, so pentalties should have a reasonable mount of "hurt"...

That's why I always say "fine!" when a problem is brought up during riders meetings.  

If we continue to allow an aura of lax compiiance with issues of safety and reasonable action by riders...we'll be rewarded with injuries and other problems.  

[r1owner]

I get to explain to my kids at EVERY weekend that they CAN'T ride the pit bikes because it's against the rules...  Why do I have to explain it at every weekend?  Because bar none, there will be kids riding pit bikes before/during/after races.

Speaking about BHF specifically.  I don't think kids should be riding pit bikes around the crowded pit area, but I have no problem with them riding them out in the grass by the back straight (as long as no one is pitted there).

[SliderPhoto]

At blackhawk, kids aren't allowed to ride anything. period. My son told me he was yelled at for riding his bike.

15MPH in the pits? There are a lot of rules. Yes, I know it's a dangerous environment. I tell my son constantly to be careful, especially in the pit area. But now it's no bikes, anywhere. So, IMHO it's no longer a family environment. Just MHO.

I had to laugh last year when they broadcasted a story about Mig Duhamel and in the video there he is, as a kid at his dad's races, weaving in and out of people on his mini bike.

[Super Dave]

Insurance representatives have been coming to events at race tracks assessing what his happening.  It's an old problem, but the ramifications are that the insurance rates will make racing or track days unaffordable.  

It sucks.  

As for Mig...well, that was the 70's... 8)