3rd, 1st, 2nd, ????

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     I feel as though something needs to be said about the announcing at RA this last weekend. I started racing with CCS in '96, and what was experienced at this event had to be the worst announcing I have heard to date. I certainly hope that CCS doesn't pay for that, because I think only a weather person can screw-up that often and still keep their job! :o

     Because I had qualifying and multiple races each day I was always listening for calls on races coming up and watching the schedule so I knew when my next race would be. I can't even remember the amount of wrong calls (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) that I heard. I had 2 times when I heard 3rd call for my race without ever hearing 1st or 2nd and rushing to get up to pit out only to find that it was actually 1st call and he had mis-announced it. I had another situation where I was putting on my leathers because my race was next and the current race was on their hot lap. The grid was read off for the current race, except it was the grid for the next race, and as I heard my name read off I was confused as to how I had missed making my race when I was listening so carefully for the calls? So after that I stopped getting ready until I then hear the first call for my race, but announced as 2nd call.

     In my opinion the announcer has a great responsibility that effects all of the racers and requires accuracy and punctuality of calls, this was not an example of that. I would hope that in the future something could be done to improve this situation. :-/

[cstem]

That sucks Mike.  As the announcer for the SW region, I know how important calls are for the racers.  I am not sure who was announcing at RA this weekend but it may not have been completely their fault.  You see, the announcer gets the word to make calls and which call to make from the Race Control Official.  If the annoncer gets the wrong scoop, he announces the wrong scoop.  That COULD have been the explanation.  Here in the SW, I have worked very closely with our Race Controller (I trained him and used to be Race Control) and we have a good bond.  We both know exactly what is happening and can cover each others mistakes.  I think that this is most likely a case of 'right hand and left hand not clapping the same tune'.  Either way, I hope you tallked to the Race Director at the event and politley expressed your concerns, if you didn't, the problem may continue.  Also, IF you were the only one missing the races- look within for the answer.  

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     I didn't miss any races, I just came close several times. I wasn't the only one hearing these mistakes either because about 1/2 of the racers showed up early for the races I said were announced as 3rd call  when it was the first time that race was being announced. Normally the calls are good and there will only be an occasional mistake, which is acceptable, but this weekend was not like that. A couple other racers told me they were hearing a lot of mistakes also, but luckily when 3rd call was being given it was turning out that there always seemed to be a clean-up or bike pick up going on out on the track so it made us sit and wait most the time.

     I realize that it's tough to keep things organized, but with shortened races and a mixed up schedule on Sunday, the announcer was the light at the end of the tunnel for letting the racers know what was going on, but it just wasn't executed very well. I guess I just chalk it up to a hopefully 1 event bad experience this season.

[Super Dave]

The announcer we had at RA does seem to have a regular habbit of messing things up a bit.  He's not a racer that I ever knew of, and I don't think he's ever worked within the system.

As for the race director, our race director has a rather adversarial relationship with the riders, in my opinion.  He was the director at the event.

[Jeff]

Well yeah.  Let's think...

Stuff nearly 20 races in one day, and then allow a full cool down lap for each.  Then expect to finish on time?  Yeah right!  

Okay, so then let's cut the races to 4 laps (we ALL knew this would happen, even on the BEST of days).  Not good enough.

Now we're down to 3 laps...  But let's still let the FUSA run their full races (even though CCS entry fees paid for the event).

Okay, now we're down to shortened FUSA races, but it's still not enough.  If the races didn't finish, they would be pushed to BHF.  (I didn't stick around to see).

What about those who don't go to BHF?
What about the price difference?

This crap of jamming a million races into one day to jack up the intake of $$, and then cutting the races and/or moving them to a different date/location is B.S....

[cstem]

Jeff, see the thread we hijacked (sorry :-[) 'My RA Report'.  

[251am]

 I think there is a problem with the sound system speakers working intermittently. We were camped on front straight near the bridge and never missed a 1st-3rd/final call for a total of five races. However, I'd go to pit out for 3rd call and be the only bike there. Maybe the speakers don't work %100 in all parts of  the paddock?
  

[tzracer]

I was parked near the gas pumps and had no problems hearing the PA system. I heard that the PA at the far end of the upper paddock was not working well.

[KBOlsen]

Standing in 10A, I could hear the motard announcer all day long. :-/

[tzracer]

But you did look good standing out there.

[stumpy]

 We have our ears peeled to a portable scanner, You can hear if there is a red flag and when 3rd call is even before they announce it, Its a great idea to have anytime in the pits, Things did get pretty hectic though..But To be expected.



Stumpy

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

The announcer we had at RA does seem to have a regular habbit of messing things up a bit.  He's not a racer that I ever knew of, and I don't think he's ever worked within the system.

Yeah thats Griff. He's done a few BHF races. Tries to add color but does it so-so.