03/19/2011 - Autocross @ Regency Furniture Stadium

[noelleslie]

. . . You can say what you want about SCCA and their rules, it doesn't really matter, but their key thing is safety (which is why they go as far as appointing safety stewards for every event). No matter what club it is, SCCA, BMW, etc... safety shouldn't be overlooked or second guessed.

It is definitely the responsibility of the driver to stop the car, but it is the design of the course that is suppose to allow enough room for a safe, controlled stop. All of the crazy brake locking and tire smoke should be done out ON course, not after the finish. . .

I strongly agree with AJ, but also think the course was a great design. Perhaps if the timing light had been moved forward 100 feet everyone would have been happy?

Also, I agree with Jonathan that SCCA rules are not binding on BMW, but I disagree that we should discredit them as "buttheads."

Negligence is basically the use the degree of reasonable care that a normal "reasonable person" would perform. I wouldn't say that the stop box was necessarily negligent, but because our goal is the highest degree of safety, I think it is negligent to a degree if we were to broadly dismiss the customs and/or practices of other experienced groups such as SCCA. In my view, their experience has been formed as a result of past accidents, and that their rules reflect a wealth of time, energy, and resources directed at safety. I'm saying that we should adopt SCCA procedures at all -- just that we should at least consider which of their rules (if any) would be appropriate for incorporation into our operation.

I think BMW is a very safe group, and I can specifically cite several instances of NCC staff conducting their safety chores during this event. Even the comments in this thread are indicative of our safety culture. Good job guys. Our diversity of opinion is among our strengths.