clarification of the Rule

[Old school midget fan]

15. FOUL DRIVING
Deliberate spinning, hitting, excessively bumping another car is strictly forbidden and carries a black flag, a $25 minimum fine, the loss of one lap and/or the loss of points for the event. This decision is rendered by the Referee.

The officials and the starter did a great job last night of staying on top of this. A black flag means by definition the offender goes to the pits. Looks like an important pit meeting next race will make this even more crystal clear. Unfortunately it doesnt undue the ruined night of the 13 car after running the race of his career. Thats was a shame to witness! He deserved better.
Some nights arent pretty....and that 50 car just keeps on rollin & winning!!!!

[wmra fan for life]

Deliberate? I've watched the 23 car since he started. I think he's a nice kid. Deliberate? Give me a break. I wonder what the drivers behind all the action would say about it?

[sf13]

Nobody can know if it was deliberate of not. Its really doesnt matter though. Really doubt it was given the kids nature.

However..... the rule also states excessive bumping which is a judgement call. Given the end result, common sense says it was too much contact. The 23 should have let the 13 gather up the car after the initial contact. There was no blocking going on what so ever and in fact..... Snake gave him room. For whatever reason, whether it was lack of patience or a simple mistake in judgement, he was not afforded that opportunity to save it. The end results of the contact.... justified the penalty by the Officials in the tower... plus was confirmed by the starter. Ultimately the appropritate penalty was applied as evidenced by many observers.

And maybe the drivers have already worked this out amongst themselves. And maybe not. But they should. So the retribution doesnt continue or escalate. This is about giving respect and then earning it return. Look at the rest of the stuff that occured the other night. This is a hobby for most of us at this point and its supposed to be fun. Imagine if Snake had gotten his first win? It seemed so close.

Given the penalty, it really didnt hurt the points for them seriously or for us . The 13 car though has a lot of repair work to do and probably wont make Port Angeles which is unfortuate.

The bottom line is the club needs cars and it needs fans.

[Ex Racer]

Deliberate? Deliberate what was going on behind the incident between the 23 and the 13 cars. It looked to us that the California car was headhunting Margeson for a number of laps until he finally accomplished his goal of spinning him. This year’s officials have been great but they just missed this one call in a big way (it’s going to happen once in a while). You don’t “deliberately” take someone out when you have the preferred race line and a probable win. The irresponsible journalism starting this thread doesn’t help the WMRA.

I was in the stands seated where I had a good view of the entry and exit to #3 and #4 corners. It appeared to me that the #23 car was the fastest car on the track that night. He started the race toward the back of the pack and steadily moved toward the front. The #23 car had caught up to the #13 car and had looked for an opening to pass the #13 car for several laps. The #13 entered turn #3 and bobbled moving up between #3 and #4. The #23 car was ready and was along side him coming off #4. The #13 should have realized he was going to be passed! Instead, he kept his foot on the gas and his car broke loose causing contact with the #23. Nobody wants to see a car go into the wall. The contact was certainly not aggressively intentional! Every one around me agreed that it definitely didn't warrant a black flag. Seems like there has been a rash of bad judgment lately in baseball, soccer and now midget racing. Let the racers race!!!

[sal x]

x-Racer, the one thing you have forgot is the 13 had the lead and Snake never seen the 23 untill he's flying into the wall, yet you think Snake should have pulled over and let him by.Sorry I just dont get it.

[mjhinks]

On Feburary 23rd WMRA posted that they were looking for officials for the 2010 season. Looks like we have a couple people who should have applied!

-Mary Jo Hinkle
(^look I signed my name! You should too!)

[Guest]

They had been running two wide throughout the majority of the corner. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion whether who got into who; however, they HAD been running two wide moments before they touched. Therefore, the 13 car was clearly aware that the 23 car was next to him before the 13 car decided to apex lower than the 2nd groove on the track.

[sf13]

Debate it for all its worth. Once the 13 car is repaired and back out, the 23 will be driven exactly the way we were driven. Point taken pal? Have any issues in the future with this, take it up with the referee. If you dont like how that car is treated , or the results, come on down to our pits. ... ask or find me. By the way, if our driver gets into someone, he knows to head on down and have the 'talk' out of respect. Still hoping this changes with some other drivers. For our part, we think the official dd a fine job the other night under difficult circumstances. Go Jeff!

[racefan]

Besides if you were in the lead would you give another guy room on the last lap, heck no! It was 13 first race to win and he wasnt going to give up just cause the car behind him MIGHT have been faster.

[aseidelman]

i know i prolly shouldnt get into this. but lets face facts, mark has always had a problem with getting around other drivers cleanly, me in particular. its a well know fact that if mark cant get by you clean, hes going to, or gunna try to, put the bumper to you and move you. period. his bumping and banging has been over looked for a while now, but im willing to bet that after this weekend, even though its too late for snake, somthin just possibly, might actually, get done about it......unless its decided that a penalty should not be issued as to not hurt the already fragile car count that seems like its already gunna be minus 1 for a little while due to snakes structual test of south sounds' wall

ps. there was no bumping and banging at the midget race i was participating in saturday night

[Sal 13x]

I think its time to move on. Mark and Snake have been beat up enough. I HOPE ALL DRIVERS WILL SHOW RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER, the rest of the year because the club cant lose anymore cars. Also I think the drivers should handle the on track incidents between themselves. Car owners,parents, crew etc,should stay out of it( im as guilty as anybody). On to a postive note, Snake will drive Dick Voss beautiful number 45 for the PA race.The 13 won't be ready untill Wenatchee.
thanks Scott

[patb]

Who's Jeff?

[mjhinks]

Our official... Get a mit and get in the game

[jb75]

I've been watching you guys longer than anyone. I can't remember a black flag for anyone. Wait, there was that time when Palmer obviously pushed Petersen out after Kenny spun him out all those years ago. Everyone knew he would and it was no surprise. This latest incident was different. Anyone who follows midgets knows they are nearly out of control and accidents just happen beyond human control. That's what I saw although Snake appeared to try to block Mark's try for the lead.My opinion!

[sf13]

Thanks for posting. Half this battle IS trying to get fans like yourself, to come out to the tracks, root for their favorite whomever that is, to take an interest and have a voice in this club again.