Hi Folks,
How was it for you? Let us know-Thanks Pete

Pete
The sections were bang on for a day into night trial. The sections were not too long and very importantly the start and finish lines were close enough together to keep the sections compact ,and you could easily see what was going on. The last couple of years I have set them out so it was good to actually drive the day into night trial.

I must admit I was not too impressed by not being able to turn on my lights during the "day" bit. Driving in the dark/dusk with no lights was very scary and dangerous. I was the last to drive the 4th "day" section and it was getting very dark. Please could this be discussed at the next committee meeting.

Regards Martin

Definitely!

Hi Pete
I hope the drivers enjoyed thier day out, personaly I liked to be able to use the site as we did rather than ccv being in one area and rtv in another I thought we could have started around 12.30 and got the day time sections out of the way before it got dark then we could have had a longer break to mingle in the interval,
slept well Saturday night
Regards Richard and Penny

Really . what's to discuss at committee(love that word ,it's so easy to spell) if Martin ,an experienced driver, voiced he's concerns about the safety aspect of driving in the half dark,then surely the C.O.C would have had the final decision on whether or not it was a safety issue.If it was not raised at the time,surely it's a bit late now. Thats not to say it's not pertinent,but the time to voice concerns about safety is when the concerns come to light.I was not there so I am not qualified to comment on the event but the point is relevant,if you have a concern about safety,tell the person responsible normally the C.O.C. Fred Greaves

Fred, to add my two penneth, I was also going to request that the issue of putting lights on during the day part of the event was bought up at Committee. Twilight is a weird light especially in the woods, so I do think Martins opinion was valid. I do understand that the COC has the final word on it ,but consistancy would be nice between COC's in the different events on the day. .....JAN

Jan, I was in no way suggesting that Martins concern was not valid,just to make the point that if a driver feels something is dangerous,then surely the time to discuss it is at the time the thought occurs . F.G

It's a valid point and I will make sure it gets discussed at the next committee meeting ready for next years event.

The whole idea of this section is 'feedback' and it seems to be working well.
I'm glad we are getting feedback and disscusion before, during or after a situation where it can be talked about and resolved. It's the only way the club can further improve for its members.

Any more for any more ?

I don't think Martin was the only one to ask to put his lights on in that section. I was 'lucky' to be early in the running order on that section when it was only half dark but it was still difficult to see properly. I know that the marshalls also talked about the lighting issue so it WAS raised at the time. As far as cosistancy across the classes is concerned I'm not sure that it really matters as each group was a seperate class with it's own results/trophies.

It is ENTIRELY relevant to discuss this at a Committee meeting. We are elected to represent the voice of Members and have the chance away from an event to rationally and calmly discuss past, present and future issues and learn from our experiences.
I for one would love the issue to be sorted and have equal guidelines for all events. I didn't use my lights but others in the TYRO did. We want an equal playing field with safety at the top of the list.
I still won my Class so I was happy anyway

(Yes Fred, I will do a write up for the next Exploits!)

I also agree with Richard G that it would have been great to have more time to "mingle" at the break. There was very little chance to see the other groups as the breaks happened at different times.

One good thing this year was that in general the 3 groups did not interfere with one another. Much safer that way. (Apart from when I parked my Disco across the start of a CCV Section and disappeared to walk the TYRO section. Sorry!)

Ralph

Rationally and calmly,at a committee meeting ?? I still maintain that the time to resolve safety matters is at the time the question arises .All well and good discissing next years event and guidlines etc ,but from what I have read several people felt uneasy about the failing light.No critisism of any person is intended ,but reiterate that the best time to talk about safety is before and accident happens.Fred G

So far, so good. And some interesting issues raised.

There are several key elements to the point the Martin has raised:
1) what the event regulations define as what is required or permitted,
2) interpretation of those rules by the people on the ground on the day (for this, and other events),
3) how we manage event feed back to improve future events.

These are points for the committee to discuss at the next meeting.

We also need to understand how concerns are dealt with on the day, and ensure that those issues are fed back to the comp sec, and to the wider committee where appropriate.

The discussion at the committee meeting isn't there to replace the discussion on the day.

As to the other points raised (starting earlier and coordinating the tea break) - good stuff. One for Rob to note for next year's event.

And finally, as they say in the news, I thoroughly enjoyed my trial. The CCV sections were great, I didn't score too badly, and I didn't break anything.

Thanks to all those involved in setting up, marshalling and all the rest of it.

Karl.

Hi All,
My personal opinion on the Day into Night is varied. Driving sections in the dark is a bit mad.
From a COC or Marshall point of view its very difficult, maybe a marshall on every gate or follow a vehicle around the whole section?
I think I mis-judged the last 'Day' section and maybe should have abandoned it altogether. I think start earlier or less sections, then a social bit starting when it's light so folk can get fed and watered, then start when we agree it's officially dark. This gives time to check motors, extra lights and stuff. Maybe less sections would address the safety issue.
I say :- Set out
Get started
A nice relaxed teatime
Do the dark bit
Go home.....Happy
Thank you for your comments. Keep em coming. Pete

I really enjoyed it and went home happy

I enjoyed it as well and as a marshals point of view the radio's were a great investment, and made life a lot easier once ppl got used to using them.

Once we all get used to them it will be of great benefit. They worked from the bottom corner to the car park no problem, once the interference from the pit finished.