SCCA Runoffs Were A Well-Managed Event!
I have had my problems with SCCA and voiced my criticisms when deserved. I also try and acknowledge when they do a good or great job.
I thought the 2022 edition of the Runoffs was the best organized Runoffs that I have been to. Considering that a hurricane played havoc with "everything" I thought that the communication and decision-making by those in charge was outstanding. It started with registration. That it rained, that drivers kept crashing, and that drivers kept driving around the track after damaging their oil supplies, cannot be blamed on the officials. Almost every decision they made, made sense to me.
My biggest complaint was not enough $hitters in the main paved paddock. When you put several thousand men in a compound, you need more than 10 toilets. The wait was several hours most mornings, and I expect there were some dirty diapers :)
Also, in the debate over finishing races under FC caution, or doing whatever it takes to get a green last lap of racing, I think SCCA needs to establish a policy. I felt so sorry for the SM driver who was leading under caution as the 35 minute race window expired, then went off in the 2-lap shootout. It was unclear from where I watched whether the restart was 2 seconds before or after the 35 min window finished, but I thought it was unfair. I never heard if any racers ran out of fuel in the extended races, but we would have been underweight if they had extended the FF race.
On the other hand, the FC (full course) caution with multiple pace cars, for test and qualifying sessions, was brilliant when compared to the BFA (black flag all) option. Someone deserves a round of clap for that decision, and I hope it gets adopted by other organizers.
I am disappointed that Ian hurt the spectator turn-out and some racers had to bail. The usual flow of paddock visitors was non-existent and certainly affected the Runoff atmosphere.
Well done SCCA!
Thanks to SCCA volunteers like Dan Wise!
I wasn’t at the Run-offs but as an SCCA competitor, I want to acknowledge and thank all the volunteers who make the SCCA events run and run well, like my San Francisco Region compatriot Dan Wise, who was among the stewards at this year’s Big Race. Thank you to all the SCCA volunteers, regardless of your region! We can’t race without out you and I am comforted by your presence at registration, the corner stations, in the safety and rescue trucks, and in timing & scoring and tech. :)
