Racer Discussions with Race/Tech Officials

[Fireofficer5]

Specifically, what offense was done?


Did that person have a civilized conversation or did that person flail about, scream
like the orange buffoon does on twitter?

Acting like a key board bully?

Tech officials are not customer service reps.

[Bob Don]

A few years ago at E-Town national event, a racer had a heated discussion with starting line crew over poor track prep and bald spots - all the high hp cars were spinning. I don't remember if he got tossed or not. (maybe someone with a better memory than me can help out...)

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by Bob Don

A few years ago at E-Town national event, a racer had a heated discussion with starting line crew over poor track prep and bald spots - all the high hp cars were spinning. I don't remember if he got tossed or not. (maybe someone with a better memory than me can help out...)

Bob, I was there, I don't think he got tossed, but earned a lot of status points in my mind.

You didn't go that year I don't think the low buck tank would have liked it, for some reason I left the Gremlin home, and just showed up with the Dakota, which of course didn't notice the starting line.

Eric

[Keith 944]

Originally Posted by Bob Don

A few years ago at E-Town national event, a racer had a heated discussion with starting line crew over poor track prep and bald spots - all the high hp cars were spinning. I don't remember if he got tossed or not. (maybe someone with a better memory than me can help out...)

What a coincidence..... I talked to the same racer this weekend about that incident, he said he paid for it and advised against it 😝

[nhramnl]

I think we have to remember that officials generally develop a certain mentality. They're given a job that that has authority, which translates to power, in their mind. With that power comes the inherent belief that they're right and fair, because, they rationalize, if they weren't inherently right and fair, they wouldn't have been chosen to be an official. When someone challenges them, their authority and power are questioned or disrespected, and all but the most secure individual gets indignant (to some degree), essentially saying "How dare you challenge my authority! The people who run this thing see my leadership ability and made me an official". In order to have a chance to make a point with an official then, we have to come from a position that shows respect for the authority and power the official THINKS they have. That allows them to maintain their self-esteem and save face.

[Li'l Rick Pennington]

Originally Posted by Fireofficer5

Specifically, what offense was done?


Did that person have a civilized conversation or did that person flail about, scream
like the orange buffoon does on twitter?

Acting like a key board bully?

Tech officials are not customer service reps.

If a racer gives "the finger" to a tech official?? Does that count as an offense?

Li'l Rick

[Rusty Davenport]

Originally Posted by Li'l Rick Pennington

If a racer gives "the finger" to a tech official?? Does that count as an offense?

Li'l Rick

" The Finger" needs to be cut off the persons hand and shoved up his butt, that's the racer mentality that makes us all look like dumb asses. It should carry the same penalty as profanity. This is not a kids sport for "Finger Folks".......grow up and handle authority like a man.

[Jim Bailey]

I would have loved to seen some racer (anyone) give Buster Couch the finger !!!!

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

" The Finger" needs to be cut off the persons hand and shoved up his butt, that's the racer mentality that makes us all look like dumb asses. It should carry the same penalty as profanity. This is not a kids sport for "Finger Folks".......grow up and handle authority like a man.

Some of the comments here are off the charts.
Tech Officials here it from everyone, Why, Why, Why !!??
Can well understand them getting grumpy.

I Ref Soccer and run into all kinds of Spectators, Player, Coach issues.
Especially in a tight aggressive games.

Because of unhinged spectator anger and misunderstanding of the game.
All the Sports are having a hard time recruiting new Referees.
The older more experienced Refs are wearing out or dying off.
Bet NHRA is having a hard time with this too.

Competitive sports come with lots of super aggressive players.
It is what we do.

Games needs to be managed well.
I take 7-8 hours of classes a year studying and discussing the game.
Have to pass annual Certs with an 85% or better to meet grade level.
Rules change and have to learn their impact.

Before a game do a good bit of pregame study.
U14 to U21 all have different issues with fast moving action.

Before a game I have talks with the spectators and players.
They are given expectations.

Before the whistle, turn to the parents and say:
Your Teams are on the field GIVE IT UP .!
Same for second half but pit their Cheering against each other.

Have no problem confronting angry Spectators or Parents.
The conversation gives them choices.
Such as threatening them make them fill out a Referee Employment Application!

Mind you some NHRA Tech Officials need more Communication Skills.
NHRA can reduce the misunderstanding by doing a pregame plan.
Generally do a good job dealing with Racer Feedback.

However we can do a better job too.

Suggestion...never ask a WHY Question!

WHY !! Starts more fights and arguments than any other question.
It is lazy, condescending, accusatory.
WHY DID You do That ?? (Scream)

Most people asking WHY are not looking for an answer.
Instead seeking to validate anger or prejudice.

From Math and Science class, get stumped ask yourself why ?
Try to solve it, formulate questions from what you know.
Get a book, find an SME prepared with Who, what, when where, how ?

Avoid the WHY question you have a better experience.

and it is really hard to do !!

Dan

[X-TECH MAN]

Well I can say for sure working tech is not all fun and games. Back in the late 70's myself and if any one remembers Robert Lenard the head tech guy for IHRA we had just declared a certain Super Stock A automatic 68 Hemi dart illegal for the S/S win. I will not mention the name of the owner and driver but he did not like our decision. Back in the day no porting or mods were allowed other than the legal valve job and combustion chamber C. C.ing was allowed. Same as NHRA. The guy usually ran in SS/PRODUCTION which allowed port matching to 1/2 inch. That was his down fall as the heads were port matched. Well he pulled a gun on us but luckily the N. Carolina state troopers were still there. Yes it was Rockingham ! They had the drop on him and arrested him. That was about it as he went to jail. From that point on I carried a small .380 pocket pistol until I gave up working tech about 15 or so years ago. It never happened again thank goodness. A couple I bounced over the years quit and took up boating or what ever because they were embarrassed but I never had to pull it out. Looking back it was probably illegal to do so in some states but oh well. Never got caught with it. Now I have my CCW and carry everyday as the world gets crazier as time goes on