Schreck, George
Perhaps the solution is that the $10 be refunded if the protest is
upheld. It discourages frivolous protests and does not burden those
that have merit.
________________________________
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of John Schader
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 11:03 AM
To: Ted Turner; OBRA
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Cherry Pie RR: Men Cat. 4 DQ's
Regarding the protest rule: it seems odd that disincentives, in the form
of a $10 fee and a very short 15 minute deadline for the written
submission, are required in filing a protest. I would think that OBRA
would want to encourage riders to self-police by officially reporting
dangerous and illegal behavior of fellow racers. However the rule just
discourages people from doing so. It actually favors those who would
cross the center line or otherwise take illegal advantage of the others
in their race because they know the others probably would not wish to
pay to file a complaint.
Just out of curiosity, how many official protests were filed in the 2005
season?
Ted Turner wrote:
I have rescinded the DQ that I applied to the lead group of Cat.
4's. Several well-articulated and consistent observations submitted to
me from guys who were in that lead group contributed to my decision to
reverse the call. Thanks guys for taking the time to jot down your
observations.
The crash that occurred about a mile from the finish was my
first priority as an official and I admit that I was extremely
disappointed that I had to summon an ambulance again -- for the third
year in a row -- within a mile of the finish. I was about to place my
vehicle in the opposing lane to block the field from drifting when,
concurrently, the anxiety and tension in the lead group reached a
crescendo and the premature accelerations triggered the crash.
Observations of the pre-200m centerline violations were from a
few riders in that group as well as spectators and finish line judges.
However, we can't confirm all of the race numbers of those in violation
based on these observations. I was fully aware at the time that I was
punishing the entire group f or the actions of a few.
When I worked as a USCF official in other states prior to coming
to Oregon about 10 years ago, I frequently received formal protests
regarding rider conduct. The protests were submitted in writing
immediately after the race along with the $10 fee. The Chief Referee
could interview the parties involved, including the official(s) that may
have witnessed the violation, prior to making a final decision. I don't
think I have ever received a formal protest as an OBRA official - at
least not one that was submitted quickly, in writing, and accompanied by
the $10 fee. Several riders mentioned problems in the Cat. 4 race, yet
there were no written protests that detailed the race numbers of those
involved or what occurred.
So this may be a good time for everyone to review the protest
rule. We typically only have one official assigned per event. The
official can't witness every serious rule violation and it can be
difficult or impossible for the official to read the number of the rider
that, for example, drifted across the line near the front of the pack. I
realize that most of you are probably uncomfortable with self-policing
race conduct, but the protest rule is a valid way to do this. Protests
are best when there is more than one witness, the race numbers can be
verified, and when all parties stick around after the race to help the
official make the call.
14.3 Protests concerning incidents during the race will be
presented to the Chief Referee in writing and accompanied by a fee of
$10, which will be forwarded to OBRA. They must be submitted within 15
minutes of the protester's finish. The Chief Referee will decide the
results of the protest and communicate them to all parties involved.
--------------------------------
Ted Turner, R.G., L.E.G.
Geologist
Weyerhaeuser Forestry Research
541.741.5597 (voice)
541.912.6664 (cell)
ted.turner@weyerhaeuser.com
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