Candi Murray

-----Original Message-----
From: david goss [mailgoss_d2@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:01 AM
To: cmurray@obra.org; 'Terri Camp' ; 'Rick k'
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Lessons learned from Cat 3 approach to finish at
BB#1?

the motor was not with the car 3 group when this happened, I was with the
field. This was not a safe take over and I had the judge issue a warning to
the whole field. The car you speak of was local traffic and not with the
race. I did explain to the field at the line right of center if this were
to happen in the next race the entire field would be DQ'ed. I spoke to many
riders who said "I cannot believe you did not DQ us all".
Lynn Goss
Chief Referee

_____

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of George Gardner
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:04 PM
To: OBRA List
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Lessons learned from Cat 3 approach to finish at BB#1?

In last Sunday men's cat 3 race, a dicey situation occurred in the approach
to the finish. I'd like to hear thoughts about how it could be handled
better, if at all.

With about a 1.5 miles to go, our pack approached a slower field and its
lead car both properly neutralized to the right side of the road (I don't
recall if they had a follow vehicle). Just behind this field was a sedan in
the middle of the lane, possibly confused. I don't think this was an
official follow vehicle since no hazards were on and only for purposes
id'ing for other participants, I recall a dog in it's backseat. Also, our
field's lead car was escorting 2-3 escapees about 100 yards ahead.

With the road blocked our field skirted around the sedan with many riders
crossing the centerline on the left. At that moment an oncoming car
approached, rather fast, honking and was forced onto the shoulder. Our
follow vehicle was a moto who immediately hit the horn that at first added
to the chaos but ultimately communicated effectively to the rest of us in
the back of the pack not to try the maneuvers that the front of the pack
had. I got to pull a pro move and pushed a very narrow gap between the
centerline and the sedan. Our pack was able to reassemble itself afterwards
for a fair finish.


Was there time for a rider(s) in the front of our pack to take leadership
and loudly announce for a neutralization until the sedan moved over or
ahead? Hard to say, - finish lines induce a real go for it spirit - but I'm
not condoning the centerline violators.

Did our lead car face the same situation when escorting the escapees? If so,
could that driver have communicated (hand signals/rolled down window and
yelled) to the sedan's driver that another large field is approaching from
behind?

Or could our moto foreseen the situation from the rear, and by its agility
sped ahead to the front of our pack to safely escort us around or move the
sedan?

Not sure what should have been done. Each would have been very quick
thinking on someone's part. I'd like to hear what others think.

What I do feel certain about is that we as racers should try to tell our
supporters attending races to drive with caution and extra awareness when on
the course. Basically to give room to the large fields approaching in front
and behind and be prepared to pull over if necessary. Also, if possible,
direct drivers to proceed to the start/finish against the race flow traffic
with caution. I have no idea if the sedan or oncoming car were spectators,
but we only increase our chances of safety with some minor instructions.

Next week there'll be a few more cars due to fishing season - however Hagg
Lake is a relatively safe course for which I love. Anything we can do to
keep us safer allows us to race another day.


George