Blunt. Force. Trauma?

Well, people, I'm going to make this column short, sweet, and to the point.  Well, it won't be sweet, more like blunt.

I'm pretty sure anybody that was at the track this past Saturday is well aware, if not of the details, at least that something occurred and that it wasn't good.

I apologize if my reaction to events that occurred "traumatized" anyone, but when my integrity or honesty is outright insulted and questioned, and when my staff is mistreated, I WILL take issue with it.  You might as well strike one of my kids or say something bad about my Mother.

To start the night off, before the heats even began, it seems some felt the rules were broken by allowing someone to enter and draw for a racer or racers that hadn't arrived at the track yet.  This turned into quite a disturbance, and it was said that I didn't even know what is in my own rule book.  I beg to differ:

8.8.B DRAW REPRESENTATIVES – For any pill draw, a driver may have a representative of their choosing draw for them.

Several people have done this in 2011, whether because they new they would have to work late, were on vacation and just getting back in town, or whatever.  I suppose it's possible that someone could break down on the way to the track and have to change a flat tire or something.  So they call a friend that is there and have them enter them and draw for them.  BIG DEAL.  The sign-in deadline does not exist to punish someone that can't be there by a certain time.  It's there because we have to have a cutoff point to do the lineups and get them posted, and once they are, it would create mass confusion if somebody pulled in 5 minutes before the heats start and entered.  Not only would it cause disruption for my staff, the racers would have to go recheck the lineups, or if they didn't there would be confusion when that race come onto the track causing unnecessary delays.  It makes no difference whose hand the money comes out of or who reaches in the bag to pull out a poker chip, and it sure as hell isn't worth making a total ass out of yourself, which is exactly what happened.  Turns out, this was only the opening act.

Did anyone notice that we had to wait on cars to get out on the track this week for practice in SEVERAL classes?  I understand we had a problem with the pit mic, but once practice starts you all know what order you run in.  If you don't, it's right on the lineup board.  When you see cars from your division heading to the staging area, that ought to mean something.  There were at least half the division ready to go in most divisions, if they knew, you'd think everyone else would have had a clue.  This situation led to a 30 minute late start, with one of our largest car counts of the season.

Next, what are the odds that we'd end up running a consi in BOTH the 600's and 270's?  Furthermore, considering how few drivers run in both divisions (I think there were 3 this week?), what are the odds that one of those drivers would fail to qualify thru the heats in BOTH divisions?  Not good, but that's just what happened.  So, to allow the driver to get into his car quickly, he was allowed to bypass the scales and change cars.

1.6 The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable requirements for such events. These rules shall govern the condition of all events, and, by participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules. Interpretation or deviation of these rules is left to the discretion of the officials. Their decision is final. The rules herein are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to a participant, spectator or official.

I think that makes it pretty clear that we had the right to make that decision, and considering the issues we've had with the curfew this year and situation we were in, I stand by that decision.  Anyone choosing to disagree with that decision, that's their opinion and they are entitled.  They are NOT entitled to abuse my staff.  There are multiple rules that address that issue.

Before I finish this column, there are a few more rule I'd like to point out.  They, I assure you, WILL be key in the week or weeks to come, and possibly next season:

6.17 All track officials have the power and authority to disqualify or suspend the driver, car and any other person for violation of rules and other infractions falling under their jurisdiction. Anyone not acting within the speedway’s rules and regulations will be penalized at WVMP officials discretion and their decision will be final.

6.22 You will be treated with respect as long as you return that courtesy. If you act immaturely, like a kid throwing a tantrum, you should expect to be treated like one. Disagreements can be discussed rationally, and while you may not get an answer or result you agree with, you will be allowed to express your thoughts provided you do so in a respectable manner. OUR OFFICIALS DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE ANYONE'S ABUSE!!! THEY HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO END ANY CONVERSATION WITH AN ABUSIVE PERSON AND DIRECT THEM TO THE TRACK DIRECTOR, WHO WILL RESPECTFULLY SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM FOR YOU... ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

ALL OTHER INFRACTIONS OR BEHAVIORAL ISSUES WILL BE HANDLED ON A CASE TO CASE BASIS DEPENDING UPON CIRCUMSTANCES, PAST HISTORY OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED, PAST PRECEDENCE SET BY PAST PENALTIES IN SIMILAR INSTANCES. Some of these issues may include:

1. Fighting/Striking another individual

2. Maliciously damaging another�'s property

3. Excessive profanity

4. Obscene gestures/Taunting others

5. Speeding/Wreckless operation of ANY vehicle in the pit or parking areas

6. Refusing to follow the order of any WVMP official

7. Any action not mentioned that WVMP officials deemed detrimental to racing at our facility.

1.1 Wyalusing Valley Motorsports Park and/or it's officials reserve the right to reject any kart, car, driver, race team, or individual without cause or recourse.

That last one, I am almost positive, will be important very soon.  It allows us to turn anyone around at the gate that we wish, whether it's because they have insulted or offended us, or just because we don't like their shirt.

Would I do that?  At this point, you betcha.  I was told quite bluntly by Mr. Howard the other night, "Clean it up or close it up".  I think that says it all.

It seems that whenever there is a problem, the same names come up.  Some once a year, some more.  MANY of the racers at WVMP have NEVER been a problem.  To those I say, you need not worry as long as your attitude and actions do not change.  Some may have had a minor issue or two at one time or another, and you are most likely in the clear if you behave.  But to those that have caused major turmoil, or have been repeated sources of conflict, you have used up your last "last chance".  You will no longer be given the "benefit of the doubt".  If you step out of line at all, you will be GONE, and I'm not talking for a week.

If you are sitting there reading this and taking offense to anything I've written, GOOD.  That's your conscience talking, because YOU are part of the problem.  YOU, and YOUR ACTIONS have put you in this position.

I'm not looking for an apology, from some I wouldn't accept it anyway.  Disrespect is something I have a hard time forgiving.

If anyone disagrees with me, that's your right.  I have not put a gun to one persons head to make them show up at our gates.  For those with all the answers that feel they know more than me, I welcome you to come up with about $100,000 (and that's real conservative), 30+ hours a week year round and show me how it's done.

For those that enjoy racing at WVMP, we look forward to having more fun with you, and much more fun than it's been lately once the problems are eliminated.  It's only a matter of time.  As my dear old Dad used to say, "Give'm enough rope and they'll hang themselves."

I can't force anyone to have fun, behave, or show up for that matter.  BUT, we CAN force them to leave.