Here's what was really meant to be said, and in English.
Race results will be posted on my website this Friday:
www.crystalparkrcraceway.com
The following is for all the drivers who attended the 2006 Toys for Tots race at Crystal Park.
The Crystal Park R/C Club has not been hosting the Toys for Tots for 8 years because 8 years ago, there was no Crystal Park R/C Club let alone a track at Crystal Park. The first race ever held at Crystal Park was in the Fall of 2000, and that was hosted and run by GLARCRC. Still, I like to believe that I have been here for 8 years.
We have had good races, some great races, and we have had races not turn out well. Some times things happen like bad weather or computer problems. Usually it’s neither that causes races not to turn out well.
I, James Reese, would like to apologize for not asking how long the quals should be and how many rounds we should run on Saturday morning. Saturday morning is the best time to make these types of decisions, and only after asking the racers over the PA system.
I thought the computer was set to rocket round, but apparently it was set to single round qual points. I don’t know how to run the software. I am not even sure how long the mains should have been set to. If I had accepted the help offered by many people who did in fact volunteer their help, things could have been different.
By the way, I don’t make up how the program runs, I just let things run their course.
I try to run the racers according to the demands of the racers. If the racers want to race for free, I’ll do it. Last year, I used the old A&B program. Even though some wanted 12 car mains, I think everything was great, even if some of the qualifiers were scored incorrectly and the mains were run the dark, because I was high and thought everyone was just chilling. The fact is everyone was chilling because it was cold outside.
This summer I received a program update when the RC Pro series race was held and run by RC Pro, using 10 minute qualifers. Some racers said they liked the 10 minute qualifiers, so I adopted that for all my club races. As the Toy’s for Tots approached, drivers told me they want 3 rounds of 10 minute qualifiers. After asking around, I was told that many racers from all over are attending and this is what they are used to. Two rounds is not fair. In my fuzzy brain, this sounded logical, so I decided to go with it. I did not bother to do the math and figure out how long it would take to run 150 racers through a day of 10 minute qualifiers. Of course, this story is completely different from the one I blathered on about during the race.
Leo V. had the foresight to email me and let me know that the program I was going to run was impractical, but of course I do what the majority of the racers want. The majority want the race to start late, end late, and run longer qualifiers and shorter mains.
No one complained to me all day, so I thought it was all good.
Another racer, Matt Reddick, came up to me and asked ‘Hey man, let’s just run 2 quals and the main and call it’. I pretended to be on his side and told him I was only doing what the majority wanted.
It’s not my fault the majority did not come forward and tell me they had changed their minds. Had they done so, I would have shortened qualifying. So you see, it’s not my fault. Had I listened to what these 2 fine racers had presented to me, the outcome of the weekend would have been completely different.
But as it stands, no one told me anything about the feelings flowing through the pits If I only knew, I could have and would have changed things. It’s not my fault, it’s not my fault! It’s is not the responsibility of the race director to make the right decision on his own.
Since I was not racing, it made no difference to me how the race was run. Isn’t this how all races are run? The race host is never responsible; it’s the racer’s fault when things go wrong. Besides, why would I want to work any harder or longer than needed? I mean, I had a gig to go to Saturday night, and the poor computer needed a rest.
After running the qualifications into the ground, I had no time to review the scoring to make sure there were no mistakes. To really throw a wrench into things, single round qual points were used. I don’t know what single round qual points are, please don’t ask. After we ran the first 3 bottom mains, all of which were no shows because the racers had left in disgust, and after we 2 ran back to back sedan mains with a total of 4 bump ups, I was told about a scoring problem. Of course I did not have the wherewithal to realize that sedan and 1/8th mains should have been run in alternating order to allow the bump ups enough time to prepare for the next race. Even if I had realized this problem, I would not know how to change it as I don’t know how to run the software.
I tried to save some face by pretending to want to do what the majority wanted, but for some reason people were upset at this point. I can’t understand why anyone would be upset at this point. I suppose we can all blame my partner here at the track for being called out of town by his employer. By the way, I don’t have a job.
I did not have a real Plan A to begin with, so Plan B was, well, non existent. My hands were tied, but only because I was doing what the racers wanted. You can’t blame me for what was happening.
I could have changed the time limit (whatever that means) and reprinted the mains, had I known that it gets dark at 5. Two days went by and no one said a word. It was obvious to me that the race was moving along well and everyone was happy that I started late, ran slow, took breaks, and stopped after one round on Saturday. After all, I was only doing what the majority wanted, so you can’t possibly place any blame or responsibility on me.
Regardless, if it makes you feel better to blame me, then go ahead. Nothing I ever say or do should be taken on a personal level. With all this in mind, I am adopting a new program for 2007, including all club races and the Toy’s for Tots, which I am sure all 140+ racers will return for. After signs ups close, a driver’s meeting will take place and a vote will be taken on the length and number of qualifiers and on the length of the A mains. I believe this is an efficient and proper way to run races. This system should allow races to start before noon, as long as you racers are responsible enough to show up on time, sign up on time, and agree on a vote.
Even though I did nothing wrong and I am the victim here, I will personally mail your $25.00 entry fee back to you if are the type of person who likes to take a toy out of the hands of a homeless kid. Otherwise, don’t ask me to show proof that your entry fee was split up between the Compton FD and Union Rescue Mission.
In conclusion, I want to say that we have been here for 8 years, working hard 6 days a week. That means we have been here since 1998. We do everything the racers ask for. So if you give me your suggestion, I will implement it without thinking twice. If things go bad as a result, I get blamed. It’s not fair!
I do this because I am in love with the game and with the green stuff.
Meanwhile all of you bash me on the internet because something was not right at a benefit race. Cut me some slack, please. I did not know the mains were seeded by qual points, I did not know a majority of the racers changed their minds. Believe me I would have loved to change anything I could to make everyone happy. You can’t blame me for all these things, it’s your fault for changing your mind.
I still consider everyone to be my friend, and I forgive all of you for making this weekend so bad. I can’t believe there are people with hate in their hearts. This sounds hypocritical, but anyone who doesn’t like the way things went has hate in his heart. You should be ashamed for putting me down and for not having the Toy’s for Tots spirit.
I thank those who shook my hand and the voices in my head who had good words to say. They made me not feel alone in this harsh and cruel world. I would especially like to thank the out of town people for enjoying what I consider to have been a top notch race. Next year will be even better, so I hope you all forget this year and spend a lot of money to come again.
James Reese 310 489-5107