I cant imagine that there are too many 2018 members that are not experiencing some form of emotion; anxiety, frustration and sadness have all become companions of mine since September. We have all invested a lot of funds into a sport that now has at least a level of uncertainty, for some more than others, and for a variety of reasons.
Given the emotional nature of last years last round, as well as the uncertainty the future holds for the club / track, at least in some regard; perhaps we could take a breath and have a read through our responses before posting, to help ensure that emotions do not escalate further unnecessarily. Some know the clubs history as well as the vocal personalities involved, others do not, and the tone has become less than cordial of late. Perhaps a few need to go for a beer or 6 and hash out some issues in person... New people coming to the forum must be thinking WTF.
In my own opinion, items and ideas other than what Castrol is doing could maybe take a step forward. From my point of view, Castrol could cover the entire place in bubble wrap and marshmallows and the club could still face tragedy at anytime. We race at high speed, velocity kills, bikes collide even with no walls or furniture involved and tragedy ensues. Why do you think the cops are on 300's, they know better than anyone that velocity kills. Seen Jonathan Finns FB post this week? 14 yr old just lost his life, at a "safe" track as multiple bikes came together. Yet the races go on, as tragedy is part of racing, and if that is not acceptable perhaps another hobby should be sought. Seen the documovie Road?
Anyone who thinks that the facility will be tragedy proof after any improvements are made are either kidding themselves or suffer from cranial insertion of the rectum. If racing, even riding, was not at least somewhat dangerous; it would not be exhilarating and then not many of us would be riding.
All we can do is make it safe as possible, right? Looking at what other clubs do to help ensure rider safety is eye opening, I was surprised to see that novices are not even allowed on In-line 4 bikes at some clubs for instance, never mind liter bikes. We allow any newbie squid to jump aboard a 200 HP machine; while knowing full well, for years now, that the track is not conducive to inexperience on high HP machines. I am not saying lets lay off Castrol and let them off the hook, it is obvious to me that the fence should have been put up on the poles long ago, for instance. What I am suggesting, is let them work with our execs to work on improving, for now, and maybe we could do the same? Instead of finger pointing, lets discuss some constructive ways to improve our club safety other than "what can they do" to make it so that anyone can ride any machine at any speed, which with today's super bikes is a disaster waiting to happen anywhere, IMO. Even Daytona had to recognize that today's super bikes are not conducive to their track. So, instead of what can they do, what can we do?
To start off a hopefully civil discussion, in my opinion, only those rated as an expert should be racing on a liter bike at Castrol. Further, maybe the experts should have at least some say as to who will be joining them.