I am very new to LSR and am not completely up to speed on all the politics and problems that exist. It seems to me that Jon ( Landracing) is the only one on this thread that has answered the question and proposed his ideas in a constructive way. EVERY sanctioning body has problems and is at times forced to make decisions that might upset its competitors, bitching, moaning , ranting , raving , and throwing temper tantrums is NOT the way to be heard if you expect any results. In my very limited experience with LSR and very extensive experience with other types of racing here is a list of my observations and ideas:
1. When a competitor enters an event and is found by SCTA records to be unlicensed they should be given a "newbie" manual of sorts to include answers to all the stupid questions they will no doubt have. I am guessing that 10% of all the posts on this web site are by rookies searching for information. The manual should include a 20 frequently asked questions list, the do's and do not's of racing on the salt, what to expect in tech, what you need to bring, suggestions about lodging or camping, general information about what running on the salt is like, and a big welcome to the organization.
I know many old timers feel that the races are already too crowded and could care less about whether or not a new racer enjoys himself and has a good experience or not. The fact is that without new blood this sport will fall the way of so many others and simply go away, and that would be a shame.
2. Someone really needs to do some research about whether or not the motorcycle ALL LEATHER rule has ANY impact on safety. The last thing we need to do is make this MORE expensive by adding the costs of modifying existing or buying new leathers. I know this is like beating a dead horse but after 13 years of professional, full time racing experience, I see NO increase in safety by having this rule ,it adds expense and if it were viable I think Moto GP and AMA would have a similar rule, which they don't.
3. Develop plans for a Licensing pass course, we all come to race and the more runs the better. Another option is to develop a motorcycle only course, the cars really tear up the course and present a safety concern for the bikes if it gets really bad. As far as I know the bikes ( streamliners not included) need much less run up and shut down room so I would think the course wouldn't need to be as long, and certainly would need less maintenance.
4. The Motorcycle rule book needs to be more definitive in its explanations and clarifications of the rules. I have written many rule books over the years and would be happy to provide input if needed.
5. The SCTA, BNI, 200 club, El mirage, etc should really combine all their web sites / improve navigation so you don't have to search for information on multiple sites, multiple pages, etc. As a newcomer it was very difficult to get all the information I needed because it was so spread out on multiple sites/pages.
6. Publish the motorcycle minimums in the rule book and have separate rule / records books for cars and bikes.
7. Combine forces ( or at least honor one anothers records) with AMA so the motorcycle records and rules are consistent. It was very odd to me how two different sanctioning bodies, running on the same salt, within two weeks of one another, had no consistency with rules , records, minimums, etc.
8.On this web site create a new index topic for all the newbie Q&A and transfer all historical posts that fit this topic into the new index. I really don't like asking stupid questions and I am sure all you salty old timers are tired of answering them, over and over.
9. It is my opinion that car guys ( and their respective committee's) should make the car rules and Bike guys ( and their respective committee's) should make the bike rules. There are enough motorcycles running at Bonneville to warrant a separation with the rule making procedures and I am sure the car guys wouldn't mind transferring the responsibility to a new committee.
Like I said I am new to this so if anything I posted here is nonsense or redundant please excuse me. All I know is that I am hooked and look forward to racing at Bonneville for years to come and I would like to see the organization grow and attract more competitors, it will be a benefit to all of us.
Regards
Nathan
