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4/1/2008
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Springfield, MO
US
Edited Date/Time
3/25/2016 3:28pm
Finally...Dungey speaks.
I think that's most peoples stink with the AMA. It's not if you agree with them or not it that they are just not consistent with rule enforcement.
All week I've been saying same as RD5 said, "So what I’m saying is, I think a flag should have been waving as I was coming into that turn." I guess they need to double up on red cross flaggers, standing back to back on both sides of the lanes if the flagger doesn't know where to stand. Or educate them to always stand/flag before the corner....never after.
Not rocket science, regardless of how fast-paced a race event can be.
The Shop
That was the first time a situation like that had come up, where it took a win away, and also substantially changed the results of what the fans and crowd had seen on TV, and in the stadium.
I'd already done an interview with Ryan where he thought he was the winner, and one with Jason where he thought he'd finished second.
Given it will unlikely change who wins the SX series then I suggest we all move on.
That's why it's always good to have penalties that can be served while the race is going on. Penalty box....stop'n go....something.
At least postpone the podium for 5 minutes....make TV go long since they let stuff run over into the beginning of SX.
There was a time, I thought, that flashing RED meant DO NOT JUMP.
You WILL see and respond to a Flashing Red Light.
At the same time, I'm not gonna bitch about the AMA/FIM enforcing the rules. They just need a much more EFFECTIVE warning system.
I know Kevin spoke about "SA" (Situational Awareness); but, what he's really dealing with is Warning Sytems NEEDED to provide "SA"...
We've crated very sophisticated systems for people in situations IDENTICAL to this in fighter aircraft...we've given them audio and visual warning systems...
In their HELMETS.
And why can't he radio in what he saw to the head official within a lap of the penalty so it can be worked out before the end of the race, and even better, before they hand out the trophies on the podium.
I would start with getting the FIM the hell out of SX. Then a total review of the current flagging rules, punishment, and a gathering of all the Teams and Ama to come up with something that is consistent and easier to process for everybody.
Shooting from the hip ama style just doesn't cut it anymore.
Pit Row
But that still doesn't mean the situation was handled well (going by Dungey's account of the process post race) or that the flagging is good, or that they're getting it right the rest of the time (Anderson/Grant in the heat)
Baby steps?
One thing Dungey says that is 100% correct, the team managers, the teams, need to get together, yes a union of sorts, and fucking demand this shit is sorted or we're not playing. How come they have to be so professional and the promoter/officials can just wing it?! Ridiculous.
Docking 2 positions isn't fair if they have a 30 second gap lead compared to a 1 second gap over the guy behind them. Obviously the further out the rider is the harsher the punishment will be for them when docking positions not time. Not fair.
Things like flags waving in the wrong place, wrong time, wrong situation are always going to be subjective so why can't they at least set the rules straight and fair before they hit the track?
lights, flags on telescopic sticks to avoid getting hit, helmet & armors for flaggers to help them to go at it, double flagging (one waving before section) and flagging to protect (... a flagger waving yellow like hell on the left for a rider on the ground on the right is dangerous for all the riders...), no passing on yellow too
+ ideally a helmet radio for the riders from the race director (or someone that can be heard in the boot without yelling...) who deals with flaggers that announce a blue, yellow or red cross ?
Simple solutions. But less potential drama ?
I think it is time to raise the bar. Here there is no incidence on injuries or normally the championship, but there has been also an other event this year in the last lap that could have ended a championship chase partially because of lack of flagging visibility I believe. And it is not like the first time there are little issues with flags, especially blue ones.
So you can imagine how ecstatic I was the next morning when I saw dungey got docked.
Worked for RC.
That's exactly what I was thinking. If it's that serious the flagger needed to be in front of the downed rider. Not off the track. And before someone rejects that due to the impossibility of getting there through traffic. Well, the Flagger had plenty of time to get over there.
Additionally there has to be some cushion ( reaction time ) for the riders at the instant the flag goes up. The two can't and never will happen simultaneously. I.e flag up, breaks on.
If a rider is in 2 bikes, 3 bikes of the flagger at the time the flag goes up he gets "let go" for his safety of trying to shut down whilst committed and others beyond the 2 or 3 bike space must shut down. Point is the flag raising from the ground to "up and waving" and a rider jamming breaks cannot and never will happen simultaneously so some critical judgment has to be made reviewing film but there must be a standard in writing that everyone is aware of. Not just a flagger saying I threw it and a rider saying I didn't see it. Look at the field, draw some lines on the screen and make the call.
Tests can be done to come up with an acceptable buffer to measure from.
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