If I might........
First, the Carolina Cup Pro Series (CCPS) is a great series. It's a "regional" series. And, historically speaking, we do get the short end of the stick regarding scheduling (always running as the last group)....I wish that could change just every once and again but so be it. This issue is not the fault of the CCPS or its Administrators!
Second, the NC Region of SCCA, of which I am a part, is a great region with some/many really great folks being involved with it.
Third, there is a large number of very upset folks out there right now over what happened last weekend at VIR.
Fourth, I herein acknowledge that the workers are volunteers.......I Love Em' and know that they are invaluable if we want to race at all.
Let me relate what I think happened and, yes, there were mistakes made that had finish position implication for many but that also had significant safety-related issues for many as well.
As I was approaching the finsih line nearing the end of the 45 minute timed race, I was displayed the checkered flag while I was IT-7 class leader (not the overall leader). The overtall leader was some 20+ cars behind me. I did what I usually do after receiving the checkered flag, as did the cars that I could see behind me, and that was to slow to a safe "cool-down" lap speed and proceed cautiously to the pits in accordance with various related sections of the GCR. Not since the very, very early part of the race had my car been in any other than first IT-7 position.
Upon coming out of T17 and making the slow turn onto Pit Road, one or more cars came up behind me at or near race speed and continued along the front straight where the checkered flag was still/again/? being displayed.
Upon arrival at the point where we usually pit-out to go to impound, we were atypically directed to the end of pit road and around the far end of the pit wall. Apparently, this was because we were being directed across the timing line where many of the cars (unbeknownst to them.......and it was never mentioned subsequently at impound) for the intentional scoring of their "last lap".......this after a full cool-down lap and having traversed pit road at slow speed!
As it turns out, the checkered flag was displayed early to me, and to some other portion of the field. We are not talking a "bit" early as might be the case when an overall leader is approaching the finish line on their last lap while over-taking lapped traffic; we are talking about the flag being displayed some 22 cars early!
At impound, it was announced by the Chief Steward that the flag had been thrown early and that the scoring of the race was to revert back to the previous lap where the proper position of all cars was known. This would appear to be a most reasonable response/action given the situation and circumstance.
The mess began when the Starter threw the flag early....this is unfortunate but, should be considered a "forgivable" offence (in my opinion) by anyone who has ever made an honest mistake.
But here is where the "unforgiveable" begins to occurr. First, there were, for whatever reason and as my in-car video clearly shows, cars on the track that were apparently at race speed while others had slowed. I cannot confirm this myself, but it was stated by someone that the checkered flag may have been thrown, then retracted, then re-displayed. Whatever happened, it was not a safe condition. Second, being intentionally directed down pit road to cross the timing line to end the scoring of the race is a blunder of significant magnitude.....and no driver that I know was aware that was happening... most drivers were just following the directions of the workers/officials.
Sadly, it was suggested to me by an official (I did/do not know them.....I wish I had been more attentive to detail at impound), that perhaps I should have known that I was not on my last lap, or in this case that my total time had not yet elapsed as though suggesting that I should have ignored the Checkered Flag and continued to race. Huh? Lets see.....how many different parts of the GCR would that violate! I just obey the rules and race until it's over.
I believe that a protest was filed by a SM driver (not that it makes any difference whatsoever who filed the protest because they are entitled to file a protest just as much as anyone else is) who would gain a position or two because of the confusion, if upheld. I am not privy to the specific content of the protest but it likely has to do with the part of the GCR pertaining to "Winners" and Eary Checkered Flag". The protest was apparently upheld at the track and it was determined by the SOM, erroneously in my opinion, that the scoring was just fine as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Remember,nad this is speculation based on experience, that the CCPS was run as the last race of the day.....there may have been excessive "hurry" to "just do something" (assumed only because of the unfair and enreasonable Official Results) and, many of the workers, drivers, etc. had already left the track. I left quite late and had still heard nothing of the protest. Later on last week, I heard rumblings of the Provisional results being over-turned in lieu of the FUBAR finishing order and, yesterday, received E-Mail notification of that SOM decision. Included in those Official Results was notification that my car had not won the race....
So, and in factual recapitualtion:
1) Checkered Flag thrown way too early and possible inconsitently to the field;
2) Cars allowed to continue racing when others had been ordered to stop racing by virtue of having been displayed the checkered flag;
3) Cars being scored on pit road after a cool-down lap as though evertything was A-OK;
4) A reasonable decision made by the Chief Steward being over-turned by the SOM (for whatever reason);
In apparent and specualtive recapitulation:
5) A disregard for many things GCR;
6) An SOM who just didn't/doesn't "get it"
As I suggested earlier, an honest mistake is one to be ultimately forgiven. And I'll even go so far as to say that late on Sunday afternoon, when everyone has just about had enough racing and is ready to go home, is somewhat understandable (most of us have been "there"). But to ignore all reason, when errors were made that affected not only the final results in a significant way, but also affected the safety aspect of the race as a whole, would not, IMHO, be forgiveable. There are numerous protests being drafted by more than a few drivers/entrants. And numerous appeal(s) are sure follow if need be. My true hope is that the SCCA, local and/or National, will see this for what it is and do the right, reasonable thing without any strained or tortured interpretation as to actual events and circumstances.
Time will tell.....hopefully to a larger extent than it did during the race!
