The fall out from allowing over powered 2-11 competitors appears to be having serious ramifications for the future direct of the Elise Trophy series.
From: "Paul Golding" <paul@lotus-on-track.com>
Date: 7 May 2009 21:36:03 BST
To: "Paul Golding" <paul@lotus-on-track.com>
Subject: LoTRDC - Modified/211 - to all 2009 ET registered driversHi
This isn´t an email I wanted to write, especially after myself and jez wasted many hours at the weekend because 2 or 3 drivers decided they wanted to stir things up with cars that were not even racing in the same series as them.
As you are all well aware we have made it quite clear in the past that we won´t continue to waste our personal time on a class where 2 or 3 drivers constantly let the rest of the class down with their shit stirring or by jumping to conclusions without any facts.
I was first in the paddock on all 3 days at the weekend and believe that not more than 1 driver ever left before me with the exception of Sunday night. I made myself available to talk to anyone, as did Jez and although it was late responded to 2 emails by inviting drivers to an open meeting on Sunday morning before the first race so put a few people right. I believed that this would potentially be the end of the bitching about `potentially´ over powered 211´s in Lotus Cup Europe.
I then made a lengthy statement covering the issue in the drivers bulletin that was sent out on Tuesday. I have also responded to all emails received this week, including pointing out the same facts again to one modified driver. Yes all this gets ignored and the stirring starts again.
Obviously I do not have the ability to make things clear enough and some modified drivers do not have trust in either myself or the team to deal with an issue that has nothing to do with them. After our problems with B&C last year I really thought we had a solution but unfortunately it appears not.
Thus, I find my position untenable and have no choice but to step down from any position that involves dealing with modified drivers at the LoTRDC AGM which will take place at Snetterton on 13/6. Further details of the AGM will follow.
As this also affects the 211 class who share a grid this year it also means I will not be involved in ET class 211. Lotus Cup Europe rounds will be open to 211´s in the LCE 211 class and modified drivers will be welcome on an invitational basis.
Obviously it would be totally irresponsible of me to walk away without someone else in place, especially as the series has financial commitments for a separate
modified/211 grid at Cadwell and Oulton. Donington is different as also LCE.Thus here are a few options open to existing 2009 registered drivers or the current committee:-
1. Someone step forward to be elected as series co-ordinator for the whole
Elise Trophy series.2. Someone step forward to take over the total running
of 211 & modified. It will be upto whatever team is left if they can work with
this person.3. We agree to close the modified class for 2010 and I´ll run it
down over the remainder of the season.4. 211/Modified drivers select one
existing driver that myself and whoever forms the new team in June can work
with. There are 3 obvious drivers who I would rule out of this.5. Any driver
who wants to shit stir but doesn´t want to run the series leave the series.I believe we currently have a strong team of volunteers and 1 or 2 drivers who are upset at getting beaten by cars not even in their race series or class seem to constantly want to shit stir. Why would anyone volunteer to waste 40+ hours each week when some drivers can´t show the respect to read emails, listen to what they are told by the team or bring issues they may have with other drivers out in the open rather than trying to wind them up.
To make it totally clear. I am 100% continueing with Lotus Cup Europe and am happy to continue with production and 211. I´m also happy to continue with 211/mod if there is a respected driver prepared to step forward whom can act as one point of contact and whom ALL the other drivers will respect.
Regards
Paul Golding
