[Gavin Collingwood]

Originally Posted by milesallen

I was in that heat and the guy who destroyed his car was having a bad day to start with, one of his cars went up in smoke first thing, he reverted to a 4WD. His car smashed into the back of the lads car at pace right in front of the rostrum. Abuse is uncalled for from anyone I've heard a few going on with themselves in the short time I've been coming to the club, we all have bad days, but screaming and shouting especially at kids just shows a lack of character.

As its been said, go in the back of someone then its your fault full stop. On the road, on track even when skiing. From my real car track days then there were loads of people with fast cars. I had an ex-works Nissan touring car for a while and someone hit that at real pace there's no insurance on a track but I had to suck that up £$£$£$£$ beyond what most could stomach. Fast cars doesn't always mean a talented driver, sometimes just quick in a straight line and anyone can do that. The most accidents come from the point and squirt brigade who run out of talent very quickly when someone is out of position.

I try to make every effort to let faster cars through, even when I did track days. After a 20+ year lay off then it'll take a while to get back to match fit with the buggies or may never get there again. I apologise if I get in the way, I'm about a lap or two off the pace at the moment.

My daughter is looking to start racing she's 14 very co-ordinated (compared to her dad) but is worried grown men will shout at her so hasn't been to a Bury club meeting, but has practiced on the track. I would be very disappointed if she got verbal abuse, as everyone has to start somewhere, and she will probably end showing a few they way round soon enough.

I also race at Cheadle on a Thursday night (this is where it all started for me back in the late 80's) Its a tiny track and mainly touring cars these days, but they accept all, theres no screaming and shouting and a lot of kids race. There were 7 heats last week its full to bursting there, super friendly place.

My buggies go in with touring cars and circuit cars and nobody is concerned bring it and can race it is the policy. My daughter will start her racing here with the other kids maybe buggy or touring we'll see.

I know numbers will be short in the winter for lots of heats to split up abilities, (outdoor anyway) back in the day you are asked your level when booking in to set heats. Novice, intermediate, expert/pro. There was always a drivers briefing before racing just like in the real thing, takes 2 mins and the rules, etiquette and tone is set for the day.

We usually do a driver's briefing beforehand but for a winter meeting with such a small attendance and the fact it's winter we are doing things a little more relaxed. Please don't hesitate to bring your daughter down we are very welcoming, the said driver wasn't even a member I believe. We will be having words to make sure there is no repeat performance. And again if people don't report these things and make it known then we cannot do anything I was marshalling at the time and couldn't hear what was said on the rostrum. All I heard and saw was an angry man annoyed at breaking his car. That happens all the time, without knowing we cannot help.