Electrathon America Forum

electrathon · administrator

PIR

electrathon · administrator

The schedule for the weekend is posted here: http://www.ohpv.org/HPC/page3/page25/page25.html

We are again sharing the track with the OHPV guys.

Zaine Stapleton · Senior Member

the ohpv.org website shows the two races on Saturday and Sunday. Which is the rally and the road course? Its not clear as to what race is going on at certian times.

electrathon · administrator

Zaine Stapleton wrote:

the ohpv.org website shows the two races on Saturday and Sunday. Which is the rally and the road course? Its not clear as to what race is going on at certian times.

Saturday: First race, long track. Second race, short track.

Sunday; First race, short track. Second race, long track.

electrathon · administrator

The form posted above is tweaked some. If you want an origional form email me and I will send you one. arw62@aol.com

electrathon · administrator

I just talked to PIR. The latest word is that we can enter the track on Friday evening. So, what this means. If you are in the pit area BEFORE the drag races start, you can set up camp and stay on the infield. If you arrive after the drags start (depending on rain) you may have to pay the drag people to enter. They have ownership of the track at that time, I do not have the authority to tell them to let you in. If they are in a giving mood, they might let you pass for free.

If you have any questions, please call me
Aaron
503-761-8276

electrathon · administrator

I am heading out for the track. If you have any questions for me do not post them here, I will not see it.

Call me at 503-761-8276
Aaron

megawatts · teacher

Final results from Long Track

Car #	# Laps	Time	Class	Team Name
107	33	2:00:00.0	Student	Willamette HS
27	31	2:00:59.5	Student	Hood River HS
82	29	2:00:00.0	Student	Neah Kah HS
59	29	2:00:00.0	Student	David Douglas HS
111	29	2:00:36.1	Student	Willamette HS
110	29	2:00:51.6	Student	Willamette HS
32	26	2:00:00.0	Student	Hood River HS
22	25	2:00:00.0	Student	Hood River HS
102	24	2:00:00.0	Student	Willamette HS
444	24	2:00:00.8	Student	Monroe HS
51	23	2:00:00.0	Student	David Douglas HS
81	23	2:00:00.0	Student	Neah Kah HS
55	21	2:00:00.0	Student	David Douglas HS
36	19	2:00:00.0	Student	Hood River HS
170	19	2:00:00.0	Student	West Lake Tech
344	18	2:01:08.3	Student	Columbia HS
21	16	2:00:00.0	Student	Columbia HS
160	16	2:00:00.0	Student	West Lake Tech
103	15	2:00:00.0	Student	Willamette HS
222	14	2:00:00.0	Student	Monroe HS

megawatts · teacher

43	44	2:00:00.0	Adult	Cloud Racing
40	38	2:01:00.5	Adult	Cloud Racing
47	27	2:01:33.3	Adult	Hood River HS
150	25	2:00:00.0	Adult	West Lake Tech
120	25	2:01:30.0	Adult	FPUD
17	24	2:00:00.0	Adult	Hood River HS
333	17	2:00:00.0	Adult	Monroe HS
202	12	2:00:00.0	Adult	WSU

megawatts · teacher

Results for Short Track

Place	Car #	# Laps	Time	Class	Team
1	107	48	2:01:34.6	Student	Willamette HS
2	59	47	2:00:00.0	Student	David Douglas HS
3	156	45	2:03:26.3	Student	Thurston HS
4	102	44	2:01:56.6	Student	Willamette HS
5	25	40	2:00:00.0	Student	Centennial HS
6	22	40	2:00:17.4	Student	Hood River HS
7	155	40	2:01:14.1	Student	Thurston HS
8	55	40	2:01:22.9	Student	David Douglas HS
9	12	40	2:01:42.4	Student	Centennial HS
10	36	39	2:00:46.1	Student	Hood River HS
11	159	38	2:00:08.6	Student	Thurston HS
12	50	38	2:01:11.4	Student	Centennial HS
13	151	37	2:00:02.9	Student	Thurston HS
14	51	36	2:00:00.0	Student	David Douglas HS
15	158	36	2:01:19.5	Student	Thurston HS
16	27	36	2:01:23.8	Student	Hood River HS
17	152	35	2:00:00.0	Student	Thurston HS
18	32	33	2:00:01.0	Student	Hood River HS
19	100	30	2:00:00.0	Student	Willamette HS
20	113	30	2:00:00.0	Student	Willamette HS
21	83	29	2:00:00.0	Student	Neah Kah HS
22	103	28	2:00:00.0	Student	Willamette HS
23	170	24	2:00:41.1	Student	West Lake Tech
24	222	23	2:00:00.0	Student	Monroe HS
25	160	20	2:00:22.4	Student	West Lake Tech
26	104	14	2:00:00.0	Student	Willamette HS

megawatts · teacher


1	40	53	2:00:29.6	Adult	Cloud Racing
2	41	53	2:00:30.1	Adult	Cloud Racing
3	38	41	2:00:00.0	Adult	Willamette HS
4	17	41	2:01:51.1	Adult	Hood River HS
5	47	39	2:00:55.8	Adult	Hood River HS
6	120	33	2:01:38.6	Adult	FPUD
7	99	31	2:00:01.4	Adult	Willamette HS
8	202	27	2:00:00.0	Adult	WSU
9	333	26	2:00:00.0	Adult	Monroe HS
10	45	21	2:00:00.0	Adult	Hood River HS

electrathon · administrator

I was very frustrated to have to deal with so many out of control, unsupervised children this year. From the kids that were told multiple times to not ride the gas moterscooter (I had to take it away in the end) to the kid that was caught drifting his real car on the back side of the track (I did not know about that till the next day, but if I had known I would have had him arrested and his car impounded by the police) and then I found out that someone damaged one of the cameras on the track durring the night (I am going to be billed for that at an unknown amount, hopefully the culprit will speek up before the video footage is reviewed, it was a camera). I also had a number of kids I stopped from "just driving around the track, it is no big deal".

Some of the kids there were great, helping when asked and overall displaying responsibility. Others showed a level of inmaturity displaying their true lack of mental development. One example of this is the student that cursed out the driver of my pickup when he was told that we were picking up the corner marshals and was coming back to assist in returning the broken cars to the pits (he felt we should stop for him and the corner marshals should be left on the track untill his car was first picked up). If there is any question anyone has why he was not helped, I told my driver to leave him to push the broken car on his own.

At this point I do not see the ability to allow camping in the future at the track. I also doubt that most teams would come without camping. So this possibly may have been the last year for using PIR.

mhodgertt · EA President

Aaron,
I am sorry for any and all of the stupid things my kids did. I do know that they are the ones that were 'drifting' on the track Sat. night..... I will deal with the two of them when I see them tomorrow. I will also speak to my students about the camera that was moved--Dan told me it would be about $25 to re-calibrate--maybe one of them will own up if it was my kids. Was any of the other stuff from my kids???? If so would you let me know so I can deal with it--if you know a kid or car # can you please pass it along so I can deal with it easier.
As you know I was not there this year to watch my 20-30 kids that showed up--Sorry I was there to ride herd on those few less than desirable students I have out of the good ones I have....
Mike

electrathon · administrator

Mike,

I do know that you do have some very good and responsible students. Some of them have been helpfull throughout the year in the running of the races. I do also know that you are dealing with a far larger group of kids than any other of the schools. It is far easier to have more bad (and good) when you are dealing with such a large group. On top of this you were dealing with the emotions of the personal issues that came up, keeping you away from the races. It does seem sad that the students that did cause trouble did not look at this as a way to make you proud of them.

I should know in a few days if the camera can be fixed. Dan sounded like he was pretty sure that it could be, I am keeping my fingers crossed on this one. If it can be adjusted, the price is not goig to be too bad. I do know that it was damaged after 11 and was discovered the next morning.

Aaron

Kyle Keenan · Veteran Member

Wow, rather surprised to hear all of this rather then what I was hoping would be great news with a thick field this year. What a shame, really.

Now, this brings in another element to the rule changes for 2011....should drivers be penalized by race suspensions and/or banned from competition due to at-the-track behavior? I firmly believe so! Sounds like some drivers need to learn proper track behaviors before they set foot in a car ever again. The scooter incident is enough to have a TEAM kicked out at an SCCA race.

Another thing people might not realize is that PIR is a PUBLIC PARK and that traffic laws still apply at the track. I'm also curious as to how someone messed up a camera, as all of the cameras are mounted rather high and out of the way. And yes, they run 24/7, you will not get away with that one.

Bottom line is, whoever was doing the drifting needs to face the punishment and should be considered lucky to not of had that car impounded. The driver yelling at a volunteer, should be required to write an appology letter to the event steward (Aaron) and the worker he yelled at before being allowed to compete again.

Drivers- Work on your professionalism. Nobody wants to sponsor someone who disrespects a volunteer like that. Electrathon is a very economical way to get involved with racing, and could very well be all the further you can go with it if word on your behavior gets out.

Very sad to hear all of this,
-Kyle

-- Edited by Kyle Keenan on Tuesday 1st of June 2010 05:48:46 AM

bd64 · Senior Member

I would think the drifter's car could still be impounded if it is recorded on tape or shows up on u-tube or similar site.

electrathon · administrator

bd64 wrote:

I would think the drifter's car could still be impounded if it is recorded on tape or shows up on u-tube or similar site.

He was caught by track personel. I am not sure why they did not push the sutuation farther but chose to turn him over to their teacher.

mhodgertt · EA President

To let you all know about the 'drifter' student. He went home on Sunday morning (as soon as he got up Greg sent him and the student with him home) He explained to his parents about his bad decision and they of course were not pleased. They have taken his license and are talking of selling his car and not allowing him to drive for a full year. They told him they do not trust him to make good decisions and be responsible until he proves he is mature enough to be trusted again. In some ways it is too bad. He is a good kid but was influenced by the 'other' student that was with him on the way to get burgers for dinner who talked him into going onto the track for a 'quick thrill.' The other student of course has had no punishment.

I think the 'drifter' has learned and he feels very bad. He talked to both Greg and I and appologized to both of us along with the rest of the students for his stupididy and claims full responsibility for his actions. He hopes his thoughtless actions will not mean that others are not allowed to go to PIR in the future.

Mike

electrathon · administrator

Mike,

Thank you. This is a step in a positive direction.

Mark and I have been talking about all of the incidents that went on over the weekend. The best compromise we have been able to come up with is to hire security personell for the track durring non-daylight hours. This is not fool proof, but it hopefully will deter some of the issues. At this point I am not quite sure how to charge for it. Either raising enrty fees or charging camping fees again are the top ideas so far. I am open to input and other ideas.

Aaron

Zaine Stapleton · Senior Member

This is a suggestion from my mom.
Rather than making the people who make the right choices pay for the poor choices of a select few, students should be required to sign a contract agreeing to follow the expectations deemed by those in charge. If a student violates any expectation they will be fined a predetermined amount and sent home. Parents or guardians will be responsible for transportation. Of course, parents would be required to sign the contract agreeing to pick up their child.

electrathon · administrator

Zaine Stapleton wrote:

This is a suggestion from my mom.
Rather than making the people who make the right choices pay for the poor choices of a select few, students should be required to sign a contract agreeing to follow the expectations deemed by those in charge. If a student violates any expectation they will be fined a predetermined amount and sent home. Parents or guardians will be responsible for transportation. Of course, parents would be required to sign the contract agreeing to pick up their child.

The problem is that any one individual could easily cause thousands (or hundreds of thousands) in damage. I find it very unlikely that many irresponsible people would actually pay for the damage they caused (if it was known who did it, such as the camera damage). If the "drifter" had hit and injured or killed someone it seems unlikely that the parents would choose (or be able to) write a check for 6 million dollars to settle the case (yes, this issue is that serious). Even his inmature passanger, who was instermental in this issue, could have easily have been injured. Generally the next step would be for his parents to sue me for not being an appropiate babysitter for the child.

Liberal thinking, yea Oregon, has been teaching our children for many years that the masses are responsible for the choices of the few bad people in our society. I am betting that if the person who climbed out over the edge to damage the camera had fallen I would be personally involved in the lawsuit from the now injured moron who chose to act in an anti-social way.

I have worked extremly hard to lower the cost of this race since I took it over 7 years ago. Back then the entry fee was $85 and there was a $10 per night per person camping fee. Every year I lowered it more till I got to the break even point, then decided the next year the cost off of that. I even allow those who can not afford the entry fee to "work" durring the race to earn thier way in for free or a reduced fee. I had one team come up this year and sign up 14 parents and youth to corner marshal, entering their car for "free". Till this happened I was going to lower the cost to $30 per entry next year.

Here are the rough numbers I have came up with so far. Two nights need to be covered. Approximatly 10 hours are involved each night and it likely will take two people to barely cover the track and surounding area. At $10 per hour I will pay out about $400 for security next year. This does not cover all the issues, but hopefully will limit them.

mhodgertt · EA President

One of my parents told me he heard some of the bikers talking about 'big brother watching' their every move and the number of cameras at PIR. Maybe they decided to disable the one that was where most of the bike activities were. Any luck with the camera giving us a clue as to who messed with it????

Maybe some of the security guard expenses should be on them as well as the Electrathon group.
Mike

electrathon · administrator

mhodgertt wrote:

One of my parents told me he heard some of the bikers talking about 'big brother watching' their every move and the number of cameras at PIR. Maybe they decided to disable the one that was where most of the bike activities were. Any luck with the camera giving us a clue as to who messed with it????

Maybe some of the security guard expenses should be on them as well as the Electrathon group.
Mike

So far I have heard nothing from PIR either about the charges or if any images were caught. I have thought about the posibility that it was from the HPV side. I do agree it is a posability. The reason I hesatate to point a finger in their direction is that in all the years that I have been holding this race I do not recall them ever being the cause of any of the issues that have came up. Going back to current Oregon thinking though does say that they should be held liable for our actions and we for theirs. It is possible that the fee will need to be devided across both groups.

In an ironic way this can be seen in the "share the road" campaign. Bike people around here believe that the taxes that cars pay should be used to pay for bike paths. Completly and totally unfair to the vehicle owners. The bikers do not pay their share (actually they don't pay anything) but they feel that the vehicles should pay for bike lanes for them.

Another thought I came up with was to charge an entry fee to everyone entering the park. $1.00 to enter and get a wrist band. This would spread the cost out to even more people. Just very hard to do because we would need someone to sit at the gate for 3 days, all day long.

Cent-ECAR-man · Member

I like the entry fee idea.
Because you do take money off of entry fees for volunteer time i dont think you should have much of a problem finding people to man/woman the ticket counter. It also wouldnt be a stretch to ask the hpv people to have volunteers to. If they share the track they can also help man the track.
It is a shame to see irresponsibility at PIR. It is the best race of the year. It brings teams together to camp and interact which helps spread different ideas and sportsmanship.

Just a few thoughts
-Rich

electrathon · administrator

This post is directly pointing to the issue of just goofing off a little at the track. I was forwarded this article about an experienced motorcycle rider at a track, not PIR but here in Oregon:

O.R.P. Update, With Deepest Regret

OREGON RACEWAY PARK
May 30, 2010
12:30 P.M.

Yesterday May 29th, 2010 just before noon, at the beginning of a practice session a rider leaving the hot pits was badly injured.

The rider, Randy Pauker, was an experienced motorcyclist. He had been on the track earlier in the day in previous sessions.

Mr. Paukers motorcycle hit the inside of the hot pit wall and he was thrown from the machine resulting in multiple injuries.

He was attended immediately by medical teams from both ambulances on duty.
Life Flight was on the ground within minutes and Mr. Pauker was airlifted to Emmanuel hospital, a level-3 trauma center.

We thank the medical crews as well as participants of this event for their calm and professional response.

We have learned that as a result of those injuries, he died at 9:05 A.M. this morning.

Motorsports has lost a good friend and colleague.

We ask your prayers for Randy and his family.

What the article does not mention is that the rider just happened to be in a wheelie at the time of the accident. He was an experienced driver and likely had done this thousands of times over the years. This time it went bad.

This is a very real and graphic example of why the safety enforcement is such a big deal. I hope that we can all learn from this tragedy that happened elsewhere. Thankfully this article is not written about one of us.

____________________________________________________________________

I am done talking about the bad that happened this year at the track, I want some of the good posted! If someone has a further question for me please PM or email me. I will now delete any more conversation about the above issues.

____________________________________________________________________

This was a near record year for participation. The short track was a great and challenging race. The plywood bridging the storm grate was a big help! We did get some cool video of the wheel falling off a car as it slid forwards and (grrr) cut some of the lap counting wires. Yes, we were able to do a quick fix to them and get the loops back up and running.

Kyle Keenan · Veteran Member

Zaine, where the heck is the pictures man! I want some pics!

Zaine Stapleton · Senior Member

I don't know about the pictures, but my dad would like to know when you are going to show up to a race.

electrathon · administrator

I have a story to tell: I was flagging the race. I see comotion near the beginning of the straight away. When everything had cleared one of the fastest cars on the track was sitting in the pit area, lesss the RF wheel. What happened? It seems when you are going way faster than the car you are overtaking it is better to move to the left BEFORE you catch up to the slow moving car. The car was badly hurt.

electrathon · administrator

it seemed to be the weekend to break axles.

mhodgertt · EA President

Aaron and all, as you know I was not there but apparently the driver was 'having fun' catching up to slower cars and then swerving around them when he got fairly close. He was going by our pits/fans and waving at them and caught up faster than he thought he would and did not swerve in time. I have heard his steering locked up on him as he was sitting on the brake cables, and that he just did not see the car until it was too late with the glare on the windshield and waving at the crowd.

Anyway 007 is fairly well a complete loss. I have waited for over a year for the new 'special' front wheels and now I have one left--might be able to save the hub and get a new rim and build it up with a new disk brake. The body is shattered in several places, the dome is gone, the frame is toast, etc. At least neither driver was hurt which is the good thing.

I wanted to redo much of 007 anyway. Maybe I will contact Kirk at Destiny parts and order a new body and we can start over.

Mike

mhodgertt · EA President

On the broken axles. Yes I know that Willamette broke at least 4 front axles during the race (not counting 007's wreck). There was #99 pictured, #113 that broke its axle and is the one that slid through the transponder grid, my car #38 driven by Ron broke its axle going into the 270 degree turn and ended up buried 3 feet deep in the tires, and car #104 broke as well. I think that was all. I am not sure why we have broken so many grade 12---12 mm axle bolts this year. They are the same style we have always used and usually we only brake one or so in a full season. With 20 cars and 15 races that is not too bad. This year we have broken at least a dozen probably closer to 2 dozen. Faulty bolts, kids (and me) over welding/heating the bolts, or just bad karma??? Any suggestions????

Mike

Kyle Keenan · Veteran Member

Zaine, we're hoping to have a student driving the car next season. I will be there coaching the driver but I myself am done competing for a while I think. Money is way too tight and it's hard funding Electrathon out of pocket.

Zaine Stapleton · Senior Member

First day at PIR of the long track taken by my mom.

Zaine Stapleton · Senior Member

First day at PIR of the short track taken by my mom.

Zaine Stapleton · Senior Member

Second day at PIR of the short track taken by my mom.

Zaine Stapleton · Senior Member

Second day at PIR of the long track taken by my mom.

Electrathon America Forum

Electrathon Grand Prix

Entry Form

THE FINE PRINT: If you are having difficulty raising enough money to pay for the race fee, please contact me. There will be positions (lap counter, corner marshal, etc) that you can earn credit towards your race entry. Total

Special thanks to:

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