From what I understand of the rules regarding lead vehicles the ‘lead vehicle’ in terms of item 4 of the rules was not doing its job, it was ill prepared to do its job since it neither knew the course nor did it remove an obstacle. What sanction does the race organiser get from CSA for this? They should be fined according. From everyone’s perspective it seemed like a few guys having a good time in someone’s Porsche without any concept of their responsibility to the race, very poor PR.
At the same time when was the last time any race organiser, either road or MTB got a sanctioning from CSA? many of us suffer poor marking, dangerous course layouts and yet no race organiser as far as I am aware has ever been fined? CSA wants every race to be sanctioned, is this to protect the riders or simply collect valuable income? it appears CSA's approach is to assume that riders will simply not return to poorly organised races and yet in this economic climate the Pro's and semi Pro's don't have that luxury - who is there to protect them? I agree with the concept that the rider must not follow the lead vehicle but in this case the lead vehicle should have been a km ahead of the rider to ensure the course was clear and correctly marked without obstacle, the organiser in this case shoulders the blame for appointing a lead vehicle and its occupants on what appears to simply be a joy ride. It would be interesting to see if there was a Comm in the car, if there was they should also be disciplined, though I doubt we'd ever hear about it...
