Ministock drivers’ attitudes (Read 2,667 times)

[michyla]

I’m sorry in advance as I know this is probably only needed to be aimed at a few, but recently the drivers of the Ministocks up at Waikaraka Park have been disgusting to put it nicely.

For a non contact sport there have been way too many threats of ‘taking people out’.

I personally think maybe a meeting with the drivers’ parents needs to be had, to discuss and reinforce what the fundamental rules are. Heck the drivers in this division are 12-16, and the ugliness of what they say affects many people. I have overheard talk from several people saying nasty things about other drivers in their class. If you’re not having fun your playing the wrong game, and if you can’t behave slightly maturely, then I don’t see how you can be mature enough to be in control of a vehicle, which can do serious damage to people.

The bulling really needs to stop, by all means Speedway is a competitive sport, but there is no need to be nasty. If the sport is to grow, this need to be nipped in the bud, so to speak, or new people are going to be turned off by it all.

If you get beaten, don’t take it to heart, everyone has their days, good and bad. Everyone started somewhere, and they probably weren’t the best out on the track when they started either. Maybe a little respect to the older drivers of the class, these people know a bit more of the ins and outs, and are good people to ask for advice and help in improving. At the end of the day in any sport there are ‘haters’, but New Zealand has lost many great sports people to bullying, how about encouraging each other instead of putting one another down.

I saw some good team work from the parents in the pits on Sunday after one of the crashes, and teams were in need of spare parts to get cars back up and running. I think we should be showing our children this so that they learn to be helpful as opposed to destructive.

Sorry for the ramble, I just think it was time something was said.

[ministock85h]

This has happened many times at Huntly aswell. Ive known a few people to get txts saying "I'm going to kill you on tha track" etc.. And to be honest, its entirely cr*p (sorry for my language).

This is supposed to be a non contact class, which means no hitting on purpose. Racing accidents are all good in my opinion (accidental spinning in the first corner etc..) but there have been many times where I have seen (ESPECIALLY on the Ministock Mega-day last year) cars being put up the wall, and parts damaged.

There has already been a Parents and Competitor meeting at huntly, and I think that more tracks should have them, as more and more people are verbally and physically attacking others because they beat them in one race.

Speedway can be competitive, but there is no big huge title for the ministocks, and ministocks are supposed to be the training grounds for kids who want to get into speedway or for many kids to have fun on weekends, and they dont want to be hurt, money hurt or physically hurt.

Michyla is one of the very few people that has the guts to stand up and tell people that the hitting and all this other cr*p on the track has to stop.

[michyla]

Thank you for your support skullboy 85h. I hope you have never been the target of this bullying, as it is definatly not a nice experiance for any one, the victim (and yes in police eyes these threats can be taken seriously depending on wording and manner spoken) and the victims parent/supporters feel the brunt of this abuse very deeply.

One mother of a driver at WP this weekend talked to the ministock rep, and in my opinion the rep did a pretty poor job of actually following throw with what they informed would happen.

Simply saying 'and threats can stop now' is NOT enough, does someone need to die before someone will take a stand, these are our children, or friends, our loved ones. New Zealand already has one of the worlds highest teen suicide rates (about 10 a week), with verbal bullying being the biggest cause.

People caught making threats should be punished, its as simple as that.

A few bumps is understandable when you have 25 cars on a track, but blatant raming is not!

[MaRISSA Gough]

One mother of a driver at WP this weekend talked to the ministock rep, and in my opinion the rep did a pretty poor job of actually following throw with what they informed would happen.

In your Eyes what did the rep do or not do when spoken to by this parent? Maree does a fantasic job at Wp with the Minstocks. Are you aware that Maree has already spoken to the comittee about all of this? I am 100% sure that Maree takes all complaints seriously and has the Drivers interest at heart. All serious allegations are directed to the commitee ASAP. Maree does her best on a busy race meeting and she cant always be in the same place that the so called threats.

A few bumps is understandable when you have 25 cars on a track, but blatant raming is not! [/quote]
[/color]From where I have been sitting its the Older ones doing the most of the ramming. The rookies want to look up to the older drivers but why would they when the older kids are pushing the rookies around on the track.

Please dont think that Maree is for one minute putting any of these kids lives at risk. Instead of putting your thoughts on here and disrespecting not only the Rep and the WHOLE of the Auckland Ministock drivers, maybe you should have contacted the ASSCC Commitee direct.

[G Mitchell 36a]

I'm curious Michyla, who are you and what is your involvement with Auckland Ministocks?
Its clear that someone has provided you with information which is a bit one sided and not all correct.
I advise you to contact the ASSCC committee explaining your thoughts and concerns before posting this on a public board or discuss it with Maree.
I can assure you she has been doing a lot of work these last couple of weeks regarding the threats etc and none were from Auckland cars!

[michyla]

Thank you for you input Rissa, when I wrote my original post I expected to see a few different views come up, so I am happy to see you have voiced your opinion.

In your Eyes what did the rep do or not do when spoken to by this parent? Maree does a fantastic job at Wp with the Minstocks. Are you aware that Maree has already spoken to the committee about all of this?

First let me say I myself have been involved in many sports, and when I competed in 'junior' divisions when threats and bullying started happening to the level it appears to have at WP they had a meeting with all the parents to get their help on the matter.

Don't for one minute think I am wanting to personally put Maree down, being 'in charge' of 25 odd children is not an easy job in the slightest. I just think maybe a different means might need to be taken, as what is currently been done isn't working as well as it could. Involving the parents at say the ministock drivers meeting, and pointing out the things some of them are saying might be helpful. I was that age (12-16) once and i hated listening to teachers/advisor's such as Maree (not that I have personally dealt with her before), its a kid thing, but my parents had a bit more control over me. Getting a 'grumpy mummy lecture' or the lose of privileges is something a parent is good at, and the drivers may just listen a little more if their own parents were kept a little more informed and good help keep their own in line, then we wouldn't have to rely on Maree.

As for haven spoken to the committee, the mother and child involved was not made aware of this, as of the Sunday Meeting (as far as I know), however, I hope this helps.

Instead of putting your thoughts on here and disrespecting not only the Rep and the WHOLE of the Auckland Ministock drivers, maybe you should have contacted the ASSCC Commitee direct.

As i said in my opening post, i know its not all the drivers, nor do I believe it is solely an Auckland or even just a Ministock problem.

I hope that by posting these views, and having people like skullboy 85h, putting his views in as a driver, that hopefully the right people will see it (parents/family) and have a quick chat with their children and try to put a stop to the bullying.

As for approching ASSCC, I beilieve that the chain for command needs to be followed, and hopefully it wont need to go that far. If enough of the children show their parents what is being said to them, via text/bebo etc, and enough parents say enough is enough with the bullying, and it brought to light a little more, then I hope that the right children will get the message that what they are doing, is uncalled for, mean, and hurtful to alot of people.

[michyla]

Mr Mitchell thank you for your concern as to the information, I don't want to name names, as we can all appreciate, however, I can say that I have personally overheard many remarks from ministock drivers at WP (I cannot confirm if they were in-fact 'Auckland drivers', just that they were driving at WP). The information from the mother and child in question was directly from them, and a member of their crew that attended some of the meetings on Sunday.

As for posting on a public board, I believe it is my right to have an opinion and voice it, as you did, and allow other to have input. I am not fully aware of the other threats you mention, but I wouldn't doubt that it has happened to others. I'm sure ASSCC will be contacted by the family in due time, if the threats against their child continue or get worse.

[MaRISSA Gough]

Nov 24, 2008 12:24:14 GMT 12 @michyla said:

Mr Mitchell thank you for your concern as to the information, I don't want to name names, as we can all appreciate, however, I can say that I have personally overheard many remarks from ministock drivers at WP (I cannot confirm if they were in-fact 'Auckland drivers', just that they were driving at WP). The information from the mother and child in question was directly from them, and a member of their crew that attended some of the meetings on Sunday.

As for posting on a public board, I believe it is my right to have an opinion and voice it, as you did, and allow other to have input. I am not fully aware of the other threats you mention, but I wouldn't doubt that it has happened to others. I'm sure ASSCC will be contacted by the family in due time, if the threats against their child continue or get worse.

The way i read your first post, Your attacking Maree.........especially to put it on a public forum like this.. My thoughts only.
And if the family are going to ASSCC.....
CASE CLOSED THEN............

[G Mitchell 36a]

Nov 24, 2008 12:24:14 GMT 12 @michyla said:

As for posting on a public board, I believe it is my right to have an opinion and voice it, as you did, and allow other to have input. I am not fully aware of the other threats you mention, but I wouldn't doubt that it has happened to others. I'm sure ASSCC will be contacted by the family in due time, if the threats against their child continue or get worse.

Yes I agree, it is your right to have an opinion and voice it. My opinion is, make sure you have all the information before posting these accusations for the world to see.
I am aware that there are one or two drivers that are "not liked" by many which has been brought on by themselves, but Maree has not had proof of these threats or bullying tactics which you are talking about. Unfortunately nothing can be done about these threats and bullying tactics unless neccesary proof has been found. All we can do is keep our eyes and ears out and provide the information to the committee and Maree so that both sides can be heard and the issue can be dealt with.

[michyla]

My first post was pointing out that their seems to be a problem. Maree, or any rep for that matter wasn't even mentioned.

It simply states that some of the drivers need to pull their heads in, grow up a little, and be nice to one another. Please explain how this is an attack? I have not blamed anyone, the only people at blame are the drivers that are doing the bullying.

According to Mr Michell their have been other cases of bully from non Auckland members, so whether this family goes to ASSCC does not close the case in the slightest I'm sorry to say, as the bullying will probably just continue.

As I have said before, the bullying is what the problem is. That is what needs to be dealt with, and I'm sure that most of us will understand that there are many ways of solving problems, and that 'two heads are better than one'. Why should Maree be the only one that has to deal with it, they aren't all her children?

[Colin E]

Not in the first, but second post.
One mother of a driver at WP this weekend talked to the ministock rep, and in my opinion the rep did a pretty poor job of actually following throw with what they informed would happen.

Simply saying 'and threats can stop now' is NOT enough,

[michyla]

One never has 'all the information' so to speak. When it come to children there is hardly ever a clear black and white situation. Again there are no accusations to wards any specific, mearly an overall account of what I have seen, and heard. The only information that I haven't got is why these drivers are picking one one another.

How does a child 'bring it on themselves' not to be liked? and how do you justify that as making it alright for some one else to be horrible to them? What happened to the 'do to others as you want others to do to you', that we were all taught in school.

Ganging up and trying to take someone out for any reason, is not right. By the way there is documented proof as most of it is done as i said via text and more often than not bebo, for all the world to see if they wish.

Why do we need specific things to happen before something happens, telling them if they are caught bullying they will lose their points from that race for example, might scare them into playing nice. Bullying will never be fully stooped anywhere, but I think it is time to put some heavier measurements in place to emotionally protect our children.

[michyla]

Nov 24, 2008 13:03:38 GMT 12 Colin E said:

Not in the first, but second post.
One mother of a driver at WP this weekend talked to the ministock rep, and in my opinion the rep did a pretty poor job of actually following throw with what they informed would happen.

Simply saying 'and threats can stop now' is NOT enough,

This was purely an example of the problem being pointed out and it not being dealt with. The bullying would have been around alot longer then Maree has been rep. I'm not saying she is a bad rep, or anything close to that, just highlighting that it may be time to up the level of action in bullying in general in ministocks.

[Colin E]

Michyla, not getting at you for "having an opinion". If the documented proof you speak of is available, then may I suggest to you that you get your hands on it and present it to the people who can make a difference!. It's is good to have an opinion and you obviously feel very strongly about this, so why not be the one to make a difference and take a positive step to get it sorted?

[michyla]

Who wouldn't feel strongly about the bullying of children? These kids should be given a last chance before things blow out of proportion. If things can be dealt with simply I don't see the need to bring out the 'big guns'.

[G Mitchell 36a]

Nov 24, 2008 13:22:42 GMT 12 Colin E said:

Michyla, not getting at you for "having an opinion". If the documented proof you speak of is available, then may I suggest to you that you get your hands on it and present it to the people who can make a difference!. It's is good to have an opinion and you obviously feel very strongly about this, so why not be the one to make a difference and take a positive step to get it sorted?

Thank you Colin.

[michyla]

To be honest I cannot believe how indifferent you all seem to be about our children being unnecessarily picked on by others for no reason.

It not about the rep or even one specific incident, it's about making our children play nice, and learn about respecting others and using their manners.

[G Mitchell 36a]

Nov 24, 2008 13:32:52 GMT 12 @michyla said:

Who wouldn't feel strongly about the bullying of children? These kids should be given a last chance before things blow out of proportion. If things can be dealt with simply I don't see the need to bring out the 'big guns'.

Michyla, you said you have the evidence. People have told you the best way to deal with this and yet you still dont get it?
You say you want this to be dealt with and then say, "You don't see the need to bring out the 'big guns'."
So my next question is what are you trying to achieve here?

[michyla]

It's not my proof to give, nor do I know where to find it, It was found by one of the people being picked on, she then spent that night in tears, trying to decide if racing was worth it. This driver wont be the only one who has felt like this, and that what needs to be dealt with the, bigger picture.

[G Mitchell 36a]

This is pointless. You say you have documented evidence, then you say you dont.
I understand that this bullying you speak of shouldn't be tolerated, but nothing can be done without the evidence, which I have already said.
In the end we all want everyone to be happy and the racing to be fun and fair. Posting on here is not going to get you anywehere.
Please follow the advice of contacting Maree or the committee, whether it be you or the person involved.
There is nothing else to say on the matter.