Rather than confuse the Lands End at Easter with the secondary chat about Special Test timings, I have started a new topic - perhaps we could all separate our thoughts.
The Lands End tests do not all count as hill failures because they have been in the past sponsored by the local councils, and therefore, in order to encourage the spectacle rather than have the competitors trundle round slowly to portect their award these do not count against you. The councils are asking why they bother to sponsor the event, when they have enough tourists at Easter anyway. If the sponsorship disappears, then the correct MCC rule of you must do the test correctly can be reinstated.
As for a timed climb of Darracott, ah how times have changed, the current MSA rules states that a trial cannot have a timed test of more than 100 yards. The reason behind this is that if there was no limit to the test length, it would be possible to organise a cheap special stage rally on a trials permit by making all the stages "special tests". They would also be able to take advantage of the lower PR requirements that a trial enjoys with their known status as a quiet sport. so is all swings and roundabouts.
My view on Special Tests for Trials is quite simple. We either have 'conventional trials-type' tests for which hitting the markers counts as a failure, or we have 'autotest-type' tests, for which hitting the markers does not count.I say 'Vive le difference', and let the organisers decide, but just don't confuse the two types.Andrew
ReplyDeleteI agree with Andrew, the autotest ones are fun, but if they count as a failure I for one would drive a lot slower to ensure I didn't make a mistake. Choose one way or the other but if they are complex and the organisers want the drivers to put on a show, then make the penalty a slow time, not the equivalent of a failure on a hill.Giles
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