Funny Thing Happened...

[Tom]

Hello. I've just recently moved here from Kanata (just outside Ottawa) and unfortunatly today (July 28) I had a rather souring experience at my first southern Ontario Solo II event. Myself, my son and several of his friends decided to attend and spectate event 3 at the Brampton Sports Centre. My son and his friends were sitting along side the track on the curb when they were approached by elderly participant wearing grey shorts who then proceeded to tell them that "they now know their faces and had better not steal anything". I was quite disgusted with the rude behavior of this man but choose not to intervene. I understand being suspect of teenagers today, but there are more effective and socially acceptable methods of approaching such a situation. I understand this is just an isolated incident and it doesn't reflect upon the attitude of the organizers and other competitors.
My son will be competing in the Aug. 25 event and I hope for a better experience than he had today.

[Zed #71]

I'm sorry you had this experiance.

I'm sure if your son had walked around and engauged some of the younger compeditors, he would have found plenty to talk about and a few ride-alongs. I'm flattered when anyone asks me to ride along and I would not have had a problem with this.

I hope the 25th will work out better. Look for the silver RX-7 #71. I'll be happy to talk, give (what little) knowledge I have, and any ride-alongs you or your son would want.

JW
#71

[Dave]

Sorry to hear about this discouraging incident. However, I would have to say that in my experience (and I started doing Solo competitions when I was about 17 years old, some 14 years ago) that vast majority of people involved in Solo 1 and 2 are very friendly and good natured folk. Of course you're going to have the ocassional idiot, just like in any other sizeable group of people, but for the most part I think you'll find yourself among a fun-loving and supportive group if you come on out to a few more Solo events this summer. Don't let this one grumpy old man get you down, because you'll find that there's plenty of good people to socialize with from all ages at most every event.

Hope to see you and your son at the track,

Dave