Some thoughts on rules, refs, and ranking

[ayo_christina]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Over the years, my team has been on both sides in matches - we've benefited from calls, and we've suffered. We've benefited from having good alliance members, and we've suffered from having bad ones. It's the nature of the game.

I was actually a Ref at this event and the one who found out the penalty for you. Your head mentor is my old head mentor.

Believe me when I say the referees at this event disputed over the interpretation of G25. We discussed it even prior to this match but ultimately, it comes down to the head referee's decision, whether we agree with it or not. We have to try to be consistent with each other and refs from other events.

We all have a heart and really don't want to see anyone go home based on a "bad call" or missing something. If we saw it, we called it. There are only 5 referees watching the field at a time, 6 robots, 24+ teams members, media people in our way (despite telling them to move), and lots of other variables. I'm not trying to make excuses but paint a picture. We can't possibly see everything all the time, just like any other sporting event.

The panels the refs use to input fouls only shows what is put in by that particular ref, it doesn't show what penalties other refs have put in. The walkies are only so much help when you're in a packed arena of screaming people. It's not until we meet after and try to clarify what we've called after that everything is clear. While we're doing this we are also making sure two refs didn't call the same penalty, confirming climbs, trying to get a green light, confirming the score, and in NYC, deal with field issues.

We can call agree some reforms should be made however, as a referee I would like to make some observations.
KNOW THE RULES. All of your drivers and driver coaches should be very familiar with the game manual. There were SO many teams that didn't take advantage of the manual strategically and received penalties simply for not knowing they couldn't do something.

I'm VERY sorry that your season ended this way and I know saying "It's the nature of the game" doesn't help, but it's true.