enduro damage ethics

[evanwebb]

OK, I'll throw in some thoughts here since I've had a few interesting experiences that are relevant.

If you are renting, make sure you like the car when you drive it, or you and others may suffer the consequences! I co-drove a friend's Porsche 944 ITS car that wasn't super fast but was a very predictable nice handling car no matter what the fuel state or condition of the tires, etc. and that's a car I could drive all day and not have any problems with. I also co-drove a ITB Golf that was again not super fast but well prepared and easy to drive, and again I had no problems and could have done stints in the car for days on end.

Most recently I co-drove a car that I did not think was as well prepared as I had expected, and I was rather uncomfortable driving it. The crew chief and I never really got on the same page with our communication about setup, etc. and I spun the car on my own multiple times in practice. I may have been running into my talent limitations as far as driving, but I just couldn't really come to grips with the car. At the time I thought about possibly bowing out of the whole deal and letting them keep my rental fee, and in retrospect that's probably what I should have done. In the race I was partly to blame for a crash that totaled two cars, and it might have been avoided had I not driven the car in the race. If I had withdrawn from the driving squad the team might have had to find another driver, or maybe the other rental drivers would have gotten more seat time for free... In any case I understood my obligation after the accident and ended up paying for a destoyed car.

[Scott Koschwitz]

This was exactly the information I was looking for.

I am preparing my SSM-class Miata for the "The Devil in the Dark," the 12-hour race scheduled for June at New Jersey Motorsports Park. I have run the Last Chance enduro at the Glen four times before in my car with friends under a gentleman's agreement. This race is different. The preparation is pretty daunting and fairly expensive, and the sheer length of the race adds to the risk. All this is complicated by the identification of team members, and making suitable arrangements.

The touchiest issue is ensuring the understanding about damage before the race. One driver is a good friend and a stand-up guy. One potential driver is the same, another is an acquaintance with a good driving record and deep pockets, and another is a stranger to me, but comes recomended by a good friend who is a talented driver.

I have been thinking about whether to get something in writing, and am convinced after reading this thread that I should. Any awkwardness about getting something in writing, particularly from my friend, is outweighed by the potential ugliness that may ensue if without everyone understanding the arrangement before the race.

On that note, can anyone who uses a letter of agreement or something similar be willing to share a copy? Also, can anyone share the figures they have used to calculate the per-driver contribution?

Thanks.

[Knestis]

The ONLY time I ever had trouble actually collecting for race damage, it was two guys (best buddies/teammates) both renting cars from me for a sprint race. They ran into each other and since each thought it was the other's fault - and they were both broke - they kept pointing at one-another. I had a deposit from each but not big enough to cover anything substantial, and I had to fix two fenders/doors.

Send me an email at [email protected] and I'll send a copy of what I use. It was NOT written by lawyers but has 20 years of experience wrapped up in it...

K

EDIT - If talking about getting terms in writing is awkward for you or the other party, you should *not* rent to them. You don't KNOW awkward until the stuff is bustified.