Put yourself in his place. Whilst we all want to hear his opinions and reactions, a clinical description of the conditions and challenges which had to be conquered wouldn’t quite convey the emotions experienced by the speeds and pounding which car and crew endured.
Of course he’s a highly paid professional and should mind his manners but what’s wrong with a bit of additional ‘colour’ to enliven the interview? It would give more of an insight into the difficulties and dangers he and his co-driver may have faced on a particularly rough stage perhaps with steep drops or awfy big trees stepping out at corners. At moments of fright, high tension or concerns for personal safety such occasional lapses can be excused. Surely?
The phrase ‘bringing the sport into disrepute’ was used to penalise and fine these drivers but there is no clear-cut definition of the word ‘disrepute’.
If Billy Connolly can be quoted as an example, one man’s profanity is another man’s adjective, and as we all know only too well, the more well balanced (i.e. a chip on each shoulder) Scots can use almost all profanities as adjective, noun AND verb. Perhaps the FIA should visit Knockhill, or Kames, or any Scottish rally of a weekend to further enhance their i
Frustration, annoyance and anger, even delight, can result in some unintended use of the English vernacular, and considering none of the ‘offenders’ were native English speakers should allow even more latitude. But no, the powers that be chose to censure these individuals which only fuelled the ongoing controversy. Surely a simple reprimand should have been enough, especially since it was a first offence. One pundit reckoned that it was an attempt to ‘make an example’ of these individuals to reinforce the governing body’s intent.
Which brings us to another phrase ‘making an example of’. A few years back a Scottish rally driver was severely punished ‘to make an example’ of behaviour which was frowned upon by the British sporting governing body. Instead of competing, the unfortunate in question had actually volunteered to Marshal on a local event. That fact alone should have been applauded as many competitors rarely volunteer to help organise events. Given his lack of experience in the role, the competitor was asked to Marshal a location at a cattle grid on a remote section of road. A rather wise safety precaution even if there was little likelihood of an incident as the road was pretty straight at that point.
Anyway, a touch of boredom perhaps crept in and said competitor/marshal chose to add some colour to his endeavours and ‘mooned’ at a competing friend and rival who was approaching the grid in his rally car. Innocent enough you might think, but the incident was captured by a motorsports photographer who published the photograph on social media, albeit with the full consent of involved parties. Sadly the sport’s governing body took a dim view of this incident which brought the ‘sport into disrepute’ and with the idea of curtailing such future antics chose to ‘make an example of’ the ‘offender’ with a harsh punishment – his Driver’s competition licence was suspended and he was given a four figure fine!
The idea of ‘making an example of’ therefore backfired, just as the recent F1 and WRC incidents. Surely a ‘quiet word in the ear’ would have sufficed, perhaps with the warning that reprimands would follow if repeated.
Sport in all its shapes and formats is not just about rules, ambition, determination, concentration and competition, it is imbued with passion, endeavour and periods of high adrenalin. At such times, surely we can allow competitors and participants the luxury of the occasional lapse? Sport is life.
And so as a new season beckons, be careful what you say and how you express it. Sensitive ears may be listening. We now live in a ‘woke’ society – Oh! Haud yer horses, ‘woke’ is another word which needs some clarification. Maybe I’ll leave that for now!
(Note: A similar article was published in the recent edition of the ‘International Rally Drivers Club’ mag.)
