SFI Foundation Hires Mike Hurst as Technical Manager

Quote

Will Continue as Rally America Director of Competition

So how does everybody feel about this? Seems like kind of a conflict of interests to me.

Good for Mike!

I don't see why it's a conflict of interest, but it does seem like it would be tough to do both jobs at once. I'm guessing that he may drop some of his RA duties to do this.


Doug

Is this where I insert the joke about certifications for all belts, suits, and FRANZ Devices expiring in 6 months?

---

Andrew Steere
Lyndeborough, NH
KB1PJY

Quote
Doivi Clarkinen
SFI Foundation Hires Mike Hurst as Technical Manager

Quote

Will Continue as Rally America Director of Competition

So how does everybody feel about this? Seems like kind of a conflict of interests to me.

No more of a conflict-of-interest than the SFI already is...

"That's right, we'll get 'member companies' who will pay us money, so that we can give them stickers that declare that their gear is safe. Testing? Oh no, we'll just trust that their stuff actually works."

---

KF7RWG
http://www.utahrallygroup.com

Quote
fiasco
Is this where I insert the joke about certifications for all belts, suits, and FRANZ Devices expiring in 6 months?

Bah. In my experience, Mike is a very reasonable guy. He bases his decisions on real experience and testing that he's seen. He has a lot more experience than almost all of us and direct access to crash reports, etc - things most of us never see.

Nobody could do that job well and be loved by all. You just have to say "no" sometimes to maintain a high level of safety. I realize that this results in extra expense, and that really is a bummer. But racing expensive for a lot of reasons.

Remember that Mike is also a racer and he feels exactly the same financial pain as the rest of us when he goes out.

Doug

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Quote
Aaron Luptak

Quote
Doivi Clarkinen
SFI Foundation Hires Mike Hurst as Technical Manager

Quote

Will Continue as Rally America Director of Competition

So how does everybody feel about this? Seems like kind of a conflict of interests to me.

No more of a conflict-of-interest than the SFI already is...

"That's right, we'll get 'member companies' who will pay us money, so that we can give them stickers that declare that their gear is safe. Testing? Oh no, we'll just trust that their stuff actually works."

Plus Juan

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

I saw it on facebook and sort of thought conflict of interest too. It'll be interesting to see what comes out of it.

---

Welcome to the cult of JVL drink the koolaid or be banned.

No conflict of interest. SFI doesn't sell products as such, just a certification. RA already requires safety gear to be certified as does every other sanctioning body.

Mike will still be technical director for RA but it will be a reduced role and I think he will get to move to California.

I think it is a positive move for the sport in general. Mike is a great guy, knows his stuff, knows people in nearly every form of motorsport. And he said I get my pay doubled!

Quote
Aaron Luptak

Quote
Doivi Clarkinen
SFI Foundation Hires Mike Hurst as Technical Manager

Quote

Will Continue as Rally America Director of Competition

So how does everybody feel about this? Seems like kind of a conflict of interests to me.

No more of a conflict-of-interest than the SFI already is...

"That's right, we'll get 'member companies' who will pay us money, so that we can give them stickers that declare that their gear is safe. Testing? Oh no, we'll just trust that their stuff actually works."

Exactly my point. His new paycheck will be coming not so indirectly from the safety equipment manufacturers.

Maybe I'm making something out of nothing but I always felt a little uncomfortable when I was an SCCA tech inspector and issued logbooks to rollcages I built. Partly why I quit.

Quote
heymagic
No conflict of interest. SFI doesn't sell products as such, just a certification.

You do know where SFI gets their funding from, right, Gene? The manufacturers fund the testing and often request the tests.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2012 05:55PM by Doivi Clarkinen.

Also, just to clarify, I'm genuinely happy for Mike, that's a great opportunity. I wish him well.
Just making a discussion on a possible concern.

Good for Mike, as a "career" RA is not exactly rock solid. I wonder how many people are employed at SFI and what type of backround/education they have.


RA is downsizing...?

Quote
Doug Heredos

Quote
fiasco
Is this where I insert the joke about certifications for all belts, suits, and FRANZ Devices expiring in 6 months?

Bah. In my experience, Mike is a very reasonable guy. He bases his decisions on real experience and testing that he's seen. He has a lot more experience than almost all of us and direct access to crash reports, etc - things most of us never see.

Nobody could do that job well and be loved by all. You just have to say "no" sometimes to maintain a high level of safety. I realize that this results in extra expense, and that really is a bummer. But racing expensive for a lot of reasons.

Remember that Mike is also a racer and he feels exactly the same financial pain as the rest of us when he goes out.

Doug

Guess I should've inserted a in there. I'm being my usual smartass self, even before I grabbed the bourbon! Maybe something GOOD can come from this, for example: SFI belts only good for two years and FIA for 5, when the only DISCERNABLE difference between them is who's paid who's shakedown funds for each set of labels? I would like to know how much of the cost of this safety gear is the little tags...especially in light of the whole Impact! / Bill Simpson fake SFI label fiasco from a couple years back.

Congrats to Mike for getting to vacate Flyoverland for Cauliflowernia, would love to see more real data and less blind faith in the labels. But I'm just a skeptical Yankee cheapskate.

---

Andrew Steere
Lyndeborough, NH
KB1PJY

Quote
Doivi Clarkinen

Quote
heymagic
No conflict of interest. SFI doesn't sell products as such, just a certification.

You do know where SFI gets their funding from, right, Gene? The manufacturers fund the testing and often request the tests.

You are making a big deal out of nothing AND you're somewhat questioning Hurst's integrity. If you don't like SFI fine, anyone implying Hurst is somehow doing something wrong, shady or otherwise improper is totally mistaken.

Not that long ago SFI held a manufactures feet to the fire for making sub-standard safety equipment and forging labels. Now I know there are people here who think leather helmets and rope seat belts are ok and there is no changing their minds..oh well. The rest of us probably like to think the stuff we have will work as intended.

SFI is a small organization, needs a guy like Hurst at this time. It is a great opportunity for him and I'm glad they chose someone of his character for that job.

RA is under new ownership and there are some small changes. What the plans are I either don't know or can't disclose.