Rallyings Decline and this Site

[Dweller]

After reading some of the drivel that has appeared on these pages recently I am forced to ask the question, is there a link between this forum and the decline of rallying?
Has Rallying declined faster since this site launched?
Does this Site hurt the sport more than it helps?

[Mike Cherry]

Time to stick the jug on..........

[Ric Cary]

Originally Posted by Dweller

After reading some of the drivel that has appeared on these pages recently I am forced to ask the question, is there a link between this forum and the decline of rallying?
Has Rallying declined faster since this site launched?
Does this Site hurt the sport more than it helps?

Yep and fades the curtains also sours milk

[Marcus]

a) No

b) No

c) No, it most certainly helps instead.

Look, this site is not a cause of rallying decline. And frankly there is some terrific stuff that would help a lot - if some one leaves rallying because they have a personality clash with someone then it's certainly NOT a websites fault. A site is only a set of 1's and 0's on a magnetic disk and any personal problem is to do with the person, not the site.

Now I do know there are some people who really should know better who should stop typing like brats in a sand pit. But the vast majority is of a consistent, helpful and of good nature.

I might also point out that a website is only as good as it's contributors so if you feel there's problems, make sure you contrbute more and also to the kind of class you would expect of others.

Now that said I'm pretty sure some have chosen to steer clear of some events due to the obnxious attitude of people associated with that event. Assholes are assholes and they will manage to hurt the sport no matter what format of correspondance they choose to make their presence in.

But in the end no I dont think this site is to blame for anything. People on the other hand.....

[Martino]

People now meet up online to talk about crap (as opposed to going down to the pub).

When times are good the forums are full of happy people,
When times are bad the full of grumpy people.

A site like this makes it easier for people to find out about rallying.
If it didn't exist then when a potential participant finally found a club and joining a meeting they would still be exposed to all the curd an negative energy that is floating around here.

So to me the site still helps the sport.

[Mark]

A picture says a 1000 words

[Dave Kelly]

Originally Posted by Dweller

After reading some of the drivel that has appeared on these pages recently I am forced to ask the question, is there a link between this forum and the decline of rallying?
Has Rallying declined faster since this site launched?
Does this Site hurt the sport more than it helps?

OK I'll bite (although I am meant to be on a self-imposed exile).

I agree that there is plenty of negativity at times that occurs, and many of us (and I particularly INCLUDE myself) have been guilty of that from time to time.

However, this site has developed into what easily is the biggest collective of consciousness of rallying here in Australia. Moreover, there is some argument that it also serves a significant purpose for wider motor sport (as well as rallying), in the way that collectively the postings on this site tend to try and keep "honest" the administrators and managers of our sport.

Hell yeah, from time to time there is content that requires toning down, people "sin-binned" or banned and other moderation. But that does occur, and overwhelmingly happens very well. (Cheers to Matt, Spac, Leyanne and the other mods for a job well done )

Rather than risk of "hurting the sport more than it helps", it has long been my contention that we are indeed incredibly lucky with what e-BMSC has become in that it actually gives rallying a disproportionately high profile in being noticed by the powers that be in terms of trying to make sure they behave themselves. I can absolutely assure any doubters that e-BMSC is the most widely read (by the powers that be) and (begrudgingly by them has its content taken seriously) forum for ANY four wheeled motor sport here in Australia.

It sure as shyte gets right up the nose of a fair proportion of the CAMS Board as well as Messrs Fountain and some of his loyal Lieutenants... However, given that in the main the thrust is reasonably constructive; any annoyance caused by the revelations and/or queries raised here can nearly always ultimately serve a good purpose.

Examples like what has happened in the last few days over the whole Mazda thing perhaps do not on one hand seem constructive (and I posted on that in that particular thread); however even with a little ratbaggery (IMO) from time to time, there is also plenty of counter (probably also ratbaggery.. but from the other side ) views to even things out.

Essentially it is (nearly) all simple healthy discussion. Sometimes we don't agree.. and perhaps even rarely, quite vigorously find ourselves in strong and passionate debate. But then there are the many other times where we nearly all find ourselves on a common and unified purpose.. and that is naturally something extremely good too.

For me, as someone remote from NSW and the ACT (as the main heart of BMSC demographic territory) I have found it overwhelmingly positive over the past 4 or whatever years I have been crapping on via here. Sure, I have bored stupid plenty of people, and annoyed the hell out of a whole bunch more... but the opportunity to discuss, debate, learn and share with 99% of the other contributors here (whether we agree or not) is always worthwhile. ... and as for the other 1%.. well they come, they flame.. almost always end up being properly moderated and eventually when they don't learn they get banned.. and then they go! Its the circle of (low) life

The rest of us are on the treadmill of (often) frustration... but still, the very real achievements that have been achieved through e-BMSC either directly or indirectly via what has been discussed and debated here, are something that really deserves praise and championing.

Long may it continue!

Well thats my 2 cents worth anyway

Dave

[Spac]

Like all forums, this one is what its members make it.

The membership of this forum is primarily real rally people, with the expected focus on ACT/NSW rallying. If these people are bringing the sport down on the forums, then they're doing it in real life too.

Therefore these forums and the opinions expressed on it, cannot be blamed for the decline of CAMS rallying in NSW/ACT (even if the negativity of the punters was the cause of the problems, which it isn't - its a symptom).


Quite aside from all of that, if you were to claim that these forums are overall negative, you'd be overlooking/undervaluing a ton of positive and productive input.

[pinko]

Originally Posted by Dweller

After reading some of the drivel that has appeared on these pages recently I am forced to ask the question, is there a link between this forum and the decline of rallying?
Has Rallying declined faster since this site launched?
Does this Site hurt the sport more than it helps?

Forced???
Who could possibly make that connection?
Ive have read some dribble on here but you just got seeded to number 1...
Hope my retort doesnt hinder rallying in australia

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Dweller

After reading some of the drivel that has appeared on these pages recently I am forced to ask the question, is there a link between this forum and the decline of rallying?
Has Rallying declined faster since this site launched?
Does this Site hurt the sport more than it helps?

What an interesting question! Whilst I agree that sometimes there may be a bit of "textual diarrhea", for the most part I consider it a valuable resource for the sport. This is the very reason why I do what I do, without compensation or reward.

In an effort to answer the question(s) objectively, I figured a little statistical research was in order. For this, I employed the computing power of one of the largest networks in the world - Google.

I asked, "Is the decline in interest in Australian rallying been due to the BMSC website?"

The Result

In short, whilst there does appear to be a decline in interest in rallying in Australia, there is no statistical evidence to suggest that the BMSC website is in any way responsible.
* It is also interesting to note that most rallying interest (by region) comes from NSW, Vic and Qld. There is none in the ACT.

Not content, I asked whether the BMSC was responsible (for some still find the line between the website and the club itself a little blurry).

The Result

Looking at the data, you could derive that the BMSC was, in fact, helping to keep the interest in rallying alive!

At this point I stopped, quietly satisfied that my work is for good, not evil...

[Ric Cary]

Originally Posted by Matt

What an interesting question! Whilst I agree that sometimes there may be a bit of "textual diarrhea", for the most part I consider it a valuable resource for the sport. This is the very reason why I do what I do, without compensation or reward.

In an effort to answer the question(s) objectively, I figured a little statistical research was in order. For this, I employed the computing power of one of the largest networks in the world - Google.

I asked, "Is the decline in interest in Australian rallying been due to the BMSC website?"

The Result

In short, whilst there does appear to be a decline in interest in rallying in Australia, there is no statistical evidence to suggest that the BMSC website is in any way responsible.
* It is also interesting to note that most rallying interest (by region) comes from NSW, Vic and Qld. There is none in the ACT.

Not content, I asked whether the BMSC was responsible (for some still find the line between the website and the club itself a little blurry).

The Result

Looking at the data, you could derive that the BMSC was, in fact, helping to keep the interest in rallying alive!

At this point I stopped, quietly satisfied that my work is for good, not evil...

Thats the problem with statistics, looking at that I'd say BMSC is flatlining

CLEAR !!!!!!

[oldmanbluebird]

Originally Posted by Matt

What an interesting question! Whilst I agree that sometimes there may be a bit of "textual diarrhea", for the most part I consider it a valuable resource for the sport. This is the very reason why I do what I do, without compensation or reward.

In an effort to answer the question(s) objectively, I figured a little statistical research was in order. For this, I employed the computing power of one of the largest networks in the world - Google.

I asked, "Is the decline in interest in Australian rallying been due to the BMSC website?"

The Result

In short, whilst there does appear to be a decline in interest in rallying in Australia, there is no statistical evidence to suggest that the BMSC website is in any way responsible.
* It is also interesting to note that most rallying interest (by region) comes from NSW, Vic and Qld. There is none in the ACT.

Not content, I asked whether the BMSC was responsible (for some still find the line between the website and the club itself a little blurry).

The Result

Looking at the data, you could derive that the BMSC was, in fact, helping to keep the interest in rallying alive!

At this point I stopped, quietly satisfied that my work is for good, not evil...

Ok Matt
Can you now do the same thing and see if CAMS in responsible for the decline?

Sorry I couldn't resist

[Shabby]

Originally Posted by Dweller

After reading some of the drivel that has appeared on these pages recently I am forced to ask the question, is there a link between this forum and the decline of rallying?
Has Rallying declined faster since this site launched?
Does this Site hurt the sport more than it helps?

O.K. champ I'd suggest it's time to step away from the crack pipe.

[legend]

I love that Google can tell who's responsible for stuff. I have taken this concept a little further and discovered that the BMSC website is in fact responsible for the black plague, the potato famine, the union carbide disaster, the collapse of the Westgate bridge, and 3 Elvis Films.

the bastards!

[mrbob]

You're a true poet Shab.