First off these are my personal feelings and have nothing to do with Xray and they do not represent Xray or RCAMERICA at all, I am human as well.
I don't know what your issues are but I make a living in this hobby and it has been brining me happiness for over 16 years. This is my first year that I have been travelling the national circuit and I qualified for the 2006 Worlds this year as well. I was looking so forward to attending my first and not my last Worlds event. It has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I am not making excuses because I am scared I will get beat, that is ridicuolous. I will not get in some arguement about who is better and who isn't, that is just childish and beyond the point.
Our governement has an active warning of HIGH on visiting Indonesia and they even closed down the US Embassy in Jakarta in May because of safety risk.
US Government Travel Warning 1:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_ ... _2569.html
US Government Travel Warning 2: (Embassy Closed)
http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/news/warden052605.html
US Government Travel Warning 3:
http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/news/warden053005.html
US Government Travel Warning 4: (Bomb Threats on Westerner Hotels)
http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/news/warden060305.html
The organization putting on the event has posted key info about the event that was supposed to comfort the Westeners, here are a couple of snippets.
At the time of the events, we propose to provide military and police to safeguard the suroundings. Actually it is not necessary because the track is located in a closed complex but we consider to provide them so that all international drivers will feel more secure.
Sorry but I don't feel comfortable racing RC cars when there are guys carrying machine guns at the same facility.
At time of arrival at the Airport, we are suggesting for international drivers to be picked up by our organised pick-up service. We really do not suggest that drivers rent their own cars unless they are familiar with roads in Jakarta. It is not because it is unsafe, we are afraid it would be troublesome if they became lost on the way. The road from the Airport to the Theme Park is a toll road all the way, so there will be no traffic jams. It will take about 30 minutes from the airport to reach the entrance of the theme park.
What is the big deal if you get lost if it is safe, I get lost all the time and it is no big deal. Are they not saying something else about this?
Lastly, in the first quarter of this year, our country just held Asia-Africa Conference that was attended by many Asian and African countries' goverment people and guests. The conference was held in 2 cities, Bandung and Jakarta. So, we could only say that the conditions in our country are acceptable to hold these 2 prestigious events.
Correct, because it wasn't Asia-African-American conference. It is Americans that they despise, not Asian and African. Not reassuring at all.
Look, I am not supportive of all the things our country does, but no one is going to know that when I arrive on that soil. The comment made on our Embassy's website was "Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets". That is what I am talking about.
Call me wimp or whatever you like, I am not accustomed to seeing heavy artiliary in a amusement park, I am not a soldier, I just want to race RC cars with the best in the world without any fear, notice from my Embassy of danger, or people telling us we are all chickens.
I am not going to just sit here and not open my mouth about something that I, my government, and other fellow racers believe is dangerous. You know why that is so? Not everyone is aware of the possible dangers because they are not educated about the possibilities. At least let the people that are going be fully aware of their decision, otherwise it wasn't a fair decision in the first place. If people like Chad and Greg don't go they won't have a job anymore, there is a tad bit of a difference when comparing them to those that are not salary racers.
Terrorists in America go after Americans, they are not going after the French in America, so I really don't understand what you are talking about Mugenman. If you are to be banned it won't be because you called me ignorant, it will be because your lack of helping anyone on this forum and purposly bashing Xray products.
If you really feel I am so wrong, than discuss this at the Starting Grid, this is where tons of others have the same feelings as I do.