So, let's say I get diagnosed with OSA mid race season a week before the big Road America PCA Club Race. Based on what Todd has exposed here, it could be months before I would be allowed to race again. Since it usually take a 4 to 6 weeks to get the CPAP machine after OSA diagnosis, and then you need to collect X number of days of data before the PCA medical committee would be satisfied, you are looking at at least a month and more likely 2 months before you would be allowed back on track.

The lesson here? Do not tell the PCA about any medical conditions you might have as along as your doctor thinks you are safe to race....

 

I don't race, just DE but Check and Check. My doctor knows my health best.

 

Pretty sad state of affairs, but a reasonable philosophy for alot of different situations.

"Do not invite THE MAN into your life."
--Somebody wise.

 

"So, let's say I get diagnosed with OSA mid race season a week before the big Road America PCA Club Race. Based on what Todd has exposed here, it could be months before I would be allowed to race again. Since it usually take a 4 to 6 weeks to get the CPAP machine after OSA diagnosis, and then you need to collect X number of days of data before the PCA medical committee would be satisfied, you are looking at at least a month and more likely 2 months before you would be allowed back on track."

Yep. And maybe a much longer time.

Jane Doe. A PCA racer with 10 years of experience. No incidents, runs up front. Also a very active DE instructor.

She is 45 years old, 5'5" and 110 pounds.

An endurance athlete for the past 15 years.

She decides to submit a renewal medical form just six months into a two-year license.

Why?

She had a PE with her HCP and it was convenient. She figured "why not?"

( I have done so in the past myself).

Let's say PCA receives this form on August 1st.

She has instructed in 3 DE's and raced in three PCA club race weekends during that six months.

No incidents, and two "hard charger" awards.

On her form, she discloses a new diagnosis of OSA.

Does PCA contact her and ask her about her OSA diagnosis, for example her AHI result?

Let's say they do, and they ask her about CPAP therapy.

A diagnosis of OSA does NOT automatically result in a prescription for CPAP.

But, in our example, Jane's HCP has prescribed CPAP rx.

If CPAP rx is prescribed, a CPAP machine can be obtained within a day or two. Or it can take awhile... product back-orders, appointments for training with DME providers, et cetera. Perhaps weeks.

If there are insurance forms, decisions, et cetera, who knows?

So let's say in Jane's case, the machine she has chosen is back-ordered one month. She is not happy about that, but she really wants this specific brand and model. She has a CPAP training appointment booked for the day the DME gets the machine in stock-- right after Labor Day.

Between now and Labor Day, she has planned three PCA race weekends.

What would PCA do?

Would they tell her that her ACTIVE license is revoked or suspended, unless or until she can provide compliant CPAP data (at least four hours of use for 70% of days covering a for a 90-day period)?

That timing would take us to... December?

What would PCA do?

Seems like no soup for Jane until at least mid-December.

Can PCA clarify up front?

Even if PCA's process is flexible for situations like this, would it be in everyone's best interest for all candidates to be aware of the potential or likely requirement for 90 days of data up front?

Perhaps they can consider a racer's track record?

I don't want to advise PCA on risk management. I do not know all of the variables. Not my area of expertise.

And if they have to keep things confidential, so be it.

But... suggestions for better "customer service?" Sure.

Pointing out opportunities for "process improvement?" Sure.

"The lesson here? Do not tell the PCA about any medical conditions you might have as along (sic) as your doctor thinks you are safe to race...."

And perhaps unintended consequences for PCA.

 

I think the bottom line is that PCA needs to have the attitude of working with drivers to enable them to get, maintain, and renew their racing licenses, rather than being hardasses and relishing their authoritarian power to say "No" to people.

Considering Luigi's history of racing with PCA without any evident issues that should raise safety concern, PCA should have just renewed his license immediately, with the condition that he needed to provide CPAP usage data within a reasonable number of days after the renewal. Having heard only Luigi's side of the story, it appears that some people in PCA acted like ******** because they could.

 

You've heard there side of the story in their answer to him above.

 

PCA has, at long last, made an attempt to respond to my issue, and asked that I post it to all the places on the internet where they have been "assailed". Rennlist is the only place I have taken part in any dialogue on this matter so I am posting it here.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/88l53...zk1g9bti0&dl=0

This is my response:

 

Not the resolution you were hoping for, but thank you for taking up the fight.
Question authority.

 

Does this mean you’ll be racing with us next month at NJMP?

Pete

 

I love the NJMP race, but sadly, as I did not think this matter was going to be resolved anytime soon, I made plans to be away for business.

Technically this matter is still not resolved, but I am working toward a resolution.

 

Happy it's closer to the end, with what may be a palatable agreement for both sides. Just based on the number of views, now at over 102k, it's by far the topic of most interest to people in the racing and DE communities. Rather than being a contest of wills, perhaps PCA might consider the unindented consequences of what this has brought forth and look to have a positive result, more specifically an open comment area and data set they can review to perhaps better serve their members in this particular area of activities. Regardless, I wish nothing but the best for you and PCA and a day we can put this behind us.

 

One would hope PCA would look at this with a little bit of introspection. If they do nothing over the winter to review the rules than we all have our answer.

 

So many thoughts with respect to that response. Interesting that they put it on you to post their response publicly.

Given that their expressed objective is risk management, perhaps some assistance could be crowd-sourced? e.g. a survey that asks club racers just one question:

1. How does PCA’s handling of this matter impact your likelihood of disclosing medical issues in the future:
a) much more likely
b) more likely
c) neutral
d) less likely
​​​​​e) much less likely
f) I don’t intend to remain with PCA (alternatively, “The PCA”)

And to further assist, the results could be public so that PCA’s insurers have transparency into the efficacy of their policies.


Anyone against transparency?

 

PCA's insurers are also the insurers of other organizations, tracks and teams. They're not the pressure point, I assure you.

It's PCA, for the most part, that determines the acceptable level of risk above and beyond the industry standard, IME.

 

Your logic makes sense to me..I meant my post as a direct retort to the response that Todd received.