428 replies to this topic

[joe varble]

I do have a pole.. and a big forklift

Go for it, put some plastic in the windows and take it down about a week before next years runoffs, Change the oil add gas and you will be ready to go. Think of all the time and money you will save

[Jim Drago]

In my neighborhood it definitely won't have any wheels left on day 2 Probably no exhaust either as they will think that big muffler is a catalytic converter

[Mike Asselta]

In my neighborhood it definitely won't have any wheels left on day 2 Probably no exhaust either as they will think that big muffler is a catalytic converter

Perfect cover story....first one to break into Jim's shop, steal the car and paint it gets a free pass. Bring dog treats, a wig for the surveillance cameras, and ammo so you can fight your way out.

[dbednarz]

Congratulations to Jim Drago on winning the SM National Championship.

Your statements about preparation, preparation, preparation, are right on. Your dedication to the SM class and the SCCA Runoffs have always shown, and made them both better. Job well done!

David Bednarz
Spec Miata #68
2012 SCCA GLDiv Champion

[Steve D]

Probably no exhaust either as they will think that big muffler is a catalytic converter

Boy, they would go nuts over Gorilla's 2011 contraption wouldn't they?

[Todd Lamb]

Cue DDG commentary....

[davew]

Go-Pro put multiple cameras on multiple cars. I have posted the run from turn 3 to turn 5 on the Advanced Autosports facebook page. Taken from the roof of Tom Browns car. Watch as Voytek gets bumped 3 times from behind, causing him to get into Todd Buras and then play ping pong up the hill towards turn 6

Dave

[SaulSpeedwell]

Jim, you are now and will aways be a National Champion. That is pretty cool.

Kurtis

I'll take it further - to be a National Champion in THIS class, at THIS time, means more than to be a champion 10 times in many of the other classes ....

... and doing it while not being a jerk before, during, or after ...

... and doing it with clean driving ....

... while helping so many others succeed in the class ...

... while contributing to the sport in ways far beyond just winning the Runoffs ...

... while managing not to shortchange an amazing family and a burdensomely large group of customers, friends, and frenemies ....

... THAT is pretty cool, and THAT is why I'll remember this National Champion much differently and much longer than most.

I'm real proud of you, buddy ... now go do something fun ... or at least profitable

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I'll take it further - to be a National Champion in THIS class, at THIS time, means more than to be a champion 10 times in many of the other classes ....

... and doing it while not being a jerk before, during, or after ...

... and doing it with clean driving ....

... while helping so many others succeed in the class ...

... while contributing to the sport in ways far beyond just winning the Runoffs ...

... while managing not to shortchange an amazing family and a burdensomely large group of customers, friends, and frenemies ....

... THAT is pretty cool, and THAT is why I'll remember this National Champion much differently and much longer than most.

I'm real proud of you, buddy ... now go do something fun ... or at least profitable

That is the absolutly most meaningful post you have ever made, and I mean that in a good way, dont get me wrong the thread on deleting the E-brake was pretty good but this is +1,000,000 times better!!!!!!!!

[SaulSpeedwell]

That is the absolutly most meaningful post you have ever made, and I mean that in a good way, dont get me wrong the thread on deleting the E-brake was pretty good but this is +1,000,000 times better!!!!!!!!

Oh, if only you had been here when we had a 2.5 degree max camber rule, $1500 all-aluminum clutches, 3-piece wheels, AFMs that couldn't be legally adjusted, Runoffs qualifying that was "unofficial" all week until you woke up on raceday and found out that nobody got bounced for anything, Sunbelts that were so wrong you'd be tarred and feathered if you tried to run it today, Daniels or Mike kicking you off the website every 3 days ...

...back to 2005-ish when the masses were assured that the 99+ was only being classed to give the SSB guys a place to play, and that it would be an underdog until the world ran out of cheap 1990-1997 cars and parts ...

... hale, all the way back to when the fastest cars in the country were $12K and the fastest driver in the country was from TEXAS (2001 ARRC, lol).

[Glenn]

Oh, if only you had been here when we had a 2.5 degree max camber rule, $1500 all-aluminum clutches, 3-piece wheels, AFMs that couldn't be legally adjusted, Runoffs qualifying that was "unofficial" all week until you woke up on raceday and found out that nobody got bounced for anything, Sunbelts that were so wrong you'd be tarred and feathered if you tried to run it today, Daniels or Mike kicking you off the website every 3 days ...

...back to 2005-ish when the masses were assured that the 99+ was only being classed to give the SSB guys a place to play, and that it would be an underdog until the world ran out of cheap 1990-1997 cars and parts ...

... hale, all the way back to when the fastest cars in the country were $12K and the fastest driver in the country was from TEXAS (2001 ARRC, lol).

Ahh how we long for the good ole days.....LOL

[High Chair]

I'll take it further - to be a National Champion in THIS class, at THIS time, means more than to be a champion 10 times in many of the other classes ....

... and doing it while not being a jerk before, during, or after ...

... and doing it with clean driving ....

... while helping so many others succeed in the class ...

... while contributing to the sport in ways far beyond just winning the Runoffs ...

... while managing not to shortchange an amazing family and a burdensomely large group of customers, friends, and frenemies ....

... THAT is pretty cool, and THAT is why I'll remember this National Champion much differently and much longer than most.

I'm real proud of you, buddy ... now go do something fun ... or at least profitable

Very well said!

[Andrew Charbonneau]

Yes, good going Berry. You get the strong will award for coming in second. I'm betting on you next year to wear the gold wig. SCCA is clearly fun.

hey david what are your plans for next year and are you going to miller

[Blake Clements]

hey david what are your plans for next year and are you going to miller

I am going wherever you are!!!

[DDG]

Miller

I was way too impressed with NASA in Ohio this year. Way too dissapointed with SCCA's freak show in the last two Runoffs. Most of you know the story why.

Danny, Time to break the news to Tom.

David
Driven Performance

[ner88]

I think the SM car count at the runoffs speaks for itself.
SCCA did to SM exactly what we all expected........

[pat slattery]

We chose not to run either championship races this year, but I feel like the average racers has a chance of competing at the NASA championship on a more even plane, vs the SCCA championship. That may change in the coming years, but, It seems like SCCA, SM, has boiled down to big budget, team racing.

[MPR22]

I think the SM car count at the runoffs speaks for itself.
SCCA did to SM exactly what we all expected........

Move the race to COTA and they will have to turn away entries.

[Craig Berry]

We chose not to run either championship races this year, but I feel like the average racers has a chance of competing at the NASA championship on a more even plane, vs the SCCA championship. That may change in the coming years, but, It seems like SCCA, SM, has boiled down to big budget, team racing.

Pat, I think your commentary is really on Q most of the time. I will say that big budget is not as important as hard work, and realizing what kind of track we are racing. I had nothing to do with the track selected, and I am sure the plan for our team would be dif at a different track, but the objective is to win, and racing is very much a mental sport. For you guys as well as us, a car count really does not matter.... Slattery is not thinking about the racing 25th thru 60th. I know many guys who are racing 25th on back, and they are learning to get better.... Not a better opportunity than to race against the best our class has to offer. I go back to Sebring in Jan.... 60 cars, myself, Todd, Jim, Pat, Andrew, and Danny(Alex had car issues) At the front... different track, no team drafting, and very large car count. Very close to the same results as the Runoffs.

I do wish both series ran the same tire. It is not financially feasible for myself to properly have 2 completely different tires. Not to mention
the testing cost. I have to choose, even though I would like to run both NASA and SCCA. I don't really think it's one series against the other... It's really about who you are racing against. So many good drivers... It's ashame we are not on the same tire.

[wheel]

2013 will the the 50th Anniversary of the Runoffs, and the last at RA under the current contract. I would expect that it will be something special.
wheel