53 replies to this topic

[Mike Asselta]

Hats off to Matt Reynolds, who deserved to keep the EP Championship that he won on track in his Mazda Miata.  Matt jumped out to an early lead then spun on someone else's oil slick in Canada Corner.  Matt proceeded to put in one of the best drives of the week, climbing back from 15th or so to take first place on the last lap.

 

Matt was the champion, until someone saw fit to protest contact.  Very unfortunate outcome decided by paper instead of driving ability, preparation and heart.  Can't let Matt's drive get white-washed in the history books.

 

If I was to rant, a lot of classes are full of racers that have never had the chance to get comfortable with close, wheel to wheel racing.  I don't know the circumstances of the protest on Matt, but everyone needs a whirl in Spec Miata, SRF, FF or some other spec class to learn some race craft.

 

 

 

[DrDomm]

I watched that race on Speedcasttv...just an amazing accomplishment by Matt.  He was far quicker than all the leaders, and carved his way through the field.  On the last lap he got a run on Greg Ira going into 8.  Ira chose to block, going to the inside.  Matt ran the typical line.  It appeared that Ira parked it at the apex because of the defensive line he took.  By taking the conventional line, Matt had more speed at the apex.  It looked like Matt made minor contact with Ira's bumper that sent Ira off line and slowed his exit.  He never left the track or looked to be in jeopardy of spinning.  Matt completed the pass and pulled away.

 

The announcers didn't approve of the contact, and neither did Ira, in the post-race interview.  I think everyone will make their own opinion.  But unintentional bumper to bumper contact, with a faster car, while the overtaken car has chosen to be defensive, on the last lap of the Runoffs...I give it a big thumbs up and think the reversal wasn't warranted. 

 

I understand that Ira was upset.  We all would be.  But when you take a defensive line that overslows your car, I think you shoulder some of the responsibility. 

 

He also threw in some anti-SM comments.  Considering the carnage in our race, he might have a point.

[suck fumes]

Yah that sounded like a bunch of crap. A bump from behind due to YOUR defensive line that never put you off course is a pansy protest. But then again you know that if people can't beat you on track they can always beat you after the race through protests and tech.

[Craig Berry]

For those of you who have not raced with Matt, there is no doubt that he is one of the best drivers any of us will race.....not just because he wins, but the way he wins. Matt is a clean, fair, and Fast driver. I do not see how someone could feel good about winning like this, especially with a racer that has NO history of overly aggressive driving.

[Jim Drago]

Yah that sounded like a bunch of crap. A bump from behind due to YOUR defensive line that never put you off course is a pansy protest. But then again you know that if people can't beat you on track they can always beat you after the race through protests and tech.

 

While in tech, I overheard one of the drivers.. Not sure which one he was say " Matt thinks he is going to take that Spec Miata $#% into prodcution and it aint going to happen.  I had all I could do not to say what? Talent and race craft? I was already in enough trouble with STL wing, so I stayed out of it.  

 

I don't think anyone has had more knock down drag out races with Matt than me.  If I could only race one guy in SM and one track, it would be Matt at Hallett. One of my best races that I ever ran was a second place to Matt at Hallett.

 

Also nice top see Jim Daniels running so well, sucked to see him break  

Jim

[suck fumes]

Ya I think Matt just pissed a bunch of the old guys off cause he comes in with a fairly newly built car and kicks everyone's butt after he spun lol!! That is awesome! He is the people's champion for sure in EP!

[MPR22]

Matt was screwed and tattooed by the old production guys.  They drive shitty handling cars with ridiculous straight line speed, throw blocks left and right then get rubbed when they do and cry like freaking 4 year olds.  Matt is as clean as it gets, he is the "Iceman", never makes a mistake and makes others pay when they drive defensively and make mistakes.  To be 20+ seconds down and win on the track and then get penalized for not putting up with blocking tactics is silly.  

[Keith Andrews]

That was a weak decision by the SCCA.  The idiot commentators on Speedcast TV were ridiculously biased in many races.  I'm guessing the Stewards are kicked back watching TV and being influenced by those guys.  "Hey that's Dorsey Schroeder, what he says must be right"

[MPR22]

http://speedcasttv.c...cca/#/races/359

 

race starts at around 3:35 mark.  As I said before I biased so take a gander and think about how you would feel if you lost the national championship based on what you see. 

[Waterboy]

That's ridiculous. Matt was catching those guys by several seconds a lap. He should be the national champion. He barely touched the guy. Neither the 2nd or 3rd place drivers lost because of any contact they just flat out got outdriven. Those two are sore losers.

[Mike Collins]

Matt is an exceptionally clean driver.  In the SM qualifying I unintentionally chopped him when I didn't see him tucked into a train of cars.  HE AVOIDED ME!!!  Tons of car control.  

 

great drive Matt!  Fun to watch live! we were looking at your closing rate and the laps to go and knew you would get it done.

[Matt Reynolds]

Thank you everyone for all the kind words. Please excuse my silence on the events as I am still trying to cool down. I want to sincerely thank the Spec Miata community for all the support and tough competition throughout the years that has molded multiple drivers, including myself, into immediate front runners in other classes. Thank you Jesse Prather, the Puskars and Carbotech family, Prodigy Motorsports, Mazdaspeed Hoosier tires, and of course my family and friends.

[James York]

Matt,

 

You had great runs in both SM and EP.  Your performance this year has been top, particularly in EP.  I know you are one of the fairest and fastest drivers I have ever raced.  I can't imagine the experience of not winning in EP after drive you did, but knowing you, I know you will bounce back and handled it like a professional.

[suck fumes]

And it was triple crown too!!!! Man you must have some amazing self control not to sock that guy in the mouth after!

[Jim Drago]

I watched the race this morning.. First, I think we can all admit this is a pretty biased crowd as we are all pro SM guys and personally I am a Matt Reynolds fan. 
 
All that being said... the facts are:
 
Matt was protested for the contact on lap 1, turn three by Downey. That resulted in a 2 position penalty. 
The contact with Ira on the last lap in turn 8 resulted in a 1 position penalty. 
 
While I hate the deal with Ira, I can see his point in protesting and I can see the decision. He says/feels that the contact cost him a position. The stewards had to do something and 1 position penalty is probably fair. If a last lap pass occurs for the lead and contact is made, the stewards almost always hand a 1 position penalty, if nothing else, it is consistent. Had Matt had only one action against him, he could have appealed, but the thought was he would never win two different appeals, probably correct.
 
My opinion is it didnt cost Ira anything, I think he was going out as far as he did regardless of the slight contact. Nor did it change anything as far as how that race would have ended. At the time of the contact, Matt was 2-2.5 seconds a lap faster than the Z and his car was fully under him and teh Z was struggling. The pass was coming and there was nothing the Z could have done to stop it.  Matt was winning at that point, regardless of what ever opinion Ira and the prod community might have. This is really unfortunate. It is really hard to get in that spot where Matt was in and I hate that they didnt win.   
 
I don't know Downey, but I would be ashamed of myself if I filed that protest.  Protesting that contact, that did not change ANYTHING in the race and is VERY poor sportsmanship IMO.  Matt only passed him down the mid straight because Daniels was pushing him, otherwiose it would not even have resulted in a position change.  Then Matt spins and comes back from way back to pass him again cleanly. Downey was not effected at all by the lap 1 contact, his finishing position was not changed at all because of the contact. He did however move up when He protested Matt. If youi need it that bad, enjoy it. 
 
Both Ira and Downey were witnesses on each others protest, it seems to me a case where the production guys didnt want the SM guy winning and they stuck together to insure that was the result. This was litigate to win. Winning by paper is just that, a paper championship. I hope they enjoy it.
 
Jim

[greengreengreen]

An experience like this, taken in stride, will be a huge character builder for you.

 

Take it to them next year!

 

Here's the trophy they deserve!

 

http://www.thehorror...with-sound.aspx

[Bench Racer]

I see what your all saying.

 

Now imagine if all the Spec Miata damage recipients had thrown paper, we wouldn't know the winner yet. The class culture is different and most times paper is not thrown. Had the god father received paper, should he have been docked a position or two??? In my eyes, the god father incident was a racing incident, BUT within the SCCA there is a rule, about car control and making physical contact with other cars.   

[Jesse Prather]

Hi Guys,

 

I just wanted to congratulate Matt as well.  The announcers got it all wrong on my cool off lap.  I was so excited for my guy I just had to catch up and give him a big thumbs up.  

Man what a drive.  Easily the best car/driver/package of the field and deserved the win.  What a great family and team to work with.  I am privileged to be a part of their team.  Congrats Matt! Hold your head high!

[Danny Steyn]

Let me preface this by saying that I have not seen the prod video in question. But the one thing that I will attest to is that in my opinion, Matt is one of the more precise, well mannered drivers on the track and I NEVER worry about him being reckless, or over driving his car. I ALWAYS look forward to racing with Matt, not only because of his on-track conduct, but especially his off-track conduct. Hopefully I will be able to see the video soon and add my $0.02 on the race in question.

[jwr]

I watched the race at home on SpeedCast since I rented my HP car to a past national champ.  Thanks for not wrecking it in their first turn fiasco.

I've raced with Matt a lot and agree on his talent, car control.  On the start in turn three he did get into the back of Downey, but I'm pretty sure he got help from Daniels.  Downey went inside and stood on the brakes and stuffed everyone behind him.  Matt had the car slowed them moved forward.  Ira was blocking and stayed on the brakes in a straight line to block the over/under.  Matt had his car completely rotated and brushed him going by.  I think he actually helped Ira make the turn, more than hindered him.

 

Ira got out of the car talking about how Matt was hitting Downey for several laps.  Matt was coming from 12th and drove around that ancient piece of crap on the inside of the carousel.  It was a bye-bye move and it happened on the next to the last lap.  

 

History on the last lap and last turn has always been "racing incident" if older racer hits new blood.  BUT if the new guy hits the old pro, now that's a penalty.  I've seen it year after year for way too many years.  This was another case of the old dog being rewarded for past hard work, skill not required.

 

James Rogerson

past SM, CSR, FF, HP, STU, AS driver and race winner in each of those classes.