June Sprints Smack talk

FYI, the results sent to me to do points showed Drago first with Coello receiving a 7 position penalty. It quoted GCR 6.5.1.J & 6.1.1.B. I'm busy so I didn't look it up.

Drago
Steyn
Bednarz
Van Vurst
Cooke
Clements
Brown
Coello
Collins
Kraft

Coello fastest time at 2:45.254 Only other 45 was Drago at 45.519. Heard that the last laps were under flood conditions and race stopped at 11 laps.

coello,Sounds like the thing that drago got nailed with at last years run offs on the start?????

I think the 2 happiest guys in the field (besides Jim Drago getting the win) have to be Dave bednarz and Chip Van Vurst. Dave had to swap a motor and trans after Q1 and drove a great race to end up 3rd. Chip was the closest thing to Rocky I've seen at a race track in a long time. He got up off the mat after an engine failure in Q1, a rollover in Q2 and then had to start the race at the back of the field due to a grid error. All that and he finished 4th. Amazing.

While I agree with Bednarz and Chip. Jim Drago is not all that "happy".

This will probably be long winded, so bare with me.

To start, As I have said several times before on this site and to many in person and whenever asked. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE WEEKEND IN RACING. I anxiously await it every year. Well, for 2012 , I am skipping it and heading to the US Gran Prix in Austin, this mess or "race" this weekend made my decision for me.

The recap of the weekend.
Until the end of qualifying, all was good, we put four of the cars in the top five and I was on pole, not sure how things could have been much better. The drama started with the race.

As pole sitter, I was at the tail of line one, behind all the T3,SSB and SSC cars, ready for the split start. I was followed by the top 12 SM qualifiers. Line 2 was headed by Jarret Gerber. I think Gerber held, Voytek went, as he should as they were waiving them on. They shuffled themselves in pit lane, but best guess as I haven't seen my video, I think p11 started on pole. The top 12 started 12-24. Then Tony decided to take his position, well he took pole as he had qualified ahead of all the others, putting Gerber outside pole. While this was going on, 10 ft out of the pits, at least 10 people notified the stewards of this and asked for them to black flag and re-grid us. The stewards knew it was wrong, they were heard talking about it on the scanner. No idea why they didn't do anything?

In my mind, Tony's race was over the minute he went to the front of the field. A team mate was dq'ed for this two weeks before in Texas, so I was not moving regardless of how many moved. But only Tony went. I felt confident in my ability to pass all in front of me with the exception of Tony, who in my opinion was no longer a factor.

So to the best of my recollection, I started around 11-13th, that put the guys originally in 1-12 in 11-25 or so? So the guy who had an outside chance of winning if gridded correctly now knew they have to drive the race of their lives to have any chance, no one was giving much room. So to no surprise, there was pretty bad wreck with my Team mate Craig Berry, Bender and Harry Manning. Again blocking came into play, with guys who had no business being there in the first place. I saw this coming and was following Berry through, I locked up my tires and was hit by a big piece of something in the windshield that I was certain was coming through. So now I had two flat spotted tires as well, not sure how I got through really. After the wreck, Black flag, along with assurances we would run full distance, I was understandably irate. I think I was 6th or 7th then.

I was able to get a good restart and thankful to Derek Whitis and Danny Steyn who realized the grid mistake and made it far easier for me to pass them than they needed to. After a few laps, I got up to the leaders, going into 8, I forgot to tap brakes after 7 and had pad kick back and lost the pedal, I tapped Tony there, my mistake. I got by Tony and Voytek, started to check out a bit and felt I had the race in hand. Then I start hearing noises. Some how we missed the power plant bolts on the trans in our nut and bolt check. There was some grinding and the shifter started going up and down about 8-10 inches from bumps,braking and acceleration. Tony said sparks were flying under the car and stuff was flying off, I assume it was one of the bolts. Seeing Tony was the only person close, I slowed down as I was having nightmares of the car using the power plant brace as a pole vault or the brace coming through the car and my legs etc. But it was the Sprints, I was dumb, so I stayed out. When it started to pour , David, it was no sprinkle, I assure you.. I got a little wide in three and Tony drove by. I figured I better get close enough to lead the next and last lap as it is always better to take matters into your own hands when you can. As I was drafting past Tony at the line, I saw the flagger put the white flag down and through the checker, Tony had beat me to the line by a few feet or less. I drove around figuring I had won as Tony was certainly getting a DQ.

Well then all the drama.. I don't come for this crap. I love to race and compete, I hate this crap. I was called to talk to Mike Harris, the chief Steward. Danny Steyn came with me. We practically begged him to handle the situation without a protest. I have never protested anyone before and hoped I would end my driving career never filing one, let alone against a guy like Tony who I consider a friend and a driver I respect. That coupled that there is no way this ever comes into play if the raced was handled properly. Tony made a bad decision, but he should have never had a decision to make. I am not happy with this, not happy to win this way. But the flip side, I was not happy losing that way either. The dynamics of the race completely changed when the grid workers sent us out incorrectly, it was like a house of cards, that once the first card was placed wrong, everything fell apart.

In my opinion, The Chicago region owes the class a public apology, we had no "race" we had a cluster. Yes, I won, this is third time, but it doesn't compare remotely to the first two. I feel sorry for the guys whose cars got wrecked because of the poor decisions made. I also feel bad for Tony in this mess. I think as a gesture of good faith, Chicago region should offer a partial refund to ALL SM competitors, we paid them for structure and a race, what we got was a mess. The worst I have ever been a part of personally. My apologies to all of you who left with a wrecked car because of this mess.

The only thing I take as a positive or feel a sense of accomplishment from this weekend is that the three cars under my tent were likely the three best cars at the race in terms of power and handling. We have spent a lot of time and money getting there and seeing it pay off with dominate cars makes me far more "happy" than the win did for sure.

Jim

Was it Chip who followed Blake to pass a bunch of cars before the restart while still under double yellow? They tried to give some back but dunno how well that worked. +1 on his perseverance; every time I went to get gas they were wrenching like coked up squirrels on that car.

We made the gamble based on the radar to run rain tires so I, for one, am not happy the race was cut short. It didn't help that I started 8 or 10 spots further back than I should have either! It didn't look like I was in the right slot on grid so I confirmed with the worker that I was in P6. He said according to his chart I was in the right place so I dunno what happened there. However the mistake happened, that made it one very expensive one coming all the way from California.


(What had me confused is that I think Berry started next to me where he was supposed to be, so it kind of seemed like I was in the right place, not really knowing what everyone's cars look like)

Brian - We gave all the spots back and I got back in line behind Roy. We lost more than we gained on that situation. I had bad reception on the radio and all I heard was "GO".

Blake

WOW, all I have to say is WOW what a disappointment! For as touted an event as the June Sprints is I personally feel the Chicago Region, Road America and some of the locals think a little to high of themselves. Don't get me wrong, I had fun, enjoyed the man drama and really had good times visiting with old friends. But the event needs some work. Where do I begin?

Lets begin with Parking. After MANY (un-returned) calls from my office to the Region and the Track about parking I paid $80 for a paved paddock spot and my client paid an additional $50 for the privilege of sharing my space. All of this after REPEATEDLY telling them we are supposed to be in the Mazda Area with Dave Wheeler/Advanced Autosport in the Spec Miata sponsored paddock. Upon my arrival Dave tells me with his sponsorship he paid for the grass parking space that ultimately I shared with even another good friend.

Chicago Region can I have a refund????

Then the Spec Fuel... Let me first say that although it is not permissible to spec the fuel I was a fan UNTIL I showed up and the Road America Management team decided to get greedy and charge $9.25 per gallon for regular BP 93. I protested the Supps and it was not upheld. SURPRISE... Basically now I can appeal and will win the appeal but all of the competitors have spent the money and locals have washed there hands of the mess. Then on top of all of this, a letter from the Chief Steward prior to the event stresses the need to flush your tank, change your filter, ect... All of this because they tested EXACTLY 2, yes two, duo, 1+1 cars for fuel in Spec Miata over all three days!!! So since all of the extra money for fuel did not go to buying a few extra plastic bottles I have to assume that someones wallet just got a little fatter.

Now the race. What a cluster that was! If you wrecked on the first lap please feel free to personally thank both the Chief and Operating Stewart for our run group.

So grid made a mistake, it happens!

How our leadership handles those mistakes and takes corrective action is how our club will be judged. Just throw the BLACK FLAG. Road America is a BIG track with VIDEO COVERAGE OF THE ENTIRE TRACK, how hard was it really to look at the monitor and confirm the mistake. Bring everyone in, get it right, fix the mistake, slap Tony on the wrist instead of some obscure formula for a penalty at the end of the race and save a bunch of people their race car.

From my point of view, I made it from P20 to P12 on the first lap because all of the real fast cars in front of me that should of been at the front ran over the slightly faster cars in front of me causing 4 and 5 wide passes that may have never happened if we were in speed order.

I have now been to Road America twice to race, both times there has been a lot of carnage. I am not sure I want to go back, sooner or later odds are it is going to be me.

Was it Chip who followed Blake to pass a bunch of cars before the restart while still under double yellow? They tried to give some back but dunno how well that worked.

They were right behind me when they tried it. They gave all the spots back and maybe more before they hit the corner station. It also completely botched their exit from 14...

FWIW, I was standing with Bender's dad who thought that the grid inversion was because some people were late to grid. Regardless of the reason that the cars weren't in order, there was no reason for anyone to try to force the issue putting themselves and their competitors in harms way. It's a very important race, I get it - but is it worth getting hurt over or destroying your competitor's car?

In any situation on track, everyone thinks they are right - but there are always two sides and once the green flag drops you have to respect others and try to give everyone room - regardless of whether or not you think they 'deserve' to be where they are.

It was a very unfortunate weekend with some unfortunate conduct and dangerous mistakes - including the stewards not throwing the full course caution when Danny was still sitting in his decimated race car, on-line, unsighted down the hill to turn 5. The grid mistake should have been corrected immediately - by the officials. You can't assume all competitors knew it was a mistake. When the grid officials tell you to go, you go. We've all seen Ken's video!

I am just sorry that after the race there was so much destroyed machinery. Is it really worth it guys?

I am probably going to open a can of worms here that I probably should have just kept my mouth shut, but it is on my mind and if any of you know me - I say what I think.

I want to publicly apologize to Jim Drago, Pat Sandlin, and most importantly Chip Van Vurst. We had a very well set up and handling car and I was very good in the tighter sections of the track, but lacked the straight line speed to run with the best cars. In qualifying and the race, I was pushing these guys off the center of the corner to try and maintain my speed and help the both of us get a better drive. I now realize afterwards that these bumps may not have been appreciated and compounded with my frustration may have been a hinderance, and that was my mistake. I am sorry for that.

I also want to apologize for passing, and then falling back in line, approximately 10 cars on the restart. I couldn't see the pace car at all during the double yellow and all I heard on the radio was "Go". Once I saw that no one was climbing the hill, I realized I had made a terrible mistake and needed to return to my position. We killed ourselves about probably 4-5 seconds on that move.

I was happy to work with Chip to run back through the field after we both had dismal starts and thanks to many of the competitors for realizing how much of a head of steam we had and not making it too difficult as we weaved our way through the cars and wreckage to the top 10.

I dont like to post except to say Congrats, but I am still in shock. As racers we are prepared for so many things...even to crash, but I dont know if any of us are prepared to qualify at the front and be lined up 18th. We all lost this weekend, and I dont think anyone feels good about this. Many were put in situations they should not have been in, including myself. The real sad part is while most of us understand mistakes happen....this mistake could have been corrected Before the race began. I could hear several crew members pleading with officials to do something. We may as well not qualified and just drew for positions. It felt like the SCCA just did not care. It felt like they think most of us have old beaters, and that we should just be happy to drive around Road America. I know alot of us (MAYBE STUPIDLY) put alot of money, time, and work into a series we know we are not going to have a financial return. What we pay a sanctioning body for is structure. Obviously there was a complete lack of structure. A group of us may as well just rent a track to go play. This literally ruined everyones weekend. Jim, who was the fastest car everyday at the track does not feel good about this win... and does anyone really think that Tony would have decided to pass on the outlap from his earned position?? This is like a football game where both teams go on the field and the score is already 21 to 0 on the scoreboard, and the NFL caring so little they say "it will work itself out". One of the great things about SM is that there is always a race on the track. Battling for first or 21rst can all be a personal achievment. That opportunity was taken from most everyone on the track. This is supposed to be fun. This should be about hard racing and having a beer after with good guys telling the days stories. Yesterday was anything but fun, and I have Never seen so many pissed off people. Way to many good guys in SM. IMO SCCA should think about what we as a group bring to the table.

So grid made a mistake, it happens!
How our leadership handles those mistakes and takes corrective action is how our club will be judged. Just throw the BLACK FLAG. Road America is a BIG track with VIDEO COVERAGE OF THE ENTIRE TRACK, how hard was it really to look at the monitor and confirm the mistake. Bring everyone in, get it right, fix the mistake,

Mike - this is the whole story in a nutshell.

SCCA Officials - we love you, we appreciate your great work and dedication, BUT In my humble opinion.......You screwed up .............you knew it..........and you could have fixed it.

ALL leadership postions will eventually provide tough challenges and good leaders will have to make the tough calls to resolve them.

You had all the time in the world to throw the Black flag. To bring us to grid and reform us. You had the manpower you had the gridsheets, you were discussing it on the radio, but somewhere the leadership was lacking to make the right call.

I am hoping that someone from the SCCA comes on here and tells me that the GCR or the SUPPS do not allow that, and show me just what a dumb ass I really am.

But the GCR also specifically precludes anyone from making up postions under the pace lap under yellow.

My heart goes out to all the drivers who invested so much to get so little in return. I believe that there were more deserving people that should have stood on the podium in my place.

And I hope that the Chicago region reads this and understands exactly how we feel.

Some comments on this weekend

Dave Bednarz's - congrats - after your engine woes earlier you installed an old Harry Manning engine. As I told you after the race, never let that thing out of your grasp - its a monster Dave. Hold on to it.!! Congrats on a fine drive, and tell Harry you owe him big!!!

Chip van Vurst - Wow what can I say. From the motor troubles to your spectacular rollover in Canada Corner, I thought you were done for the weekend. Then you put it all back together and came out in STU qualifying and that ugly dog just wouldn't hunt. But whatever you did to get it ready from the main race ----- you did good. To come from DFL to 4th place - what an awesome drive. Congrats for staying the course and that great result. IMO the drive of the day!!!
PS.... how is Matt taking the good news on his car redecoration? Just wish my brohter was that generous and understanding!!!

Bye the way - just in case you have any doubt about what Chip pulled off - here is the car after the Canada corner rollover - this is the car that he took from DFL to 4th



Harry Manning - I just want to say thank you for reaching out. Means a lot to me. Hope to see you at a track real soon.

Jerret Gerber - thank you for working with me in qualifying and the race. Very generous of you. Sorry to see you spin out in the kink behind me with Voytek. You were running really well and would have given me a good run.

Short thought from a backmarker...

Blake, saw you coming through into the Kink, and I knew you would be making that charge. Nice run getting through there and was glad to let you go. But it sure was entertaining to watch you two weave through from the Kink to Canada...maybe I need to post that video

Restart was tough as there was a yellow flag at 14 when the green flag dropped. I personally could have picked up 4 spots if that yellow flag wasn't there.

And finally, after getting through my first national race with not a scratch except for a couple of tire marks from the close racing, I am going through paddock to my pit and get T-Boned by a 4 wheeler who wasn't looking and driving way too fast. There goes a nice looking rear quarter panel. What a disappointing way to end a race weekend....

Short thought from a backmarker...

And finally, after getting through my first national race with not a scratch except for a couple of tire marks from the close racing, I am going through paddock to my pit and get T-Boned by a 4 wheeler who wasn't looking and driving way to fast. There goes a nice looking rear quarter panel. What a disappointing way to end a race weekend....

I'm sure he's good for it

Let me know if I can help, I owe yah

One thing no one has touched on, is why did Spec Miata have to share a race track, when you had about 45 entries, and why did the other two classes mixed in with SM have track records, and the SM seemed to be off in times, with the exception of Tony and JD?

One thing no one has touched on, is why did Spec Miata have to share a race track, when you had about 45 entries, and why did the other two classes mixed in with SM have track records, and the SM seemed to be off in times, with the exception of Tony and JD?

As I understand it, race groups are set by each division each year in advance and are only tweaked a bit from one event to another. The reserved number systems are related to this process also. Our class doesn't get a reward under this system for being a large class unless we were to push the track limit for cars or unless group sizes get really lopsided.

I thought track conditions were good for going fast but not great. There was a lot of traffic out there from my seat plus yellow flags. The mixed up grid contributed some too I think. Tony and Jim were the class of the field for much of the weekend and some of the other fast cars in the top 5 or so had trouble or extra traffic.

Also, the field was short on 1.6 cars.

One thing no one has touched on, is why did Spec Miata have to share a race track, when you had about 45 entries, and why did the other two classes mixed in with SM have track records, and the SM seemed to be off in times, with the exception of Tony and JD?

Pat
Other than Tony an eventually me as I came through, the faster guys were screwed by the start and raced through traffic. Chip was started DFL because of yet another grid mistake, Blake was pushed wide at t1 and had pad kick back at three and went back to 30th or so, Berry got wrecked,Ghindelli gambled on rains... We had to rebuild Sandlins car after ball joint failure, so his handling was off a little and Shawn wasn't there Not sure who else was there was capable of a sub 46 lap on that day.

As for groups, The divisions make their groups earlier in the year, they are the same at every race. I guess we could have tried, but typically not easy. I wonder how many will go back next year? I will be in Austin Texas at the F1 race. I wil have some very good seats and enjoy my time there with all the money I am saving

The track had a 44 in it. I ran a 44.1 and 44.2 in back to back sessions in practice SM and STU, I think if I ever got a clean lap before tranny issues, I could have turned mid 44. The track was pretty good other than traffic and yellows and safety vehicles every lap.
Jim

WOW, all I have to say is WOW what a disappointment! For as touted an event as the June Sprints is I personally feel the Chicago Region, Road America and some of the locals think a little to high of themselves. Don't get me wrong, I had fun, enjoyed the man drama and really had good times visiting with old friends. But the event needs some work. Where do I begin?

Lets begin with Parking. After MANY (un-returned) calls from my office to the Region and the Track about parking I paid $80 for a paved paddock spot and my client paid an additional $50 for the privilege of sharing my space. All of this after REPEATEDLY telling them we are supposed to be in the Mazda Area with Dave Wheeler/Advanced Autosport in the Spec Miata sponsored paddock. Upon my arrival Dave tells me with his sponsorship he paid for the grass parking space that ultimately I shared with even another good friend.

Chicago Region can I have a refund????

Then the Spec Fuel... Let me first say that although it is not permissible to spec the fuel I was a fan UNTIL I showed up and the Road America Management team decided to get greedy and charge $9.25 per gallon for regular BP 93. I protested the Supps and it was not upheld. SURPRISE... Basically now I can appeal and will win the appeal but all of the competitors have spent the money and locals have washed there hands of the mess. Then on top of all of this, a letter from the Chief Steward prior to the event stresses the need to flush your tank, change your filter, ect... All of this because they tested EXACTLY 2, yes two, duo, 1+1 cars for fuel in Spec Miata over all three days!!! So since all of the extra money for fuel did not go to buying a few extra plastic bottles I have to assume that someones wallet just got a little fatter.

Now the race. What a cluster that was! If you wrecked on the first lap please feel free to personally thank both the Chief and Operating Stewart for our run group.

So grid made a mistake, it happens!

How our leadership handles those mistakes and takes corrective action is how our club will be judged. Just throw the BLACK FLAG. Road America is a BIG track with VIDEO COVERAGE OF THE ENTIRE TRACK, how hard was it really to look at the monitor and confirm the mistake. Bring everyone in, get it right, fix the mistake, slap Tony on the wrist instead of some obscure formula for a penalty at the end of the race and save a bunch of people their race car.

From my point of view, I made it from P20 to P12 on the first lap because all of the real fast cars in front of me that should of been at the front ran over the slightly faster cars in front of me causing 4 and 5 wide passes that may have never happened if we were in speed order.

I have now been to Road America twice to race, both times there has been a lot of carnage. I am not sure I want to go back, sooner or later odds are it is going to be me.

My parking fee was returned. At least they are listening... Thanks!

My parking fee was returned. At least they are listening... Thanks!

you can thank me mike I put a word into goodwiill and they called scca

you can thank me mike I put a word into goodwiill and they called scca

Bye the the way pat s please be do not bring your cheating heart in here just go away on track record talk .

no more power left except for eaststreet and you

HERE I COME

i WAS NOT THERE BUT AS FOR THE GRID PROBLEM .It has happenned to me before you have time to fix it

and for the row who took off knowing you werent there to begin bully for you you are like a fox in a chikin house.

and for those who were sleeping go back to sleep

and for those who think they own thee track and pass anyone under yellow read gcr.

and for those in the big office haste makes waste.


could be the perfect storm all we want to do is race.


and the pen is like a sword not the arrow of destruction.

pat slattery stop and be nice
you old fart.

mike collins you cheap basstard

danny styn what can i say FENCE

BLAKE TIME FOR GLASSES

CHIP, ARE YOU ON FIRE SHAKE AND BAKE