507 replies to this topic

[Ron Alan]

Ooops, I didn't mean to repost AC's rant. I meant to ask how is this germane to the topic.

You must be new to the site

BTW...the former champ is very good at finding items to clip and post

[Muda]

.........germane.........

ArchivalWordCount=1

[Cnj]

On a lighter note, the broadcasters on-line pronounced your name as "Stain"...is this correct?? Or is it like a beer "stein"
[/quote]

The South African prounouniation is "Stain".

Cnj

[Cnj]

How is this germane to the topic.

He's stirring, that's why.....

Cnj

[Tom Hampton]

thank you tom it was a good race......Work on monday sucks.

Doubly true, if you were as tight as Danny says.

Yes. Work sucks on Mondays...or really any day.

[dstevens]

It ain't work if you love what you are doing. Then again, I haven't "worked" in over 30 years...

[Chris Windsor]

Still waiting for videos, there has to be a bunch of good footage.

[Bench Racer]

No need to speculate anymore, there was a ruling, and that's all that counts. Anything else is just revisionist history
-bw

Bruce, as one of the wiser men/first class drivers on this site posted "two sides to story".

The old boss is posting.

The new boss is not posting yet, he's only texting.

At the Spec Miata tent meeting there was some trash talk from both side of the table S.G./B.D. (B.D. was attempting to bite his tong frequently.)

Speculation, might there have been an accumulation of $hit that tied together for the loss of license?

As I viewed much of what went on during the week & as I said before I viewed the pre T8 in car video from behind & the T5 to T6 deal live. I attempt to take into account what I view as fact rather than what someone else says.

After you view (personal) the pre T8 deal & the T5 to T6 deal then please come back with YOUR version to what happened. (Oh, please read the racing room rules first.)

[Todd Green]

SG DQ, one year suspension, banned from 2102 Runoffs, 6 points on license.

Sammy DQ as well.

The mix of issues were on track, off track, heads & shocks.

Since it's been said that SG was the one with the illegal head, that leaves Sammy with the illegal shocks no? He was also found to have illegal shocks at the 2010 NASA Nats that DQ'd him. The announcers mentioned him being DQ'd before for other issues. Now I don't know him from a hill of beans, but that seems like a lot of DQ's for illegal mods if the above is accurate.

[Mark Zwolle]

Sorry I'm late to the topic but I have to add my $.02

It was a shame to see Jim get punted on the first lap... Yes I said PUNTED... Everyone that has ever raced in Spec Miata knows the truth... You learn that's what's going to happen in that situation early on in this class. After you learn it some guys use it to make up spots and some guys learn to do the right thing and let the guy live to fight on... In this case the former is true... In my opinion it was a punt and there is no way to explain it away.

If you need to see what you are supposed to do in that position watch the footage of the race again, watch for Steyn in the same exact posiion a few laps later. He was in the position on the inside for a left hander and could have held his position and spun the guy really easy. But because he's a real class act and dosen't race that way he lifted - well done...

Now even more props to Drago for not making a single post on the subject, the footage speaks for itself... It was a real bummer Jim... Hope to see you out front next year...

[Jim Drago]

Wow... Lots in this thread. Let me say most will be disappointed in my post. I really don't have much to say.

First and most importantly, I want to congratulate Elivan and his father Ademir on the win, Andrew with a strong showing in P2 after winning last year, Voytek had a real nice run in third. Chip, finishing sixth from DFL, he is the true iron man! Lots has been said or made about what if this and what if that! Stop it please. The fact is I won test day and qualifying, last time I checked that doesn't mean much. I am proud of the pace I showed, but that is no prediction of how the race could have gone. I got my best lap while drafting Elivan Thursday, he got his best with me pushing him Thursday, in that short time I knew he would be tough to beat. Elivan is very good and very deserving. I haven't seen any video of anything, I don't intend to for awhile. It is time to get back to work. I have heard from several drivers that I respect a lot who watched the video that said Elivan drove the wheels off the car and made some unbelievable moves and passes. Ademir and I have worked together all year trying to improve both of our programs and has become a good friend. It looks like our sharing of information has paid dividends as we were the fastest car all week, Elivan won and we qualified the three fastest cars in the field. So while I take no credit in Elivans win, I was happy to see them win if we couldn't.

I wanted to publicly thank a few people. First my two teammates and friends Craig Berry and Pat Sandlin, my crew chief JB Perry. Those guys have made the season successful and a lot of fun.

Mike Rossini, a real class act, really one of the best guys involved in this class. When we blew an engine in Berrys car after a rock went through the radiator screen and radiator and had to rob our spare engine from the spare car, Mike stepped up and loaned us an engine to put in the car. He is a great guy and what this class is all about.

As far as all the drama, I am leaving it alone. I will give some facts and this is the only post I am making, PERIOD. I was protested for three things after the race. Blocking in Turn 8, Blocking and impeding the pace of 44 in turn 5 and an altercation in victory circle. All three protests were not well founded and dismissed and the protest fee was not returned.

I will only address Turn 5-6 deal as many arm chair quarterbacks feel they know something that is simply not true.
I made two pit stops to change four tires corded all the way through the steel belts. I managed to stay on the lead lap. I stayed out hoping for another yellow, if I got one I felt I could still get on the podium with enough time/laps. I was on the radio the entire time and knew EXACTLY where the leaders were at all times. When it became apparent that I was running out of laps to do anything positive for myself, I started to slow down. If anyone has a scanner, and were monitoring my radio ( as we were with a few cars all week) they would have heard what I was saying, it was not anything about car #44. It was ALL about car #02. In all likelihood this could be the last race I get to run with Chip for a long time, maybe ever. So with 5 laps or so to go, I slowed to help push Chip to the front. If I couldn't win, I wanted to get something positive out of the race. Was that unsportsmanlike, absolutely! But truthfully, life and friendship outweigh sportsmanship every time in my book.
When Elivan and Steve got to me in the mid straight, they were nose to tail, I pointed Elivan by, Steve did not go, did not try to go. "my Opinion" is he feared retaliation at 115 MPH and with walls on either side, thought better of it. He didn't go, I assumed he would? I went through five not sure where he even was, I moved drivers right up the hill to six. Steve was far drivers left, at 3/4 up the hill , I swerved the wheel in a gesture to let car 44 know I was not happy with him. Never within more than 4-5 ft of car 44. Unsportsmanlike? I'm sure you could make a case for that. But I did not impede him, touch him or effect the outcome of that race. No way. For those playing armchair quarterback, I had about 5-6 laps to come up with a plan on what to do when they caught me. If you think that was all I could come up with, while driving pace laps all by myself, you severely under estimate me. I would be lying if I said I didn't think about taking us both off, but I didn't. My next thought was to fall in line and torment the ever living hell out of him for the remaining laps of the race, which would not have been to difficult as I had pace on him all week, but again, I didn't.
The only apology I have to make here is to Chris Haldeman, while dropping back to push Chip, I did mess him up and he ran wide in six, I apologized privately and will do so here publicly, it was my mistake and I cost him a few positions, I do apologize for that. We are fine. When I got back to Chip, I found that Alex Balanos was already there lined up with Chip and as were as a few others. There was no place for me, There was no need for me. I decided to get out of the way an pull in.


Thanks for the 150+ texts,calls, FB and everything else, I appreciate them all. This was only a car race, I was over all of this about 20 minutes after the race. In the words of my good friend Mark Bennett, who could not be more right here.. "Outside me, you and about 50-60 other douche bags, no one else even knows about this race , let alone cares "

Lastly,
I am a big boy, I can protect myself in the car, on the track, off the track and certainly in this forum. If someone has an opinion, positive or negative regarding me, they are entitled to express it here with out being flamed or edited. Keep out the profanity and the post will stand. That goes for anyone.

Jim

[Jim Daniels - FIG]

Is this posted on-line to read??


Danny S...thanks for the write up. Whether intentional or not VB took you out and should be You had a legitimate shot at the championship...and podium for sure without this...just as JD2 for 1/2 a lap

On a lighter note, the broadcasters on-line pronounced your name as "Stain"...is this correct?? Or is it like a beer "stein"

I posted it here, about as online as SCCA does.

Was no letter of the law infraction 2 on 44 even after appeals. I knew that before the decision, is clear by past judgements at the event in many classes.

[Steve D]

I admit I am biased. I am acquainted with Mr. Drahgo (the 2010 pronunciation sounded much more menacing) and consider him a friend.

I was punted out of both Spec E30 qualifying races at MidO for the NASA Nationals. I can sympathize with Jim's frustration and can't imagine the restraint it took not to follow SG around and put him in a nice safe gravel trap somewhere.

I don't know SG and I realize this isn't a popularity contest, but there is a difference between being a fierce competitor and a jerk. As Lil' Jon said, "Don't start no sh*t, won't be no sh*t." SG started it and Jim refused to retaliate.

In my biased opinion, that shows HUGE class.

[Stewart Engines]

For those of you who do not know me I am Jim Stewart Owner of Stewart Engines in Indianapolis. I rarely post on forms and likely will not post here again, however I felt a public statement regarding the technical DQ of the 44 cars engine was required. I would start by thanking the SCCA workers for their effort and time in technical inspection. It is a hard job with little respect given from drivers and teams. SCCA for the first time used very specific purpose build gauges to inspect the cylinder heads per the new 2010 rules. The 44 car's head failed the gauge test which measures the radial diameter of valve guide center to combustion chamber wall by .005" of an inch. While this is a very small margin which likely made no power advantage it was clearly outside the spec of the tool used to measure this diameter.

I want to be very clear that this infraction rests entirely on my shoulders and has no reflection on Steve G David D or the rest of their team. Steve very clearly asked for a 100% legal engine. The mistake in machining and measuring solely rests with Stewart Engines as incorrect. We have made our own measuring system for this check and clearly will have to rework our tooling to a more conservative setting. Better yet I fully intend to purchase a set of the SCCA gauges to ensure 100% percent compliance in the future.

I do want to state that while I offer no excuses for infraction it was an honest mistake as I had 4 of the 5 heads in the tech and the other 2 that where checked where compliant in this area. We had never seen the tool or had the opportunity to gauge any head with it prior to 2011 tech at this event. Thus, someone always has to be first, and we will learn a valuable lesson about ensuring we use the exact tool in production as is used in the field.

With that said I owe a public apology to both Steve G and David D for my failure to give them what they asked for and deserved. Both entrusted us with the privilege of having an engine in their car, and I personally am very sorry to both for putting them through the public embarrassment for something neither of them had control over. Steve has never ask me to provide any cheater parts or work the entire 3 years we have worked together. I publicly ask that any negative comments about this be directed to Stewart Engines and not the 44 car or its crew.

For what it worth, I have worked very hard to try and build good, fast and legal engines for this class over the last several years. I was very disappointed with the tech results and had felt very confident going in we where right. To the many customers and supporters we have, please also accept my apology for this occurrence. This class only works when people play by all the rules. This is a serious matter which I give my word to all our loyal supporters will never happen again.

Jim Stewart

[davew]

I typed this entire reply last night. Then tried to attach a picture and lost the entire post. After 25 hours in impound, then having to suffer through the Bears losing to the Packers, I decided to wait untill this morning to retype.

Since Advanced had a MC race at Blackhawk the weekend before the Runoffs, we went to Road America on Friday the 16th to set-up. First order of business was registration. What a wonderfull experience. As entrant on 2 cars cars, I was able to change crew lists, pick up tech sheets, get contingency stickers and commerative photo IDs all in about 15 minutes. Kudos to the registration people.

I returned to Rain America on Sunday night. The only qualifying session that mattered was Thursday afternoon. Voytek pulled out a flyer on the last lap, to qualify 8th. Tom Brown was disappointed with a 23rd place starting spot. But things got better on Saturday. Following every qualifyer, several cars where impounded and "sealed" by the SCCA tech staff. They used various colors of a thick paint marker to insure that the bolts where not removed. Multiple bolts where sealed; Intake manifolds, exhaust manifolds, throttle bodys, oil pans etc, where all marked. The system was well run and well recieved by every competitor I talked to.

Lots of MAN DRAMA going on. Both on track and off. I stayed away from all of it.

Tom Brown drove a smooth steady race, moving from 23rd to 10th at the finish. Eventually moving to 8th in tech.

Voytek was unusually quiet on the radio. His only comment was, "Tell Danny I'm sorry". After they touched. His 5th place on track earned us a trip to the tech shed.

Top 6 cars where weighed and had fuel samples taken. Positions 4, 5 and 6 where pushed aside and told to wait. Top 3 cars where given lists as to what was to be inspected. Elivans dad, Ademir, is a good parts customer of Advanced Autosports. Since they did not have crew capable of tearing down the motor, he hired us to take the motor apart.

The first place list was:
Restrictor plate
throttle body
Intake manifold
Exhaust manifold
down pipe
cylinder head
remove all valves from #3 cylinder
bore and stroke
Cam shafts
inspection of block
left front shock
right front shock
flywheel
sway bar thickness
Brake rotor diameter

I believe the 2nd place list was similar if not identical.

The 3rd place list, as we found out later, was:
restrictor plate
Throttle body
remove intake manifold
remove exhaust manifold
remove down pipe
bore and stroke
inspect head ports
left front shock
right rear shock
sway bar thickness
brake rotor diameter

Both Elivan and Steve's motors where out and apart quickly. Sammy had the 3rd place list and was also apart quickly. Then the drama started. Rumors flew of multiple driving protests and at least one part found non compliant. About 6pm, we where told to do the "3rd place list" and Sammy was told to remove and disaasemble his engine. Jeff Labounty started pulling Andrews motor. About 7:15 we were told to call it a night. I was assured the building would be secure and safe for the night.

We arrived back at the track about 7:45 on Sunday morning. Sammy and Jeff finished their disassembly work. While the rest of us sat around and waited. The drama continued as Sammy was told about his shocks and Steve about his cylinder head issues. After multiple discussions the final decision was made.

About lunch time the air horn sounded and the official presentation was made. Except none of the drivers where present!!!! The official victory photo is of the three mechanics, Ademir, Jeff and myself in front of the victory banner.

I have been critical of the SCCA tech staff in the past. This time, I could not be more pleased with the professionalism of the entire group, especially Jon Bauer. They where helpfull when needed, informative when possible and secretive when appropriate. My thanks to Jon and his staff. Both the Topeka based staff and the numurous volunteers.

I had a great time with my friends from OPM Autosports (aka Advanced Autosports South) and Meathead racing (AKA Advanced Autosports East) and all the customers whom I can now put a face to the voice.

Thank you to all the Advanced drivers who came to Road America to offer support to Tom and Voytek. Tom and Kieth who drove 3 hours on motorcycles in the rain, Scott, Bruce (the son), Bruce (the dad), Mitch, Danny, Blake, Stephany, Adam, and Ken.

My biggest Thanks goes to the Advanced crew, who gave me 2 cars that needed virtually no work all week long. Brian, Chris, Mike, Tyler, Megan and Ann.

Congrats to all the drivers and crew who particpated. Thank You to all the workers who come out so we have a place to race.

Dave

[Marc Cefalo]

For what it worth, I have worked very hard to try and build good, fast and legal engines for this class over the last several years. I was very disappointed with the tech results and had felt very confident going in we where right. To the many customers and supporters we have, please also accept my apology for this occurrence. This class only works when people play by all the rules. This is a serious matter which I give my word to all our loyal supporters will never happen again.

Jim Stewart

Planet Miata has used Stewart for it's Spec Miata and ITA engines the last three years. I have met with Jim personally, along with the guys in the shop and am confident that what's under my hood and everyone of our customer's cars is legit. We WILL continue to use him for engines in the future. Jim is a class act. We are all human and mistakes do happen. It's how we carry ourselves off the track and in the public eye that matters the most.

[FTodaro]

Jim I think the folks who know you, know that you are credible, stand up, engine builder. From my own experience with you and your passion for getting it right, I am sure you would have been right on the money had there tool been available to you. As painful as it is for any of us to admit our mistakes or surprises as it were in this case, it was the right thing to clear the air.

I will be doing business with you shortly, look forward to it.

[Mitch Reading]

Dave, great write up and appreciate the time you took to share some of the tech details with those of us that were not there.

[Danny Steyn]

Dave, great write up and appreciate the time you took to share some of the tech details with those of us that were not there.

+1 thanks Dave

[tony senese]

My thanks to all the intrepid Runoffs reporters, I wish I had been there, maybe next year....

And I would like to say publicly..... how do these dang northeasterners get so dang fast!!!!!