507 replies to this topic

[Tom Sager]

Well, there is a lot that can still be said about this event overall. It certainly provides the opportunity for both highs and lows and as a group we saw plenty of both during the week. As for the first lap incident that ended Jim Drago's chances for a win or a hard fought finish, it's hard to believe that the rumors of bad intentions played out in the race the way they did. I haven't seen the video but it's a big a leap for me to think the incident was simply a coincidence. It'll be interesting to see it later on the video. 3 of the top 6 cars were helped off the track (twice for me) which is a mess in my book. While the contact I received was not intentional in either case, it did result from low percentage moves. Just like many sports, racing is a game of inches.

The lows as I saw them...
1. The end result for me after a well executed qualifying effort.
2. The food at the Ostoff gathering.
3. The schedule. Too many days. The event needs a major revision in my book scheduling-wise.
4. Family scheduling conflicts. My wife and kids were not able to attend at all this year and I missed some good stuff at home.


The highs in no particular order...
1. Pizza at DeO'malleys Pizza Pub in Plymouth. It has a good East coast flavor and the right crust. Sorry, but other than the Chicago deep dish stuff, Midwestern pizza is usally lousy. The thin crust variety you often get is barely good enough to catch the oil leaks from under a vintage Porsche.
2. Meeting Danny Steyn and Brian Ghidinelli. Look forward to seeing you both again.
3. Good camaraderie with a number of people during the week. Too many to mention. There are always friends in the paddock and people willing to help in any way.
4. The fabulous support from my friend and crew Mike Tesch. He was good enough to be the Grand-Am crew chief for Boris Said for 2 seasons. He's certainly good enough for any of us. My car and equipment are always well prepared.
5. Drafting help from the East Street guys. Everyone needs a couple partners out there and I was fortunate to have great track position all though qualifying.
6. Putting the car on the third row for the race. Now my brother can get off my ass about me being a crappy qualifier.
7. My brother coming in from AZ to help and watch. He's not the one that gives me shyt. He waxed the car like never before.
8. Less is more. Chip, Voytek and Elivan doing so well while missing much of the event.
9. The new Two And A Half Men. The writers did a decent job on the new episode. Will see for how long they can sustain it.
10.The workers. I thought the event ran very smoothly aside from the chaos we caused.
11.Not meeting Andrew Charbonneau. I have formed an impression from his posts and I want to hang on to it for as long as possible.
12.Tire wear. It was a non-issue with the cool weather and I've got enough tires left for an entire NASA season.
13.Helping Drago's crew JB negotiate a bonus with the big boss.
14.Finding a couple local events on the schedule in October which will provide a chance to end the season on a higher note.
15.Coming to work this morning. It really felt good.
16.Mazda of course for the great and ongoing support.

While I agree with Jim D. that in the grand scheme of things not many care what we do. I consider us the lucky ones. If they all knew how much fun this can be and had the means to do it, it wouldn't be so special.

[jguthrie]

Amen brother, we are the lucky ones , even at the regional level.

[pitbull113]

http://youtu.be/c0ePcOAXW1s
Another view of the Drago/Gorilla incident. Clearly NOT a block. My apologies Jim.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

http://youtu.be/c0ePcOAXW1s
Another view of the Drago/Gorilla incident. Clearly NOT a block. My apologies Jim.

not just Clearly not a block BUT CLEARLY CONTACT INITIATED BY THE OTHER CAR! just as it was seen live

[pitbull113]

not just Clearly not a block BUT CLEARLY CONTACT INITIATED BY THE OTHER CAR! just as it was seen live

I disagree the view form the broadcast looked like Jim was moving over alittle to block. Even after the replay the broadcasters said it looked like Jim moved over on gorilla. Moot point really as the video i linked to clearly showed it was all gorilla's fault. But you can't leave it at that right?

[Andy Bettencourt]

Looks like Jim moved over to put Steve in an spot he wouldn't want to be in going into that corner. Gave him enough room and it was a sly (good) move. He then seemed to drift a touch right in anticipation for the corner and then WHAMO, he got hit. Not his issue IMHO.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I disagree the view form the broadcast looked like Jim was moving over alittle to block. Even after the replay the broadcasters said it looked like Jim moved over on gorilla. Moot point really as the video i linked to clearly showed it was all gorilla. But you can't leave it at that right?

I just didn't see it that way, and I saw it coming as soon as it was happening, I just find it unfortunate that you voiced an opinion that you have had to recant. But it is over and done now, and I dont have any dog in the fight, other than I think Jim conducted himself much better than I possibly could have conducted myself if put in the same situation. I also feel bad it came to a suspension to someone who obviously feels very passionate about SM and racing, so passionate that he may have let his emotions get the best of him. I really have nothing personally bad to say about Steve himself, he was a gentleman, saying hello to all as he walked by on my first trip to Watkins Glen. That was a very nice first impression!

[pitbull113]

I just didn't see it that way, and I saw it coming as soon as it was happening, I just find it unfortunate that you voiced an opinion that you have had to recant. But it is over and done now, and I dont have any dog in the fight, other than I think Jim conducted himself much better than I possibly could have conducted myself if put in the same situation. I also feel bad it came to a suspension to someone who obviously feels very passionate about SM and racing, so passionate that he may have let his emotions get the best of him. I really have nothing personally bad to say about Steve himself, he was a gentleman, saying hello to all as he walked by on my first trip to Watkins Glen. That was a very nice first impression!

Then all's good. Now we can go all back to talking about how the 1.6 is at a disadvantage at RA.....

[MPR22]

I disagree the view form the broadcast looked like Jim was moving over alittle to block. Even after the replay the broadcasters said it looked like Jim moved over on gorilla. Moot point really as the video i linked to clearly showed it was all gorilla's fault. But you can't leave it at that right?

Thanks for posting the video.
Many times the person in front looks like he moves into the contact because just before you see the smoking tires the front of the car starts to gently come around, once the traction is lost the turn becomes very abrupt. Indy race a few weeks back had the same thing occur, the announcers were adamant that Dario Franchitti moved over and blocked the driver (I forgot which one)and initiated the contact, but in post race interviews the forgoton driver, admitted he hit Franchitti and was very appologetic. Video angles are tricky and are not always the best evidence. This angle shows Jim holding his "defensive line" and getting turned. From a skill stand point SG's manuvere was incredibly skillful, difficult to dispatch your victim and not take yourself out with the same manuver.
Turn 5 of the first lap doesn't qualify as blocking for those of you who feel blockers should be punted. Block me once shame on you, block me twice and off you go is fine my me but not on opening lap.
Mr. Drago,
Very sorry to see your race, money, hard work go up in smoke because of a move like that. "Thats just racin" doesn't begin to cover chicken "bleep" driving like that.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Then all's good. Now we can go all back to talking about how the 1.6 is at a disadvantage at RA.....

whats this about the 1.6? disadvantage? I always heard that it's cause only 99's show up over there, does RA limit the number of 1.6's that are aloud to enter the race? LOL it's all good SAE, I dont even want to think abotu those 1.6's. I wouldnt even know where to check the oil on that old of a car???

[FTodaro]

Turn 5 of the first lap doesn't qualify as blocking for those of you who feel blockers should be punted. Block me once shame on you, block me twice and off you go is fine my me but not on opening lap.

I could not agree more with this statement on first lap conduct. I was served a one race suspension for contact in the second turn of the first green lap at a NASA race. Nasa has there screwed up rule that if the car overtaking gets his door to your front wheel that can go to the apex and just leave you 3/4 of the track, in other words require you to go two wheels int he dirt. I think on the opening lap or at least till it sorts out that the simple rule should be racing room required to be given which is what SCCA's rule is and what #2 gave plenty of to #44.

Silver red car, I am trying to hold the line and get the At Fault for the contract with the red car and a suspension to boot. Turn 8 (madness Mid O)

[Andy Bettencourt]

I could not agree more with this statement on first lap conduct. I was served a one race suspension for contact in the second turn of the first green lap at a NASA race. Nasa has there screwed up rule that if the car overtaking gets his door to your front wheel that can go to the apex and just leave you 3/4 of the track, in other words require you to go two wheels int he dirt. I think on the opening lap or at least till it sorts out that the simple rule should be racing room required to be given which is what SCCA's rule is and what #2 gave plenty of to #44.

Silver red car, I am trying to hold the line and get the At Fault for the contract with the red car and a suspension to boot. Turn 8 (madness Mid O)

I see the red car not give the silver car enough room where there was plenty. Silver car turns right to stay on track and red car is there and really shouldn't be.

[James York]

Thanks for posting the video.
..... From a skill stand point SG's manuvere was incredibly skillful, difficult to dispatch your victim and not take yourself out with the same manuver.....

Here is a flash from the past of that same driver using his "skill". It must have been practiced some since 2010 Runoffs as it produced the desired result this year.

[Brian Linn]

Just wanted to give my congrats to Elivan for winning another Runoffs gold. Impressive to win the Runoffs once, especially in SCCA's most competitive class - but to have two other wins in a class that couldn't be further away from SM (F500)is an impressive feat. You earned it.

I could give my 2¢ on the contact, but not much point to it. It sucks for all involved, especially the guy that was fastest all week. That's the Runoffs - where you whole season can be ruined in a second by a broken part, changing weather, a driver error or ______ (fill in the blank). No amount of finger pointing is going to fix it.

Thanks to those who provided detail reports and videos from the race - those insights add a lot for those of us who weren't there.

11.Not meeting Andrew Charbonneau. I have formed an impression from his posts and I want to hang on to it for as long as possible.

+1

[Rob Burgoon]

Silver red car, I am trying to hold the line and get the At Fault for the contract with the red car and a suspension to boot. Turn 8 (madness Mid O)

You absolutely deserved it and you STILL don't understand the NASA rules. RTFRB.

As soon as your nose gets ahead, the other guy is your 3/4 bitch.

Now back to your regularly scheduled Runoffs programming.

[Zauskycop]

ROFL!!! OMG JD seems to have a bit of a sense of humor about him about this whole incident. If you haven't seen the wheels and tires section in the Classifieds

[john mueller]

ROFL!!! OMG JD seems to have a bit of a sense of humor about him about this whole incident. If you haven't seen the wheels and tires section in the Classifieds

http://mazdaracers.c...tem&item_id=671

MOST EXCELLENT !!!

[Bench Racer]

ROFL!!! OMG JD seems to have a bit of a sense of humor about him about this whole incident. If you haven't seen the wheels and tires section in the Classifieds

Good one Tracy, they show a tiny right hand slide. that's not the fast way around the track.

[Kyle Burkhardt]

As soon as your nose gets ahead, the other guy is your 3/4 bitch.

You sure about that? I'm losing track of sarcasm v. truth v. opinion v. fact in this thread. NASA rule is you have to COMPLETE the pass (your rear past his nose) before he becomes your 3/4 bitch.

[Glenn]

http://mazdaracers.com/index.php?app=classifieds&module=core&do=view_item&item_id=671

MOST EXCELLENT !!!

You should have heard the Thump Thump as he went down pit road.