101 replies to this topic

[KentCarter]

I always feel sorry for stellar young talent like this fellow. In some ways they'd be much better off without parents on the sidelines.

[LarryKing]

I always feel sorry for stellar young talent like this fellow. In some ways they'd be much better off without parents on the sidelines

That statement makes absolutely no sense to me. Does that apply to all parents who support their children's pursuits?

[guest driver]

surprised to see such a tempest in a tea pot ... chill pill time.

go back and read the first post on this topic by the young lad ... he's just havin some fun, everyone here getting all bent out of shape ...
This 14 yr old kid is fast, smooth and consistant, didn't hit nobody, had a great race against his friend, end of story.
The kid can drive and should be encouraged. Whether the car or motor will survive a complete teardown is irrelevant.
The father got the kid to where he's at, knows better than most what he has to do going foward.

Reminds me of 6 years ago when another young talent debuted in SM, came out in a lime green 1.6, blew everyone away, heard the same story. That kid's now a veteren 21 yr old Grand Am Conti race winner, laughs about his days in SM, all those old farts who can't drive worth a crap. At least these kids don't beat n' bang into others.
hmmm ...

Lesson to be learned: never ever again post an unedited video, nothing to gain as everyone here on this website is already a stellar pro driver,

[john mueller]

Ernie Sr & Jr.
No doubt the Jr. has talent, the dude can wheel a race car. However, that pass for that win just doesn't pass this communities 'smell' test. That's all.

On this forum there are tens-of-thousands-of-hours of collective experience focused solely on SM cars, and everything involved with racing them. So, no need to explain why you were quick or how to prep or what was done behind the wheel.... This community also knows when something 'smells off' and when someone has the stuff to drive them. In this case both seem to be in play, the kid sure can drive but the car smells a too stout.

I'm sure you run a highly professional business and you know your way around race cars. I appreciate Breathless involvement in FL club racing and bringing so many cars to NASA events. So as a leader of the NASA SM family, my advice to you is if that car was 101% legit then ignore all this noise and keep on keepin' on, pull that drive-line and sign-up early for the 2013 NASA Nationals. But, if the grey areas have been explored a little closer to the dark side with any component on that car then I'd still ignore the noise and make it right for the next event (and leave it that way for you & Jr's reputation).

The only way to make the bad smell go away is to let the talent behind the wheel shine through.... And then that is when this community will stand-up and applaud and even help move-up if that is the goal.

[Rob Burgoon]

That statement makes absolutely no sense to me. Does that apply to all parents who support their children's pursuits?

Nope, just too many. As much as I can't stand Elliot's conduct, to his credit he never had family butting in.

[LarryKing]

Smells like: "He must be cheatin, cause he beat me, and I'm cheatin"

[Johnny D]

Come on guys, stop stirring the pot.
J~

[Zauskycop]

Last little straight to the finish...did I see the tach go to 7500 rpm? Just sayin'....

[JRHille]

Those 2nd to 3rd shifts sound really nice, wish I could do that!

[Alex Bolanos]

So as a leader of the NASA SM family...

John,

As you may or may not know, nothing at all was teched on this car other than weight. The other four cars in the top 5 had their plates checked, tech stated they lacked the knowledge and tools to perform any tech on a 1.6. Has NASA FL contacted National for help? Kid's got talent no doubt but the car is extremely questionable.

[pat slattery]

Jr., nice drive, I dont think people are doubting your ability to drive. 14 years old or 50 years, it take skill and courage to go head to tail at 120+

Keep up the good work!

[CarbonRacer]

After reading all the posts I will upload my front and rear videos on the forum from Saturday's race that I won and Ernie Jr. finish 2nd. I will leave it up to the racing community to review my videos and make any follow up comments.

[William Bonsell]

For this kids age he does a pretty decent job behind the wheel. The driving was good...but not perfect. Some early turn ins and not using all the track but for 14 - exceptional. The ability of this 1.6 to close on any straight is impressive to say the least. I have watched a ton of video over the past three years, and it's very very strong. I did notice the gauges at the final 4th to 5th upshift....7400/7500 rpm, 113/114 mph but no rev limiter. Have always thought 110 was about max in a 1.6 before rev limiter in 4th gear. Just an observation... Can you achieve those terminal velocity numbers with fuel and tuning?

But I still think he needs a better camera setup if he is going to continue to post video, which after this, this poor young fellow may reconsider.

[john mueller]

John,
As you may or may not know, nothing at all was teched on this car other than weight. The other four cars in the top 5 had their plates checked, tech stated they lacked the knowledge and tools to perform any tech on a 1.6. Has NASA FL contacted National for help? Kid's got talent no doubt but the car is extremely questionable.

Alex;
Tech in each region for regional events are run by the region. NASA 'National' provides documentation and guidance but usually nothing more unless requested by the regional competitors. Consequently this post has shed light on a problem I feel needs some 'National' attention, which is a lack of SM compliance testing in the FL region (and I'm talking for all cars)... The previous regional teams have tried but from what I've learned over the past 24hrs this has been an issue for a while. I'm sorry and I truly hope to help change it (but last year slowing down NB's took a lot time & attention ).

I will be contacting Jon Felton (NASA FL Regional Director), Patrick Wehmeyer (NASA FL Asst Race Director) to see what I can do to help raise the quality of tech and encourage their involvement.

I do want to point out this is not a witch hunt. Tech is there for every competitor in the field, if it is broken it fails everyone... My hope is to make tech more consistent so these discussions (slamming drivers & teams) don't gather much steam.

[wheel]

"I always feel sorry for stellar young talent like this fellow. In some ways they'd be much better off without parents on the sidelines."

The poor SOB. Man, I really, really feel sorry for him. Total parent support, tons of talent, young, racing with good equipment. He should just walk away and get a job mowing lawns for gas money.

wheel

[CarbonRacer]

Attached are my videos of Saturday's race front and rear view. I won the race BARELY and Ernie Jr. finished 2nd. I will leave it up to the more experienced drivers to make their comments. What bothered me a little bit was almost getting taken out NASCAR style coming out of Turn 4 while I was holding my line.

My observations:

- Closing speed when I shifted into 5th gear in the middle of Turn 3 - 4.
- My 5th gear shift cannot exceed 105 mph.
- My car is a 1997 which has the same Drag Coefficient as the 1.6.

We have pilots and others on here that know a lot more about aoredynamics than I do but here is my research on Drag Coefficient on our cars.

1990 - 1997 Miata - 0.38 Drag Coefficient
1999 - 2001 Miata - 0.36
Toyota Prius - 0.25
Hummer H2 - 0.57

[KentCarter]

"I always feel sorry for stellar young talent like this fellow. In some ways they'd be much better off without parents on the sidelines."

The poor SOB. Man, I really, really feel sorry for him. Total parent support, tons of talent, young, racing with good equipment. He should just walk away and get a job mowing lawns for gas money.

wheel

If Dad would just do that part and not get involved in the sideline stuff, the talented kid would be much better off. This kid has a great future, I think. Unless his father gets him a reputation as a cheater or terrible to be around.

[CarbonRacer]

Something happened to the attached videos. Here they are again.

Rear View


Front View
http://youtu.be/SZZI7vi_Tlw

[High Chair]

I vote we kill this thread. Most of us know what happened and who is really responsible for that car. Any car that comes out of that shop will be suspect for a long-time and we have more than enough resources to have it brought home in a box if need be. They will get very little leeway down here in Florida going forward. We all know the kid can drive and it won't be long before we are racing door to door with him in a car he can be proud of. For now I think we should give this up and coming driver a break as everything that needs to be said has been said.
JR this was not about your ability or character; neither of which is in question. As soon as your car is reexamined (changes made) and your fellow drivers feel as if you are within the rules all will be forgotten. Most of the drivers that run up front have pushed beyond the gray areas before being brought back by fellow drivers; thats how Spec Miata works. Your shop was not the first one to go down this road and it won't be the last. I would suggest at this point you pull your video offline as these types of situations can drag on for a while. It does not mean you admit to anything it just would save you grief. I would also take Drago's advice; he has been around a longtime. Over and out!

[Zauskycop]

I agree...I think it has all been said. Ernie Jr, you have a bright future and are a good driver....