263 replies to this topic

[BreathlessPerformance]

It was much more enjoyable being off track! So post that Vid already dude!

The racing video is still uploading. The qualifying video has been up and you can clearly see the braking and corning differances.

Ernie Francis

[TheStig]

It was much more enjoyable being off track! So post that Vid already dude!

Watch the qualifying video till the race vid gets posted eventually. The qualifying vid has all you need to know about the other drivers driving.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I have watched it, but to me qualifying and racing are two different things... Qualifying is about finding the space to run a fast lap, racing is about race craft, and consistency. Much easier to get the Pole than to win a race IMO.

Stig, everyone in qualifying doesnt try to drive a fast lap everlap, like they do in a race. If they blow a lap they will relax and reset. Surly Sr. knows that with 25 years experience, so braking points and blah blah blah in a qualifier mean nothing to me. The race Vid will truly show, nobody is gonna jsut let you pass in a race if they have a competitve nature like I know those that were on track DO! In qualifying, only a fool will race you hard.

[pitbull113]

oh boy this is great!!!

[High Chair]

That is pretty much the funniest (and true) thing I have ever seen. Thank you

[High Chair]

Wow

What! Just because you won a National your to good for the rest of us? Are you now some kind of expert? LOL!!!! Seriously these guys have the best threads. I always feel as if I am walking towards a bright light only to find out it is a train coming the other way. And I thought Jerry Springer was full of Sh@t. .

[High Chair]

" It was great meeting you guys at Daytona too. The race was awesome and glad we got to race the Mazda 2 the weekend before at FARA for over 4 hrs for some seat time in the rain. Most all the racers there were great except a couple that should stick to rear wheel drive miatas or get more practice time in a front wheel drive car especially in the rain. The mini cars were fast on the straight but we had them in the braking and exit speed. Our big advantage is we got a lot of practice the weekend before. I'm glad I went to Mazda instead of the Ford. The Ford drivers need to read the book the art of racing in the rain. They brake way too early. We will be in NJ for the next race in a few weeks. "

Mazda Rules.

Ernie Francis
2012 Grand Am Season Opener Sportman Series Winner






Man you guys sure like to brag and rub it in everyone's faces. Show up to the runoffs and we'll see if there is another post after that race LOL.

I would love to see that little legal Miata show up anywhere other than NASA Florida. Going to the runoffs would be priceless.

[BreathlessPerformance]

I would love to see that little legal Miata show up anywhere other than NASA Florida. Going to the runoffs would be priceless.

That little Miata will be at the NASA nationals along with his 1999 Miata and the B-Spec in its own class to run. He will decide there on which Miata to run. He is too young to run SCCA. So you will have your chance to run him at Mid Ohio...

But there you go again getting off the subject of this topic where the Mazda 2 was accused of being illegal becouse we won the race.

Ernie Francis

[BreathlessPerformance]

Here is the lap chart from the race. By the way Robbie drove great.

http://www.grand-am....aceLapchart.pdf

Ernie Francis

[Glenn]

Just as a point of reference, I won the Regional at Blackhawk Farms on Sunday. Set a new track record leading green to checkers.

Dave

p.s. I was the only car in class !!!!!!!

Dave for Club PREZ!!!!!!! With that much talent you deserve to be.... LOL

[Jim Drago]

The racing video is still uploading. The qualifying video has been up and you can clearly see the braking and corning differances.

Ernie Francis

Ernie
You do realize that your car was 275 lbs lighter than the Fords right? If you aren't out braking them with the same brakes we have a serious problem?? Put 275 lbs in the car and let me know how much better you brake and handle.

Congratulations on your win.

You are giving the impression that you won on solely superior driving talent, you shouldn't have to explain yourself, but you keep going on and on. As I advised in the SM thread.. Do your talking on track.

If you really feel you are 2+ seconds faster than Todd or Chip, I am sure either will swap rides for a session and I can assure you that you will not be 2+ seconds faster in any condition, at any track. Not saying you will be slower or faster. The car is a huge part of the equation, I think we all realize that, however you apparently don't or don't want to factor it in to the equation. You don't need to apologize for your car, but nor should you completely dismiss it and claim it was all driver skill etc. I for one have never won a race where my car wasn't one of the best , if not the best on track.


Also, thank you for all the additional hits, I just tripled the advertising rates

[dstevens]

The racing video is still uploading. The qualifying video has been up and you can clearly see the braking and corning differances.

Ernie Francis

You should have Joe and JD give you a bit more money so you can get a modern internet connection and a Vimeo Pro account so it doesn't take forever and a day to upload.

[BreathlessPerformance]

Ernie
You do realize that your car was 275 lbs lighter than the Fords right? If you aren't out braking them with the same brakes we have a serious problem?? Put 275 lbs in the car and let me know how much better you brake and handle.

Congratulations on your win.

You are giving the impression that you won on solely superior driving talent, you shouldn't have to explain yourself, but you keep going on and on. As I advised in the SM thread.. Do your talking on track.

If you really feel you are 2+ seconds faster than Todd or Chip, I am sure either will swap rides for a session and I can assure you that you will not be 2+ seconds faster in any condition, at any track. Not saying you will be slower or faster. The car is a huge part of the equation, I think we all realize that, however you apparently don't or don't want to factor it in to the equation. You don't need to apologize for your car, but nor should you completely dismiss it and claim it was all driver skill etc. I for one have never won a race where my car wasn't one of the best , if not the best on track.

In that case what was the deal with the other Mazda 2 running 1 to 2 seconds slower then our Mazda? Why is it at the world challenge that they were very close between all the cars? Either way we will be at the next Grand Am race in NJ and we will see what happens there. Grand Am and world Challenge did take a lot of time to get the cars to equal out are they wrong? Maybe Chip and Todd should get Mazda 2 instead of the Ford. I drive the Mazda and love the handling of the car and will not drive the Ford. The last world challenge race the Mazda came in second not first. But then again they felt the ford was better thats why they built it and our decision was the Mazda. At this point the right decision. i am not saying that I am a better driver at all the tracks and conditions. i just was at Homestead for the grand Prix. they could beat me at some other tracks like I could beat them at others. No one is a better driver at all tracks.

The winners of any particular event are the better drivers for that day and thats why they won. and if that was not the case why would someone get first place?


Ernie Francis

[DES4]

Also, thank you for all the additional hits, I just tripled the advertising rates

Ah, yes. The lax moderation is making sense now...

[Matthew VanVurst]

Y

[FTodaro]

This has been more entertaining than the winter discussion about the new wts and plates. Thanks EF. I just reloaded the popcorn bowl.

Sometimes its not what you say, its how you say it. or in this case both.

[Matthew VanVurst]

I completely forgot that my brother ( who can't drive in the rain) and John Hienriecy lapped the entire field at the Runoff's with Chip in a T1 Viper with no ABS and no Traction Control in the pouring rain.

Google it Ernie it's a good read.

P.S I forgot again Kumho was his sponser that year and didn't make a full wet tire...Facts don't lie, people do!!!!

[BreathlessPerformance]

Hey thats a rear wheel drive car not a front wheel drive. They are two differant cars to drive. Now what want me to post pics of me racing the Corvettes???

i remember in this race Chip spinning out several times in front of me. One is already up on video. Why do you keep starting with this? He lost in this event and thats it.

Ernie

[Zauskycop]

Okay Ernie...since you don't seem to "get it"..perhaps an example of modesty would be in order.

From you last statement....reworded humbly...

"That's a great drive in a tough car to drive in the rain...obviously he has some skill, but maybe he was out of practice with a FWD car.

I remember in this race Chip spun a few times in front of me...it looked like he may have been having issues driving that car. I'm happy to win and maybe next event he will be more in touch with that car...which will make it tougher for me.":

...humble

[BreathlessPerformance]

Okay Ernie...since you don't seem to "get it"..perhaps an example of modesty would be in order.

From you last statement....reworded humbly...

"That's a great drive in a tough car to drive in the rain...obviously he has some skill, but maybe he was out of practice with a FWD car.

I remember in this race Chip spun a few times in front of me...it looked like he may have been having issues driving that car. I'm happy to win and maybe next event he will be more in touch with that car...which will make it tougher for me.":

...humble

Yes I could be more humble but when someone tries to knock me out of the track in a pace lap its over. Two can play at that game. i kept my cool and did not go after him after that. I figured to beat him would be better. I can understand in the race to hit by accident but not before the race starts. That is not very professional. I have not sent that video to Grand Am to review.

Thats what I said in the first post that he needed more practice but his brother keeps bringing this back up that he didnt need it. Practice Practice Practice. He should have been at the track the week before running the car like we did.

Ernie Francis