428 replies to this topic

[DDG]

Craig, I've had customers up front fron 1992. Money dosn't matter? It matters what name is on a tire when your buying new tires every two sessions? And you'll have problems with set-up / testing with something as simple as SM? ....Please.

There has been and will be some political bullshit at the races. At the Runoffs the last three years in SM it has been multiplied by 10. The car count reflects that. And your Sebring car count reflects that it snows in half the country. And as I mentioned to Jim in a personal email the motors / tires / money / "teams" will turn SM into FP. Yes, the 50th should be special.

[Craig Berry]

Craig, I've had customers up front fron 1992. Money dosn't matter? It matters what name is on a tire when your buying new tires every two sessions? And you'll have problems with set-up / testing with something as simple as SM? ....Please.

There has been and will be some political bullshit at the races. At the Runoffs the last three years in SM it has been multiplied by 10. The car count reflects that. And your Sebring car count reflects that it snows in half the country. And as I mentioned to Jim in a personal email the motors / tires / money / "teams" will turn SM into FP. Yes, the 50th should be special.

I hope you realize I never said money doesn't matter. I think we all know it matters in many things in life, for good or bad. All I was trying to say was as well as money, hard work, and planning matters. Obviously I think money matters... I just stated I cannot run both series because of money.
I am not going to argue about what is better.... I really don't kno or care. All I kno is when I go to the track I want to br prepared (or not go), and race against good drivers. The badge on the suit means nothing to me. You are debating the wrong person because I don't care... I just want to race.

[dbednarz]

Move the race to COTA and they will have to turn away entries.

If the Runoffs move to Austin, Watkins Glen, VIR, or Road Atlanta, there will be 60+ entries, just like Road America had the second year.

Then, when reality hits that highly prepared teams still are three seconds a lap faster than the no prep guys, the no prep guys give up and go home, instead of raising their own prep level with parts, alignment, and dyno time that is generally available.

SM is the best class and has the best parity in club racing. The top 14 SM cars had best race laps within 1.2 seconds of each other. Or go into STU, or a class that Scott Tucker is in, and see pole sitters that are two to three seconds ahead of the next car.

David Bednarz
Spec Miata #68
Runoffs Participant 2005,2006, 2009-2012

[pat slattery]

If the Runoffs move to Austin, Watkins Glen, VIR, or Road Atlanta, there will be 60+ entries, just like Road America had the second year.

Then, when reality hits that highly prepared teams still are three seconds a lap faster than the no prep guys, the no prep guys give up and go home, instead of raising their own prep level with parts, alignment, and dyno time that is generally available.

SM is the best class and has the best parity in club racing. The top 14 SM cars had best race laps within 1.2 seconds of each other. Or go into STU, or a class that Scott Tucker is in, and see pole sitters that are two to three seconds ahead of the next car.

David Bednarz
Spec Miata #68
Runoffs Participant 2005,2006, 2009-2012

I heard that Mr. Tucker is building a 99 Dave

[Jim Drago]

I heard that Mr. Tucker is building a 99 Dave

We all would welcome the challenge, that's why we all race isn't it? I think he may find SM a little tougher than his other hand picked classes .

[Cnj]

We all would welcome the challenge, that's why we all race isn't it? I think he may find SM a little tougher than his other hand picked classes .

Never mind Mr. Tucker joining our class, I hear that Mr. Schumacher is looking around.

Cnj

[DDG]

Craig, not debating. I just want to race as well. NASA this year (my first time) had a good class schedule. They delt with the hits swiftly, correctly. The cars went on a dyno and everyone saw the numbers. Mike did a good job with tech. We went home. Minimal political bullshit.

That's why I'll go to Miller with one or two customers this year and not Road America. If you need that push taken out of your car, give me a call.

[Craig Berry]

Craig, not debating. I just want to race as well. NASA this year (my first time) had a good class schedule. They delt with the hits swiftly, correctly. The cars went on a dyno and everyone saw the numbers. Mike did a good job with tech. We went home. Minimal political bullshit.

That's why I'll go to Miller with one or two customers this year and not Road America. If you need that push taken out of your car, give me a call.

I hate the Drama/Bullshit as well (have enough of that at work). I also cant think of anyone better than Mike to run tech. Thanks for the help offer, if Drago cant get my car up to speed soon , you will def be on my shortlist of who to call!!

[JMorris]

Miller

I was way too impressed with NASA in Ohio this year. Way too dissapointed with SCCA's freak show in the last two Runoffs. Most of you know the story why.

Danny, Time to break the news to Tom.

David
Driven Performance

Wasn't your driver the "freak" in the "freak" show?
From all accounts, your not coming back to the Runoffs because the SCCA showed you the door for a year, after the kid embarrassed you guys on track. . Since SCCA started sealing the cars, you guys went from two seconds faster than the field to fifth on the grid, You finally got caught cheating and your driver was suspended for a year. It is no surprise you are bitter with SCCA and like NASA better all of a sudden. How will long will it take for them to tire of your dog and pony show? A whole new place to play with your bag of tricks. No sealing, no invasive tech, sounds like a real Championship. You guys will rule until they start invasive tech, then you will be sent packing again. You two leaving the SCCA will be the best thing that could happen, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

J~

[DDG]

Not embarrassed at all. I'm the guy that has been asking for sealed motors every year at the runoffs. Jim and Mike can cover me there. Also this year Craig and Jim got nailed for the same relief cut with the same tool. I protested the tool for the same reason Jim did hence my earlier comment that the tool will finaly get fixed. Do you drink too much?

[suck fumes]

I heard that Mr. Tucker is building a 99 Dave

If that's true then all of you better sell your house an put it into testing and development for the Miata. Lol!!!!!

Remember this is the same guy that spent close to 1 million dollars on testing motors/parts/wind tunnel! On his D sports racer and it showed! 3 seconds ahead of second place in qualifying by yourself at RA is unbelievable. Bring on COTA it's 15 min from my house. Whoop!

[Jim Drago]

Jim and Craig were not "nailed" with ANYTHING, nor did Jim and Craig have to protest anything, including the tool. Mike's account of tech was spot on. I do agree the tool can be and should be improved.

[DrDomm]

On the topic of Scott Tucker (which I know was a joke), he also ran GT2 in a "Spec" Porsche 911 Cup car. While his "Spec" car was about 4mph faster in the traps, he only qualified about 5th, and spun on his own in Turn 5. I don't think the top Spec Miata shops and top SM drivers should be worried.

And btw, when he spun the entire grandstand started clapping.

[DDG]

So Jim , nailed is a bad word. Tech sent you to the tin boxes on the hill where they decided the slop in the valve stem was the culprit with the relief measurement. It didn't, does not matter. You won. With the same team effort Craig will win next year. Good Job.

[wheel]

The cars were completely compliant in every way, in every test throughout the week.

[Bench Racer]

The relief cut tool has it's 2nd strike. Is a 3rd strike required before a change is implemented or is a CRB letter required? Drago, Wheeler???

[Jim Drago]

Sam Henry is designing a new tool for the tech staff that will fit properly, use the full length of the valve guide and will work with no slop. I believe they will have a few different tools with varying stem thicknesses, so the tool fits properly in the guide and leaves nothing for interpretation. ( Sam's real job is an engineer who designs and manufactures similar tools and pieces every day)

For what it is worth.. all of us are pretty stupid ( myself included) for pushing this even close to the edge, unshrouding an exhaust valve does nothing to help performance, ZERO. But it is something that has a spec, so tech measures it as they should. Racers being racers, we all try to get the max of everything and leave nothing on the table, especially in this class, sometimes without really thinking of the risk vs reward. In my program, we are taking our relief cuts from .003 under to .007 under on exhaust and .005 under on intake valves, just not worth pushing it any closer.

Until you have had your cars scattered in pieces in tech, you really just don't have any idea of what is involved and how stressful it can be. Yes, even when you know that you are 100% compliant. It is comparable to a colonoscopy, just not as comfortable. I chuckle when people say they aren't worried etc, they just don't know what they don't know. This is usually the opinion of someone who has never been through the experience. They either don't have a clue or they are lying. I will freely tell you, I am worried every single time. There is usually lots on the line and has proved very obvious here, some are praying for you to fail, which is pretty sad. Jealousy is a terrible character flaw to have. If you are on the podium at the Runoffs and your not worried in tech, you should be! Ask any that have been through it. If you want an example why you should be nervous... Try this. Take a quarter and measure the thickness with and diameter three times with a $15.00 harbor freight digital caliper. Did you get the same measurement every time down to .001 in? I guarantee you didn't. Compare your results with three other people if you like as well. How many agree? Who is right? Well in tech, at best guess they check another 15 things in the same manner with the same tool. The people in tech only have the best intentions, but it is not as easy as it looks from the outside looking in. With that being said, anyone with any sense knows everything in a competitive SM is right to the edge, this is scary as hell. If anything is measured off by .001, You are a cheater for life, whether it matters or not. So yes, it is very stressful, especially if you value your reputation as most of us do.

I honestly believe that anyone headed to the Runoffs with a realistic shot of being on the podium is doing all they can to make sure they are competitive and 100% compliant. It is a pretty simple process at this point, very few surprises.. You know if your on the podium, you are going to come home in boxes( no exceptions, no surprises). Everything will be measured, inspected, weighed etc. So to think anyone would come and intentionally lay anything to chance to potentially destroy their reputation on our largest stage is really pretty silly opinion. Just makes no sense. That is why I said what I did about the head last year, that would not be something that someone would push intentionally, knowing full well it was going to be measured. I''m sure DDG planned on the car coming apart as it has many times in the past. Likely an oversight or mistake as Jim Stewart explained last year. I accepted his explanation then and I accept it now. It was no HP gain, and see no reason why anyone would intentionally go over there or anywhere else.

[DDG]

Thank you Jim.

Two weeks before last Runoffs your's truly assembled the motors at Jim Stewarts. Now do you think being the "most hated person" prepping for the "most hated driver" that if I had the tool in my hand I'd let it slide? SCCA is to blame for not having the tool with EVERY engine builder. The builders are the guys who get it up the rear and they are trying to make a living out of this. Jim Stewart made some stupid "I'm sorry" statement because he thought I cared. SCCA should be drafting the statement.

[JMorris]

Not embarrassed at all. I'm the guy that has been asking for sealed motors every year at the runoffs. Jim and Mike can cover me there. Also this year Craig and Jim got nailed for the same relief cut with the same tool. I protested the tool for the same reason Jim did hence my earlier comment that the tool will finaly get fixed. Do you drink too much?

I got your PM, I would rather discuss in open forum.

Please explain how you can go from seconds faster than the field with no draft in 2010 and then qualify significantly slower once the SCCA sealing procedure started with the same car and driver. It doesn't appear anyone else had this problem when the seals were introduced, why did you?

The "rumor" is your head was also tested with calipers and failed on all eight holes. It seems that a year later you are saying you were compliant and SCCA was on a witch hunt. Was your head was compliant and tool was bad or the head was non compliant and the would not have been had you had access to the tool before hand? Your post is unclear and there is quite a difference in those statements.
J~

[High Chair]

I got your PM, I would rather discuss in open forum.

Please explain how you can go from seconds faster than the field with no draft in 2010 and then qualify significantly slower once the SCCA sealing procedure started with the same car and driver. It doesn't appear anyone else had this problem when the seals were introduced, why did you?

The "rumor" is your head was also tested with calipers and failed on all eight holes. It seems that a year later you are saying you were compliant and SCCA was on a witch hunt. Was your head was compliant and tool was bad or the head was non compliant and the would not have been had you had access to the tool before hand? Your post is unclear and there is quite a difference in those statements.
J~

There is a lot more info getting ready to drop about what went on at this years runoffs and the lead up to it.