70 replies to this topic

[Jim Drago]

 

Are we going to get a new lap record??

 

Race.

 

SM 1:45.457 76.39 Mark Drennan San Jose CA, CA 1994 Mazda Miata 6/7/2014

 

Qual

 

SM 1:45.452 76.40 Mark Drennan   1994 Mazda Miata 6/8/2014

 

 

Pole will be mid to high 44, race lap will be low 45 is my guess. Mark didnt break a sweat in either race yet

[MPR22]

15. To be eligible for an SCCA National Runoffs invitation utilizing the SWRRC path, drivers must participate in a minimum of four declared SWRRC points races and be in the top three positions in class point standings for their respective class, except SM and SRF, where the top 5 will be invited. Since the SWRRC Championship will not be concluded at the time of the Runoffs, invitations will be extended to drivers meeting the requirements at a time three weeks prior to the start of the Runoffs event. Drivers who qualify for the Runoffs by either the SCCA National Points path or the SCCA Majors path will be ignored when determining who is eligible for a Runoff invitation utilizing the SWRRC points’ standings. For example, if the top two drivers in class in the SWRRC qualify for the Runoffs based on their participation in the same class in the SCCA Majors series then the drivers who are in positions three, four and five would be eligible for Runoff invitations through the SWRRC path as long as they meet the participation guidelines.

 

 

I only participated in 1 Major this year and had to take the "divisional path" to the run-offs. 

 

Its a shame I still don't have my invitation to participate even though we are inside of 3 weeks to go.  I tried looking this up about 2 weeks ago as Mr. Haldeman wanted me to go to the race, but I had to tell him I couldn't confirm if I was eligible and didn't want to spend the money going to a race I wasn't invited to.  The SOWDIV website didn't have the most recent point standings up when I looked so wasn't sure were I stood as I couldn't make the last divisional race and could have been pushed out.  

 

I believe the SCCA has some more work to do on their organization.  I think 3 weeks notice is a little skinny even if they had hit that date.  

 

 

[Johnny D]

15. To be eligible for an SCCA National Runoffs invitation utilizing the SWRRC path, drivers must participate in a minimum of four declared SWRRC points races and be in the top three positions in class point standings for their respective class, except SM and SRF, where the top 5 will be invited. Since the SWRRC Championship will not be concluded at the time of the Runoffs, invitations will be extended to drivers meeting the requirements at a time three weeks prior to the start of the Runoffs event. Drivers who qualify for the Runoffs by either the SCCA National Points path or the SCCA Majors path will be ignored when determining who is eligible for a Runoff invitation utilizing the SWRRC points’ standings. For example, if the top two drivers in class in the SWRRC qualify for the Runoffs based on their participation in the same class in the SCCA Majors series then the drivers who are in positions three, four and five would be eligible for Runoff invitations through the SWRRC path as long as they meet the participation guidelines.

 

 

I only participated in 1 Major this year and had to take the "divisional path" to the run-offs. 

 

Its a shame I still don't have my invitation to participate even though we are inside of 3 weeks to go.  I tried looking this up about 2 weeks ago as Mr. Haldeman wanted me to go to the race, but I had to tell him I couldn't confirm if I was eligible and didn't want to spend the money going to a race I wasn't invited to.  The SOWDIV website didn't have the most recent point standings up when I looked so wasn't sure were I stood as I couldn't make the last divisional race and could have been pushed out.  

 

I believe the SCCA has some more work to do on their organization.  I think 3 weeks notice is a little skinny even if they had hit that date.  

 

 

 

Does this help/explain ??

http://www.sfrscca.o.../view/9511/119/

J~

[MPR22]

I am eligible but the SCCA did not have the results posted timely so that I could verify.  Also if you go to the Run-offs website the SOWdiv has still not provided national with their list of eligible drivers.   

[James York]

Sorry to say... The SCCA took something simple and totally turned it into a cluster.

[Johnny D]

Should we start a new SCCA Smack talk thread or is this ok??

J~

[Ron Alan]

Pole will be mid to high 44, race lap will be low 45 is my guess. Mark didnt break a sweat in either race yet

Well, it's been 2 years on Hoosiers in all different conditions including temp and track conditions. To suddenly find .5 to 1 sec would seem unlikely. Qualifying and race are in the middle of the day this year...not ideal. But if the fog is in and the temp stays below 60 there is a small chance we could see a high 44. Race laps in the 45's will be there....anyone who can run 20 laps in the low 46's will be on the podium!

[Charlie Hayes]

There have been a few 44s done this year. The track should rubber up nice with all the guys on track through the week.

Little upset with Drennan snatching my March race record by .003 from me in June. Just means there is some work to do Tuesday-Thursday and definately on Friday.

[Bench Racer]

 To suddenly find .5 to 1 sec would seem unlikely.

Added competition tendes to change lap speeds.

[Jim Drago]

Added competition tends to change lap speeds.

I couldn't agree more. We might need to save this post

[Ron Alan]

I did forget we were on quiet exhaust last week...for some that did hurt times! I do believe both track records will be broken...1/2 second ok, 1 second just seems like a reach. Then again, maybe Jim was down on power mid race again?? 

 

 

Added competition tendes to change lap speeds.

 

No doubt...and usually its from 70mph to 0mph in about 3 seconds!

[Mark Drennan]

Certainly appreciate the nods and am very comfortable with a target on my back for this one 

 

I’m sticking with the prediction I made months ago.  History will be made…first place will be a tie with my teammate Charlie Hayes!!!

 

I like my chances but know Charlie’s going to be right there with me as he’s been all year.  I barely nipped him to take the qual record he set earlier this year and we had some side-by-side racing at the end of the March race.

 

After Charlie and I tie to become the first ever Co-Runoffs National Champions in Spec Miata, I think it’s a tossup between more than a handful of drivers.    I’d love to see a TFB and/or California lockout of the podium and better yet, the top 5.

 

1^st Place:  tie between Mark Drennan & Charlie Hayes

(Tie-breaker, if necessary = # of colonoscopies…MD-1, CH-0)

 

2^nd through who cares places (alphabetical):  Berry, Carbonnel, Drago, Ghidinelli, Godfrey, Jordan, Kaiser, Stearns

 

Lap times will really depend on the weather, as they always do.  Current track records were set in warm June weather for the race (mid-afternoon) and qual (late morning).  If it’s cool (50 to 65) and overcast, I think we’re likely to see high 44’s. 

 

BONUS:  In case it rains, I wanted to help y’all out with some video of my qualifying session back in March.  Laguna is really tricky in the rain and it wouldn’t be fair competition without knowing the rain line.  So, here you go...

 

Laguna Seca – Spec Miata – The Art of Qualifying in the Rain…

https://www.youtube....bDKquXRGQXCgrTw

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6Bt4WsGvARg?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

You’re welcome! 

-MD

[Todd Tagget]

How's that Rain-X sponsorship coming Mark ? :-)

[Ron Alan]

 

 
2^nd through who cares places (alphabetical):  Berry, Carbonnel, Drago, Ghidinelli, Godfrey, Jordan, Kaiser, Stearns
 

-MD

Now that is some smack talk

[Ron Alan]

Good thing you didn't go back out on your rain video Mark...could have really screwed yourself after losing your times coming back paddock! Your radio man was asleep!

[CARacer]

West coast guys pretty lame in bringing the numbers     46 SRF to 42 SM . Not sure why, but I expected a lot more SM at this event. 

 

I'm surprised at the low local turnout, too. What was everybody spending all that money on Hoosiers for?

[Johnny D]

46 SRF 45 SM now, if that makes a difference.

http://www.motorspor...3DEC39AA39D3EEB

 

J~

[Charlie Hayes]

All this tech talk makes me want to talk smack.

[Danny Steyn]

So start talking Charlie - lets hear your smack - don't tease, bring it on!!!!

[Mike Collins]

I'm going to go out on a limb and pick the 7th place finisher as the new National Champion