75 replies to this topic

[LarryKing]

I think a lot of us would race in shirt-sleeves if we could. I'm just surprised NASA permits the driver to make the call.

 

 

the risk of fire is pretty low

 

A high speed collision or mechanical failure could change that in a heartbeat.

[Jason J Ball]

Great racing all weekend!  MPR 22, I had to slide though the bus stop hard on the gas to keep close to 5000 rpm, that is the only way to get through there in the 1.6

without losing ground to the 99 or vvt cars.  Results for race 3 are provisional until protest results are public, so things may change with the final result.

 

Gale,

 

Were you running with the Exhaust Manifold Mod and Intake Wrap/Blinker removed? Just curious if you noticed any difference. 

 

Jason

[FTodaro]

Am I the only one amazed that NASA allows the TT drivers, running at race pace, to wear only a t-shirt? Robert, I can't tell in the video - are you wearing a H&N device?

Years ago when Mid Ohio School had the twilight  test tune that was not for SCCA race weekend, they would allow you to go out with shorts and tee shirt. I was out there in my GT3 busting 140. 141 on the club course.

[MPR22]

Great racing all weekend!  MPR 22, I had to slide though the bus stop hard on the gas to keep close to 5000 rpm, that is the only way to get through there in the 1.6

without losing ground to the 99 or vvt cars.  Results for race 3 are provisional until protest results are public, so things may change with the final result.

You were absolutely on point this weekend especially on Sunday, you rarely made even the smallest of bobbles.  

[MPR22]

Newbies post your videos if you have them, we like to watch mid pack racing as much as that up front, honestly more interesting things go on.  Who knows some one might chime in with some advice or compliments. 

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Gale,

 

Were you running with the Exhaust Manifold Mod and Intake Wrap/Blinker removed? Just curious if you noticed any difference. 

 

Jason

 

Of course he could see and tell the difference... He did win right???  I mean there is no way he could win in that little 1.6 that could without those things????

[surlynkid]

If you are going to make the distinction for TT drivers needing suits based on race pace, where do you stop?  I was running in the DE4 group and was running faster than 60% of the TT drivers on worn out NT01's.  That is race pace.  Do I need a suit?  I use a Hans, but I often wear shorts and t-shirts. 

[LarryKing]

 

Do I need a suit?

 

You tell me.

[mhiggins10]

Thanks.  Honestly, I think I'm more upset at myself for NOT trying to get the can back in the game for Saturday.  At the time I made the decision to withdraw we didn't know there was a subframe available.  At about 5:30pm Friday evening Chris came over and said, "How hard do you want to work..there's a NA subframe over there?"  By that time, I'd already received my promo code for Cresson from Adrienne.  I'm sure I could have gone back and re-entered, but I'd already checked out mentally. 

 

So, I wussed out.  That bugs me still.

The more I do this, the more I appreciate the mental game that goes with it.  From early DE days, they tell folks that racing is more tiring than you give credit for and the adrenaline masks the fatigue (so true), but even once you get past that and are comfortable doing a day of driving, pushing for tenths on every lap at full race pace is yet another step in mental acuity required.  I can only imagine what it starts to take if you're really fighting for podium positions as well as watching out for those tenths...

 

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself.  If you started wrenching at 5:30PM to do all that work, it would've been one hell of a long night.  If your head isn't in it the next day, it's almost more frustrating to go out and run crappy laps than it is to sit it out.  

[mhiggins10]

I think a lot of us would race in shirt-sleeves if we could. I'm just surprised NASA permits the driver to make the call.

 

 

A high speed collision or mechanical failure could change that in a heartbeat.

 

My $.02- it's different when it's controlled passing and single car time trials vs. me being in the mix with someone else right next to me into a braking zone.  WAY more that can go wrong and cause the collision, and a big chunk of that is out of my control.  Risk level goes way up.   Plus, I don't think anyone would prohibit someone running TT in full gear- it's just that those drivers have a choice to make.  I'd never RACE without a firesuit, but DEs?  Eh- mixed results.

 

There's also not a huge difference between TT and most of the advanced DE run groups, and they don't require those guys to have full fire gear.  That said, I saw a lot of thoughtful looks last time one of the racer instructors told an advanced group "You know, you guys are running 150mph+ in a Viper with just a helmet and seat belt.  Spec Miata guys have seats, harnesses, HANS and often fire systems and only break 110...."

[MPR22]

Great debate on this subject.  That TT Corvette was really crumpled, no making that car straight.  That wall i never want to hit as I have seen too many cars and too many drivers get hurt on it.  So the thought of hitting it at 90+ with a stock seat belt and helmet does not sound good.  I guess without the bars in the car he had less chance of hitting his head but that wall i notorious for causing the head to hit the cage back left of the drivers head.  Seems to me there should be some level at which the cars have to have seats and harnesses at a minimum.  I would think that threshold is TT as at that point you are looking for tenths and not seconds and are pushing the edge very hard. 

[LarryKing]

I'll try to be more clear. I know (now) that TT drivers can choose their own level of safety. What amazes me is that NASA lets them choose.

[Jason J Ball]

Of course he could see and tell the difference... He did win right???  I mean there is no way he could win in that little 1.6 that could without those things????

Oh Caveman, not trying to turn this into a Parity debate! Just some real world feedback from a pretty good wheel man!

[Bench Racer]

Oh Caveman, not trying to turn this into a Parity debate! Just some real world feedback from a pretty good wheel man!

Thank you Jason, I didn't want any crap therefore I didn't ask the same question you asked, but I am curious Gale. Did you have the ambient air intake and the snorkel wrap?

[FTodaro]

Here we go.

 

Before we go off on the parity tangent.

 

Good write up you guys, Looks like fun was had by all.

[Bench Racer]

Surprise Frank, we all know how to read. Just curious if Gale updated. Nothing more, nothing less. You 99 plusers ask all day long on this site for info and no one says a thing. If I bought my stuff like some guys, I'd lean on my vendor to get the info, sound familiar?

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Oh Caveman, not trying to turn this into a Parity debate! Just some real world feedback from a pretty good wheel man!

 

I was just busting your J Balls lol...  I know you were only asking, not like some other people who don't buy their parts

[robertcope]

Great debate on this subject.  That TT Corvette was really crumpled, no making that car straight.  That wall i never want to hit as I have seen too many cars and too many drivers get hurt on it.

 

Agreed, that wall is one of the scarier corners in Texas, IMHO. I went through right after the Corvette hit the wall and nearly collected the guys in front of me. I was hyper focused on getting that corner right so I could get around them and was just not looking ahead. Shame on me.

 

 

robert

[surlynkid]

Gale and Duarte had the turn signal light removed. Duarte had wrapped from air filter to AFM but not sure if he went further than that. Did not see if Gale wrapped his. I removed the turn signal light on our 1.6 but did not get around to wrapping intake tube. I need to re-read the rules to see how far I can wrap it.

[Jason J Ball]

I was just busting your J Balls lol...  I know you were only asking, not like some other people who don't buy their parts

 

You were fishing and you caught one! LOL