29 replies to this topic

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Wanted to give a congrats to Mark the Shark Drennan for his first professional win, at least that I know of!! He won yesterday in the rain!!! Way to go!

[Duane Polsley]

Some good onboard with Mark "the shark" until he gets taken out battling for the lead. skip to the 50:40 minute mark if you don't want to see all the yellow laps.

 

[Strongbad]

Big shout-out to Jamie Tucker with a 5th place in race #2, his debut weekend.

Way to represent.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

NEED NEW CAMERA MOUNT!!!!!!

 

Man was that some of the most fun watching I have seen in a while, even with the tough watching from the cam shaking like hell, still some great racing right up until getting turned down on!!!!  

 

Great racing Mark!!!!

[Mitch Reading]

Thanks for posting Kyle.  I was bummed that Nick Bruni was out of the second race in the first pileup; bummed for both his wallet as well as that he had the only live stream that I knew of running. 

 

Regarding Mark's video... holy cow that #12 (Chris Stone) let it hang out!  High stakes sprint racing at its finest I suppose? 

 

Combination of crap weather and high stakes track led to a lot of attrition.  Only half the field (20 cars) finished on the lead lap of the second race. 

[Jim Drago]

Sad to say that you could see that coming a mile away  Sorry Mark

This series is starting to look A LOT like a crash fest  

[Strongbad]

Since this is part of Mazda's 'Road to LeMans', it would be cool if they had some enduro type races so more drivers could get behind the wheel.

Might be less carnage, as well.

[Ron Alan]

To agree with Jim...not a good start to what Mazda is putting a lot of effort into. Aggression seems over the top. And not just from those at the front. Penelties, if any, dont seem to fit the crime. After 4 races and many damaged cars...some beyond repairing...parts are difficult to get and there are no new cars built ready to purchace...at least I'm told. Hope this is wrong and will gladly be corrected!

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can a race start with a field looking like this??

 

Was this a pace car issue? A starter issue? Or every driver trying to gain a little advantage? A little bit of everything? (I'm asking this of someone who may have a first hand account)

 

This is flat out embarrassing for any race series...even more so when you put a "Pro" label on it!

[Danny Steyn]

I would anticipate that there would be serious repercussions to drivers for that start

[Jim Drago]

It seems there are about 8-10, maybe 12 drivers that you could consider "pro's" or even Sm majors podium drivers.  Then a bunch of drivers that thought this looks like a cool series, which it really is. I am trying to buy a wrecked car ( seems to be an abundance and build my own with a street car) The cars are all very close, putting all in very close proximity.. Then the over aggression and testosterone sets in. Many drivers in this race have likely won in other classes that are not nearly as competitive.. Then they are amazed they are qualified in mid twenties  and not top five etc.   Many trying to win at the start. It will need a few weekends to settle out. Hopefully there are some cars and parts left by then.  This can be a really cool series, I hope all this crashing doesn't scare off new entries, I know I am concerned by it. It is a big check buying new parts to fix these cars vs Sm parts that I have at my disposal.

[Strongbad]

Wow! Crazy start. Looks like the red #16 car pushes Nick Bruni into the car in front and turns him sideways. 

Hate to see all those wrecked cars. $$$$

[Johnny D]

Do they need the rule, no passing until start/finish ?

J~

[Rob Burgoon]

I would anticipate that there would be serious repercussions to drivers for that start

 

For whom?  Looks like a gentle bump into a car that then bumped a car off center.  Not exactly scandalous.  The bigger issue was the lack of steady pace on the way to the green I think.

[Michael Novak]

Looks like the new cars do not bump draft like a SM or even SM5/last years cup car..  

[Ron Alan]

For whom?  Looks like a gentle bump into a car that then bumped a car off center.  Not exactly scandalous.  The bigger issue was the lack of steady pace on the way to the green I think.

Again...some 2nd hand info and will gladly be corrected. Apparently the pace car hauled ass and may not have slowed up enough or soon enough to allow things to group up?(happened in the rain race as well?). But know doubt there are cars clearly in position in plenty of time that are leaving 1 or 2 car lengths. No idea what the starter could see but arm chair quarterbacking from the videos things don't look good. With Rob that such a small contact did snowball into an avalanche but know doubt all parties(pace, starter, drivers)seem to have contributed to the havoc

[Danica Davison]

if nobody fanned out to the right, that red car jumping the start would have went from P16 to P1 by turn 1! 

[Ron Alan]

if nobody fanned out to the right, that red car jumping the start would have went from P16 to P1 by turn 1! 

Understand some of the comments about inexperienced "Pro" drivers but I believe this red car was John Dean...last years champion? 

[Danny Steyn]

For whom?  Looks like a gentle bump into a car that then bumped a car off center.  Not exactly scandalous.  The bigger issue was the lack of steady pace on the way to the green I think.

 

Rob, in the start we see on the video above, there are many issues happening prior to the flag drop. Cars not close in formation, cars getting out of formation, cars hanging back for a run, and more. I would hope that after that catastrophe, the series takes the drivers into a classroom and schools them on how a start should happen. Not in the best interests of the series, the drivers, Mazda, sponsors, for this carnage to continue

[Jim Drago]

Looks like the new cars do not bump draft like a SM or even SM5/last years cup car..  

they do not crash well at all. very expensive on repairs

[Jim Drago]

Understand some of the comments about inexperienced "Pro" drivers but I believe this red car was John Dean...last years champion? 

and what about the umpteen others that wrecked throughout the race?