183 replies to this topic

[Jim Drago]

my a$$ off, I'm thinking, who the hell is James?

 

New or fresh engine James?

After Indy.. I needed to change everything I could .. so I guess they signed me up as James

 

Today's race was not fun, well it was after, but not during.   Apparently none of us got the memo that this was a qualifying race and all we needed was a solid top five finish. It was on from turn 1 until T17 of the last lap. Multiple passes for the lead that weren't indicated at the line.  Lots and lots of side by side and at one point all four us went int to turn three as group, still not sure how we all came out and no one touched. A real credit to Todd, Selin and Danny. All those guys drove the wheels off and it really was the most intense races I have ever had at Sebring,  All racing was very hard and very clean and controlled, no contact.  Dannys car is on rails from the start and he looked like he was shot out of a cannon from the start, he had pace on us early and it all came back as it is all but impossible to get away IMO by yourself.  Todd really saved my ass at least twice by pushing me ahead of Danny at the entrance of three.  I really expected a relatively "easy" race that we all finished and finished with a top five. But the competition got the best of us and we all were on it. It really could have been any of the top four  for the win today. I expect tomorrow will be the same with maybe 1-2 more players in the mix. Should be another good one.. 

 

Tech has been pretty busy.. So far we did weight after practice.. After Qualifying we did air cleaner, snorkel tube and restrictor.  After the race, Todd, Selin and myself were taken to the dyno.  When we came back we pulled plates again and upper half of intake.  I believe the top 6-7 did this, but only three dynoed. I was then whistled. 

Jim 

[Johnny D]

Sat Race
http://timingscoring...nal Results.pdf

J~

[Ron Alan]

Ok...what happened? 

[38bfast]

Much more stacking s#&@& up.

[Johnny D]

https://www.facebook...56444392671754/

[Jim Drago]

lots of carnage today

Multiple cars totaled. Danny was one of them. He was taken to the hospital for some x rays, he was back at the track tonight in a sling and very sore, but all things considered, he was OK. 

Another trip to the dyno today and some more checks under the car.  Lots of fixing cars the last two nights

 

Many will disagree... But this crash happened because we are forced to start by the book. Hold pace car speed and go when the green flies. Every other race I have ever raced here we roll up the speed and never have an issue. None of us wanted a penalty for jumping the start, so we played by the rules. Two days on the pole, two very good starts, two days I entered turn one in third place. Being on the front row is a disadvantage. We held our speed and the field took off before we did ( we waited for green) 

 

Todd was hit in the rear, diff broke before we even went full throttle and from there it looked like a pinball game. Danny and the 133 car got the worst of it. But Brian Henderson, , the people Champion, Todd Buras and several others ended up with significant damage and at least three or four wont be starting. Two or more totaled. Today was not much fun

 

Congratulations to Selin Rollan on the win!

Jim

[38bfast]

I have never been a fan of qualifying races. It just increases your chance of F...ing up you s..t.

[J. Pressman]

Just went through the FB thread.  Terrible to see that; rough way to end the season for some very good drivers/ cars.  Hope everybody is okay

[FTodaro]

 

Many will disagree... But this crash happened because we are forced to start by the book. Hold pace car speed and go when the green flies. Every other race I have ever raced here we roll up the speed and never have an issue. None of us wanted a penalty for jumping the start, so we played by the rules. Two days on the pole, two very good starts, two days I entered turn one in third place. Being on the front row is a disadvantage. We held our speed and the field took off before we did ( we waited for green) 

Jim

Jim Most others also start rolling on the gas and they are going to jump the pole sitter and front row every time. You might get a group together and go see the officials, to see if they will allow the safer rolling on the gas or get a commitment that they will strictly issue a penalty for any contact before the car passes the green flag stand. Give you one or the other but they cannot make a bad rule and then not enforce the problems resulting from a bad rule.

 

When I race NASA here we roll on it late before the flag however, but its not the championship race.

[Steve Scheifler]

The only safe prediction this weekend was that Danny would find a way to get on camera. (This is in reference to getting the most face time Friday despite finishing 4th, and then again this morning to talk about predictions for the race).

[Steve Scheifler]

James to the rear lap 1 and Preston out. And as usual the announcers are clueless.

[Steve Scheifler]

Congratulations MPR!!! Great race by Selin but got edged at the flag after an exciting final lap. Lots of great efforts moving up from bad grid positions but nobody could close the early gap to Selin & Michael. A very hard fought 3rd for Trevor McCallion.

[Steve Scheifler]

Michael, that was an exceptional pit interview. Selin too, you guys showed class on track and off.

[Tyler Kicera]

Congrats to Michael Ross on his win and Selin Rollan on another second place finish. Sucks to see so much attrition this week - a lot of great drivers knocked out and behind the 8-ball. Hell of a drive by Buras, Haldeman, and Davison to come back from poor starting spots to solid finishes. I was hoping for a FCY to see you mix it up at the front!

[Ron Alan]

Nice drive Michael!! You and Selin were the only ones saying "no yellow, no yellow!" I think Selin will be affectionately called #2 for the remainder of the year 

 

Jim...you peaked to early? Of course with the coverage no idea why you dropped out. 

 

Sorry to hear about the carnage on Sat. and to not see the usual crowd starting at the front today

 

Chris H had an interesting interview...in which he made a reference to Toyo stepping up to pay the full contingencies?

28 cars started today...exact same car count as the Western Champs! If in fact the payouts will be as if 30 started(as required for the full contingencies)that will be very cool of Toyo!!

[Danica Davison]

Great job Michael!! Beating Selin heads up at Sebring is a VERY difficuly thing to do. We are all proud of ya bud!

[Craig Berry]

Congrats Micheal!!! Great Win! Selin is very tough

[Jim Drago]

Congratulations to Michael Ross, a nicer guy in SM you will not find. Michael probably doesn’t get the driving credit he deserves. He is a very good driver. I watched the race today and he drove a very smart and calculated race! Beating Sellin anywhere has become a trophy if it’s own, but beating him heads up at Sebring is very impressive! Enjoy it Michael, it is very well deserved! Congrats to Selin as well, second in both championships is beyond solid! Than there is the Sleeper from Texas, Trevor! This guy is underated and seems to always deliver in the big races! This was his first trip to Sebring and he picked up the pace every session!
I want to thank NASA as well. I asked if they would allow me to start the race like we have for the last 10 years and not penalize us. They asked if all wanted this and all agreed. So we rolled the Start and it was smooth and no issue! Nice to have some input. I firmly believe had we started the practice races this way, we would not had the carnage in race two.

Glad to get myself and car sorted after Indy. I had lost one trans in 14 years of competition. I picked a terrible time to fail number two. Lap one, turn two to be exact. We had three fast cars under the tent this weekend with Todd Buras bringing home fourth. Preston and I were quietly confident and other than a quick toe check and nut and bolt we were ready to race last night.. sure wish we had something to test in the morning warm up as we would have found our problems quickly The balancer pulley bolts sheered on Prestons car.

The weekend was a lot of fun, all the camps were hanging together and there was no drama at all. All working together to fix damaged race cars. That seems to more than norm again which is a good thing. I’m done for the season, good luck to all those doing the ARRC and Turkey trot

Jim

[Tom Sager]

Congratulations Mr. Ross!  Any championship earned in this class is a big big prize.  I caught the last few laps online and you and Selin had a great battle and finish.  Bravo!

[Preston Pardus]

Big congrats to Michael on the win!