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#1
Jim Drago

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Hectic two weeks but a lot of fun at Homestead and Sebring. Our team managed to win all four with Todd Buras winning the opener and Preston winning the next three including a win at Homestead from DFL  to the win.  We also managed ESR our first 1-2-3 with Preston, Jim and Todd at Sebring 1. 

 

Racing seems to bring out the best and worst in people. I know it has in me unfortunately :(  Accusations and rumors once again going around the paddock of the compliance of our cars.  Now, obviously the concentration is on Preston. I get it, if I was on the outside looking in I would likely have the same concerns as well.   This weekend they pulled our computers, immobilizers, keys, ignitions and key rings and make no mistake that was targeted at us directly. I have heard these rumors for years . Evidently Mazda has helped SCCA so they will be able to inspect each line of code in the computer. This has been "what we are doing" for some time, sorry to disappoint those who went through such lengths to "catch us", but both Prestons and Brian Hendersons computer will come back 100% compliant as we have not touched them.   

 

Instead of throwing the accusations around, sit back and look what this young man is doing. Every once in awhile someone comes around that is truly just a little better than the rest. This is one of those times. Preston is really is that good. I see it in the data, the video and in person at every event, more so than anyone else. I have raced every national champion that has EVER raced Sm. He is clearly #1 and sad to say there may be a few empty places between him and number two.  He is strong in EVERY category.   He is the most complete driver to come through SM.   Don't tarnish what he is doing behind the scenes with gossip and accusations.  What he is doing and will continue doing is truly remarkable at times and is good for our class!  If you need a villain, send it my way, I'm used to it :)  I can assure you that if there is "something" in our cars, it is certainly in mine

 

To other teams and competitors who think something is wrong, you know who you are. I respect you for at least saying something to me personally. I appreciate the warning, There is a system in place to verify whatever you think we are doing. If you think we are outside the rules. Write a protest and file it. No hard feelings from us at all. I have been in that position and it is not fun.  I get it.  You said you could escalate your program if that is what it takes. I suggest you do all that you can within the rules, that's your job.  If I feel as you do now, I will have no problem writing a protest on anyone if I feel their equipment is outside the rules. I have not felt that way in a long time.  That's the system we have.  I personally think the top builds from every engine builder are all within 1/1 right now and the parity is better than ever. 

 

To save you some time.. Here is what has been checked on our cars in the last two seasons. 

 

Four engines tore to the crank

several heads

transmission

differential

drive shaft

shocks, springs,bars

stall test

fuel 10-20x or more

intake and exhaust manifold

exhaust system

wiring harness removed from the car and inspected from engine to ecu at VIR runoffs

this weekend ecus and immobilzers

That and countless other things that I cant even remember.

 

I suggest people start paying attention to what we do at the track. Other than  X factor, I rarely( if ever) see anyone scaling their cars at all. We show up with cars and drivers prepared to win, we work on the cars and set up all weekend relentlessly, study data and video while there trying to get faster. We have three national champion drivers that can actually drive the cars and we don't go home until the cars are ready to race and win. 

 

FWIW, any one of our cars is available to buy after any race, as raced.  Preston's as well.  

 

Sorry for the rant, just feel the best way to deal with things is head on.

Jim


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#2
tburas56

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As i was leaving the track Sunday an SCCA official stopped me to tell me a story. He said he came by our pits to see if Jim and were ok from the wreck we had just had in the 1st practice session. it hadn't been twenty minutes after the session ended. He proceeded to tell me he stood there for 15 minutes and watched Preston disassemble my whole front end to see what need to be done to get Jim and I back on track before the afternoon qualifier. i have had the pleasure of working with the Pardus family since 2015, they truly are good friends and people. His data and race-craft does not lie, the kid truly is that good.

 

look up todd buras jim drago scca 2021

 

 


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#3
Craig Berry

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Preston is Amazing.   When you combine talent with hard work, preparation, and the very difficult to find momentum, this is what you get.... also being in your early 20’s doesn’t hurt!    

 

First hand knowledge, E Street works Very hard to show up to win... not just run well.   I can also tell you each driver knows exactly what the other driver has that given day.   Jim and I have laughed to ourself on how things work out sometimes, where the stronger of one of our cars on a given weekend is slower than the other.... it takes more than the most hp/tq.

 

SM for the last few years is about putting everything together... driver, car, prep, momentum and luck. 

 

I am looking forward to seeing the upcoming racing this year.


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#4
Mitch Reading

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Jim - As a guy that is watching from afar, but would love to be there, I enjoy these recaps.... but feel your frustration.

 

RE Preston.... coming from DFL to win a majors race in the southeast is crazy.  I still watch the '20 runoffs with amazement.  Interested to see how he'll do in MX-5 cup at Daytona.  

 

Keep up the good work.    


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#5
MPR22

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Hectic two weeks but a lot of fun at Homestead and Sebring. Our team managed to win all four with Todd Buras winning the opener and Preston winning the next three including a win at Homestead from DFL  to the win.  We also managed ESR our first 1-2-3 with Preston, Jim and Todd at Sebring 1. 

 

Racing seems to bring out the best and worst in people. I know it has in me unfortunately :(  Accusations and rumors once again going around the paddock of the compliance of our cars.  Now, obviously the concentration is on Preston. I get it, if I was on the outside looking in I would likely have the same concerns as well.   This weekend they pulled our computers, immobilizers, keys, ignitions and key rings and make no mistake that was targeted at us directly. I have heard these rumors for years . Evidently Mazda has helped SCCA so they will be able to inspect each line of code in the computer. This has been "what we are doing" for some time, sorry to disappoint those who went through such lengths to "catch us", but both Prestons and Brian Hendersons computer will come back 100% compliant as we have not touched them.   

 

Instead of throwing the accusations around, sit back and look what this young man is doing. Every once in awhile someone comes around that is truly just a little better than the rest. This is one of those times. Preston is really is that good. I see it in the data, the video and in person at every event, more so than anyone else. I have raced every national champion that has EVER raced Sm. He is clearly #1 and sad to say there may be a few empty places between him and number two.  He is strong in EVERY category.   He is the most complete driver to come through SM.   Don't tarnish what he is doing behind the scenes with gossip and accusations.  What he is doing and will continue doing is truly remarkable at times and is good for our class!  If you need a villain, send it my way, I'm used to it :)  I can assure you that if there is "something" in our cars, it is certainly in mine

 

To other teams and competitors who think something is wrong, you know who you are. I respect you for at least saying something to me personally. I appreciate the warning, There is a system in place to verify whatever you think we are doing. If you think we are outside the rules. Write a protest and file it. No hard feelings from us at all. I have been in that position and it is not fun.  I get it.  You said you could escalate your program if that is what it takes. I suggest you do all that you can within the rules, that's your job.  If I feel as you do now, I will have no problem writing a protest on anyone if I feel their equipment is outside the rules. I have not felt that way in a long time.  That's the system we have.  I personally think the top builds from every engine builder are all within 1/1 right now and the parity is better than ever. 

 

To save you some time.. Here is what has been checked on our cars in the last two seasons. 

 

Four engines tore to the crank

several heads

transmission

differential

drive shaft

shocks, springs,bars

stall test

fuel 10-20x or more

intake and exhaust manifold

exhaust system

wiring harness removed from the car and inspected from engine to ecu at VIR runoffs

this weekend ecus and immobilzers

That and countless other things that I cant even remember.

 

I suggest people start paying attention to what we do at the track. Other than  X factor, I rarely( if ever) see anyone scaling their cars at all. We show up with cars and drivers prepared to win, we work on the cars and set up all weekend relentlessly, study data and video while there trying to get faster. We have three national champion drivers that can actually drive the cars and we don't go home until the cars are ready to race and win. 

 

FWIW, any one of our cars is available to buy after any race, as raced.  Preston's as well.  

 

Sorry for the rant, just feel the best way to deal with things is head on.

Jim

You left out the part were you all commit to the team winning.  As a group you are the best at driving your cars in a way that makes passing a penalty.  If one of you falls back, no man is left behind until late in the race when the strong cars/drivers will survive. Very few people will understand, even with radios, it is to drive as a unit. 


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#6
TylerQuance

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The way I heard you call it:

"I got ESR'd"


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Tyler Quance 

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#7
Bench Racer

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The way I heard you call it:

"I got ESR'd"

:rotfl:


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#8
tburas56

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time to call Saul...

 

radios are awesome...

 

posting my race..


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#9
CDM

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I swear the races get better and better... these ones were a battle fighting through the field from 13th to 6th both days, hanging on to the lead pack with everything I got.

Wish my qualifying was a bit better, had a 24.9 going but the car ahead messed up T15 and so a 35.5 it was...

 

Saturday race:

Sunday race:

 

and Todd's race is here since he didnt post it lol https://youtu.be/Ck-tOQ2rPvM


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Charles-Dylan "Chuck" Mactutus #66

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#10
Jim Drago

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Very well done Chuck!


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NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner Hoosier Super Tour points Champion - Hoosier Super Tour points Champion ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata BFG Supertour Winner - Majors Winner - Circuit of the Americas Winner - We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America

#11
Alberto

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Are there any videos of ESR racers and/or Preston's race?  Would love to see if I can learn anything from that.  

 

Congrats on your wins.  


Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#12
Jim Drago

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Preston posted last few laps

https://www.facebook...249145489930088


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NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner Hoosier Super Tour points Champion - Hoosier Super Tour points Champion ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata BFG Supertour Winner - Majors Winner - Circuit of the Americas Winner - We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America

#13
38bfast

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Peston seems to have the ability to know where and when to put his car over anyone I have ever seen. It's like he can look into the future. He also seems to have some hyper mode he can kick in when he needs to. Then on top of it racing as a team helps out. The cars are all good but I don't see them as outliers to many of the other top cars out there. Jim does make sure they all have top examples of engines in all of them as anyone would expect. But as far as I have seen most of the top builders have seen the same numbers out of their top examples. Every builder is going to have a range of power out of their builds. 


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#14
scott sanda

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That kid is really, really good.  The whole front group was impressive as hell.


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#15
Jim Drago

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Whats next rewards weights? 

 

 

Hello,

 

Your ECU has passed all tests and found compliant. If we can, we will have the ECU’s at COTA, otherwise they will be shipped.

 

We are in process making the results final.

 

If you haven’t already done so, please provide a shipping address.

 

 

Thank you,

Rick Harris


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NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner Hoosier Super Tour points Champion - Hoosier Super Tour points Champion ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata BFG Supertour Winner - Majors Winner - Circuit of the Americas Winner - We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America

#16
Danica Davison

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P$ is da goatttttt


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John Davison
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Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Chatterbox - Blah blah blah... Blah blah blah Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#17
38bfast

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Whats next rewards weights? 

 

 

Hello,

 

Your ECU has passed all tests and found compliant. If we can, we will have the ECU’s at COTA, otherwise they will be shipped.

 

We are in process making the results final.

 

If you haven’t already done so, please provide a shipping address.

 

 

Thank you,

Rick Harris

glad to hear you were found compliant. 


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Ralph Provitz
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#18
Danica Davison

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It is good to hear that your cars were compliant Jim. Mostly because I will fight you if you give Preston a cheated up car :) 


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John Davison
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#itcouldbeyou

Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Chatterbox - Blah blah blah... Blah blah blah Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#19
tburas56

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chuck thanks for sharing the video. Its amazing how good everyone in this class is...Since I'm "mostly" the data guy under the ESR'ed tent. I would be looking at your data and talking to you about float. The transition time between brake and throttle. In sat video that time is entirely to long. If this was my car I would be talking to Jim about the double set the car needs on entry into higher speed corners.its not your driving style, its what the car needs. That hesitation is a tenth, maybe a half tenth on entry, which hurts the long straight away and this class it really adds up.

 

I really enjoyed the video...thanks


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