GregM
Novice Driver
Posts: 27
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Post by GregM on Aug 9, 2005 11:23:20 GMT -8
Well? How ws it with the diverse speeds? It looked pretty well managed from where I was watching.
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Post by Bruce on Aug 9, 2005 16:38:37 GMT -8
The back marker Fords had a great influence on the outcome of both regional FV races.
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Post by dave FF 50-aka "Harm" on Aug 10, 2005 12:12:29 GMT -8
Bruce, Greg, et al Two observations from near the front. First, why do the Vee's fan out when they get onto the straights? I assume they are trying to pass each other, but as soon as they leave the lead car's slip stream, they end up going the same speed only now they are 2 or 3 abreast instead of single file. This makes it very tight for the Fords to pass on the straights and when the Fords pass in the turns, it slows both cars (passer & passee) down. Second, Alan Dezzani (THE back marker Ford) only ran half of the first race. He was black flagged for sound on lap 8 of a 16 lap race. ANY lapped or even an unlapped car can and does influence the outcome of any race. This is wheel to wheel competion. If you don't want to or can not deal with traffic, maybe you should do time trials. We all need to get along and work together. Let's go RACIN'. dave
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Post by qposner on Aug 10, 2005 14:12:39 GMT -8
It seems to me the whole problem with this grouping is it is not "wheel to wheel competition" between fast vees and slow fords. I cannot tell you the number of times I have had problems with a backmarker ford only to be told by the driver that "we are running the same times, so we are running against each other." Yeah, right, when you have twice the HP. It is the fast vees, fighting tooth and nail that are getting jobbed here. Not the fast fords (although I do realize problems can occur when lapping vees).
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Post by dave FF 50-aka "Harm" on Aug 10, 2005 17:23:16 GMT -8
A couple more thoughts. The good old days of a run group of nothing but Vees is gone except at the runoffs. There are not enough open wheel cars these days. We need to do the best we can if what we have. If the Vees don't run with the Fords, where would you put them? With FA, FM, FC, CSR, etc or SFR/DSR? The SFR and Vees run simular times (fastest SRF 1:43.294 and slowest finisher 1:51.019--sounds like Vee times to me). But the SRF can not see our little wingless cars (FF or FV) and tend to bump them. A slow Ford holdsup the Vees in the turns and out pulls them on the straight. A Vee, fast or slow, holds up a Ford on the straight AND in the corners because the Vees travel in groups. I can just about pass a single Vee anywhere on the track and barely lose any time, IF the Vee sees me and works with me. A pack of Vees is another story. But the same holds true for me passing a slower Ford vs a pack of CFs. What is the speed difference between a fast Vee and a slow Ford? Same lap times. No where near the 25-30 mph of a fast Ford and slow Vee (1:34-35's vs 2:xx). We better start acting like brothers or we will all be driving Spec Miatas. dave
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Post by DerElf on Aug 11, 2005 6:37:47 GMT -8
Dave;
Right on Brother!
Right or wrong our (joint) futures are intertwined from this point on and we best hang together or we will all hang separately.
At the same time I will admit that I am approaching my first soiree into this BRAVE NEW WORLD (at Sears Point) with some trepidation. Reason being that I have had trouble with other drivers in the past SMACKIN' me and NON of them were driving Vees.
Hear me out I have a point and am NOT FORD bashing.
These happened when I had just come back to racing I will admit and was considerably slower than I am now. At the same time they also involved INSANELY STUPID MOVES.
1) A ford put me in the air by trying pass me on the OUTSIDE of Tuen 2 at Sears Point, hit me so hard he broke a MYSTERIAN Trailing arm. I was on my line and the driver in question pasted me, put me in the air, I spun around and he hit me again.
I Do not care HOW MUCH MORE HP you have that is NOT a passing zone.
2) I was in turn 3 at Thunderhill, looked to driver's LEFT (into the Off Camber outside of the turn) and watched a FORD fly past . I was Eye Level with his bellypan.
3)In the Belly of the hill at Sears Point at turn one I saw a Ford go off trying to pass me on the OUTSIDE of turn 1, right where the hill gets steep.
I am sure that many of the FORD guys can come up with similar stories about boneheads in Vees, and I will be glad to listen.
My Point is that the problem is not Vees vs Fords it is drivers (in either class) making BONEHEAD moves and creating dangerous situation where they do not need to exist. Quinn's observation about the Ford driver's comment is valid in that it show that there are boneheads out there who do not think. I will add that they are present in all classes.
The best thing I can say in closing to EVERYBODY is THINK before you make a move, be considerate and when you come to Sears Leave the Red Visors in the closet.
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Post by qposner on Aug 11, 2005 7:16:16 GMT -8
Marty actually does a better job of making my point than I do. The problem is the driver in a car, not the class of car. I know I have not had any problems with the fast fords messing me up (aside from banging wheels on the last lap of turn 1 at THill in March, but we were both racing for the lead and thats where the pass had to happen...no biggie). Its just the guys in the back of the pack who either a) feel they are racing vees, b) have damaged egos because they are running vee lap times, or c) just don't care. Now, if they are racing for position, thats no ones fault. I don't expect anyone to lose contact with the car they are racing in order to accomodate me. I do, however, expect backmarker fords to make consessions when they are not running for position. I also expect all vees to do the same for fast fords. So, watch your mirrors and give a brother a break.
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