The Region that knows how NOT to

[Bruce]

Blake,

Thanks I will get it done at the next race when I get back from the Runoffs. Hope to see you there.

[sabre1]

Dave,

I think the Saturday race start was terrible, we near the back (P40) never got close to forming up and I'd expect that the leading Fords ran into traffic earlier than if we had a split start; the Sunday race was much better however. I don't know why it "seems" that the Fords further back don't want to keep up on the pace lap. Your comment about forming up sooner makes sense and I would like to think that the Vees really do want to be in formation for the start. If others disagree, I'd be interested to hear why not. Also during the Saturday race, while under one of the yellows, I was behind a Ford with a damaged left rear suspension; he was going along slightly slower than the rest of the field thereby causing us to slowly lose ground to everyone in front of him. No hand up or point-by to let us behind him know what he was doing; he finally exited to the pit area and I could continue but no chance by then to catch up the the rest of the field. I didn't get a car number. Grrrr. Two other observations about Ford drivers: you are the only one I recall seeing acknowledge a wave-by for which I thank you, and you seem to be the only Ford driver that inputs to this forum. Both of which are a bit disappointing. Perhaps if we implemented Ian's idea about the combined team we could could improve things......for all involved.

-Jim

PS: Blake, I didn't vote for you JUST because you are a Vee driver. You have made a difference and I appreciate that, and I'm certain a lot of other people do to.

[DerElf]

Since I don't drive anymore I try not to comment on things on the board, just keep it open for those who do. I have to interject something here though as I have been through this discussion a couple of times in the past few years.

A couple of years ago we all got pissed off at the Club and I pursued the link to NASA. WHat I found was NOT an organization that I would want to do wheel to wheel racing in, ESPECIALLY in a formula car.

Their Insurance is NOWHERE near as good as the SCCA's

Their whole concept of track control and safety involves only ONE working each turn box and a response truck. If it was the CART response team I would feel all right about it, not a truck load of volunteers.

Blake has done a great job voicing the concerns of the class to the board, the board has been very friendly to us. The problems with individual workers (I remember what happened Quinn and COlin you exchange sounds pretty typical) is an ongoing thing. Since workers are so rare they are valued, to the point where the events sometimes seem more centered around them than the racing. Just an observation, not a shot. The majority of workers (like I was when I was a worker) are the best but there are Miata Drivers everywhere, especially if they get a little power.

The unfortunate thing is that costs have risen more and more in this region because we HAVE such great track. They are racing PALACES, world renowned and challenging. Thus it costs a lot for the region to rent them. Costs go up, entry lists go down. Costs go up high enough and people find themselves where I am, on the pit wall for good.

OK I will go back to lurking

[sweenrace]

Completely off topic here, but I discovered that the SCCA insurance is not particularly good.

The death/dismemberment coverage is of the order of $25k. That means if you die your family will only get $25k. As my wife is fond of saying, "if you die racing and leave me on my own, I'll come to hell and kill you again!"

....$25k isnt going to make her think twice about coming after me!

Anyway the point is, its worth thinking about supplemental motorsport life insurance especially seeing as many of our life insurance policys dont cover our sport.

The medical coverage is of the order $1M and it kicks in after your personal medical coverage has been used up.

...Back to your regular service

[qposner]

USAA will cover racing in their normal life insurance. I costs me the standard rate instead of preferred, but it is still a pretty good price. I think I pay $40/mo for $500k which was alot cheaper than the standard rate elsewhere.

[brian]

After racing the regional at Sears, both Dennis and I were not very pleased with some of the driving. I 've come to the conclusion that if a driver is mentally consumned with keeping up there isn't much grey matter left for looking at mirrors or anyhting else. We had a vee go flying by Dennis into a tire wall and later apologized by saying that he "forgot to brake". I had one vee in the carousel come from driver's right edge of the road left exit at the apex. Problem was I was occupying the apex and had to put all four off to avoid contact. Stupid me I thought he was letting me by because he was so far off the line. During the first session we had a ford put up his hand and pull behind the tow truck. When the workers pointed him away from the back of the truck he swerved right in front of Dennis running him into the dirt. Stupid us we thought he had a mechanical since he put his hand up and slowed to about 15 mph. I had the apex taken away from me twice by Fords. Once by a front running Swift and once by another ON THE COOL OFF LAP!.

Not too sure about the pace cars either. They never keep a constant pace and do that speed up and swerve off routine just prior to the green. Somebody should tell those guys that they are not part of the race. We know they're pulling off, so what's the big deal?