WHO ARE THESE GUYS?
02-20-2011, 11:45 AM
#91
Race Director
Yes I'll be at Sebring next Saturday for the DE. I'll try to find you....I'm easy to spot...6'5" with a shiney leg with a Porsche sticker on it...LOL
02-20-2011, 11:52 AM
#92
Race Director
My sincere thanks to all of you who have taken the time to craft thoughtful, honest, inspiring, responses to my initial inquiry "Who are these guys?" Your patience and willingness to share represents all that is good about this forum. Thank you.
To the rest of you, who responded like snippy little spoiled schoolboys with a secret handshake outside the clubhouse, be assured you accomplished nothing more than reinforcing the belief that "racers" look down their noses at the stupid DE drivers.
To the rest of you, who responded like snippy little spoiled schoolboys with a secret handshake outside the clubhouse, be assured you accomplished nothing more than reinforcing the belief that "racers" look down their noses at the stupid DE drivers.
02-20-2011, 02:00 PM
#94
Rennlist Member
Mike,
For the short answer to "Who are these guys?!"
The answer is: YOU!...you're just still in a state of denial...
...if you are still saying no way in hell thats me and need proof, all you need to do is go back and read your add for your car in the race/track classifieds (#25) that's a damn nice track car, with all the upgrades you will be in the 06 cup price range... You've stepped off the cliff and just haven't hit the bottom yet...
...welcome to the addiction...and remember denial is the first step in recognizing the problem...
Ps: they hand out the secret decoder ring, Secret handshake instructions and window sticker at the drivers meeting...
For the short answer to "Who are these guys?!"
The answer is: YOU!...you're just still in a state of denial...
...if you are still saying no way in hell thats me and need proof, all you need to do is go back and read your add for your car in the race/track classifieds (#25) that's a damn nice track car, with all the upgrades you will be in the 06 cup price range... You've stepped off the cliff and just haven't hit the bottom yet...
...welcome to the addiction...and remember denial is the first step in recognizing the problem...
Ps: they hand out the secret decoder ring, Secret handshake instructions and window sticker at the drivers meeting...
Last edited by J richard; 02-20-2011 at 02:21 PM. Reason: Adding snarkey comments...
02-20-2011, 02:29 PM
#95
Burning Brakes
The first person we asked had an extra set and gave them to us. No questions asked. Needless to say we're still very grateful and I hope to play it forward in the future.
At the end of the day when we went back to return the spacers, he insisted that we keep them... just in case.
I've yet to run a PCA event, but if that's any indication of what's normal, we're in good company.
-mike
02-20-2011, 02:39 PM
#96
1st Gear
Join Date: Feb 2011
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Uh. I think you guys got snookered. MikeJim is an old time racer. He started driving SCCA in 1971 in an MGA and got his national license the following year, winning four out of five races he entered in Formula A. At the American Road Race of Champions, he qualified third in F/A and finished sixth. In 1973, he ran in the Watkins Glen pro Formula 5000 race, finishing 14th. He also set a course record in national competition that year and won his regional championship in the big formula class. He ran the full Formula 5000 series in 1974, driving a Chevron B24 and had four finishes, two in seventh place. He got out of racing sometime around 1978.
Last edited by Bob Jordan; 02-20-2011 at 05:50 PM.
02-20-2011, 03:55 PM
#97
Rennlist Member
Last edited by Astroman; 02-20-2011 at 04:32 PM.
02-20-2011, 08:24 PM
#100
Rennlist Member
^^^^just goes to show no matter how nice your ride somebody's always got something just a little bit sweeter....
...the look on the crews faces?...priceless...
...the look on the crews faces?...priceless...
02-20-2011, 08:59 PM
#103
Addict
Rennlist Member
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Most are just ordinary people who have considerable disposable income and realize this is where they receive the most reward for their efforts at the office. For many it is less expensive to arrive and drive than loose time at the office. Many specialty surgeons, contractors, sales reps. I suspect most are self employeed.
I don't have a cup car but all race cars are expensive and going fast reliably is expensive like everything else. I also look for the best MD's, schools for my kids, etc.
When I take time off, I want it to matter. Having a crew actually allows me to work on my business when I'm on track and that desk + internet connection on the air conditioned trailer is VERY valuable and not a luxury.
Think about it, read your post about how many events you made it to? How many hours you've spent getting to/from and prepping. Trust me, you are " these guys".
BTW, don't come to a vintage race weekend
they make a PCA race look like a corner car show...
02-21-2011, 10:09 AM
#104
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Interesting thread and while the temptation from “outside” seems to be a us vs. them I have to offer my experience and observations to squelch that thinking. As a disclaimer I do not have the time or the budget to travel country-wide to race so my races tend to be regional (southeast). I think I have a fairly well equipped and sorted trailer, etc and I do not mind loading/unloading/trucking. Due to my restricted schedule I want to maximize each race weekend and drive. So what does having a crew do for me, it allows me to race. Over the past two events I had situations that would have ended my weekend early if I was by “myself”: event-1 shunt into soft-wall at Sebring exiting T-1 bent right suspension; Event-2 broken header, In both cases the crew was able to properly fix the car so I could get back out and finish the weekend.
The community of drivers is overwhelmingly generous and will give both time and equipment. The small % of @sses tend to leave or stay to themselves regardless of crew/no-crew. It’s a fantastic sport and I am privileged to take part in it with the full backing of my wife and kids.
The community of drivers is overwhelmingly generous and will give both time and equipment. The small % of @sses tend to leave or stay to themselves regardless of crew/no-crew. It’s a fantastic sport and I am privileged to take part in it with the full backing of my wife and kids.
02-21-2011, 12:07 PM
#105
Rennlist Member
In both cases the crew was able to properly fix the car so I could get back out and finish the weekend.
The community of drivers is overwhelmingly generous and will give both time and equipment. The small % of @sses tend to leave or stay to themselves regardless of crew/no-crew. It’s a fantastic sport and I am privileged to take part in it with the full backing of my wife and kids.
The community of drivers is overwhelmingly generous and will give both time and equipment. The small % of @sses tend to leave or stay to themselves regardless of crew/no-crew. It’s a fantastic sport and I am privileged to take part in it with the full backing of my wife and kids.
