This is not true. The video showed that 69 did the correct action in the previous race and he was exonerated (as was the overtaking car in that incident, who did clip 69 and after the overtaking car's nose was ahead) from any wrongdoing. Not just tapping the helmet happened, either. There's a dent in the roof, too...

Klaus, I have enjoyed watching you at Sebring and at Road Atlanta. Your driving and performance speaks for itself. You bring a lot of class and excitement to these events. We are all sorry for your damage, and because of 69 car's mistake, both he and you have big repairs ahead. My condolences and the penalties have been meted out. Let's move on.

 

Good words, but I really like the bold part!

 

+10000000000000000000000

 

First Klauss, very sorry to see!
Second,
Do we really need training wheels??

Glen, all the respect in the world to you, but...I'll play Devil's advocate here.

Yes, we all need training wheels. Unlike lower alphabet racing, factory race cars are - as you know, razor sharp and very powerful. Unlike earlier factory cars, these are now available to virtually anybody, regardless of exerience. Some people come directly off of the street with limited DE experience and directly into 7Cups.

This is racing, stuff happens.

This is PCA Club Rcing and some of this stuff shouldn't happen.

The implied "all this happens in cup car races" is getting old... If they are at the front of any race, they drive well up to that point to be in that position.

I question that for some folks.

I guess it's logical that as people transition to a fast growing class in a fast car around new opponents there will be growing pains.

Some of this, I believe, transcends growing pains. I suggest that the growing pains are those that some drivers are experiencing after having moved, perhaps too quickly, into factory cars. The class is growing quickly because the cars are available.

N=1 and a case in point. I could have easily had Gamroth build a 400hp engine for my fresh GT car right off the bat. I thought however that it would be prudent to run a milder car for a year or two to sharpen my old skills. We can still win, but it takes more work. I just wasn't ready for a hot car...training wheels again.

I have strong feelings about this topic and certainly don't mind bringing them up. I don't mind being flamed if I'm wrong, but let's not make this personal.

 

Wisdom. Thanks, Glen.

I used to believe as you do, Kai. Then reality reared its ugly head...

 

Very well put!! +100000

Scott

 

Peter, thanks for some of the kind words. The crash could have been fully avoided. Look at the car next to #222's video. No correction action what so ever. I talked to #69 car crew chief. A great guy. He was sorry for #69 car and said that he could not control #69 driver. I am only brining this up as due to what you wrote to defend my self. I am glad that you have done the training for #69, and I hope you keep doing it. As for the dent on the roof, really? The roof must be as soft as the driver. You referred to assault. #222 car driver tapped the helmet to get #69 car driver's eye contact and answer. You chose your words and opinions, due to #69 paid your salary that weekend. I understand that. I know my hot headed actions were wrong as the mistake on #69 car on the start or his blaming me for the wreck, threatening to beat me up (if I ever got close to him or his car) and he kept threatening even in the ER room, until he was asked to leave. I rest my case with the words: all this could have been avoided.

 

Why do you have to choose a hard side and say either "he screwed up and cup drivers suck, they should just pull into the pits if they can't drive on cold tires" or "he didn't do anything wrong, it was the car/conditions."

We all know there was a mistake. And we all know the mistake was all to easy on cold tires on a possibly damp track.

Do we just sit back and allow this to happen time and time again, keep on blaming drivers or conditions, or do we try to help make things better? I race for fun and it's not fun when that happens to me or others (lose track time).

I propose the latter. We need to talk to the event stewards at the meetings and before the races, and explain WHY we need faster pace car speeds and extra warmup laps on short courses / low temps. And I think meeting the other drivers in the group is also a good idea so we can get to know each other and see people, not just cars, out there. I will try to set up a gathering at Lime Rock at the SpeedSport Tuning tent sometime for all the cup drivers, maybe that would help.

 

That's all that needs to be said. I meant the kind words, as I observe everyone, not just those who are my friends and clients.

 

This is one of the most relevant, salient points here. As others have said, it is still the drivers' responsibility to make clean starts regardless of pace speeds, conditions, or number of pace laps. But there is an opportunity to make things a bit safer when conditions are less than ideal.

 

^^ THIS ^^ is a GREAT idea.

The less nameless, faceless car-numbered people there are out there, the more folks look after each other.

This was brought up after the Sebring debacle, but needs to be put into place and LRP is as good a place as any to do it.

I have huge experience organizing, operating and working races with similar specification cars with drivers from broad experience levels and in every case, a simple social or even a meeting where people can raise their hand and introduce themselves to each other (and shake hands) can really raise the esprit de corps.

Great idea and thank you, Mike!

 

I agree with Mike, Dave and Peter here. After the Sebring thread there was hope that some of this would calm down.

NOW. On a lighter note...

One of the most quotable sentences ever to grace the pages of this forum was just posted - I dearly hope this gets carried forward in some manner or another.

"...the roof must be as soft as the driver..."

...is just classic!!!

 

A lot of this thread could have been avoids if the driver who made the mistake had just accepted that he made a mistake and offered an apology/mea culpa.

It's pretty easy to understand Klaus being pissed.

Those of us in the race were lucky not to be collected in this mess.
Also, it would be interesting to see video from further back. I know I was passed long before the green.

 

Single best post in this thread. Proactive, solution oriented and something that builds up the fraternity that Club Racing should be.

 

Tim, hats off to you for some terrific driving this weekend! It's fun to watch you.

I can say (with video proof) that the 69 driver was initially (and continues to be) despondent and DID accept complete responsibility. He told that to the Stewards, just that way. No excuses.

The deal with Klaus was an escalation from the initial confrontation when his temper were running high. It was Klaus that got out, walked over and opened the door and instigated what followed. The video is damning, but it's over. Nobody got hurt, except their pocketbooks.

All of you in the group are incredibly fortunate to drive these marvelous, competent and fast cars on the great racetracks of the US. You're all part of an organization with a great fraternal history that encourages safe, fair and fun driving and racing, such that you all should be looking out for each other.

It's a very special thing. And no one who crashes can be smug about it. We want people to WANT to come play in the big GT group.

I really like Mike's meet-and-greet idea.