31 cars, some great racing, some great drivers, and the biggest crowd I've ever raced in front of. So what is the down side? I already miss the way the series used to be - just us.

Look back at the winners of race 1 at CMP. Jack, Corey, Scott, Lionel, and me. 4 of the 5 winners were a part of our "group", and Lionel quickly bridged that gap to become one of us before the weekend was even over. So really, all of the winners were from our group.

Now look at the winners of race 1 at Summit. Jack, Alex, and 3 SCCA racers whose names I don't even know.

For me, it takes a lot out of the overall spirit and excitement when strangers win the races. I know it is inevitable, and even necessary, for the series to continue. I also know that it is really our "goal" in growing it, and appealing to new people. Most likely, what happened at CMP will never happen again. What is happening now is good for the series, however, I will definately miss being able to keep it in the family.


Matt

 

Jason-
who wonders if he'll be welcome when he's given the chance...

 

NEVER!

 

I met all the guys that won this weekend. Great guys, and great drivers. Adam hangs out on the board, and we both have the same cage.

I really don't care who comes to join ECHC, as long as they run clean and they're fun to hang out with.

Warren

 

I only listed people who won the first race. I've known Adam for over a year now, and consider him to be part of our group. As for other people from here being welcome, of course you are! You are here, and a part of our group. I would love it if every competitor had to hang out on this board before being allowed to race with us! LOL!

Matt

 

remember, those guys "deserved" to win. I couldn't believe how good a driver that old CRX driver was in H5. I couldn't shake that **** during the first practice heat!! what an ego crusher; to be chased around by a stock 1.5 two valver single cammer in my prepped H1 car. that dude could HYPER drive!!!!!

during the actual race on Sat, I sorta got into my groove a little better and ran well (at least for my driving skill level). Once again, I couldn't believe how fast those damn black CRX SI ITA cars were; they were H4 and H3 CRXs and it took all my skill to stay ahead of them; once again, those guys have way less car than I do and they were living on my back door....

Kudos to Yack for his performance; he is the MAN in H1.

it was well worth it for me this weekend, even though I could only do Sat's race; (oil cooler failure on cooldown lap).

Looking foward to the next event

Todd
#11 H1 Civic DX

 

I wish we could have fixed the car Todd....


[Modified by B18CXr, 10:59 AM 7/1/2002]

 

Just remember the age old quote Matt, "A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet." I understand what you're saying though, you guys started this all up and it does take a lot out of it when people who were un-involved with that come in and walk away with the prize. Not to mention some of those people probably have no interest in being sociable and becoming part of the group.

Also, remember what I keep telling Corey, $5 for each Grid worker, $5 for Start, $5 for Control, and $5 for the race director (don't wanna leave Grumpy out of it) and we can get your competition black flagged. Just kidding.

Matt - who wishes he had a car so he could become part of the "group".

 

todd....you must remember that JACK YOU AND I DAILY DRIVE our cars!! those crx's are about 1800 pounds if not lighter!!!!!!

jack drove his home 2400 plus pounds
i drove mine when i got home after we unloaded it

and all 3 of us have interior from doors up...cept i took my carpet out!!

 

In some ways I can see where Matt is coming from with this. I like the whole close-knit group thing but then again I see that I knew none of you when I got started in all this and now we are all friends. Alex, Brinson and Lyonel came in a little after the fact but now they are part of us sharing their snide remarks, cooking and dental floss. It is all part of the fun. Certainly not everyone will make it to the inner circle but those that do will only contribute to everyone's fun.

 

If those SCCA guys made an effort to talk to us, be friendly, I probably wouldn't feel that way. I tried talking to all of them at different times, and for the most part, it just seemed like they weren't interested. The guy with the white Civic coupe that broke his tie rod was nice, but most of the others just seemed to be off in a world of their own.

I know my original post doesn't make tons of sense. I'm talking from a purely emotional perspective. I like seeing the winners being "us", that's all. It's more fun that way, and it means more. That's all.

Matt

 

Not to get snippy but Matt, Giles and I met Chris B. well over a year ago at the NASA event back in April of last year where he was driving his ITR. I believe that Lyonel has been friendly with the OPM guys for around two years now. These guys are certainly neither after the fact nor new people IMHO.

Just wanted to put into perspective that some of the folks that some don't know have been around longer than a lot of us.

 

In the online world, I've actually known Brinson longer than anybody else here. He and I go back a few years already, before he even started hondaprelude.com

Matt

 

you have to realize after you start serious track racing for a while, you start to try to maximize your time @ track and hang out "less". that's one of the different between club racing and pro racing.

well sorted ITA honda's are amazingly fast, they carry tons of corner speed. i only briefly looked at the ECHC rules and some of the classes should be faster than ITA easily. so if it ain't there yet, there's work to do.

so while hanging out and having fun is great, don't forget to make the seat time/tracktime worth while.

 

I wish I could have been there this weekend guys, sounds like you all had fun. I am going to throw this out there for you all to think about. Every driver was excited when they saw the stuff in Super Street and GRM, Jack got a story in the local (Carlisle) paper, I did an article in our event mag and another in my syndicated newspaper column and everyone digs on being in the spotlight, but when that happens more people take interest in what is going on. I know some of you want sponsors and so on and honestly a big sponsor is not going to pay any attention to you until there are big fields at each race and you get even more coverage. It is just the way it is. I hope you guys were all really open to the new SCCA guys and welcomed them. I knew none of you a year ago and feel like you are all friends now because of the way you treat me and I don't even own a Honda.
Just food for thought, I don't want to **** anyone off.

Mike

 

Matt-

I know exectly how you feel. I didn't get a chance to talk with everyone like I usually do becasue Iwas out on the JC all day. I didn't get a chance to talk with the new guys - and help to try and break the ice....

Thing to remember though is last year there was no Honda-Challenge and look what the core group has done. The West Coast wants it and the Arizona chapter has had at least one or two"Honda Challenges" so far!!!!

We all know that people that come from different venues have a hard time with our laid back attitude and friendly comraderie. That's what makes us ALL special - it is what made the birth of your series so easy and so natural.

Just keep ******* "outsiders" with you special kind of comraderie and they will just make your "group" get bigger.

Beside which maybe one of them has a sister that'll be interested in blue race hondas

Great race to all of you. The worst part for me was that I was cheering for everyone and the people around me in the grandstand thought I was a little weird. like I had to have only ONE special car - but you're all special and thanks for the great time!

Elyse

 

Non-NASA drivers don't understand the comradrie we have. SCCA events tend to be very impersonal.

IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY to invite them to our party, not theirs to feel like they are crashing ours.

Grumpy

 

great attitude grumps, that's the way! too bad i didn't meet you last time you came out to west coast. i finally got back to helping NASA-NCal this last weekend.

perhaps i can come check out the NASA-VA events sometimes. i just got myself lined up for my first east coast event in aug. i will be out at mid-ohio with tracQuest.



[Modified by frank@b16a.com, 8:14 PM 7/1/2002]

 

. i just got myself lined up for my first east coast event in aug. You coming to CMP on Aug 3,4?

 

naw i'll still be in cali on aug 3-4 (willow springs). i wouldn't mind coming out to help out at at NASA-VA HPDE event down the road though.

 

I don't know what SCCA events you've been to, but in Ohio, SCCA events are NOT impersonal. I'll be running at Mid-Ohio this weekend and the social aspect of Club Racing is almost as fun as racing. (I did say almost! )

One side question - Why is there so much SCCA bashing on this forum? I can't wait for NASA to get here (Ohio) and see what they're all about!

 

good stuff.....
although i am not one to go introduce myself maybe i should start doing that....#13 car lyle i believe it is and i battled petty good on saturday for a few laps...then he was in front of me at the start on sunday and i had to battle to get by him....it was fun stuff....i remember looking over at one point and seeing 13 right at my drivers window in t-1 and don't remember who was behind us....i don't think i have introduced myself to him...i'm just shy like that i guess....we know matt's not shy....i would never sing the national anthem!!
so i will try to meet one or two new drivers at every event....i'm not good with names though guys!! ohhh and i wish i would have met the driver of the black si!! see she would be the last one i'd talk too cause i'm really shy with the women!! until get in me!!

 

Lionel Kent - he's a great guy, and damn fast! He was down at CMP with us as well. He, his wife, and his friend Mark really just joined right in with us, they spent most of the weekend hanging out with me, Karl, Scott, Drew, Drew's girlfriend (I'm going to get beaten for writing that), and Chris.

I talked to her for a little bit after Saturday's race, her name is Rachel. She seemed nice, but the conversation was an uphill battle. I guess she wasn't much in the talking mood.

Matt

 

Her boyfriend looked like a tool.

That aside, she had her sunroof in place. And functional. And open right before Sunday's race. This is not legal, no?

And if this chit gets started on the west coast... maybe in a few years you could have a national 'Pro Honda Challenge' series