Am I in over my head? (Brain Droppings of the ’03 ECHC R00kie of the year)
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From: Jasma
Am I in over my head? (Brain Droppings of the ’03 ECHC R00kie of the year)
As the racing season came to an end, I’ve come to the realization how incredibly lucky I was not to hurt the car, myself, or worse, someone else. My first racing season was a turbulent one to say the least. I was competing with seasoned veterans, running better-prepared machinery with plenty more power. To my greatest surprise I was doing pretty well, usually qualifying in the top 5 cars overall, and usually finishing in similar range. I learned something new pretty much every turn I took, with every pass I made, with each position gained or lost. I was always aware of my surroundings, I didn’t miss any flags, I didn’t take the low percentage passes, basically I jumped into the deep end of the pool, and somehow managed to keep my head well above the water. The problem was that I had to push a lot more to try to keep up with the fast drivers/cars, in a relatively fast reacting, fast moving car, with no prior racing experience whatsoever. That's a recipe for certain disaster, no? Maybe not, I’ve had numerous offs, close calls, and two car-to-car contacts, one of which was minor and the other that took a fellow competitor out of the running, but I came out unharmed from all of them, made unbelievable (to me) saves, scared myself silly. All of which could have been avoided had I not been pushing as much as I was. On the other hand I had thought (falsely?) that I was a courteous driver out there, I didn’t pull any dirty moves, I didn’t get in the middle of other people fights for position, I didn’t try bonsai passes, but maybe not? Maybe I was a ticking time bomb out there, driving well over my head with only blind luck and instinct keeping me from disaster. I just don’t know, maybe either description is correct in it’s own way. I’ve had numerous people tell me that they were very impressed with my performance out there, and surprised as well, I also had two racers let me know that they are very surprised that I have not crashed out in the most spectacular of fashions.
I don’t even know where I’m going with this write-up, I see no clear solution to my dilemma, and I see no light at the end of the tunnel. Just sharing my conflicting feelings I guess.
Maybe it’s a huge combination of problems/situations that defy any easy explanation/definition. I’m even having problems putting the thoughts I’m having into words, as obviously I’m not as eloquent as some of our more known members of this forum.
I know racing is about pushing your car and yourself to the limit, it’s about the adrenaline rush, it’s about the feeling of victory or defeat. It’s about the competition in the most visceral form, it’s about being one with you car, with surroundings, being in other peoples heads, being stressed and relaxed at the same time…..being smooth….being in the zone…
…but where does one draw the line….when does one know one is over one’s limit….how much does one push. I never felt uncomfortable pushing as much as I did, I didn’t think I was over the line, I though I was holding back. Unfortunately I’m not perfect, and being close or at the limit of the car, mistakes cost dearly. Not as dearly as they should have though. Maybe it’s all part of the game, maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing, maybe I should be continuing as I am…..but I don’t think so. Something has to change…how does one go about changing one’s mindset? Is writing a diatribe like this the first step? Is my mindset changed de facto if I’m admitting the mistakes I clearly made?
Racing is a lot more mental than I though possible, under extreme pressure, under adverse conditions, in times of high duress. Can I hack it?
That will have to wait till next season I guess….I have till then to figure out what changes have to be made…
Matt D.
#49 H1
I don’t even know where I’m going with this write-up, I see no clear solution to my dilemma, and I see no light at the end of the tunnel. Just sharing my conflicting feelings I guess.
Maybe it’s a huge combination of problems/situations that defy any easy explanation/definition. I’m even having problems putting the thoughts I’m having into words, as obviously I’m not as eloquent as some of our more known members of this forum.
I know racing is about pushing your car and yourself to the limit, it’s about the adrenaline rush, it’s about the feeling of victory or defeat. It’s about the competition in the most visceral form, it’s about being one with you car, with surroundings, being in other peoples heads, being stressed and relaxed at the same time…..being smooth….being in the zone…
…but where does one draw the line….when does one know one is over one’s limit….how much does one push. I never felt uncomfortable pushing as much as I did, I didn’t think I was over the line, I though I was holding back. Unfortunately I’m not perfect, and being close or at the limit of the car, mistakes cost dearly. Not as dearly as they should have though. Maybe it’s all part of the game, maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing, maybe I should be continuing as I am…..but I don’t think so. Something has to change…how does one go about changing one’s mindset? Is writing a diatribe like this the first step? Is my mindset changed de facto if I’m admitting the mistakes I clearly made?
Racing is a lot more mental than I though possible, under extreme pressure, under adverse conditions, in times of high duress. Can I hack it?
That will have to wait till next season I guess….I have till then to figure out what changes have to be made…
Matt D.
#49 H1
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From: Elkton, MD, 21921
Re: Am I in over my head? (El Pollo Diablo)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by El Pollo Diablo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Maybe it’s all part of the game, maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing, maybe I should be continuing as I am? ...... Can I hack it?</TD></TR></TABLE>
thats racing. if you are serious about winning, you drive as hard as you can. you try to drive smart, but you have to be willing to take what happens.... i'd say you are doing pretty darned good! you beat me up pretty bad this last 2003 season; i have lots more seattime than you and you showed me your rear end every race. you are doing great. i'd say you can "hack it" pretty good, matt!
you richly deserved the "rookie of the year" award; enjoy your off season and prepare to do battle in 2004!
see you then!
thats racing. if you are serious about winning, you drive as hard as you can. you try to drive smart, but you have to be willing to take what happens.... i'd say you are doing pretty darned good! you beat me up pretty bad this last 2003 season; i have lots more seattime than you and you showed me your rear end every race. you are doing great. i'd say you can "hack it" pretty good, matt!
you richly deserved the "rookie of the year" award; enjoy your off season and prepare to do battle in 2004!
see you then!
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From: MA
Re: Am I in over my head? (Todd Reid)
i'm with todd on this one. the fact that you _did_ hack it so well this year is good evidence that you can hack it in the future too. now you have more experience going into '04 on which to build upon. keep up the good work!
nate
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From: Snowwhitepillowformybigfathead
Re: Am I in over my head? (El Pollo Diablo)
Your "problem" will take care of itself.
If you "want to" keep racing you will.
If you succeed in talking yourself out of racing anymore then you will.
I don't think there's a rational basis for racing cars - you just want to do it enough to do it and you do it. Or you don't.
Scott, who thinks that experience will change your perception and in time you'll have new questions about yourself and your racing...
If you "want to" keep racing you will.
If you succeed in talking yourself out of racing anymore then you will.
I don't think there's a rational basis for racing cars - you just want to do it enough to do it and you do it. Or you don't.
Scott, who thinks that experience will change your perception and in time you'll have new questions about yourself and your racing...
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From: Valley Forge, PA, USA
Re: Am I in over my head? (solo-x)
Before we just discard this, Matt is bringing up some VERY important issues here, because it is a change in the mindset of Honda Challenge from last year to this, and I don't necessarily think it is a good thing. The number of race incidents this year sky rocketed, and I've already heard other race groups complaining about having to share the track with us lunatics. Yes, it's easy to laugh that off, but when your fellow racers are saying that you are driving poorly, it's worth thinking about.
I think a lot of the HC racers this year were pushing too hard, and driving over their heads. I will say that I was one of the people who Matt was referring to when I said he is lucky not to have totalled the car this year based on the offs that he had, and the probability of an off resulting in major damage to the car.
The simple fact that Matt was mature enough to think about this, and post it to the list, tells me that he is heading in the right direction. Furthermore, I expect that he will be spending a lot more time on the paved surfaces next year as he gains experience and prioritizes things better.
Matt is far from the only one who needs to be thinking about this though, there were several others who were simply driving over their heads this past year. Hopefully when they read Matt's words, it will ring true to them, and they may use it as an opportunity to improve.
Matt
I think a lot of the HC racers this year were pushing too hard, and driving over their heads. I will say that I was one of the people who Matt was referring to when I said he is lucky not to have totalled the car this year based on the offs that he had, and the probability of an off resulting in major damage to the car.
The simple fact that Matt was mature enough to think about this, and post it to the list, tells me that he is heading in the right direction. Furthermore, I expect that he will be spending a lot more time on the paved surfaces next year as he gains experience and prioritizes things better.
Matt is far from the only one who needs to be thinking about this though, there were several others who were simply driving over their heads this past year. Hopefully when they read Matt's words, it will ring true to them, and they may use it as an opportunity to improve.
Matt
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From: Greensboro, NC
Re: Am I in over my head? (El Pollo Diablo)
I ask myself these questions after every weekend. Seriously, I do. Quite honestly, especially after watching your tape, I have no clue how Corey and I didn't connect. We were both driving like lunatics, but that's part of the game, right?
IMO, you definitely belong out there. Never once, and I mean this, did I ever feel in danger with all the close racing we had this year. Well, except after seeing the VIR thing with JE
Just kidding. You won the Rookie of the Year, Matt. Although we're definitely not NASCAR or even SWC, we are a very competitive series. It's something you should be proud of, as you earned it well.
Jason-
who wonders if Matt's just playing with everbody's head
IMO, you definitely belong out there. Never once, and I mean this, did I ever feel in danger with all the close racing we had this year. Well, except after seeing the VIR thing with JE
Just kidding. You won the Rookie of the Year, Matt. Although we're definitely not NASCAR or even SWC, we are a very competitive series. It's something you should be proud of, as you earned it well.
Jason-
who wonders if Matt's just playing with everbody's head
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From: Culpeper, VA
Re: Am I in over my head? (Jason Franza)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason Franza »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have no clue how Corey and I didn't connect. We were both driving like lunatics, but that's part of the game, right?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I wouldn't have it any other way, thats racing..
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
IMO, you definitely belong out there. Never once, and I mean this, did I ever feel in danger with all the close racing we had this year. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Totally agree...
Oh, and other racers don't like us because we are so competitive, which is a great thing IMO..
I wouldn't have it any other way, thats racing..
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
IMO, you definitely belong out there. Never once, and I mean this, did I ever feel in danger with all the close racing we had this year. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Totally agree...
Oh, and other racers don't like us because we are so competitive, which is a great thing IMO..
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From: Parkton, MD, 21120
Re: Am I in over my head? (Honda318dx)
[QUOTE=Honda318dx]
I wouldn't have it any other way, thats racing..
Definatly, that is racing....and I am going to bet that it gets a good amount more intense next season......I noticed a major improvement in most peoples driving skill from last season to this season....people have stepped it up. The past two seasons have been somewhat tame....and the race classes spread out. We might have had two or three cars max battling for position for a few laps but nothing that lasted all race. When we get to the point where four or five drivers are all fighting for the same piece of track for 15 laps, I can gaurantee some type of contact, and or really close racing.....I think that is what we are all looking for. I'm not talking race ending contact but just some taps and a bit of rubbing. As long as everyone can control themselves and there cars, there is nothing wrong with that.......that is racing. I know many will disagree with that statement, but from what I have experienced in other series, and races it is inevitable when you get three or four equally matched cars and drivers together fighting for position.
I wouldn't have it any other way, thats racing..
Definatly, that is racing....and I am going to bet that it gets a good amount more intense next season......I noticed a major improvement in most peoples driving skill from last season to this season....people have stepped it up. The past two seasons have been somewhat tame....and the race classes spread out. We might have had two or three cars max battling for position for a few laps but nothing that lasted all race. When we get to the point where four or five drivers are all fighting for the same piece of track for 15 laps, I can gaurantee some type of contact, and or really close racing.....I think that is what we are all looking for. I'm not talking race ending contact but just some taps and a bit of rubbing. As long as everyone can control themselves and there cars, there is nothing wrong with that.......that is racing. I know many will disagree with that statement, but from what I have experienced in other series, and races it is inevitable when you get three or four equally matched cars and drivers together fighting for position.
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From: imma young chinese boy
Re: Am I in over my head? (Jason Franza)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason Franza »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Jason-
who wonders if Matt's just playing with everbody's head</TD></TR></TABLE>
i can tell you for absolute certian that he's not.
who wonders if Matt's just playing with everbody's head
</TD></TR></TABLE>i can tell you for absolute certian that he's not.
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From: I started it
Re: Am I in over my head? (jeimport)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jeimport »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">[QUOTE=Honda318dx]I can gaurantee some type of contact, and or really close racing.....I think that is what we are all looking for.</TD></TR></TABLE>
James, with all due respect, that's not what I'm "looking for." I won't be surprised should it happen...and I certainly expect it (I got hit in round 1 this year and it didn't really bother me). But to suggest that drivers should be "looking for" minor car-to-car contact is, in my mind, not a place we want to go.
I might be taking your comments out of context, and if I'm doing so, I apologize. I just know that most of "my guys," including myself, are hoping for just the opposite. Clean, close racing with NO contact.
It might be an unreasonable goal...but after watching Blake Meredith at the ARRC in ITC, I'm convinced that it's attainable. Heck, it was attainable for some of the guys last year at LMS...three wide in the banking and nobody hit anybody else.
We (the Honda Challenge regulars) just have to do our part to make sure that rubbing is, in fact, NOT racing. Will "rubbing" happen? Of course it will. But going in with a preconceived notion that it *will* happen changes everyone's mindset, and I don't think this is a good thing.
Regardless, I've been within inches of your car on multiple occasions and think you're one of the cleanest, fastest guys I've shared a racetrack with
--Karl <-- not running the show next year...this is just commentary...
James, with all due respect, that's not what I'm "looking for." I won't be surprised should it happen...and I certainly expect it (I got hit in round 1 this year and it didn't really bother me). But to suggest that drivers should be "looking for" minor car-to-car contact is, in my mind, not a place we want to go.
I might be taking your comments out of context, and if I'm doing so, I apologize. I just know that most of "my guys," including myself, are hoping for just the opposite. Clean, close racing with NO contact.
It might be an unreasonable goal...but after watching Blake Meredith at the ARRC in ITC, I'm convinced that it's attainable. Heck, it was attainable for some of the guys last year at LMS...three wide in the banking and nobody hit anybody else.
We (the Honda Challenge regulars) just have to do our part to make sure that rubbing is, in fact, NOT racing. Will "rubbing" happen? Of course it will. But going in with a preconceived notion that it *will* happen changes everyone's mindset, and I don't think this is a good thing.
Regardless, I've been within inches of your car on multiple occasions and think you're one of the cleanest, fastest guys I've shared a racetrack with
--Karl <-- not running the show next year...this is just commentary...
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From: Plotting My Revenge
Re: Am I in over my head? (krshultz)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krshultz »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
It might be an unreasonable goal...but after watching Blake Meredith at the ARRC in ITC, I'm convinced that it's attainable. Heck, it was attainable for some of the guys last year at LMS...three wide in the banking and nobody hit anybody else.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
That ITC tape should probably make rounds amongst racers. 20 laps of 4 cars racing within inches of each other and there was one minor contact that was very unintentional (blind spot related, driver didn't know the other car was there... touch, save, continue). Several times the cars were so close that you think they touched, but I saw the cars after the race and know for a fact that they didn't. My car (the car Blake was driving) came off track without a single scratch.
So it can be done. This race was as intense and as close as a race can be (very similar to me, Brinson, Kent, Evans, and Reid at Lowes last year but even closer and sustained for a longer period) and remained extremely clean. Proving that it can be done.
As Karl said, **** happens in racing and you have to accept that fact. But contact and close, intense racing do not have to be married.
From what I've been told by a few HC racers, there was apparently more contact this year in ECHC than I saw running in the Spec Miata, ITB and ITC group. If this really the case you guys do need to clean it up a bit. SM is easily the worst class for contact in SCCA, so if you guys are out metal bending them...
Scott, who thinks the thread hasn't been hijacked and is still within its original track.
It might be an unreasonable goal...but after watching Blake Meredith at the ARRC in ITC, I'm convinced that it's attainable. Heck, it was attainable for some of the guys last year at LMS...three wide in the banking and nobody hit anybody else.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
That ITC tape should probably make rounds amongst racers. 20 laps of 4 cars racing within inches of each other and there was one minor contact that was very unintentional (blind spot related, driver didn't know the other car was there... touch, save, continue). Several times the cars were so close that you think they touched, but I saw the cars after the race and know for a fact that they didn't. My car (the car Blake was driving) came off track without a single scratch.
So it can be done. This race was as intense and as close as a race can be (very similar to me, Brinson, Kent, Evans, and Reid at Lowes last year but even closer and sustained for a longer period) and remained extremely clean. Proving that it can be done.
As Karl said, **** happens in racing and you have to accept that fact. But contact and close, intense racing do not have to be married.
From what I've been told by a few HC racers, there was apparently more contact this year in ECHC than I saw running in the Spec Miata, ITB and ITC group. If this really the case you guys do need to clean it up a bit. SM is easily the worst class for contact in SCCA, so if you guys are out metal bending them...
Scott, who thinks the thread hasn't been hijacked and is still within its original track.
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Re: Am I in over my head? (Catch 22)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That ITC tape should probably make rounds amongst racers. 20 laps of 4 cars racing within inches of each other.....</TD></TR></TABLE>
Cool race footage?
Can you post it? I'd love to see it.
That ITC tape should probably make rounds amongst racers. 20 laps of 4 cars racing within inches of each other.....</TD></TR></TABLE>
Cool race footage?
Can you post it? I'd love to see it.
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From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Re: Am I in over my head? (jeimport)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jeimport »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I know many will disagree with that statement, but from what I have experienced in other series, and races it is inevitable when you get three or four equally matched cars and drivers together fighting for position.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I won't disagree as I tend to think its inevitible as well. When you have more than 2 cars racing for the same piece of real-estate, it sure seems to me that tire rub, bumper rub and pretty much any other kind of rub has a very likely chance of occurring. Having said that, it doesn't have to occur twice or more in the same instance, at that point its a whole different story but I don't this is what is being described. I also agree that there is nothing wrong with this provided it doesn't go beyond that and everyone can keep the pace they entered the turn/straight with. I just don't think of things that can be cleaned up with rubbing compound or things that don't leave a mark as a "hit" (punts excluded).
I know many will disagree with that statement, but from what I have experienced in other series, and races it is inevitable when you get three or four equally matched cars and drivers together fighting for position.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I won't disagree as I tend to think its inevitible as well. When you have more than 2 cars racing for the same piece of real-estate, it sure seems to me that tire rub, bumper rub and pretty much any other kind of rub has a very likely chance of occurring. Having said that, it doesn't have to occur twice or more in the same instance, at that point its a whole different story but I don't this is what is being described. I also agree that there is nothing wrong with this provided it doesn't go beyond that and everyone can keep the pace they entered the turn/straight with. I just don't think of things that can be cleaned up with rubbing compound or things that don't leave a mark as a "hit" (punts excluded).
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From: Plotting My Revenge
Re: Am I in over my head? (phat-S)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phat-S »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I just don't think of things that can be cleaned up with rubbing compound or things that don't leave a mark as a "hit" (punts excluded).</TD></TR></TABLE>
"Contact" that can be cleaned up with rubbing compound isn't contact. Hopefully everyone agrees on that.
Unless, as Adam pointed out, that rubbing compound scuff was a punt. Thats a whole 'nother topic.
I just don't think of things that can be cleaned up with rubbing compound or things that don't leave a mark as a "hit" (punts excluded).</TD></TR></TABLE>
"Contact" that can be cleaned up with rubbing compound isn't contact. Hopefully everyone agrees on that.
Unless, as Adam pointed out, that rubbing compound scuff was a punt. Thats a whole 'nother topic.
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From: Elkton, MD, 21921
Re: Am I in over my head? (Catch 22)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Unless, as Adam pointed out, that rubbing compound scuff was a punt. Thats a whole 'nother topic.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i generally agree with the above (racing is getting closer; mild contact will ACCIDENTALLY occur, etc.). once again, that is racing. i accept it gladly.
Punting, on the other hand, should not be tolerated. at all. this is my definition of "punting": car 1 is leading car 2 around the course. car 2 cannot successfully pass car 1; they are evenly matched and both being well driven. after several unsuccessful passing attemps, car 2 decides to give car 1 a tap in the rear bumper at the end of a brake zone entering a corner. car 1 gets loose and has to slow to catch the car (or falls off the track entirely). car 2 drives around car 1 for the pass.
in my mind, the above scenario (intentional tapping/rubbing/bumping to affect a pass) should NOT be allowed in HC and should be PUNISHED. SEVERELY.
i believe this is NASA's policy, anyway. good, clean, close racing is encouraged; punting is discouraged and punished.
i like watching the Speed World Challenge races, but it sometimes makes me sick seeing the intentional punting in a corner; that's not racing to me, that's just plain dirty driving.
just my opinion.
todd
ps i am very comfortable driving with all you guys. and i mean driving hard and close!!! can't wait for 2004
Unless, as Adam pointed out, that rubbing compound scuff was a punt. Thats a whole 'nother topic.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i generally agree with the above (racing is getting closer; mild contact will ACCIDENTALLY occur, etc.). once again, that is racing. i accept it gladly.
Punting, on the other hand, should not be tolerated. at all. this is my definition of "punting": car 1 is leading car 2 around the course. car 2 cannot successfully pass car 1; they are evenly matched and both being well driven. after several unsuccessful passing attemps, car 2 decides to give car 1 a tap in the rear bumper at the end of a brake zone entering a corner. car 1 gets loose and has to slow to catch the car (or falls off the track entirely). car 2 drives around car 1 for the pass.
in my mind, the above scenario (intentional tapping/rubbing/bumping to affect a pass) should NOT be allowed in HC and should be PUNISHED. SEVERELY.
i believe this is NASA's policy, anyway. good, clean, close racing is encouraged; punting is discouraged and punished.
i like watching the Speed World Challenge races, but it sometimes makes me sick seeing the intentional punting in a corner; that's not racing to me, that's just plain dirty driving.
just my opinion.
todd
ps i am very comfortable driving with all you guys. and i mean driving hard and close!!! can't wait for 2004
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From: Parkton, MD, 21120
Re: Am I in over my head? (phat-S)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phat-S »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I won't disagree as I tend to think its inevitible as well. When you have more than 2 cars racing for the same piece of real-estate, it sure seems to me that tire rub, bumper rub and pretty much any other kind of rub has a very likely chance of occurring. Having said that, it doesn't have to occur twice or more in the same instance, at that point its a whole different story but I don't this is what is being described. I also agree that there is nothing wrong with this provided it doesn't go beyond that and everyone can keep the pace they entered the turn/straight with. I just don't think of things that can be cleaned up with rubbing compound or things that don't leave a mark as a "hit" (punts excluded).</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah adam...that is more like what I meant....I just didn't word it clearly enough. I didn't mean it to sound like drivers should try to make contact......and I also agree that it doesn't have to happen at all when racing closely....just sometimes does. Oh well.....I guess my original point was supposed to be about the races getting more intense next season and more bunched up.....not so much about contact.
I won't disagree as I tend to think its inevitible as well. When you have more than 2 cars racing for the same piece of real-estate, it sure seems to me that tire rub, bumper rub and pretty much any other kind of rub has a very likely chance of occurring. Having said that, it doesn't have to occur twice or more in the same instance, at that point its a whole different story but I don't this is what is being described. I also agree that there is nothing wrong with this provided it doesn't go beyond that and everyone can keep the pace they entered the turn/straight with. I just don't think of things that can be cleaned up with rubbing compound or things that don't leave a mark as a "hit" (punts excluded).</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah adam...that is more like what I meant....I just didn't word it clearly enough. I didn't mean it to sound like drivers should try to make contact......and I also agree that it doesn't have to happen at all when racing closely....just sometimes does. Oh well.....I guess my original point was supposed to be about the races getting more intense next season and more bunched up.....not so much about contact.
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RR98ITR
Road Racing / Autocross & Time Attack
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Jan 15, 2004 06:02 PM