Well, Pat started the Tour thread, and considering I did significantly worse than he did at the Pro, I feel it is my duty to start this one.

Rain sucks. Whiny competitors suck. While I know there are some, uh, "personality issues" in CS, I didn't realize things were as bad as they actually are. The crap that went on this past weekend was pathetic, and made my decision to run STS at the Toledo Pro a hell of a lot easier. No sense in driving in a class where people are going to whine when someone tries to work things to their advantage, then when things don't go "as planned," **** and moan that they are at a disadvantage.

For instance, Darrin DiSimo was pretty gleeful with his rain tires on Saturday, and crushing the class (not counting Jonathan Roberts, and his STS2 Miata). He was the only one with rain tires in CS. Then, Saturday afternoon, I was asked by my codriver (who, at the time was beating me) if I thought I could pass his morning times. I honestly said, "I don't know." I was having fits with launching the car, especially on the left, where I had to use the handbrake to keep from rolling out of the stage lights. He said, "I'm going to give you the chance, so do what you can." Steve obviously wanted to be the second driver on Sunday, which was (at the time) forecast to be dry. I really didn't know if I could match his runs. The car was pretty damned good in the wet, even on S04s, but when it lost traction, it lost it in a big and unpredictable way. I was getting hideous axle hop off the line, and while I wasn't necessarily frustrated with the car, I wasn't confident in my ability to run consistently decent times. So, Steve went out and intentionally botched his afternoon runs, leaving the door open for me to pass him. I only managed to do it on my second set of runs, and Darrin was pissed. I felt this was a bit hypocritical, considering he was more than happy to bust out the rain tires when no one else had them, and he was more than willing to try to get me to codrive with him instead of with Steve. It was also interesting that he wasn't so bothered by the fact that Donnie Barnes was faster than Eric Peterson (I don't know how intentional that was). He also neglected the fact that I was screwing myself by letting Steve be the second driver -- and I let Steve be the second driver as much as he "gave up" those runs. I really think Darrin would have done the same thing given the opportunity, and he just acted like a baby about the whole situation. As far as I'm concerned, he talked himself out of the win on Saturday afternoon.

Needless to say, Darrin coned away his best runs on Sunday. I coned away my best runs on Sunday. Tracy Ramsey coned away his best runs on Sunday. I finished DFL in class. Who was hurt most by letting Steve be the second driver? Not Darrin, that's for sure.

<sigh> Sorry for the vent. It was a long day yesterday. I am very much looking forward to driving with Corey Ridgick again. STS was a lot of fun in Topeka.

Karen
i better not find the "woodshed" magnetic on my car

edit : I posted pics at http://www.xecu.net/kiirenza/picture/dcpro Just don't use them without permission. Thanks!

 

my results suck, but i don't think i really drove too badly. with all the off camber corners and slaloms, plus the rain and damp spots on sunday and all the solid objects you could run into, made driving a loose car rather difficult. like karen said, when your car went, it did so in a very fast and unpredictable way. i never felt comfortable driving the course at 7/10ths, never mind 10/10ths.

after scaring the crap outta myself on my first right side run on sunday by spinning down towards the jersey barriers i drove my first left side rather conservative. then i coned my 2nd right side, so i was standing on my time from saturday in the rain. seeing that my left side was the only way i could move up in the standings at all and that the car seemed to be behaving itself now i thought i could push a little harder. i ended up loosing the back of the car at the first corner/slalom/lane change thingy. the car went so quick i never had a chance to counter-steer and i ended up pointed dead center at a course worker still with my foot to the floor. i put my tail between my legs at that point and drove at about 10mph back to the finish.

nate - looking forward to driving on a flat surface, with nothing hard to run into, in the DRY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CamaroFS34 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">.Steve obviously wanted to be the second driver on Sunday, which was (at the time) forecast to be dry. I really didn't know if I could match his runs.

...

So, Steve went out and intentionally botched his afternoon runs, leaving the door open for me to pass him..</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't get this part of your story... why would you intentionally botch runs? And can you pick and choose run order at Pro Solos (I assumed run order was determined by number, like local events)?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't get this part of your story... why would you intentionally botch runs? And can you pick and choose run order at Pro Solos (I assumed run order was determined by number, like local events)?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Your first set of runs at a Pro, the order is determined by car number. The second set, the run order is determined by current place, and for two driver cars, the faster driver runs "with class," while the slower driver runs after the rest. So, by intentionally running slower than his morning runs, my codriver (who, at the time was faster than me, and therefore running with class) allowed me the opportunity to be the faster driver for the third set of runs. This is about the extent of "choosing" your run order.

If you haven't run a ProSolo, it may not make a whole lot of sense. It's kind of hard to explain. Sorry.

Karen

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't get this part of your story... why would you intentionally botch runs? And can you pick and choose run order at Pro Solos (I assumed run order was determined by number, like local events)?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, at Pros....it is run by standings in class 1st runs first...etc.... in two driver cars the one leading runs as first driver, hence if you were behind your co-driver, you would have warmer tires and in this case drier conditions.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't get this part of your story... why would you intentionally botch runs? And can you pick and choose run order at Pro Solos (I assumed run order was determined by number, like local events)?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Only the first heat is determined by "number" after that run order is determined by position in class. #1 vs #2, etc. The exception is 2 driver cars, the 2nd driver runs after *all* of the first drivers have run, so when Karen beat Steve on Saturday, that ensured Steve got to take his runs later on Sunday. The tactic is a good one if you think the course will be warming/drying during your heat. It backfires if it starts to rain at the end of the heat.

Scott

 

umm, i suck horribly. this weekend proved that i am a good drag racer in the rain. wtf good does that do me? to sum it up:

saturday: leading by 2+ seconds

sunday: losing by 2 second, ended up 6th

on a good note, i met some new friends, and saw many old ones. thanks again to Chateu D'Unten for the hospitality... again!

 

Oh yeah... I get to post here again.

Like Karen said rain all day saturday sucked. Left everyone in the class fighting over 3rd place as the Kozlaks ran away with 1st and 2nd in the rain as they were on dirt stockers. Sunday rolls around leaving 2 runs for each side to cleanup vs the rain.

First run? coned on the right
Second run? pretty fast left side time
third run? Redlight!
fourth run? Redlight!

Might as well have come home saturday night. No cones, spins, or redlights when it was raining... I guess I just saved them up so I could pack them all into sunday in the dry.

 

Yea! I feel so included!!

Let's see... new suspension, new autox format, changing conditions, poor driving.

I never DNF and yet... I only had ONE clean run on the right after 6 tries, which, of course, was in the wet.

Was sitting an almost respectable mid-pack Sat night... lost it all Sunday morning. Conditions changed quicker than I could adapt to the new car.

Captain Obivous Footnote: Don't use a rainy, then dry ProSolo as your first test-n-tune.

Nice to meet Nate (solo-x) and Jesse (PseudoRealityX, nice job in the challenge, btw)!


Andy

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rodney &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">umm, i suck horribly.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wouldn't say that. You were less than 0.2 seconds out of a trophy spot.

It was a tough event, because it came down to a four-run shootout. First drivers -- or only drivers -- had to guess on setup (tire pressures, shock adjustments, etc.) without any first-hand knowledge of how the course would handle in the drying conditions.

I got lucky and the car handled great on Sunday. I'm not sure how I could have possibly made up the 1.3 seconds to the winner; I didn't feel like I left that much out there, but that's why he's got a Champion's jacket and I don't...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CamaroFS34 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">.If you haven't run a ProSolo, it may not make a whole lot of sense. It's kind of hard to explain. Sorry.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Makes sense to me. But I am surpirsed they do it that way, as it makes it awfully easy to play games with run order.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
But I am surpirsed they do it that way, as it makes it awfully easy to play games with run order.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is there another choice?

 

Oh, I can post here. The CRX was nowhere in the same planet, let alone ballpark, to being dialed in. All the changes I did to the CRX basically made it a pusing pig to begin with (riding the bumpstops in the front). Got that worked out on Sunday morning thanks to help from Chang Ho Kim and Doug Newhard. Sunday I scored high in the style points, but VERY LOW in the timed section, getting only one time, all the rest were DNF's from spinning off course. I think I am getting some bind in the rear suspension that was causing it to do funky things. On top of the I had sticker S04's that I found out afer my runs were way high on pressure and rubbing issues. I am just chalking this up to we hosted the event and some people had a good time, I hope.

On a bright note, I have to say overall considering the conditions, the event was very smooth we had minimal timing issues and were done and packed up by 4:30 on Sunday. That is pretty good. Neary did a great job as Chair person of the event. Thanks Mike for all the hard work.

One other observation, this was the first event I was a chief, doing Chief of workers position. I have a whole new respect for those people that work chief positions then run competitively. It is very difficult to concentrate on your driving after all the work you have to do keeping it running smoothly. to them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Is there another choice?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, run by number all day instead of changing order based on preliminary round results. Not that it really matters in the over-all scheme of things - it would just be one less thing to think about/bitch about when it rains.

 

Eric stop toying with those CSP boys..!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yes, run by number all day instead of changing order based on preliminary round results. Not that it really matters in the over-all scheme of things - it would just be one less thing to think about/bitch about when it rains.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I would agree that's the way to do a normal autox. However, in a ProSolo format, I think the ability to line up #1 and #2 at the light is worth the inconvenience of "team orders". IMO.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I would agree that's the way to do a normal autox. However, in a ProSolo format, I think the ability to line up #1 and #2 at the light is worth the inconvenience of "team orders". IMO.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Except when #1 or #2 decides it would behoove them to not line up against the other. Personally, I'd want to run after the other leaders so I know what I need to do (assuming it isn't going to rain later in the day).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Except when #1 or #2 decides it would behoove them to not line up against the other. Personally, I'd want to run after the other leaders so I know what I need to do (assuming it isn't going to rain later in the day).</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's no different than running straight numbers in that respect. Most fast people have a co-driver that'll stick them at the end of the heat anyway.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Except when #1 or #2 decides it would behoove them to not line up against the other. Personally, I'd want to run after the other leaders so I know what I need to do (assuming it isn't going to rain later in the day).</TD></TR></TABLE>
Sometimes #1 and #2 can't line up against each other because they are codrivers.

Karen

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CamaroFS34 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Sometimes #1 and #2 can't line up against each other because they are codrivers.

Karen</TD></TR></TABLE>

As was the case going into sunday in A-Stock... of course, with the Kozlaks it doesn't really matter which one of them gets the hot tires as either one will take you to the cleaners.

 

It was the same in CSP with Rod getting the advantage as a 2nd driver. Thought I don't think it really would matter there either if one or the other had warm tires.

 

WTF? 20+ posts so far and not one concerning the STi/Evo's in ESP??!! WTF has the internet come to???!!!



Pat
'96 Camaro Z28, mine for 6 minutes at the DC Tour
'95 Camaro Z28, mine for 0 minutes at the DC Pro
'02 Camaro SS, mine for 2 minutes at the DC Pro
'82 Camaro Z28, mine for 4 minutes at the DC Pro

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by poSEuR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">WTF? 20+ posts so far and not one concerning the STi/Evo's in ESP??!! WTF has the internet come to???!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, Karen started this thread, and she quickly shut down a STi/Evo discussion over on SCCAForums. Everybody's afraid what she'll do if we bring it up here... But I guess if Pat says it's okay to talk about...

 

just looked at the STS entry list for next weekend. 24 entered. and with the likes of billy, corey, jason, and karen all driving subaru's, i am so hoping it doesn't rain. i see a couple wild cards in the mix as well. should be loads of fun.

nate - hoping to start an "I kicked a$$ at the Toledo Pro" thread

 

Congrats to everyone who came out of the Pro with their cars in one piece. Moral victories are the best kinds.

I'm hoping to start a "Not DFL at the Toledo Tour" thread.