105 replies to this topic

[Ron Hershman]

To quote Ron Hershman from another blog in reference to USRA racing:

"The Group 10 class was the largest when Wedge bodies were allowed to run. The year we went to Stock Car bodies started the decline in Group 10 racing, then the motors made it worse."

You would think we would have learned something from the past and not even entertain the idea of running stockcar?

It's OK to quote me... but here is the rest of that story.... while the switch from "wedge" bodies to stock cars killed the Group 10 class over time... at the same time we were running "wedge" bodies in Group 10... the next largest class and almost the same in numbers of entries at the scale Nats for a few years was the 4.5" Stock Car class.

At the time... 4.5" stock cars were huge in USRA and around the country.

And that's the beauty of the IRRA rules... rules for quite a few "retro" type classes. Sure there may only be a couple of regions running them, but they are running them and that's due to rules being available for retro Stock Cars. If Stock Cars were ever to be added to the Sano or R4 races, there would be nearly as many guys running them as the other classes in time.

[Mopar Rob]

Larry:

It's all redundant. All the classes are brass and wire in an inline configuration with basically a body change. Most of the guys that I race with are running 4-1/4" to 4-3/8" under a long Ti22. Now if Can-Am and GTC had wheelbase limits that would be a different story

[Noose]

The class structure is fine and there are no intentions of adding or deleting classes. We are working on some minor rule clarifications. As for the GTC and Can-Ams being the same, not quite.

Stock Cars are a very new class and becoming more popular everyday. It's true we are running them here out East as part of our series and one of the tracks has just started to run them as part of their local program. They are totally different from all others.

We talked about anglewinders out here but there is just not an interest. There has been more of an interest in the Jail Door class. We have dropped the Flexi GT class here and local tracks are picking that up.

[Mopar Rob]

Mike:

Sorry for the thread drift. Eveyone should attend your race regardless of what classes are ran.

I will try to attend. Hopefully, work and the economy are a little more stable next March.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

I hope you can make it Rob. I am thinking (hoping) the worst is over (economy wise) and things will be on the way up by the end of the year. Thanks for the comments.

[911GT3]

Should us Columbus folks pass the hat for Jersey John's travel expenses? Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Mike, I have witnesses that heard you mention accommodations and travel expenses for me?

For the record I said I would "ALMOST" consider paying your way here BUT... like Eric just posted, if we have to we will gladly "pass the hat" for your travel $$$. You gotta be here, man. You definitely crank up the fun factor a notch or two!

[JerseyJohn]

Mike, can't wait for March. Hopefully I can get my teammates to go. Either way I'm in!!!

[Larry Mattingly]

That Jersey cranks up the fun meter is an understatement...

This guy is the poster boy of what retro is, and should, be about...

Happy to count him as a friend, and now that he knows his way around Columbus (no thanks to R-Geo Rick)... look out.

Look forward to doing some Retro East racing with you, once the roundy round season is over.

LM

[JerseyJohn]

I hope all is well, Larry. I can't wait to see you and Rick again.

I've been racing at Sonny's in Beachwould on Thursdays. I took a second and third in B-Production so my driver is improving. LOL. I can't wait for our Keystone Retro race at Marks. Marko always puts on a great show.

Take care and be well to you all.

Jersey John

[hjames]

As a rookie to the retro scene this sounds like a party more than a race... I think I need to build some cars for this.

I thought I saw Jay Guard in a race video.

Saving up for a plane ticket now...

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Oh, it's a race. We just have a VERY good time while we are doing it. In fact some of the best retro racers in the country were here last year. With the possible entry of the West coast guys the R4/3 could very well be historic in the level of competition at a retro event.

BUT... most of all it will be FUN.

[Cheater]

It is a race in the same way that Woodstock was a concert.

The R4 is, most of all, an EVENT, with more smiles and laughter than you've ever seen and heard at a slot car race.

[kvanpelt]

Hey Herman,

I'm going to try to get to the R4 this year myself, I built seven cars for the Sano II this past October and had a great time. If you would like to give the Sano III a try this year, I could hook you up with some cars, as I plan to build a couple more for this year.

A friendly word of advice, these guys talk like they are there for a good time, but there are some really fast dudes and they are there to race!!!

[JerseyJohn]

Oh, it's a race. We just have a VERY good time while we are doing it. In fact some of the best retro racers in the country were here last year. With the possible entry of the West coast guys the R4/3 could very well be historic in the level of competition at a retro event.
BUT... most of all it will be FUN.

I never thought I would look forward to March.

Please go, it is an event to remember and the racing ain't half bad either.

[Rick]

It's worth the price of admission just to hear Jersey John and his one-liners: "Oh, there it is".

[Jay Guard]

Herman:

You got that right, I was there and I WILL be there for the next one. You just have to make this race, great racing and great comradrie. It reminds me a little of the early NorCal IMCA days in Cali., it is AWESOME!!!

Hey, I'm going to try to talk Greg Gilbert into coming, if you can get Gawronski to show it will be just like old times.

[hjames]

Hey Kevin.

I will try and make both races this year since I'm not going to Finnland. I was gonna try and stay incognito since most of these guys don't know me. It's fun that way. If you got cars and I got cars then we got cars.

And Jay, I will work on Gawronski. I got George and Ron racing in the Jail Door enduro at BPR and I will be racing Western States as a wam-up to Sano and R4.

[Pablo]

It's almost time to buy airline tickets.......is the schedule firm yet, Mike ?

[JerseyJohn]

March is getting close.....Hay Mike dont forget to get my room ready!!!!!.......JJ

[Jacob Shiplet]

I know the dates are firm, and now it appears the schedule is too.

March 9th - 10:00am to 6:00pm
March 10th - 10:00am to 9:00pm
March 11th - 10:00am to 9:00pm

DAILY ALL DAY TRACK PASS - $10.00

Friday March 12th - GT Coupe (Handout JK7 Motors)

Open - 8:00am
Tech - 9:30am
Race - 10:30am

If time allows we will have a SHORT exhibition JD GP event after the GT Coupe A-Main

Saturday March 13th - Retro F-1

Open - 8:00am
Tech - 9:30am
Race - 10:30am

Sunday March 14th - Retro Can-Am

Open - 8:00am
Tech - 9:30am
Race - 10:30am

[Rick]

Herman, I know you and will point you out.

Hey Kevin.

I will try and make both races this year since I'm not going to Finnland. I was gonna try and stay incognito since most of these guys don't know me. It's fun that way. If you got cars and I got cars then we got cars.

And Jay, I will work on Gawronski. I got George and Ron racing in the Jail Door enduro at BPR and I will be racing Western States as a wam-up to Sano and R4.

[redbackspyder]

Hey, Herman is tall, slender and wears glasses. Kind of looks like a Buddy Holly. Notice, you never see Buddy Holly and Herman James at a race together ?