85 replies to this topic

[Mopar Rob]

Wassametter youse don't want to have some fun?

No, I want to get some practice for at least one of the races.

I will arrive at the track Thursday at 3-4:00 PM. Looking at the schedule, I'm not sure how to get any practice time? There's a stock car race thursday night, GTC on Friday and the "fun" session Saturday Night after F1?

[Jacob Shiplet]

Stock car race is friday night after GTC I thought?

[Ron Hershman]

Stock car is Friday night after GTC

[Noose]

Friday GTC, then Stockcar
Sat F1
Sun Can-am

[Mopar Rob]

I'm sorry, I must have read it or remembered it wrong? I guess I can get some practice Thursday night?

I would still prefer to practice some on Saturday night than go directly to the Holiday Inn.

[Ron Hershman]

Last year with 50 some entries in F-1 on Saturday........ there still was about 2 hours of practice time Sat nite after the F-1 race had concluded before the raceway closed on Sat night.

I would expect the same this year as well.

[Mike Patterson]

Mike,

What time will tech open and close? I've been looking, but I haven't seen this information posted here.

[Larry Mattingly]

Last year with 50 some entries in F-1 on Saturday........ there still was about 2 hours of practice time Sat nite after the F-1 race had concluded before the raceway closed on Sat night.

I would expect the same this year as well.

Even with the addition of qualifying and two semi's...

Given the same number of racers, won't that add at least another 3-4 hours to the program?

LM

[Rick]

I predict this year to have 73 entries in CanAM. Going to be a hoot! This will only happen once a year and we'll be there until they pick up the cans..................

[JerseyJohn]

Even with the addition of qualifying and two semi's...

Given the same number of racers, won't that add at least another 3-4 hours to the program?

LM

Larry, im looking forward to seeing you guys. Please tell Mike to tell the Mayor I already have a key to the city from the R4/2

[Larry Mattingly]

Ditto JJ...

I watched a Soprano marathon to get me in the spirit...

With this years schedule we need to scout out some 'All Night' diners...

LM

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

What time will tech open and close? I've been looking, but I haven't seen this information posted here.

Your questions are answered HERE.

[Mike Patterson]

Thanks, Mike.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Ditto JJ...

I watched a Soprano marathon to get me in the spirit...

With this years schedule we need to scout out some 'All Night' diners...

It's nice to see your as positive as ever.

Seriously, while qualifying will have a time impact we are going to work very hard to minimize it. I think most everyone will agree it's hard to have fun racing in the wee hours of the morning. That was one reason we dropped the schedule to one class per day. Huge, big races are fun but racing until 4:00 AM can be a pain. Good, clean, close competition is what we always hope for BUT the fun is just as important.

It has been proven many times over during this years ORS season that qualifying DOES make for better racing. And with the R4/4 format no one is overly rewarded for a "MAGIC" lap during qualifying nor are they eliminated because of a bad one. As long as the raceway staff do their jobs and the racers cooperate the program will run efficiently. I am CONFIDENT that the addition of qualifying will improve this years competition without taking a major toll on the schedule.

[Larry Mattingly]

It's nice to see your as positive as ever.

Actually, Mike, it's YOUR race and you can run it any old way you want...

I'm choosing to come, so it is what it is...

But, I'm also a realist.

I think the races last year were over around 6:00.

It looks like more racers are coming, sooo... add an hour or two for qualifying, perhaps an extra heat or two due to increased numbers, plus TWO new semis that weren't there last year (throw in re-teching and prep time, etc.) and my math is looking at an additional five or six hours at the track.

11-12 PM is not terrible, but what time do the chain restaurants close in Columbus?

Thus my remark to JJ...

If we weren't coming for the 'fun'... why else would we bother to come at all?

LM

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

My math shows me something different but only time will tell. Hopefully come March 14 I will be able to say my calculations where the right ones. But the important thing is you are coming. Its been awhile since you've made the trip to Columbus. It will be good to see you.

And don't worry about eating. White Castle is open 24 hours. Just bring the "Beano" or you will be sleeping with ALL the windows open.

[Ron Hershman]

Just bring the "Beano" or you will be sleeping with ALL the windows open.

Or riding down the highway with the windows down... CLUCK CLUCK!!!

[Larry Mattingly]

My math shows me something different but only time will tell. Hopefully come March 14th I will be able to say my calculations where the right ones. But the important thing is you are coming. Its been awhile since you've made the trip to Columbus. It will be good to see you.

And don't worry about eating. White Castle is open 24 hours. Just bring the "Beano" or you will be sleeping with ALL the windows open.

Hopefully you are correct, but as my father used to say... 'You can't put ten pounds of crap in a five pound bag'...

Looking forward to seeing everyone again...

As for the 'Beano'... I don't think Dan Myers is scheduled to stay with us, so we should be OK...

Plus... guys like JJ don't eat at no stinkin' White Castle...

LM

[Ron Hershman]

Hopefully you are correct, but as my father used to say... 'You can't put ten pounds of crap in a five pound bag'...

Well we all know that is looks to be a rather LARGE event... possibly larger than those in the past.

Maybe the addition of qualifying and semis in each class is helping it to make it a larger event?

But experience also shows that at Tom Thumb... they don't "jack around" in running the event and keep the show moving right along.

Mike may only live ten minutes from the track... but he wants to get the show done as quickly as possible without sacrificing the quality of the event and get out of there as much as the rest of us do.

[Rick]

I hope there are 110 entries...

[Ron Hershman]

Total or in one class?

[Rick]

F1 or Can-Am, one class. EVERYONE should come out for this race. If you own a Retro car or want to race a Retro car, you should be there. There are lots of loaners too for those that are on the fence. Even the left coast guys could join in for Coupes and Can-Am.

[Howie Ursaner]

[Larry Mattingly]

Well we all know that is looks to be a rather LARGE event.... possibly larger than those in the past.

Maybe the addition of qualifying and semis in each class is helping it to make it a larger event?

But experience also shows that at Tom Thumb...... they don't "jack around" in running the event and keep the show moving right along.

Mike may only live 10 minutes from the track....but he wants to get the show done as quickly as possible without sacrificing the quality of the event and get out of there as much as the rest of us do.

Qualifying/Semi's making it 'larger'... What 'A-main' racer is coming this year that wouldn't race under the old format?

I'm willing to bet the same faces will be in the 'A' under either format...

'Jacking around' isn't the REAL issue... The number of entries and the number of races that need to be run will be the tale of the tape.

Remember what my father said... "You can't stuff 10-pounds of crap in a five-pound bag'...

I'm hoping for a quick show. But, I'm bringing a book along if it isn't...

Mike is a math major. Maybe he does have it figured out.

LM

[Noose]

Larry,

Mike has pointed out that what qualifying does is make for better racing. He has proven it in the ORS. He has eliminated the one lap wonder too and still has the top guys competing for the final A Main. We already see the benefit here and have for years. I would say the A Main and B Main guys will probably rise to the top for sure.

It eliminates a ten-man A Main, too. It also protects getting wiped out in the old format and not having a chance to advance at all. At least in this, you aren't' automatically out of it if something happens. You can still race your way back to make a move-up.

If I am traveling over 8 hours, spending days there, I expect it to be a long day. As it is mine will be long enough so the only book I am bringing is the rule book.

So look at this way. It's like a double play in baseball... you don't know unless you throw. Mike's throwing and it could be more than a double play and be a triple play!