112 replies to this topic

[JohnnySlotcar]

Not me! We have been this route before. Go race isra if you want to build motors.

[TSR]

Paul,
The whole idea behind retro racing from the very day it was created in California was to offer a class for chassis builders, in which SEALED motors would be an equalizing factor.
There are PLENTY of other racing classes (including Retro Pro in California and a few other parts of the country) where you are allowed to build your own motor from set parts.
The issue at hand is NOT there. The issue at hand is a conflict of interest in IRRA's own rules, and Ron has offered and presented a very good solution to it, that of IRRA owning the motors, and all motors being handout, then surrendered after the races, then reconditioned by Ron.
That is not a bad idea at all, and one that would save money to the racers.

[Pablo]

John A. , if they allowed mods to the PS motors, would you quit racing IRRA, or find a buddy to build for you, or buy them from a blueprinter ? No arguing, just asking, for conversation's sake. What sours you on building motors ?

Philippe, with all due respect, just because retro started that way, does not mean it must stay that way forever, does it ?
Did not IRRA make changes to D3 and start up ? I bow to your superior slot knowledge and experience, but I do have my own brain, and I know change can be good. That is how this great country started, with change.......

[JohnnySlotcar]

Some guys are better at it than me!!!! Dont have all the equipment and eyes anymore.Simple as that.

[slotcarone]

Time for my opinion!!! Fast Fred you stated that allowing racers to rebuild their own motors would make the bottom 2/3 of the racers closer to the top 1/3 in lap times. IMO the difference is in three things--car set up skills, chassis building skills and most important driving and racing skills. Having a supposedly faster motor will only magnify any of these skills that are lacking causing more de-slots/crashes and less lap totals overall. Pablo you stated "WE WANT TO WORK ON MOTORS"--well I for one don't want to work on my own motors and I am sure many other Retro racers feel the same way. As for the subject at hand there is a perceived advantage for Mr Hershman and perhaps a small actual advantage but Ron is one of the best racers out there and most likey he could probably win the main driving any car that is in it no matter what motor is in it!!! Matt Bruce has said it best--why blame Ron for something he didn't create!!!

[TSR]

but then ron would be accused of having a duplicate of each motor so that no matter what motor he drew to race he would just put in his souped up duplicate with the same number on it

Willy,
Anyone is free to be an idiot, but one would have to prove his accusations with solid evidence. Otherwise it is slander.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

^{NO ONE is accusing Ron of cheating BUT................. come on guys, the innuendo here is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Who would blame Ron for telling all of us to take a flying you know what and then leave this hobby that he loves but which is treating him so poorly. Who wouldn't get tired of defending themselves for striving to excel and then doing so. I should stay out of this because, not only is Ron a long time friend, but it seems my race is what triggered the most recent rant. The problem is that the hobby I love and the continued existence of retro is at risk. Is there a conflict of interest here? Yes, but only if we believe Ron to be so weak in character to take advantage.Is he? If he is he is not as smart as I thought he was. Very often he is NOT the fastest car on the track motor wise. As I stated earlier I have watched him lose the drag race to the dead man many, many times.Wouldn't a dishonest person set aside the best for themselves? I have read that some of you don't race retro because of this situation. Fine. Look at the facts. Retro is still GROWING ! Those few who have decided that this isn't fair and stay away are outweighed by those who are joining retro and having fun racing slot cars again. DO WE WANT TO RISK THAT?? Six plus years now and the program is still growing. Historically now is when most race series start to die. After as long as I have been doing this I have watched it happen over and over again. AGAIN...DO WE WANT TO RISK THAT?? All of this fighting and arguing over a non problem is doing more harm than you can imagine. And I am not saying that you shouldn't voice opinion. But why not do it over something that ia a REAL problem. The IRRA is not perfect, not now and never will be. But it is hard to argue with the numbers. More racers and better racing every week. If you don't like the program stay home. Please be constructive with comments and consider the "big picture" before doing so. None of us want to be remembered as a part of the beginning of the end for retro. AND...if you still think the Hershman Magic comes from his motors then, as he has stated more than once, his race motors are for sale. But be careful, you just might have to admit that it was his driving skill that beat you.}

[Steve Deiters]

Well said Mike.

[Pablo]

Very cool, Mike. Maybe a good note to lock r up
We all said too much, now it's time to do as Matt said, and work on our c*it.

[TSR]

Well Willy, that general statement is valid since biblical times. Thank you for taking the time to remind everyone here about something everyone already knows.

[Noose]

If it came to working on your own motors I am done. Big sale of everything. I quit because of the motor wars and have no problem doing it again.

You guys make it sound like Ron has won every race. He hasn't.

I'm not sorry I made my complimentary comments about Ron's performance at the R4. He earned it as much as Cap did, Matt last year, and even Howie at the Sano.

Perception hurts everything . I am sure Ron would get picked on for something else if he won without running his own motors.

I already have guys out here squawking about our series racers because they kick butt. Guess they cheat too.

As for tech at the large events, be my guest. I found it funny how I failed guys who are tech directors in other series.

The IRRA is looking at options. Maybe it's time for people to put their money where their perception is.