33 replies to this topic

[MarcusPHagen]

Marcus,
I just had a police check on the plates and two of the cars are stolen.

Well, that explains the "drive it like you stole it" racing I saw this past weekend, eh?

[TSR]

Indeed...

[Cheater]

Marcus,

I hate to burst your bubble, but that Florida tag was on the National rental car we picked up (and returned) at Midway airport...

[Tex]

There's so many "Sano threads" that I just picked this one for some additional comments.

Thanks to Mike Swiss for pulling this shindig together and pulling it off. I can only vaguely IMAGINE the effort he put into doing all he did in preparation, during and AFTER the race. Words can't say enough, Mike, so I'll just say "Thanks a million!".

And Mike couldn't have pulled it off without Ray Price being Mike's second in command. While Mike was taking care of race stuff, Ray was taking care of RACER stuff! I never heard or saw him get flustered and short-tempered with anyone while being pulled a dozen different directions simultaneously. Thanks, Ray!

What can you say about Greg "Cheater" Wells that hasn't already been said? He sacrificed his racing to be the "live" race reporter! And, folks, it couldn't have been any more "live" unless you'd had a satellite uplink for video. The only reason he couldn't post the results as each heat was completed was because the results were printed out two heats per page! His energy and enthusiasm helped make Da Sano an historical race for both the online audience around the world as well as the attendees. Thanks, Greg!

Lastly, I'd like to thank everyone there. They made this local Texas back-o'-the-pack dweeb feel welcome and as "important" as anyone there, like we were old friends. You're a great bunch of guys; thanks!

[MSwiss]

Here'e the 2nd part of my overview of the race:(the first part got chopped off due to thread size limitations)
I'll get that 1st part reposted later today.

11) Motors: The $64,000 question before the event, subject of enormous discussion, and it all turned out to be a non-event. There were plenty of Pro Slot 4002B motors, both original and Fast Ones refurbishments, lots of Falcon 7s, a few ProSlot 4002 with chinese arms, some of which were also re-done by Ron H, and one lone TSR D3 in my F1 car. There were no other FK series motors represented. No single motor dominated. Dave Feidler ran exclusively Falcon 7, while other top runners were using 4002Bs, and I think Ron even ran one Chinese arm motor. I know that the one I used was almost identically quick to the 4002B I bought over the counter from Mike. The Fast Ones rebuilt 4002Bs were not noticeably faster than the stock 4002B either. There was absolutely no evidence of anyone having inserted a "special" armature in any Pro Slot motor, as no-one had speed that stood out from anyone else. We also lost very few motors all weekend, perhaps due to the fact that we were running exclusively on battery power. Dave Feidler had a six-race old Falcon lose its brakes in the King track Coupe race, and still came in second. One other Falcon 7 expired, but the car it was in had suffered a BIG crash after a rider on the King track, so perhaps it was to be expected.

MS reply:I'm real glad someone unbiased with Dennis's integrity commented on this one. After fairly extensive testing, I was confident that no single brand would dominate.

Jay Kisling won GT with a Pro Slot on the King. It wasn't crazy fast. He's a great driver and ran a good race.

The fastest F1 on the King was Bob Oaks. He ran a Pro Slot and wasn't afraid to put a big pinion on it.

Dave Fiedler won three events with Falcon 7s but wasn't blowing by anybody on the straights. He just outdrove everyone. After the race, Dave and I both got to try probably the fastest car in the raceway, Paul Pfeiffer's Can-Am. After figuring out the adjustments on Fiedler's controller, I ran about twenty 5.0s and called it quits after doing a 4.97. It had a Pro Slot. Paul didn't win because he doesn't have the flat track experience Dave has (and maybe as nice of a controller). The Falcon 7 has a hotter wind than the Pro Slot but with its smaller brushes, performs the same.

I see no reason why they can't be raced together. They both have their attributes. While the F7 offers a lot of performace for $11.95, I personally prefer the PS because of being able to easily see the brushes and guage their wear. unlike the F7 which will stop without any warning.

The Drivers: A great bunch of guys, and quite a spread of driving talent I guess, but one thing was common to all - excellent track manners and courtesy to fellow racers. The collection of talent at the top of the 25-man field of course was something to behold. Many observers of the last Shoot-Out race commented that it had to be one of the finest collection of slot racers seen in a long time.

Nothing to add except, even with $621 on the line, guys were really patient passing. I saw Fiedler sometimes check up 7 or 8 times a lap so as not to nerf a slower car. He was extremely patient in waiting to make a clean pass. It almost seemed the faster guys enjoyed the running close to other cars and were in no big hurry to pass.

Also I was glad to see great racers like Ken Green, who have very limited flat track experience, not be afraid to come out and get their feet wet. I was also impressed by how well guys who until recently were inactive or semi-inactive drove. Allan Reeder was impressive on the flat track, as was Keith Van Atta with very little practice and running spoilerless.

General: I commented in another thread about the excellent race directing from Mike Swiss...

I really appreciate all the comments that were made to me personally and in various posts. With a few dollars on the line, I didn't want someone to miss a move-up to the final or lose a place by a few feet and blame an inattentive marshall. I'd sooner be perceived as a heartless b*astard then to have one racer mad at another at an event I billed as a party. I personally think the 2-minute lane changes are more than enough time to chit-chat with your marshalling neighbor (and with each other's full attention).
While I witnessed 160+ racers come to a dead silence to watch Steube qualify at Hinsdale in '69, I never stopped marshals from commenting. I was just trying to nip back and forth conversations. Also I was described as a "Squirrel on meth" (I can assure you it was just Diet Coke. I've never taken drugs in my life.)

When guys like Dave Schlueter are willing to drive 6 hours to play toy cars on my track, I'm thrilled and I'll hustle around as hard as I have to get them out at a reasonable time so they'll come back again.

...and the wonderful atmosphere that pervaded the whole event. The internet has brought us to the point where total strangers are just friends you have not managed to meet yet. Five minutes was all that was needed to be talking to people like you had known them for years. Mike did a great job on the plaques for the winners, K&S donated enough race prizes for everyone to get something, Outisight had a body for everyone too, and Mike's fiancee Jackie created some great little equipment boxes for us, decorated with photos of the commemorative body that Noose painted. The body was put on auction by Mike and finally taken by Allan Reeder who REALLY wanted it - he handily outbid Mike Swiss himself in the final silent auction.

Dennis's only inaccuracy. I was hoping Allan would win.I guessed he would bid $100 (he actually bid $111). I bid $99.99 so he could get it.

Oh and then there was pizza, and brownies (courtesy of the lovely Jackie)...

Yes, she is. Combined with being someone who chased around the internet and 5-6 stores to find an appropriate
size and style for the "Noose Box", I'm a lucky guy. Did I mention she also let's me play with toy cars almost as much as I want?

Can we do it again, please, and soon!

The guys that went to dinner really liked the October time frame for future Sanos. In the meantime, maybe I'll go for something a bit smaller in the next six months that won't conflict with the Reunion race in March at Columbus or the convention out West. Maybe I can convince Pappy I'm in the Ohio Valley and snag a race.

And Dennis, as you say,"Flat Tracks rule". so future races will be run noticably more on it over the King.

[Toremeister]

Great info/report, Dennis. Thanks for all of us who were unable to attend. It is interesting useful information I am sure we can all use.

Yessir,thank you very much Mr.Samson for all the info.Thumbs up to Chicagoland Raceway for hosting this event ! Congratulations to ALL participants and podium winners,as the Toremeister feels there were no losers at this race ! I would have loved to have had the opportunity to attend this race,but due to some setbacks with health and other issues,it was'nt meant to be Next year however,I'm sure to be in attendance

[Toremeister]

Marcus,

I just had a police check on the plates and two of the cars are stolen.

Ole Mr. P had a bad day today Surely his mindset will be better tomorrow

[MG Brown]

I just had a police check on the plates and two of the cars are stolen.

Good thing I did my usual thing and parked on a side street or it would have been three.

[MarcusPHagen]

Marcus,

I hate to burst your bubble, but that Florida tag was on the National rental car we picked up (and returned) at Midway airport...

Well, you came from farther, anyway -- so in my heart, that still counts!