Most dangerous driver in IT.

[Ed Funk]

According to two of my competitors, that would be me. If refusing to fold to intimidation is dangerous, then I am. COOL!

[Greg Amy]

Um, story?

[Dano77]

Not sure your the MOST, hes in our group. Not sure your even in the top 10, Whats the story?????

[Knestis]

Having faced two of the disputed leaders, I haven't even heard of you.

Rookie.

K

[Ed Funk]

Looooong story! Started a year ago spring race at NHMS. I had a radiator problem...small hole from debris, new radiator, no spare with me. Another in my class, drives a yellow Golf, graciously offered his expertise at field fixing the problem. Solved, went on to race with him at least two races that weekend...good close racing, with him squeaking out a win over our grossly underpowered Honda, mostly because he was learning the track for the first time. Had a few times when I felt he was being a bit crowding, chopping....but I let it go because he obviously had the faster car and had helped out and saved our weekend for us.

Fast forward to LRP. His protege in a black Golf qualified next row back and right behind me, again obviously a stronger car, not as much corner speed. He got a much better start and got up beside me to my right, I had a car to my left and couldn't move over. He ran out of room to the right....grass. Suffice to say we got together his left rear and my right front touched, he spun in front of me, I hit him in the drivers side rear door. My car went dead stick, and I parked at station 2 (Big Bend). He continued and finished the race with lots of negative camber. Don't know why my car died...should have tried to re-start it, because it fired up and I drove back to the paddock. Well, given my natural calm personality, I went to his paddock area and WENT OFF on the roughly 10 people who were there...he wasn't. Later, he and 2-3 friends came to our paddock area to "discuss" the situation, needless to say it was a "he said, I said" deal and nothing was resolved. Unfortunately, our camera went to "rest" mode before the race and we had nothing on video. I queried here after the event to see if anyone behind us had video to see who moved over on whom....no takers.

Jump ahead to this year at Pocono, they were garaged just down and across from us. I went down, stuck out my hand and apologized for my behavior in his paddock area the year before....we shook hands, and agreed to disagree on the etiology of the incident at LRP.

This past weekend at NHMS, the yellow Golf and the black Golf qualified 1st, 2nd to my third in the rain. Our Honda was handling evilly....a suspension problem that was not discovered until Sun. am, was causing sudden intermittent infinitely stiff rear roll stiffness....my stupidity! I made a pass attempt into 6 on the first lap, immediately got into a real tank slapper in traffic! The black Golf tried to go under me...we got together, I went for a ride through the gravel and left 7 DFL. Managed to climb back up to 3rd. Went to contact impound after the race, took full blame for the incident, apologized profusely and shook his hand.

Sunday am race, started 3rd, got up to 2nd, then back to 3rd when Nat came ripping through. Raced ahead of black Golf for most of race, he had waaaay more power but I was much faster in the oval, so was able to stay ahead of him, until he tried a late braking move inside into 3, I stayed out and executed a beautiful (even if I do say so myself) crossover on him. No contact. Video shows that I was well ahead before moving to the exit of the track, even though they claimed after that I forced him off!

Finished 3rd, started the last race of the day, just like all the others, right behind the yellow Golf. I anticipated the green and got a jump on him, and went to his left, at which point I got squeezed to the wall, even though our video shows no traffic to his right. I don't take intimidation well, and kept my foot in it....we got to the end of the wall, there was traffic to his right at that point...he lifted, I didn't. He beat me to 3 and drove away. Black Golf beat me to 3 also, but I managed to take my little Honda with double digit HP and get back by him and barely held on for the 3rd 3rd of the weekend.

After the race, I had just changed and was getting ready to load up and go home, Steph was off being Trophy Girl, black Golf driver and yellow Golf driver stopped by to explain to me how I was the most dangerous driver in IT. Well, in my opinion, driving to intimidate and then getting pissed because someone doesn't fold is not real gentlemanly. But then, my suggesting they go take turns butt f¥€king each other may not have been too civilized either.

[dazzlesa]

One time at the start of a race I was squeezed all the way to the wall. No fun. When drivers play unfairly the racing can loose its fun factor in a hurry. I hope the "B" cars can work on this. Sorry to hear Ed

[Ron Earp]

I anticipated the green and got a jump on him,

What exactly is anticipating the green and how do you do it?

On track incidents and the resulting paddock drama isn't fun at all and ruins everyone's weekend. I hope you folks can get it resolved.

[BruceG]

Two of the most level headed racers I know are My former Skip Barber instructors, Bob Green and Rick Pocock.Also, Mike Rand. Since at least 2 of the 3 will be at LRP in June, they might be a good source to sit down with and hash it out. Bob Green is the Bimma pace car driver for SCCA at LRP......and has more common sense then most anyone else I have met!! Mike Rand, who is A FF and CF racer runs(or ran) until very recently the F1600/F2000 group of young guns....and knows a thing or two about resolving temper issues!!

[Ed Funk]

[QUOTE=Ron Earp;347068]What exactly is anticipating the green and how do you do it?

Just got lucky. The field had started to speed up, just as I hit the gas to try to catch up, the green fell.

[JeffYoung]

I'm tired of this story. Clean racing is great fun. Beating and banging and drama in amateur racing is not.

[gran racing]

Absolutely agree. It really quickly takes the fun out.

I had one driver in ITB whom changed things from being fun to me wanting to punt him even when I was driving in a different class (racing with B). Had the chance last year, didn't take it. The fact it becomes that just sucks.

[BruceG]

Just posted at our local Post Office on the most wanted board:

WANTED: IN NOMEX....OR IN CUFFS,HIGHLY DANGEROUS...HAS THE ABILITY TO CUT YOU OFF IN A CORNER AT THE DROP OF A FLAG. KNOWN TO HANG OUT AND TERRORIZE APEXES!!

OSAMA BIN FUNK

APPROACH WITH CARE!!

[BruceG]

Ed...you realize my post is in fun!!......LOL:)

[Ed Funk]

Oh, I thought you were being another one of those elitist NER A-holes.:happy204:

[BruceG]

Oh, I thought you were being another one of those elitist NER A-holes.:happy204:

Since I've never heard a negative word about your track conduct or seen any example of it until you brought it up....the poster was the only way I could make light of a situation that doesn't seem to exist.......LOL.:023:

[gran racing]

Interesting to hear that I'm not the only one with an issue with said driver. Someday...

I do like his business partner and seems much more level headed. Not sure if I'd lump them together.

[Greg Amy]

Both Steph and Ed had similar "incidents" on Sunday. I'd not have wanted to be the one that insulted either of them...

[MMiskoe]

Based on the description, I think I have had less than friendly words w/ one of these drivers. Squeezed me un-necessarily in qualifying, no big deal, but irritating. Ran into the back of me on the start w/ a tow hook that popped a hole in the bumper cover, again not a huge deal, but irritating so I asked him politely if he could consider changing it to something less destructive. I got a decent amount of attitude about 'no one else seems to care, why would I change it just because you asked'.

There might have also been an incident w/ a Blethen car too....

[tom91ita]

Sawzall and a midnight paddock visit could fix that there tow hook.....

[StephenB]

y

There might have also been an incident w/ a Blethen car too....

That was a renter in his first race and he made good and felt really really bad. Bad mistake but I don't have anything against him because of how he handled the situation.

Stephen


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JonOgVC--7Y

[BruceG]

Mr "DOS EQUIS" Funk....he creates apexes where none formerly existed. Has the ability to drive a double digit HP Honda past the "Nurburgring twosome" with grace and ease while waving to his beautiful bride in the grandstand.:026:

[Ed Funk]

You've captured the essence of "me" so eloquently. But I'm not as old looking as that dude in the photo.

[BruceG]

You've captured the essence of "me" so eloquently. But I'm not as old looking as that dude in the photo.

Pictures were changed to protect the current youthful innocence of Mr Funk!:D

[ner88]

You need a new mirror :-)
sorry, I couldn't help myself!

[Ed Funk]

That's not a mirror in our bathroom, it's a life size portrait of my father....just wish he was wearing some clothes.

[BruceG]

Lol

[lateapex911]

Stand down, Ed, I think that I have been chosen by Spinetti as your man....

http://www.improvedtouring.com/forums/showpost.php?p=347193&postcount=17

[Ed Funk]

Can we have a "crash off"?

[lateapex911]

Sure, just go find Dan and drive into the side of my old car. Please hit the front, rear, or right side. He still has my drivers rear quarter window, and I want that back lol!

[BruceG]

Breaking news.........pecos edward funk caught,tried and executed at the tombstone road racing track....for behavior unsuitable for an it racer......grieving spouse found downing copious amounts of corn likker(sic) at the local saloon.

[bonespec]

Since when did Ed start driving a Pinto?

:dead_horse:

[BruceG]

Realizing that they may have made a "serious" error in regards to the notorious apex squealer "Pecos Edward Funk", The wounded Knee Region SCCA Stewards took a 2nd look a the Currier and Ives mule mounted video of several incidents.

As a results points were restored to the deceased Pecos Funk Logbook.......and the true perps "The Nurburgring 2" were dealt with accordingly in impound.

[Rabbit05]

Looooong story! Started a year ago spring race at NHMS. I had a radiator problem...small hole from debris, new radiator, no spare with me. Another in my class, drives a yellow Golf, graciously offered his expertise at field fixing the problem. Solved, went on to race with him at least two races that weekend...good close racing, with him squeaking out a win over our grossly underpowered Honda, mostly because he was learning the track for the first time. Had a few times when I felt he was being a bit crowding, chopping....but I let it go because he obviously had the faster car and had helped out and saved our weekend for us.

Fast forward to LRP. His protege in a black Golf qualified next row back and right behind me, again obviously a stronger car, not as much corner speed. He got a much better start and got up beside me to my right, I had a car to my left and couldn't move over. He ran out of room to the right....grass. Suffice to say we got together his left rear and my right front touched, he spun in front of me, I hit him in the drivers side rear door. My car went dead stick, and I parked at station 2 (Big Bend). He continued and finished the race with lots of negative camber. Don't know why my car died...should have tried to re-start it, because it fired up and I drove back to the paddock. Well, given my natural calm personality, I went to his paddock area and WENT OFF on the roughly 10 people who were there...he wasn't. Later, he and 2-3 friends came to our paddock area to "discuss" the situation, needless to say it was a "he said, I said" deal and nothing was resolved. Unfortunately, our camera went to "rest" mode before the race and we had nothing on video. I queried here after the event to see if anyone behind us had video to see who moved over on whom....no takers.

Jump ahead to this year at Pocono, they were garaged just down and across from us. I went down, stuck out my hand and apologized for my behavior in his paddock area the year before....we shook hands, and agreed to disagree on the etiology of the incident at LRP.

This past weekend at NHMS, the yellow Golf and the black Golf qualified 1st, 2nd to my third in the rain. Our Honda was handling evilly....a suspension problem that was not discovered until Sun. am, was causing sudden intermittent infinitely stiff rear roll stiffness....my stupidity! I made a pass attempt into 6 on the first lap, immediately got into a real tank slapper in traffic! The black Golf tried to go under me...we got together, I went for a ride through the gravel and left 7 DFL. Managed to climb back up to 3rd. Went to contact impound after the race, took full blame for the incident, apologized profusely and shook his hand.

Sunday am race, started 3rd, got up to 2nd, then back to 3rd when Nat came ripping through. Raced ahead of black Golf for most of race, he had waaaay more power but I was much faster in the oval, so was able to stay ahead of him, until he tried a late braking move inside into 3, I stayed out and executed a beautiful (even if I do say so myself) crossover on him. No contact. Video shows that I was well ahead before moving to the exit of the track, even though they claimed after that I forced him off!

Finished 3rd, started the last race of the day, just like all the others, right behind the yellow Golf. I anticipated the green and got a jump on him, and went to his left, at which point I got squeezed to the wall, even though our video shows no traffic to his right. I don't take intimidation well, and kept my foot in it....we got to the end of the wall, there was traffic to his right at that point...he lifted, I didn't. He beat me to 3 and drove away. Black Golf beat me to 3 also, but I managed to take my little Honda with double digit HP and get back by him and barely held on for the 3rd 3rd of the weekend.

After the race, I had just changed and was getting ready to load up and go home, Steph was off being Trophy Girl, black Golf driver and yellow Golf driver stopped by to explain to me how I was the most dangerous driver in IT. Well, in my opinion, driving to intimidate and then getting pissed because someone doesn't fold is not real gentlemanly. But then, my suggesting they go take turns butt f¥€king each other may not have been too civilized either.



Hi Ed and all....
I am sorry I didnt reply to this thread before now. They also had voiced their , not so nice opinion, to a friend of mine last year. I should have ....I to had a run in with these guys over this last weekend. The level of intimidation of the guys at Injun Summer racing is intolerable.

In short the fun has been taken out of it . In fact, I am almost certain I am done racing altogether. If I were to continue racing, it WOULD NOT BE IN ITB. But my mind is made up.

I was not going to post anything...but I would like the ITB guys who did not attend this weekend's race to know what is happening in the class.


If you beat the black or yellow golfs expect them to get in your face.

-John

[Knestis]

Apropos of nothing, I had a great experience running with Ryan at the ARRC two years ago, racing nose-to-tail for what ended up being the bronze medal.

We duked it out for a bit until I think we both figured out we'd be better off cooperating to catch the leaders rather than fighting each other for 6th. We caught two guys before I put a pass on him that stuck. I seem to recall that he put a nudge on me, when I think he got a bit of understeer coming to the bridge, but he apologized...

And this was after I'd clobbered him in the jam-up in T7 when Martin got messed up in front of everyone.

K

[Greg Amy]

John, did you speak to any stewards about this? - GA

[Greg Amy]

OH...BTW they ran another guy out of ITB this weekend too...
To be fair, John, unless these guys were rude, aggressive, or physical about it, this is the correct way to address issues of non-compliance. If your parts were non-compliant then they were non-compliant, right? Ours is a peer-review process, one that expects competitors to self-police as much as practicable. Sounds like that's what happened here. At least it didn't escalate into a formal protest situation.

If your conflicts were centered around points of non-compliance, and these disagreements were handled in an adult fashion, and the conflicts did not bleed out onto the track, then I suggest that we take a few deep breaths and maybe we'll see you in July...?

As for the Mustang guy that got "ran out", his was an obviously-non-compliant car: plastic panels and glass, rear deck spoiler, stuff like that. He's a real nice guy, sorry he got busted, but his was not a simple matter of switching a few parts, it was a car that was clearly in violation of the regs. From what I understand "they" (those guys? Scurineering?) spoke to him and asked him to move to an appropriate class (he went to Prod, IIRC).

BTW, we do, to a limited extent, allow non-compliant cars to run as long as they waive points or something like that. That, I believe, is how they handled the Lotus Exige that was double-dipping into ITR...

- Greg

[Rabbit05]

Greg,
I deleted my last long post , I typed it out in anger. I'm not a good forum person .

This will be my last post .

I didnt like the way it was handled. period.

I was going on info about the Ford guy from another source. I was told one thing an another happens to be true. My bad.

No you wont see me in July . This decision has been brewing for a while and it's final .

What happened Saturday was the icing on the cake for me.

Take care and keep the dark side down.

- John

[JLawton]

That's too bad John. You were running great out there!!

Yeah, the Mustang (Capri?) guy has been told many, MANY times over the years and everyone looked the other way because he was slow. Unfortunately he just didnt care which to me shows a lack of respect to his competitors.

[gran racing]

I recall that Mustang too. Somewhat laughed about how obvious things were it was comical in many respects. I do agree that there's a better class if that's how the owner wishes to run the car.


everyone looked the other way because he was slow.

Jason, sorry I didn't make it. Last minute needing to drop the car off at an exhaust shop. Still haven't done more then 2 consecutitve laps with the darn thing yet. And need to figure out why it's so down on power. Sigh.

[BruceG]

"Guido" Edward Funk....the most dangerous ITB racer at the Targa Florio in Sicily..getting advice from his racing coach,

http://joffrethegiant.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/the-godfather.jpg

[CRallo]

Bruce, are you bored over there? Go drive that 500 or something... :p