4-Hour Enduro : Summit Pt : Nov 20

[aeronca65t]

EMRA event. Saturday Nov 20
At Summit Point, WV
Lights required, since we run past dark.
Staggered start (similar to "index of performance") so everyone has a shot at winning overall.
Also, shorter sprint races for all classes on Saturday and Sunday.
More info:

http://www.emraracing.org/Emraeven.htm

[irondragon]

I have run the 4 hour Enduro many times. It is a great race. Starts in daylight and ends with all lights on. Summit Point is a challenging track, but also lots fun to drive. And they run it like a race track, which makes it even better.
EMRA is a friendly and experienced race club. No bureaucratic BS, but everyone gets to race in an appropriate class.
The races are fun, well run and they don't turn into hyper-competitive rat fights.
Please come and find out about EMRA.
Best Regards - Bill Miskoe Iron Dragon Racing

[dave parker]

Will the EMRA 4 hour at Summit Point become the "wreck pinata" crash fest that last years race was when the EMRA officials lost control of the race?
Or will we see some more stringent control of the race so that the race is safe and fun for all.
Because of the loss of control of the race last year the "handicap" was not applied to the race results and no clear race winner was named.
Just my 2 cents worth
dave parker
wdcr ITC #97

[spnkzss]

Well hopefully Gregg, Yip and I won't run into that this year ;P

Spanky

[Wreckerboy]

Dave -

What "loss of control" are you referring to? The implications there really chap my butt.

The track was completely under EMRA control at all times. If it wasn't, there is no way I would have risked bodily injury by going out at night, on a hot track, in the wrecker to retrieve errant race cars. There is no way I would do it again this year WITH MY WIFE IN THE TRUCK, if I did not believe it would be safe. (Rational, no. Safe, yes.)

Just like any other amateur race you have been to lately, the track is staffed by volunteers who work in the cold, the dark, and the loud noise to put on a race for you to drive in and enjoy. They want to see you put in a safe race, and go to extraordinary lengths to make that happen.

As I recall, the race was flagged early due to a bad wreck (at 10?) with something like 15 minutes to go. Please remember that EMRA works to a contractual time restriction placed by BSR management, and restarting to run those last 15 minutes was NOT an option.

The results you refer were not immediately available because the handicaps are based upon running the full four-hour distance, and then had to be recalculated based on the shortened distance/time. They were available on the EMRA website (www.emraracing.org) within a few days of the event. That was covered during the post race barbecue that EMRA provided, and they were eventually put up. I'm sorry that you apparently did not hear about that or contact anybody at EMRA to find out the results. In fact, the results are still posted there now, a year later, at: http://www.emraracing.org/RESULTS/result_f...frame_setup.htm

As for the wreck-me-otter issues, it's a hard charging class - see somebody else’s description of why over in a post regarding the VIR 13 hour event recently. (Sorry, I don’t remember who wrote it, but I think it is the person with the TR-8.) This does not, however, condone their behaviour. In the last year EMRA has actively sanctioned drivers of ANY class who are engaged in metal-to-metal contact. EMRA will continue to do so, and will take your suggestion and raise the issue again during the Enduro driver’s meeting race morning.

Rob Myles
EMRA Chief of Tech
aka "Wreckerboy"

[dave parker]

Rob,
I have no personal "beef" with you or any of the EMRA staff. I have always enjoyed the "EMRA" as us locals have come to refer to the 4 hour at Summit. I have been amazed for years at the "antics" of the tow truck in that event(i have driven that beast before and calling it unique is being very P.C.). And having met your wife(very nice lady whose name escapes me at the moment) she has the same problem my wife does, she likes hanging around weirdo's who play with cars.
My struggle with last years EMRA was the on track behaviour of certain cars(you know who you are, so i won't point)who cannot seem to grasp that this is a FOUR hour endurance race not a sprint race. And being an endurance race it goes without saying that to finish first, first you must finish.
I was at the post race barbeque, and heard the annoucement about having to reconstuct the handicap based on a three hour and fourty-five minute race(the 240z rolled in turn 10 causing the race to be checkered early).
After several weeks( and a few emails back and forth with the EMRA officials) the race results were posted based on lap count. There was no handicap applied to the results.
And yes my codriver and I got our trophy.

Please do not misunderstand my post. I am not beating up on EMRA or the EMRA officials and staff. I enjoy the events that they put on. Instead I would like the growing number of participants who run one race a year with EMRA(this enduro) to understand that this event is NOT staffed like many other races that they attend and the on track antics that are often perpetrated at those other races just don't work at this event.
I look forward to seeing you at this years event and hoisting a cold ale with you afterwards as in years past.
cheers
dave parker
wdcr ITC#97

[Wreckerboy]

Dave -

Perhaps I misunderstood the tone of your post, but based upon the EMRA bashing that has gone on in years past (not by you), one tends to take a very defensive approach to these things. Jean (the wife who seems to have the same addiction as yours does) and I certainly welcome the cold ale offer. Be certain to stop by at the banquet and make sure you get a few Jell-o shots from us in exchange. (Note to those who have seen the wrecker in action at this event: it is not true that I get into the Jell-o BEFORE I go on track. It just seems that way.)

Regarding the antics of those "challenged" drivers, I would offer the following suggestion: EMRA is a driver-run organization. This event is whatever you guys make it to be. If you have concerns about driving antics, please feel free to speak up about it at the driver's meeting. Or, if you are not comfortable doing that, be certain to let our chairman, Bob Hill, who also doubles as the Enduro Chair, know of your concerns. He can be contacted at: [email protected]
As a result of our exchange this morning I will be certain to let Bob know myself of people's concerns. This stuff is not exactly news to us, but feedback from the drivers is always important. It allows us to get ahead of the curve, so to speak. All EMRA has is it’s reputation, and if the beating and banging goes on unchecked our reputation suffers.

Let me state it again for those playing along at home: We do not, and will not, tolerate the aggressive driving you have noted. As I mentioned, EMRA has taken action on several occasions this year regarding drivers who have driven over their head and not with it. I have seen people parked for a session, and I have seen others put on probation. If you see something that worries you during the event, let myself or one of the other EMRA types know and we will keep an eye out. The word quickly goes out over the flagger net and we start listening for reports. The other weekend at LRP I had several "moments of prayer" with drivers who were engaged in the antics you are concerned about. EMRA is staffed by drivers and we know what is reasonable, and more what is not. The WDCR has always enjoyed a good relationship with EMRA, and we appreciate all of the drivers and workers from it who come to this event, and we want that to continue.

Regarding the results – I’m glad you were able to get your trophy. I seem to recall an e-mail conversation with somebody regarding that, and perhaps that was you that I (hopefully) pointed in the right direction. The results do say that they are the handicapped results. Perhaps there is some basic misunderstanding in what we are both looking at here on my part or yours – either way, feel free to contact me off-line so that we can finish the discussion.

Rob

PS - It looks like we may have the same live timing and scoring set-up as we did last year. It is tenative because the person who is doing it is also driving that day, and 1. He is in the big bore session, which is scheduled to be first out, and 2. He will be dividing his time between the 'puter and the car. Not surprisingly (nor unreasonably), if there is a conflict, his car will come first.

WB


[This message has been edited by Wreckerboy (edited November 08, 2004).]

[dave parker]

Rob
OG Racing at Summit Point has the Icard system which can be run off of any AMB transponder computer available also.
You can contact them at porsche(at)ogracing(dot)com and let them know that you would like Icard to be operating that weekend.
There is no charge for this.

Did someone say "Jello shooters after the race?" I'll be there!
cheers
dave parker
wdcr ITC#97

[spnkzss]

I may have to follow Parker around after the race and see if any of the jello cups fall of the tray I may be forced to find a watermellon and put a plug in it.

Out of curiosity since I am new to the whole EMRA thing plus an Enduro, on the new schedule it states that there is a small bore practice, and a small bore qualifying. Is that just for the sprint race, or is that for the Enduro? I'm trying to find a way for all of us drivers to get some track time on a new setup for my car.

Thanks

Spanky

[mgyip]

Originally posted by spnkzss:
I may have to follow Parker around after the race and see if any of the jello cups fall of the tray I may be forced to find a watermellon and put a plug in it.

I really don't need to know about you plugging watermelons, especially since I'll be driving YOUR CAR and sitting in YOUR SEAT.

I've worked many Enduros, some longer than others but this will be my first as a participant. I'm looking forward to the event and the challenge of driving a different car. However I've already been informed that Hondas don't take well to the RX7 brake pad so I'll have to rethink my race strategy

[dave parker]

Spanky
the small bore practice and small bore qualifying are for the sprint races.
The EMRA people usually build into the schedule a "enduro practice" sometime in the late morning. If i remember correctly its around 20-30 minutes. Since i know the two bozos that you are sharing your car with, i would suggest making the most of the session.
Mark Baracka and myself will be there in some form of VW as Mo Beer Racing.
Consider this your only warning.
We will see you there.
cheers
dave parker
wdcr ITC#97

[aeronca65t]

spnkzss:

The small bore qualifying is for the small bore sprint race. Same thing with big bore qualifying.
There is a seperate enduro qualifying time for cars in the enduro (like the enduro itself, the enduro qualifying is a mix of big bore and small bore cars).
In some cases, folks who miss the small/big bore qualifying sessions may be offered "hardship" qualifying during the enduro qualifying. [Edit: Dave's fast...he just beat me to the correct answer!]


[This message has been edited by aeronca65t (edited November 08, 2004).]

[spnkzss]

Since i know the two bozos that you are sharing your car with, i would suggest making the most of the session.
Mark Baracka and myself will be there in some form of VW as Mo Beer Racing.
Consider this your only warning.

Can't argue about the bozo thing

I guess it's a good thing you are in ST4 and I get a head start huh? Get used to the looking at the bright brake lights.

Spanky

[mgyip]

Originally posted by spnkzss:
Can't argue about the bozo thing

I guess it's a good thing you are in ST4 and I get a head start huh? Get used to the looking at the bright brake lights.

Ahem - I resemble that Bozo remark along with a certain Smurf. But I don't get mad, I get even. At least I'll get a chance to test out some VW brake pads, eh?

[Wreckerboy]

Spanky -

Don't worry about Dave's jell-o droppings. Just find me or the Wreckerbabe after the race at the banquet and we'll help you get your own.

However, if you are bringing a plugged watermelon (research indicates these to generate more horsepower than plugged nickels but not as much torque as raped apes), we'll do our damndest to find you!

WB