To all the ITA drivers

[Mark G. Downing]

My name is Mark Downing (yes Matt's brother) and I am going to run the IT Fest weekend. I have not been racing in 2 years and I have a new civic that I will be running that weekend. The car will meet all ITA specs, but the motor is a generation newer. I was going to run ITE, but I am not sure I want to be on track with all the high HP cars. Normally this would not bother me, but I am learning a new car and trying to knock the rust off at the same time. My question is does any driver have an issue with me running in this group? I would start from the back on both races and would be moved to last in class at the finish. I understand if this does not work for you, but wanted to ask the question. If any driver has an issue with this, I will not ask to run in your group. I am looking forward to running ITA in the future because my brother has a lot of respect for all the IT drivers and it's just damn good racing. He has done a lot to make this Honda happen for me and I'm looking forward to trying front wheel drive. I will have no hard feelings if any driver does not think this is OK, but just had to ask.

Thanks,
Mark Downing

[RacerBill]

Welcom to the forum, Mark! Bout time you showed up here.

I'm not in ITA anymore since the CRB moved me down to ITB, but if it were up to me, I'd say go for it.

Mark and Matt are the backbone of IT!

[dominojd]

You should really ask your brother if it's OK, you will be racing against him starting in the back.

Doesn't bother me one bit, but some may have a different attitude.

[Ed Funk]

You should really ask your brother if it's OK, you will be racing against him starting in the back.

Doesn't bother me one bit, but some may have a different attitude.

WTF you sayin' 'bout my attitude boy!??:cool:

---no problem here.

[RacerBowie]

Sure have at it! If you turn out to be really fast, I'll expect a bump-draft.

[dhardison]

Hey Mark,

When talking w/Matt the other day he had a good idea. So far there are no ITE cars registered for this particular event. That being the case, we could both ask the 'powers that be' to move ITE in with Group 5 (ITR, STU). This of course will only work if no other high-powered ITE cars register.

Technically, I think you could also run in STU (Group 5) since your car meets ITA specs...... I've considered that as well.

Dan

[Racerlinn]

Hey Mark - no issue from me.

[Mark G. Downing]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I thought about it on my way into work today and Dan I think you have a plan. I think even if group 4 has the big boys (and girls) running, it still won't have the number of cars on track this group will. Dan, Maybe we can watch the list (for group 4) and use group 5 (STU) as an option. Thanks for the time and looking forward to seeing/meeting all of you soon.

Thanks,
Mark Downing

[ITA_honda]

That's not a problem with me.
Glad you are joining us ITA boys...

and if you start moving up through the pack, id expect a huge bump draft all the way around the track to the leaders, then you could pass me, and then the leaders could all pass me, and id be back in the same position I was in...

But seriously, looking forward to running with you at the IT fest

[Rabbit07]

Your Matt's brother? Then no F'n way man! .

No worries on my end. Although who knows if I'll even make it at this point.

[RacerBowie]

I've got no interest in moving SPU or whatever into our group, personally.

It is the IT Fest after all, and the "true" IT classes should be able to showcase our own sessions. Moving a couple of ITEs in to run off the front and and take away the ITA leaders' chance to fight for an overall win or cost backmarkers laps just feels wrong.

[trhoppe]

If you're planning on being 20 seconds off the pace, run the PDX, run the test sessions, and skip the racing. At that point, its a very expensive "test day" and you might just get in the way of someone's race, if you get caught in the middle of a hard part of the track. You could actually hurt someone.

Then again, I have the attitude of racing to win rather then HPDE'ing which seems to be different from some of the people that I lap.

-Tom

[bonespec]

So Mark, when do I get the tranny??????

Please don't hurt the motor....I was gonna buy it.

[downingracing]

Tom, No worries about the lap times - that was a joke. We both should be turing in the 1:45 to 1:47 range... (Hopefully faster!) No plans on getting lapped - enjoy lapping folks much better!

Bone, Running the tranny as-is for now. Won't be coming out until later this year. The motor will be available at the end of the 09 season. We will be converting the car to full ITA spec over the winter. Hopefully it will stay together that long!!!

[Mark G. Downing]

Don' t know if I'll make it at all (or want to). My wife and kids were involved in a head on collision. A driver went into their lane and got them, but they are doing good. My wife broke her foot and has bad burns from the bag. Her Honda is done, but it did what it was designed to do to protect them. I need to take care of them now and not work on the car. Just a reminder to be safe on the track and on the street.

Thanks,
Mark Downing

[dhardison]

VERY SORRY to hear that Mark, but I'm glad everyone avoided serious injury (you didn't mention the kids condition, so I hope they're ok as well). Take care of family first, the racing will be there when life is back to normal.

Dan

[RacerBill]

Don' t know if I'll make it at all (or want to). My wife and kids were involved in a head on collision. A driver went into their lane and got them, but they are doing good. My wife broke her foot and has bad burns from the bag. Her Honda is done, but it did what it was designed to do to protect them. I need to take care of them now and not work on the car. Just a reminder to be safe on the track and on the street.

Thanks,
Mark Downing

Mark: Anything Sharon or I can do, please, just ask. Remember, I am home all day, now.