VIR -- What the Hell?

[seckerich]

Mark, I enjoy seeing the Prod cars come out and think the Prod Fest is a good thing. But you have to remember this is a regional weekend, and in my (humble) opinion regional classes should be the focus. Lopping off one IT class to run with SRF and SM to make this work.....well, I respect the decision of NCR leadership (they are all good folks) but it gives me serious pause about running the race with that group. I'm sure you understand the reasons why.

That said, I've asked for a split start for ITS cars and if we get it, I'll be fine with the situation. The problem is when this happened in May, we were told to wait to ask for teh split start on race day, and every ITS driver present did so. We were then told we had waited too long.

I have no idea why there are two ECRs and a Cup race this weekend. I agree it is a lot of racing on a two day weekend. I also don't think the appropriate solution is to take one IT group -- admittedly mine -- and stick them in with SRFs and SMs. But so it goes.

Production cars are regional as well Jeff. I can also tell you after chairing a few races this year that you should be glad those extra races are added to the weekend. Otherwise you would be paying quite as bit more for your share of track time. Work with the system and get the stewards to allow a split start. VIR is a big enough track we should all string out enough to have good racing.

[JeffYoung]

I agree 100% -- split start is the way to go and solves "my" problem. The issue is making sure it happens since last time was a cluster.

Can I put you down as one of the ITS guys who wants a split start?

Thanks Steve.

Jeff

[Knestis]

I don't have a dog in this fight but I've come to believe that - contrary to what we often do - it's better to mix classes that have substantially different lap times, rather than similar ones, if they are fundamentally different kinds of cars.

Jeff's point about the SRF's having similar lap times but getting there differently is a good example of why putting the spec racers with SLOWER IT cars might be better than putting them with FASTER ones. The SIC answer went as smoothly as any of those mis-matched groups I've ever seen. Of course, the SRF's are a pretty homogenous group, in terms of lap times. The ITS cars at the Festival were a very different thing, for example.

K

[Mike Spencer]

I don't have a dog in this fight but I've come to believe that - contrary to what we often do - it's better to mix classes that have substantially different lap times, rather than similar ones, if they are fundamentally different kinds of cars.

Jeff's point about the SRF's having similar lap times but getting there differently is a good example of why putting the spec racers with SLOWER IT cars might be better than putting them with FASTER ones. The SIC answer went as smoothly as any of those mis-matched groups I've ever seen. Of course, the SRF's are a pretty homogenous group, in terms of lap times. The ITS cars at the Festival were a very different thing, for example.

K

Kirk,

You make a very good point! Although, in my opinion there are at actually three different types of potential "problems" when I look at who I'm running with.

1) Similar times, but in different places -- When one is faster in the straights and the other in the corners, they are constantly in each others way.

2) Significantly different times -- Cars may be different in the corners, but I believe the *big* differences come down to top speed. This results in very high closing rates at the end of long straights, like T1 and T14 at VIR.

3) Different driving "styles" -- This seems to be the one that gets people riled up the most. I'm not going to point fingers or say it needs to change. We are what we are for very good reasons. There are some classes with very high subscription numbers that have spec cars. Most are very close in performance. With relatively fewer opportunities to pass and a ton of cars to try to get by or stay ahead of, you learn to take advantage of the chances you get. Other classes can afford to be more patient and may think twice before sticking their nose in somewhere.

In a perfect world, I wouldn't mix any of these groups during a weekend. Unfortunately, our world is imperfect and there aren't enough hours of daylight to do that.

The major growth in Regional racing over the last 10 years seems to have been in IT and SM. Production numbers are dwindling, but many/most of these guys and gals have been at it for a long time and have helped make our club what it is. I think it's wonderful that NC Region and VIR do this for them once every year. If that places one of the "problem" classes in with me I can deal with it. (And it doesn't in this case, but I do face this issue in ECRs and CCPS. I don't necessarily look forward to it, but I do run those races)

There are Prod drivers coming from as far away as California, and there are going to be a lot of them. Let them have their party. They earned it!

[JeffYoung]

Mark, thanks for the note. I've been in touch with Sara, Ginny and Glenn and they are working with us (as they always do, good folk) on the split start.

I'll stop by and have a beer with you crazy slick shod prod guys Saturday night....

[Bryan88]

Wow I hate to hear that we are running with the Spec Racer Fords again.....

I'll be driving my brother's car at VIR like I did last year.....I had
to run with them then and it was a major pain.....

My problem is I haven't had a lot of seat time in the last two years so I
don't really push the car as hard as Steve does.....that REALLY causes
a problem with the Spec's because I can't get away from them and they
can't get away from me......

I pull them down the straight but then they dive bomb me thru the corners....

THIS SUCKS !!!!!

Hey Jeff I will also petition the stewarts for a separate group or a split
start ......can you email me the contacts....

[email protected]

Bryan Parrish

[jmark]

Anyone know how many Z cars are running the ECR's? Might have to make a trip up.

[Hotshoe]

I agree 100% -- split start is the way to go and solves "my" problem. The issue is making sure it happens since last time was a cluster.

Jeff,

... Since the schedule came out so late, I had already planned on not running my ITR car because of last May. I just have a hard time running with those guys. Not that they are dangerous or anything, but, their cornering speeds are higher than mine, and they are slower in the straights. Makes it hard to get away, and stay away. Sort of like running with the SM crowd in an ITA car.

... I know that my class is not in that group but, I can speak from experience because of last May. And I am not very optimistic about a split start because of the results we got last time.

.... But maybe they will do it this time...Hope So

.... Rickey T.