Road Atlanta 9/14-9/15 Biggest field EVER

#61

The community criticizing poor behavior helps keep that behavior in check.

Treating others poorly here on the forum is unacceptable.

Those two ideas are kinda in conflict. The trick is to be diplomatic about what you say, but post video that stabs the other guy in the heart.

Recall the incident at Mid-Atl a couple months ago where someone (Rob?) rolled. The guy on the left in that incident initially was subject to a beatdown but then he posted his video…entirely w/o editorializing. He didn’t say a goddamned thing. He just posted the video and sat on his hands. The video was all the defense he needed. It was genius.

#62

All Spec series are a recipe for close racing, hence the allure of racing a Spec car. When you have close racing there is the occasional bumping, especially when two competitors are closely matched in abilities. Anyone can quickly look at a SpecMiata or a SpecE30 or a ThunderRoadster and see marks where slight contacts occur. It is what Spec racing is all about…

Don’t get me wrong, I am not condoning contact at all, but one look at the Poopy List and you’ll see all of the series leading the list are always the Spec racing series. When you have that many cars trying to occupy the same section of track jockeying for position then you are bound to have contact.

It doesn’t make one driver better or worse when they make contact, but the primary reason we assess points to all parties in a body contact report is if someone is always involved in contacts then they might need to reevaluate their driving style.

Multiple contacts in the same race means that two competitors are very similar in driving style/abilities. The key is to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses and try to outdrive each other to move up the pack. As the great RP always says “Make sure you know who you are racing, and make smart decisions based that knowledge.”

#63

I had a great time you ra folk are great to run with
All of you in the front while I was in the back making sure no one is left alone
Let we some videos
A soon as I figure how to rotate mine it will be up
Don’t think you guys want to turn your screens upside down

Diego
MAD Motorsports
South Florida

#64

Right. Both drivers’ styles are too aggressive. And their abilities are insufficient for their level of aggression.

Three contacts between the same two drivers in one lap? There’s no excuse for that level of asshattery.

If you think the other guy is at fault for all three contacts, drop back and let them wreck themselves. Even an 8 lap sprint race is enough time for them to blow themselves up.

Jeez I sound like an old fart. “Back in my day, Eric, Johan… even Lako and Walsh (!!!) and I never left a mark on each others’ cars.” I am proud of that record.

#65

Sunday’s Race

#66

That camera view isn’t working. Too much car. Not enough track.

#67

Even with that camera view, the hip check in the esses is rather clear.

#68

Yea, there’s way too much of the seat in the way. Been trying to find a better place to mount it. Definitely needs to come forward about 2 feet. Any suggestions on mounting ideas?

Overall I had a great experience at my first race weekend. Between Comp School on Friday and races on Saturday and Sunday there was a lot to take in. I know I have a lot to learn and I look forward to getting back out there.

#69

OK, here is my point of view on the contact. Watching all of my video and Harkin’s, I count three time. 1) T1 start 2) Lap 1 after pass in esses, 3) later in 10 a/b.

Comments welcome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CurA-YUj3Aw

#70

[quote=“TrackRat” post=74023]OK, here is my point of view on the contact. Watching all of my video and Harkin’s, I count three time. 1) T1 start 2) Lap 1 after pass in esses, 3) later in 10 a/b.

Comments welcome.[/quote]

The Incident in 10 A/B I accept full responsibility for, clearly I did not have control of the car.

#71

In T1, you lifted and there was minor bumper contact. Honestly, I don’t even consider that ‘contact’. In the esses I had made the pass and tried to leave you room. I had the line at that point. Thankfully, for us, it was minor. Is there any damage on your car from it?

#72

There was no “after pass” in the esses. You had not yet completed the pass.

#73

Even with that camera view, the hip check in the esses is rather clear.[/quote]

I’ve watched both videos and I really think if you are Harkins and you are getting passed entering the esses you need to give way, there really is no reason to try to squeeze two wide through there.

In that scenario the best thing to do is tuck in behind and hope you can get the position back going into 6.

#74

I agree about T1, I cracked the throttle, got nudged, no big deal. The esses incident resulted in the cracked windshield, and a dented/wrinkled fender/door. The incident in T10 resulted in a slightly compressed bumper, broken taillight, and some missing plastic. Mechanically I think it is fine. What about your car, Shawn?

#75

From the contact in the esses, I don’t have any. In fact, there’s not even a mark on that side. From 10b, the fender is pretty crumpled, supports underneath, cracked grill and trim, alignment is out, either bent tie rod and/or control arm.

#76

+1 for Steve D HOWEVER the safest thing for Shawn to do would have been to give a little room and not assume that because he has “made the pass” that Chris will yield. Shawn could still make 5 & 6 at speed and then they could sort it out on the straight. Either way i certainly don’t think it was crazy/banzai driving. Also, Chris just got into 10a way too hot. The pass is already made if you have the line and a good run to the exit of 10b is far more important for getting away once you have position in 10a. Just my 1.5 cents.

#77

Post #1 for Edmonds, welcome! BTW, I really like the paint scheme on your car…

#78

Thanks! I decided to cover it in dirt and rip off the air dam in turn one though when i was watching the guy on the inside instead of watching the corner an basically drove off track. My girlfriend was so sympathetic and worried about me when she heard i went off and was so glad i was ok…until she saw the video and declared “you’re a moron. you had that turn.”

#79

B) off topic, but I want to say it was great racing with you guys for my first visit to rd.atl.
I had a great time- it is an intimidating track, but by the second race I finally felt comfortable out there.
Special thanks to Julio palacio for his great welcome, and all his pointers-
Can’t wait until next time-
(Jay Greene fl se30 #81)

#80

Harkins and Waggoner Update. Chris and I just hung up and had a good conversation about what happened. Both of us are happy with it and agreed that conversation needed to happen off the forum and preferably in person at the track. Even more preferably over some beers!