Scott Gress' Missive on Racing Philosophy

#1

I can’t find it…it is buried in some obscure thread.
Great writing and it is worth a reread.

Can’t find it. Help.

RP

#2

[quote=“Patton” post=67808]I can’t find it…it is buried in some obscure thread.
Great writing and it is worth a reread.

Can’t find it. Help.

RP[/quote]

http://spece30.com/forum/42-engine/67457-down-on-power-ideas-and-opinions-needed?limit=10&start=30

#3

Should have known, buried in some “Down on power” ( aka,lack of straightaway talent) topic.

Thank you for the link. When I need a reminder about why I do this sport and spend so much energy and money I can find the answer doing a search under “Scott Gress.”

RP

Comments on the commentary by others?

#4

I like to think that I have the same philosophy. Any weekend I can drive the car on the trailer is a good weekend.

#5

“As long as winning isn’t all that important, you’re going to have a blast. But if winning is important, well, there’s cheaper ways to feel inadequate.”

Destined to be a classic. I think there’s enough Ranger content on the forums for a book at this point.

I’m a pragmatist, but I’m also human, so mid-pack does not leave me fully content. Still better than just about anything else though.

#6

I agree with both King Tut and EdP. I’d like to run closer to the front but do not have the resources (aka time, money, and inclination) to get there. So, having fun, winning little mini battles, and putting it back on the trailer in one piece is plenty of fun for me. Case in point, at CMP a couple of months ago Gress and I battled fiercely for the last two positions (among cars still running at the end) we had a blast.

Don

#7

[quote=“donstevens” post=67820]I agree with both King Tut and EdP. I’d like to run closer to the front but do not have the resources (aka time, money, and inclination) to get there. So, having fun, winning little mini battles, and putting it back on the trailer in one piece is plenty of fun for me. Case in point, at CMP a couple of months ago Gress and I battled fiercely for the last two positions (among cars still running at the end) we had a blast.

Don[/quote]

I love reading posts like this…

#8

[quote=“Carter” post=67885][quote=“donstevens” post=67820]I agree with both King Tut and EdP. I’d like to run closer to the front but do not have the resources (aka time, money, and inclination) to get there. So, having fun, winning little mini battles, and putting it back on the trailer in one piece is plenty of fun for me. Case in point, at CMP a couple of months ago Gress and I battled fiercely for the last two positions (among cars still running at the end) we had a blast.

Don[/quote]

I love reading posts like this…[/quote]

Yep, that’s why you started this thing back in 2003.
Thanks so much for the idea, the implementation and the warewithall to see it through for what is now going on 8 years.

Carter, this would be an ideal time for you to tell the “Spec E30 Story.” How did you get this thing started? Care to give it a go…

Again, thank you for this race series and Scott for capturing the essence of why we (at least I) race.

RP

#9

I’d like to hear the story too.

I pretty much ditto the subject of the post. I have no delusions of grandeur. The only way I’ll be in contention for the lead spot is if there is a massive sinkhole that swallows up the first five or six cars and then magically heals itself. Richard Cofer and I had a terrific battle for next-to-last at my last race weekend that was everything I hoped racing would be. It was close, respectful and tons of fun. That’s all I’m looking for. There are those with talent, those who just try the best we can, and Robert Grace. :stuck_out_tongue: I’m in the middle category and don’t care.

#10

My philosophy is quite different. I hope that if I don’t wake up everyday and piss excellence I will realize that and then the urge to go deeper into debt to make it to the track will disappear. That same day I will quit smoking, say “no three beers is enough for tonight,” marry a fat women, start having lots of children and watching "sports :sick: " on tv.

#11

Never give up the fight against sloth and decrepitude. Fight on the beaches, fight in the hills, never surrender.

#12

[quote=“Ranger” post=67942]
Never give up the fight against sloth and decrepitude. Fight on the beaches, fight in the hills, never surrender.[/quote]

What of one is already a sloth…should I keep fighting?

Don

#13

[quote=“donstevens” post=67944][quote=“Ranger” post=67942]
Never give up the fight against sloth and decrepitude. Fight on the beaches, fight in the hills, never surrender.[/quote]

What of one is already a sloth…should I keep fighting?

Don[/quote]
Well, that’s a tough one. Maybe start some reading on reincarnation and think of yourself a work in progress.

From wikipedia: They have made extraordinary adaptations to an arboreal browsing lifestyle. Leaves, their main food source, provide very little energy or nutrition and do not digest easily. Sloths therefore have large, specialized, slow-acting stomachs with multiple compartments in which symbiotic bacteria break down the tough leaves. As much as two-thirds of a well-fed sloth’s body-weight consists of the contents of its stomach, and the digestive process can take a month or more to complete. Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth has recently been documented eating human faeces from open latrines.

#14

But I still have a 32" waist…


Shot at 2012-08-19

#15

When I think of something that is kinda cute, consists mostly of stomach and moves like pond-water, I can’t help but be reminded of our 3 boys.

#16

You should all read Nigel Mansell’s autobiography. He talks about never “making up the numbers”. An interesting read at least. I love to race. I love to have fun. But I can’t just run midpack and be happy. Its not in my makeup.

That said, I haven’t driven my own SE30 this year, as the engine was dead, and just rented a DriveGear car for Nationals. Get ready for some firepower.

Don, you riding to Ohio with me? Rig leaves Sunday.

#17

My three boys grew out of that phase, and my wife is growing into it