Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

It depends on how bad you want to win. Winning in this sport demands that no stone goes unturned. The faster cars win more rounds, period. So if winning is your top priority, get a faster car.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Two things make it fun:

The hole shot you put on that monster next to you

and

The Win

Doesn't feel much different with my SRT8 at 13 secs, or a super gas at less than 9...

First out, and first over... is why I race.

David
The New Hemi Guy
________
Mercedes-benz w136 specifications

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I love the slower cars, I've race fast cars and slow cars but I love leaving first, less pressure. Since mathematics can be applied to racing I once calculated at Indy many years ago that 1% got a perfect light, 10% .05 to .12, 33% .13 to.45, 26% .45 to whatever, 24% red lite and 6% broke. 56% disqualify themselves right off the get go, the secret is to be in that 44% as many good racer have shown such as Dan Fletcher even if he isn't always the fastest car he still falls in that 44%.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I have a friend and fellow racer who probably would disagree with you on the above thoughts, and he's wearing a big "3" on his station wagon this year to prove it..."Jody Lang"! There may have been two racers who finished higher than he in last years national points, but there were countless others who finished BELOW HIM...oh and by the way, no one out did him in Div. 6 AGAIN!!!

I too enjoy my slower roller because I don't need to spend as much money or time working on my car, to make it competitive, because I have one (of several) road less traveled kind of entries. I definitely enjoy(ed) the times when I beat the cars that are (were) supposed to beat mine because they have more money in them than the total financed cost of my '04 Chevy Colorado pu. truck (tow vehicle), which was $27K! Moreover, I know full well that most all of the races I've lost (since my car's become competitive), have been my fault as a driver, not my having a slower classed stocker...as ALMACK clearly stated, "many runs at the track", would help make me more successfull like one "Mr Jody Lang" has now been for three decades! Besides it will be a great enjoyment to me, should I become:

1. The first fwd stocker racer to win a national or a divisional event this century.

2. The only repeat winner of either of those types of races.

3. The first person to win a seasonal points championship (divisional or especially national).

4. The first fwd stocker participant in the "All Stars" race.

5. Heck, even becoming the first top ten national (if not divisional) points finisher would be something I'd really enjoy!

Most (if not all) of the above is out there waiting to be accomplished, and I have the desire, I just need more of the funds to get out there enough to improve my driving/judgement of the stripe skills...the rest would take care of itself as it has for Jody, Jimmy D., Fletch, Pete B., Mark F., Mike I., and Edmond & his brother Scotty R. (amongst numerous others). Most of the above named guys may race the faster stockers, but seat time is the primary reason they're so well known, and so good...not the car, but the driver...

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Well Troy,I do remember that one myself as well. I dialed the way needed,I had a qualifying sheet in hand,and did what was "necessary" to maybe get through the round. You are correct though,those races are a lot of fun!! Running a quicker car doesn`t guarnetee you a round win,if you know how to win,you can be just as deadly as a "AA" car. Lane

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Hey Lane,

I remember your race with Scotty Richardson @ Douglas's divisional (I believe in '96), he may have won the world championship in Stock, but his efforts were side-tracked since he couldn't beat "THE HAWK"!!!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Thanks for remembering Gary. That was a long time ago!! Still one of my finer moments!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

No, I guess not.
When I was in high school, I used to read the Hot Rod Indy coverage (hidden in my notebook, of course). I was fascinated by the 50 Olds's, Studebakers, Hudsons, Corvairs, in other words, normal everyday mom and pop cars. Cars I might be able to afford after graduation.

Later, I found out how much fun it was to win a trophy by inches, no matter what the actual ET was.

Truth be known ,in 1986 ,when I drove Bill Shurla's Escort at the Summers, I had the option to drive a B/Stock Firebird instead. The reason I didn't was because I wouldn't have had a chance to drive the car the weekend before to get used to it. I opted for the FWD Ford, for that reason. I didn't really care about the fast or slow business.
It all worked out in the end anyway, but that's probably one of the reasons , to this day, why I've never even driven a 10 second or faster car.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Hey Mark,

I'm glad you chose the Escort too, because you chose to run a "road less traveled" type of car, and won one of the most ballyhooed races of the year, and became a racer in a class by yourself...the one, the only, "FRONT WHEEL DRIVE NATIONAL EVENT WINNER"!!!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Ya Mark, that 1986 win of your's inspired me to do an Escort too after talking to you in Bradenton. Never won anything with that car but I did have a lot of fun with it. In fact it's the same car that Harry (Underdog) Morgan races now. He put an automatic in it and has had fun with it for the last 16 years.