Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Last weekend at the Fontana D7 points race I had some good luck two times over at the race. Out of 68 cars I qualified 67th with a 15.815 on my 15.60 DF/S index. My first round opponent should've beaten me, because I was only able to improve to a 15.680. However, I helped my cause by having an .048 to .060rt advantage over him. However, he crossed the finish line .0754 ahead of me, which gave him some slowdown room. Fortunately for me he slowed down .007 too late allowing me to advance past 1st round. However, the true Karma race was in rnd 2!

Since there was already a tailwind that aided me in rnd 1, I was watching the flags and noticing that as we were getting ready to run rnd 2, that it increased about 4-6mph. I go to the water box, because my new to me tires needed a burnout to heat them up. I do my burnout, and go up to the line to stage, however my opponent hadn't even started his burnout yet. I went to the sat there on the line not sure what was going on but I figured, I'm good I made it past rnd 1, so whatever happens was going to happen. I was prepared to turn off my engine, but something told me not to, so I just let my car idle while I waited to see if my opponent would show up. Apparently the starter must've gestured to him that he better get it going and get up to the line, or he was going to send me on a broke bye single. Was the guy trying to burndown my car? Perhaps, but this is where it got interesting....although he got an .021 to .098rt advantage over me, the same God that we pray to for ill or fallen loved ones, was watching and seemingly didn't like what my opponent was doing, so that tailwind pushed my car to a 15.635 (which was not only my quickest run of the event, but only .035sec. from my index. This must have forced him to get on his breaks too late, because although he crossed the finish line .1207 ahead of me, he also crossed it .008 too soon, which made my win light come on, and sent him and his car to the trailer!

Thanks to that snafu, I was able to earn 50pts., and make a vault in the D7 points standings to date from 47th to 17th (in a tie with several others for 16th), in the Stock Eliminator standings! As for him, well to pour salt on his (beating his-self wound), he inherited my now former position in the standings! I guess Karma can and does bite people who may have intentions like that in their mindset.

Morale of the Story....There's more eyes on us than we think, so if you want to play games with other racers like that, then be prepared for the possible consequences of your actions....

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

That's a life lesson that applies to more than just drag racing. We have had a few in our ranks that started out OK, but as time went along, they got to where nobody could stand them, they're gone now. There's no excuse for not getting along, especially in the racing family.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

I don't know if it was karma or the racing Gods but I just say it was some piss poor driving to take .12 especially coming from behind.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

No sense belittling another racer here. He knows he f-ed up .
The next time he races a slow car, ( so very few out there), he'll lift at the back bumper and ease out in front, instead of scrubbing ET after getting in front.

(Hope this thread is on page eight by tomorrow) ;-)

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

You are right Mark, I guess the point I was trying to make is that I don't go for all this crap someone was trying to screw with me or burn me down conspiracy. No karma he just screwed up.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

James, Always two sides to a story. We haven't heard the other one. But can't imagine intentionally burning down a guy who can't even run the index.
(and I just bumped up this thread. :-( )

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

I too thought gary’s remarks were a little harsh always keep in mind this sport is very humbling

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

this^^^ and judging by his words and glee at his opponents bad driving, Gary don't turn on too many win lights.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Gary, I doubt he was trying to burn you down, maybe just hoping you'd get antsy from waiting. Or maybe he had some issue going on with the car.

But in any event I don't think the creator of the universe was concerned with who won that race. The guy made a mistake, it happens.

And you made the most out of a car that wouldn't quite run the index, good job!

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Have to agree 100% with this. It's called coincidence and some poor driving by his opponents.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Nice job going three rounds Gary. Why was your car off the index this time around? Was a little surprised to see that. Hopefully not fighting an issue.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Gary I think you just jinxed yourself.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Gary I’m sure he didn’t do anything on purpose. Sometimes I like to check my Facebook well I’m sitting in the water box so sometimes I take a few extra moments to get up to the starting line.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Lmao! Yeah sometimes I try to get some last minute reporting done here while my opponent is burning it down on the starting line!😂
Sorry Mark I just bumped it again!

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

I think the answer to Karma is ..Its better to be lucky than good
I believe that’s what happened. Luck will run out quit while you’re ahead

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

I think the answer to Karma is ..Its better to be lucky than good
I believe that’s what happened. Luck will run out quit while you’re ahead

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

OK here is the real story. For those who know me or don't know me ( I don't Lie or just make shi* up) I am the person that Gary is talking about. We got paired up in the 2nd round and here is what happened. We both pull in to the water box he started his burn out and then I started mine. My car died. I left the fuel pump switch OFF. I restarted my car and started the burn out procedure all over. I staged the car Immediately. NO BURNDOWN!! that's just B.S. (He did win the race to turn on the top bulb)
That being said remember before you condemn a fellow racer get both sides of the story. As for Gary review the source. Did I take to much stripe Yes. So is it Karma or just another day at the races you decide. (Vote for Trump save are sport. Drag racing will be eliminated if we allow the green deal to pass. (Stop the Dems.) My best wish to all on this coming Memorial day. Chuck

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Karma or good luck can help you win races. Karma or bad luck can help you lose races. I was lucky versus good many times when I raced.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

psc, your funnie

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

I don't think the best thing to do is to come on a forum talking about "Karma" and an opponent trying to burn someone down when they obviously had an issue going on in their lane.

Take your win light and keep on trucking, no need for the post.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Now that I've seen what Chuck had to say about what really happened, let me say that I feel better knowing that he didn't try to burn my car down, he truly had an issue with it. Sorry for your misfortune Chuck, but I thought about why I posted this thread, and based on the replies I got from Mark, James W. & P., Keith, 1320, Hacksaw, Jeff, and Brian, here's my replies to all of you:

1. Chuck, I'm glad you came on here and offered your side of the story, and I'm sorry for your cars issue(s). I couldn't see what was going on with your car, only others who were there watching us, can speak to that. We'll race again, and hopefully it's a better race next time. :)

2. Now as for you Mark Y., and James W., if you want to know about belittling another racer, let me take you back to the '98 Mile High Nationals where my 1st rnd opponent knew I wasn't able to run the index there, so when he caught me prior to the 1000ft clocks, he clicked his motor and coasted to the finish line. Trouble for him was, I didn't lift just because he passed me, and "Winston Vision" showed me gaining back the lead he got on me, and nipping him at the stripe by .003! Call it lucky, call it karma, call it whatever you want but that guy got what he flipping deserved for disrespecting me like that! As for this situation, why wouldn't someone try to burn down another racer, the benefit would be if he/she was within a tenth of their dial, this would make them further away from it, and don't tell me that it's BS or a conspiracy that racers do it, because I've seen it with my own eyes, and not just from the pros, or on t.v.!

3. As for you Keith, was I too harsh? Now that I know what Chucks side of it was, I'll take him on his word and admit that I was a bit harsh, but since he also brought a comment into this thread that doesn't belong in this forum, but in "The Lounge", make of that what you will, but it had no place here!

4. As for you 1320 & Hacksaw, let me say that I know I've lost a lot of 1st rounds, but I've won several too starting with comment #2 above. As for my words and glee, of course I'm going to be happy to win, and especially if someone tried to do something underhanded to get an unfair advantage, instead of us both being fair racers with each other. Again, now that I've read what Chuck had to say I'll take my win light, and be grateful for my luck (Brian).

5. To you Jeff, no I don't feel I jinxed myself, because when I go to race someone I will do my best to race them the way I hope they would race me, and both my 1st and 3rd round opponent's did that. Chuck had good intentions, but his car didn't cooperate. I apply the "Golden Rule" to my opponent, and I want to believe he/she will do the same.

6. James Perrone, my luck won't run out, because I keep trying to get better at racing my car, and each racer I line up against. You make your luck by putting forth the effort.

7. Brian, I took my win lights, and I plan to take more of them, but this was a credible thread to post, because although it wasn't relevant in the mentioned race with Chuck, there's a reason why the 7sec. staging rule was implemented, and NHRA has seen plenty of them, and as I said earlier, the pros were not the only ones giving just cause to it.

Thank you all for the comments, and Dave was pretty much spot on. :)

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Unfortunately now that people know it gets into your head you will probably face this issue many more times
don’t let it bother you take a deep breath and do your own thing, good luck

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

A whole lot of drama, over nothing...

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

When I can't figure out what's going on I just listen or turn around and look.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination - Next stop, the Twilight Zone!"

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

DISRESPECTING you because he lifted?

WOW

We play a numbers game in this sport that we all participate in.
:confused: :confused:

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Gary, with all due respect....Save the DRAMA for the theatre, and for once in your life....can we get through an entire thread without you mentioning The Mile High Nationals race that occurred over two decades ago......Geez !! ...If I ever get out west again,....I have got to look you up....REGARDS....

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

If something happens at the track why not track down the person that was in the other lane and have a face to face conversation and get their side of the story? It's another way of meeting a fellow class racer and potentially making a friend. After all, most of us go to the track to have fun and interact with others with the same passion. Life's too short.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Amen

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Dave you should know the difference between lifting and clicking off your motor, and you say WOW to me....REALLY???? SMH

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Actually Chuck E is a pretty easy to talk too and can be pretty entertaining. I have not seen him play any games since he came back with the camaro.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

I really hope hope if that guy runs you again he treats you with respect you deserve. Like maybe riding you like a stuck hog ripping the gas 20 times while keeping about 7 or 8 thou in front. Now that's repect!

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Given that's what most racers do when they catch a slower car fairly easily, that's just good racing, unlike what Dave was commenting on. When you put your tranny in neutral, turn off your engine, and coast to the finish line, that's BS, but I got the last laugh by stealing victory from defeat. In that same race I got paired up with Jody Lang in the 3rd round, and he lifted, didn't shut off his engine, and once he saw I was closing in on him, he got back on his pedal to keep his lead. That was more classy than that D5 guy from S.D.

As for you Mark, I look forward to seeing you too, but you also are an interesting fella. Unlike Billy Nees who met me and offered a cheap (actually free) ideal that actually improved my cars performance, you instead are critical(with exception to the header referrence), but everybody's told me that, and they're not cheap....and I haven't forgotten you bragging about your car being so much quicker than mine (and belittling the small but noticeable improvement I got from it, in comparison to your cars extra performance prowess), and Billy's asking you "Is that a challenge"? Oh yeah, you backed off then! So I've got one for you....when's your car coming back out to play with mine and Chucks, and all of the other D7 Stockers? The October points meet is about 4.5 months away....you going to bring it out then? Moreover, since you (for now) are the only pilot of a FWD Stocker to win a national event, if you do come out, how about it being with YOU behind the wheel???? Winning races with a FWD car is a lot harder nowadays than it was in '86, because back in the 80's Wheelie bars were only on Super Stockers, there was no Cal-Tracs, and manual tranny shifters were mostly (if not totally), "H" patterned, instead of inline. I proved past success to be true, by winning a High School Reunion bracket race in 1990 with a 4cyl, fwd auto, Chevy Celebrity....1st my bracket, then the King of the Hill Championship over the other three class winners! It was much easier to win then than it has been this century, so how about it, what do you say....will it be there, with you behind the wheel, going up against Chuck, Leo, Nanette, Jerry, Bob, Ryan, et.al.???? Let's see how you'd do today!!!! :)

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

To the top for Mark! LOL

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Sorry, had to cut some of the drama, going back to 1990!
First of all , I don't have a race car, presently. Will I in October? Very doubtful.
Will I , for the AZSSSA opener next year? More likely.
I think I'll build a FWD ,stick car ,with an H pattern shifter. Just because they're so hard to win with .I like a challenge.
Plus there's a certain red car that seems to need some more competition at our local deal. No, not that 'ol Cavalier, silly boy ;-)

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Yes, I know the difference. They both slow the car. Clicking off the motor in the lights is used for a plug check. (these days for those that don't use a wideband)

So the "clicking it" was disrespectful? I seriously doubt it was meant that way. Yes its ......... possible.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Yes it's possible because as I stated earlier but you didn't interpret it correctly, the engine was clicked around the 900-1000ft mark, thus 320-420ft from "the lights". Lifting your pedal (with the tranny still in high gear and the engine running), actually slows down your car quicker than clicking your engine and/or placing your tranny in neutral and coasting, try it sometime you'll see. Thus, I will stick with my opinion, since the guy didn't click his motor off in the lights. I don't race that way, because I have more respect for my opponent than that, and hopefully (if he's still racing nowadays), he isn't doing it anymore either....

Time to get my budget together for my fall races, and for hopeful performance improvements that I can pay for, since I don't have the mechanical smarts of Mark or Billy when it comes to making slow running cars run 1sec under their cars indexes.... thank God for overtime!!!!

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Gary....Your too pre-occupied with the `guy in the other lane`...........put him out of your mind and concentrate on your package....

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

No. I don't need to, I have already, I know how it works. There are several reasons that he chose to do what he did. I Seriously doubt that disrespecting you was the reason he clicked it. Just because you don't race that way doesn't mean that he or any other opponent does the same thing. Which is not a respect issue. In the end, this is bracket racing. It's all about the package. Only one wins.

Re: Karma's A Wonderful Thing.....
 

Just light the pre stage and shut the car off. Done it a couple of times. Starter looks at you funny but it works.