Thanks Ed, last year and the year before I had tons of seat time , but in a different type of car, TB and other items that well, DIDNT Translate as well as Id hoped, AND I got rusty on things I know NOT to do, Ive been caught "sleeping" at the wheel on 3 occasions just in testing because my eyes moved to a gauge I had more concern about than the tree.
I know these things, DOING them is a difference for me......
I dont like having to drive AND Wrench, its a distraction and I dont do both well, at the same time. So Im going to change that. I really could care less to drive once I get a record next to my name and for that the tree means nothing. So I am going to concentrate on what I do better of our little band of misfits and wrench. My dad is and always has been a better driver, hell hes better and always has been at pinball, video games and darts, and pool.....It took me 27 YEARS to Win 1 Game of Asteroids against him.
Truth is I enjoy wrenching more, thats probably why ive owned over 100 motorcycles in my life, I build em I tune em, Im bored.....Lather Rinse Repeat.
I would MUCH Rather Have the old man behind the wheel NOT CARING about the Mechanics and worrying ONLY about Driving, AND Getting the REQUIRED Seat time with this combo.
And have Myself wrenching and sweating bullets every time the car goes down, and being at the ready for a spare engine in the pit, as well as tuning, pouring over logs, while having Mandie, helping wrench, organizing, taking care of paperwork with / for the old man and figuring things out like the track lay and where scales are
To me it seem like an efficent separation of duties. What is now, was not meant to be, I was not supposed to be driving, I didnt want to and somehow, I think because of the joint effort and lack of ability to make the car available in running fashion to our original drivers, well My Old Man said, well drive it, meaning both of , us and because of HIS sense of fair play, we somehow decided to alternate sessions ? I dont know exactly how it happened but weve done it before.....
So, the REFOCUS on my part is what I PERSONALLY fin Gratifying and Enjoyable.
I have Built MYSELF with My own 2 Hands an engine that its FIRST Pass went faster than Roy Johnsons car was able to in testing.
I built a bullet that I believe with good reason can hit the 9's as is. For that to happen I need to concentrate ONLY on the car....not seat time, not locating scales and tech. People like Art Leong, and many other, but I know and have met Art and talk with him occasionally, he does it all himself, to me that is downright amazing, 1 man, ALL of it, from building his car, to treking, to well....everything.
Roys got a whole lot more money and resources than we do , and all ive got is my wits and my mouth, so to keep up with his car, and continue to exceed it. I think we can do it from a package perspective IF I am focused soley on the car, and dont care about driving it, and at events am not trying to do all the things I just dont/wouldnt ask my dad to do.
Make sense ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez
Don,I said it before and I'll say it again.It isn't only seat time.Some guys could get enough seat time to grow award winning hemorrhoids and still never win a race.The people who win the most have a total grasp on what it takes to win.Experience,knowing your car,weather conditions,car prep,finish line technique AND a little luck thrown in.
Reading your posts convinces me that when and if you have to race ove of these guys
you're likely to fold up like a cheap wallet.You wpould seem to be besat before you strap yourself into the car.
Back on topic,Chris,just keep going and try to cut out the distractions,especially living your life on here,and concentrate on making you and dad better drivers and getting the best feedback you can get on the car from those you trust.The rest will fall into place.If all else fails send Mandy to a course taught by Lee Zane and then turn her loose on NHRA stock eliminator.
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