"Lollygaggers"

[Hagen Gary]

People are making this out to be more than it is. Its very rare that someone pulls into the lanes after the first 1/4 of the cars have went down the track. Most of the time, its somebody running two cars. I really don't think people come up late on purpose to try to throw the other person off thier game. The schedule arguement is crap as routinly TS and TD get moved in front of us. I don't start looking at the weather untill the first call, and god forbid I don't hear it. I'll get labeled a lollygagger and some want me out of the race. Get a life and bitch about something more important, Like Payout, or the advantages FWD conversions have over other GT cars, or something that affects the outcome on the track. I have been at the track pretty much my entire life and cannot recall any time a race was held up because someone didn't show. I also can't recall seeing more than 4 or 5 cars of the next class in the lanes by the time we were all paired. Its not that big of a deal.

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Hagen Gary

People are making this out to be more than it is. Its very rare that someone pulls into the lanes after the first 1/4 of the cars have went down the track. Most of the time, its somebody running two cars. I really don't think people come up late on purpose to try to throw the other person off thier game. The schedule arguement is crap as routinly TS and TD get moved in front of us. I don't start looking at the weather untill the first call, and god forbid I don't hear it. I'll get labeled a lollygagger and some want me out of the race. Get a life and bitch about something more important, Like Payout, or the advantages FWD conversions have over other GT cars, or something that affects the outcome on the track. I have been at the track pretty much my entire life and cannot recall any time a race was held up because someone didn't show. I also can't recall seeing more than 4 or 5 cars of the next class in the lanes by the time we were all paired. Its not that big of a deal.

You obviously haven't raced in Div. 1.We commonly get 100+ car fields in Stock and 80+ in SS.There's plenty of guys that drag their asses getting to the lanes.This past weekend
at Atco there were a fair amount of stockers still unpaired when S/C was called to pair up.Luckily we have an excellent Div crew (who don't get the credit they deserve) that kept it orderly.
As far as I'm concerned I usually like going in fairly early.I have my little weather thingy
out,taking my readings till I'm ready to sit in the car.On goes the dial and off we go.No problem.I might nt win a round,but it won't be because I'm mis dialed. Hagen,take a chill pill.You sound like someone who would be a prime candidate to be rattled by a game player.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Mike Walter

My view on this thread has nothing to do with how one individual feels slighted by the choice of their opponent coming at the end of a session. If there is a concern, just ask your opponent if their plan is going up first, last, whatever. But.....the bigger issue has to do with keeping the event going on schedule and it doesn't matter which sanctioning body or local stock/superstock race it is..

A schedule is posted so competitors have an basic understanding when they'll be called.
Anyone that's raced for any length of time can figure out if stock is scheduled for 8:00am, they are going to start calling 30 min. or so prior to that time. There is no reason unless of some mechanical issue should you not know when your going out. The people in my mind affected the most by "late arrivals" are the staging personel listening to the guys yelling at them from the tower to keep the program moving, while at the same time dealing with the next class already called. Every time I see people like Bill Floyd, Ryck Campbell, Travis Miller, and a host of others trying to make sense of all these pairings makes me just pissed as hell to think that " Ya know....I've been at this track since 6:30 this morning and I'm probably not going to leave until after dark. Would it be too much to ask of a competitor to just work with us come up when called to help this day run a little smoother". You couldn't pay me enough money to do that job and in my opinion, when one chooses only look at their own agenda with any importance, it's not much difference than kicking the people I mentioned above right in the nuts.

This says it all.....Ive been in the lanes in 100 degree heat trying to pair up cars and the opponent is no where to be seen and the tower is raising hell on the walki talkies asking why theres only 3 or 4 cars in staging then the next class starts to show up and its a "Monkey F##K". Every racer should have to work (make it a requirement) at least one National event pairing cars before he obtains a competition number and/or liscense so they would know what it is like being on the other side of the fence standing all day on hot asphalt and concrete with no relief so you guys can race. NO these officals dont make anywhere what its worth to do the job and if you LOLLYGAGGERS would just show up on time it would make the job and race run much smoother. The officials (the good ones) do it for the love of drag racing. I for one would like to see the class call shut off when the tower calls the next class of cars. You *** draggers try to put up with it sometime. I bet you couldnt deal with it. I wouldnt have to happen more than one or two times for them to get the message.

[Wade Mahaffey]

The point made by some about hardship placed on track officals is very good. If the effort of the racer (to get paired up) matched the effort of the officals, everyones day would be easier. There are many racers that are considerate of others. The "hitters" know exactly who they have next round, and so should everyone else. Most everyone that goes rounds has several sets of eyes in his corner feeding information from reconnaissance and surveillance. It's called "situational awareness" and if you don't have it....you ain't winning squat! Pair yourself up...move up...shake hands...flip for lane...and RACE! Be considerate of others, both competitors and officals. If you have a situation and need more time, communicate that to your opponent so he does'nt have to sit up there and wait on you. I know you would do that for your buddy!

When the first set of cars come onto the track....make an announcement...lanes closed in 2 minutes for that class. After 2 minutes announce, lanes closed for that class and first call for next class. That will provide room for paring to begain all over again.

Wade Mahaffey