AHFS info for INDY

[Carguy49]

Let 'em rip at Indy.



Sean how are you doing after your crash at Mission? Hope you are doing well.

[Chuck Norton]

Ed, it would be highly presumptuous of me to make a response on behalf of a highly respected racer such as Sean Cour (or anyone else in the Cour family) but I can share the perspective of some other successful racers that I've known over the years. Most of their philosophies of Stock/Super Stock racing have roots that reach much farther back than the modern version of the AHFS but some of the reasoning is still applicable.

Val Hedworth and Paul Dilcher were masters at sitting on the last tenth or two of any car's potential for as long as it took (sometimes a season or more) to mislead an unwary competitor into a critical mistake at a critical point in eliminations. I recall a night in 1972 at a Stock/SuperStock combo at KilKare Raceway in Xenia, Ohio, when Val played that card in the final round against a legitimately legendary figure in the sport. "You came all the way from the west coast and I came all the way from the east coast, What do you say, let's just make this round a no break-out run?" We kept that time sip under glass for years!

Likewise, racing Cal Method in a head's-up pairing is like trying to draw to an inside straight flush. Anyone who thinks they've seen everything that Cal has brought to the show, is in for a shock when the scoreboard lights up.

These racers would NEVER compromise the basic tenet, "Don't drag your d--k in the dirt for the sake of boosting your ego." Qualifying position is great but the paycheck for that day's work is difficult to cash.

Those are only a handful of such racers that I have known. There are plenty more out there and some of them are probably pitted only a few feet away.

I agree to some degree with your statement that Indy is the "pinnacle of the sport" but I would add a single word. How about "WINNING Indy is the pinnacle of the sport" and if holding a tenth in qualifying could potentially provide an edge at some point in eliminations, wouldn't it be worth it? And, if you don't need that edge on that particular day, you still have it in your pocket.

Highest regards,

c

[Ron Ortiz]

Chuck, that was one of the greatest post for a class racer to think about. Well said and documented.

Now where did I put that tenth that I need now. Heck I wish i could find the three tenths that I misplaced.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA it's only a tenth

[Hacksaw]

Originally Posted by Ed Carpenter

Sean this is a sincere question not being a smart azz. If you don't run it all out at Indy then what do you save it for? It's the pinnacle of our sport and you want to show all your competitors all over the country what you got. Just asking the question not judging. Good luck at Indy.

PS if nhra used Indy data to hit combos going back on their word it would be bs

Agreed: It's the red flag that is of concern.

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Chuck Norton

Ed, it would be highly presumptuous of me to make a response on behalf of a highly respected racer such as Sean Cour (or anyone else in the Cour family) but I can share the perspective of some other successful racers that I've known over the years. Most of their philosophies of Stock/Super Stock racing have roots that reach much farther back than the modern version of the AHFS but some of the reasoning is still applicable.

Val Hedworth and Paul Dilcher were masters at sitting on the last tenth or two of any car's potential for as long as it took (sometimes a season or more) to mislead an unwary competitor into a critical mistake at a critical point in eliminations. I recall a night in 1972 at a Stock/SuperStock combo at KilKare Raceway in Xenia, Ohio, when Val played that card in the final round against a legitimately legendary figure in the sport. "You came all the way from the west coast and I came all the way from the east coast, What do you say, let's just make this round a no break-out run?" We kept that time sip under glass for years!

Likewise, racing Cal Method in a head's-up pairing is like trying to draw to an inside straight flush. Anyone who thinks they've seen everything that Cal has brought to the show, is in for a shock when the scoreboard lights up.

These racers would NEVER compromise the basic tenet, "Don't drag your d--k in the dirt for the sake of boosting your ego." Qualifying position is great but the paycheck for that day's work is difficult to cash.

Those are only a handful of such racers that I have known. There are plenty more out there and some of them are probably pitted only a few feet away.

I agree to some degree with your statement that Indy is the "pinnacle of the sport" but I would add a single word. How about "WINNING Indy is the pinnacle of the sport" and if holding a tenth in qualifying could potentially provide an edge at some point in eliminations, wouldn't it be worth it? And, if you don't need that edge on that particular day, you still have it in your pocket.

Highest regards,

c

Good points Chuck. I was in no way criticizing Mr. Cour just want his perspective on it.

[Chuck Norton]

Originally Posted by Ed Carpenter

Good points Chuck. I was in no way criticizing Mr. Cour just want his perspective on it.

Nor was I intending to criticize anyone's point of view or put words in Sean's mouth. After all, that's Brian's role.

When it's all said and done, having a personal perspective is about the only thing we can be guaranteed these days and the more of them that are shared, the more likely it is that logical decisions will come forth.

Rock on!

c