jim
New Member
Posts: 1
|
Post by jim on Aug 6, 2012 22:29:27 GMT
Hi there Guys. I`ve been following the classics for a good few years now, and have really enjoyed the cameraderie that seems to exist amongst most of the drivers, but i have had join this forum to ask what happened at Hednesford on the 5th August ? It was more akin to a demolition derby than a `respectful` race with the best looking cars on the short circuits. I travel a long way for each race, taking hours to get there, but after the debacle that i witnessed i`m having second thoughts as it seems that the mechanical sympathy and respect for each others cars is disappearing. Why was Gooding `taken out` ? i know it seems he`s not the most popular of drivers, but for gods sake, that was completely unnecessary and apart from endangering his life and wrecking his car, it was definitely not what the spectators wanted and i for one will miss his determination on the track ...what a bad example the driver that put him out is to this formula is making ! Anyway, rant over, but please please no more of this childish nonsense...theres banger racing on all over the country if that`s the attitude of your racing. Looking forward to any comments chaps......
|
|
|
Post by timfoxlow on Aug 7, 2012 6:40:56 GMT
Jim - the question 'What Happened' is one that has been on my mind since Sunday, I honestly wished I stayed in bed! On the day a number of things good happened and likewise some bad things - lets focus on the bad to start: In the Stars race not every star respected their car as much as they should have, you looked at some drivers and they were nursing cars to keep out of trouble, others were happy to push harder, the outcome was cars with serious damage that could not be fully sorted on the day and a huge expense to the drivers. On a positive note - what a great event to see such names out once again, good racing at the front, it was fantastic for Classic Hot rods and Oval racing! The rest of the meeting was a disgrace, lack of respect, drivers without the ability to control / race such quick cars, cars of a level of preperation that meant such difference in speed, lack of pride in ones car and more I am sure. Hot Rods have never been a budget formula and our cars should need to be of a high standard, if you cant afford to run or prepair to this standard - choose another formula! The formula is strong and growing, we will as drivers SORT this out before we loose drivers but more importantly suporters like you Jim. Thank you for taking the time to comment Jim, we are all disapointed with what took place, it really overshadowed the highs like Dan winning, the Stars comming out and such a great formula. NOW LETS SORT IT GUYS!
|
|
|
Post by deadlydaz8 on Aug 7, 2012 8:13:03 GMT
im not bad mouthing any one hear but if you want me to be honest the green mk 1 escort was over heating and dumping a load of antie freez on the track which made it like driving on ice on the bottom bend 4 cars spun out and crashed resulting in bad damage because of this.
|
|
|
Post by sam mitchell on Aug 7, 2012 10:20:50 GMT
well said tim .I aso think that the weather track conditions drivers ability car set up and a bit of red mist caused the problems.and thanks also jimmy for you comments we could see what you could see and we are on it at the moment. we will get it sorted, and back to the cost of racing it is a fast dear sport to participate in as I have said this before ,Tim is not being condescending he is just pointing out the facts regards sam
|
|
|
Post by jamiejohnson on Aug 7, 2012 11:24:31 GMT
Sounds a sorry affair, glad I had to work! I came back into the sport expecting to sustain some damage after all whatever we say we are racing, rubbing is racing! didn't expect the mindless 'punting' people going for gaps that arn't there, perhaps we could introduce harder punishment, sent to the back of the field for the rest of the meeting or more meetings. In the good old days 25 cars a race was the norm no rolling starts so the field had a chance to settle down before being swamped, all the rolling starts I have witnessed everyone is noise to tail. Thanks Sam for the good job you do for the formula.
|
|
|
Post by sam mitchell on Aug 7, 2012 11:38:04 GMT
Dont worrie lads we will get things sorted ,we have spoken to Paul Gerrard and he agrees we need to sort things out please bear with us regards sam
|
|
|
Post by Rick Fray 21 on Aug 7, 2012 12:49:17 GMT
Well may be you ought to be thinking about clutch starts again as this seems to be popular with most of the drivers. The other thing to consider is having the ear pieces as in the nationals. At least people can be warned of any dangers ahead and anyone driving like a knob can be told to pull off.
|
|
|
Post by stevie774 on Aug 7, 2012 12:54:45 GMT
Hi Tim, Well done for an excellent post. You mentioned that damage sustained to the cost of the drivers. I was of the understanding that Mr Wood agreed to foot the bill for damage. Please tell me to mind my own business if you like but i love this formula and my emotions were running high when i saw the serious damage to Stuarts and your car during the stars race. Incidentally does anyone know if Stuarts car is repairable?
|
|
|
Post by timfoxlow on Aug 7, 2012 13:46:41 GMT
Stievie, thanks for your comments. Deane and I are having a chat once we understand the full extent of the damage, he helped out on Sunday and we have known each other for many years, it would not be fair to comment more on this. Its a fantastic fromula and I am lucky to race in it, we will all pull together to improve things over the next few weeks. It was a shame to see both our pride and joy's damaged, mine will be back, I hope Stuart's is as well. Thanks again.
|
|
|
Post by richardx23 on Aug 7, 2012 14:35:42 GMT
Tim, i agree with 95% of what you have put BUT you need drivers even if they are on a budget and cant make there cars as quick as some. Going back 3years you wouldnt have he formiula you have today,if it wasnt for people like checkley[mini],nelly and the butlinswho were at the poorly attended meetings.All these done there racing on a small budget!!!!! And i say it again,without slower cars or cars not gotso much money spent on them, you would have a race for the quicker boys to over take them. There is alot of drivers without a big budget in all formulas that are stiil compectitive in there choice of formula. You say about differance in speed, well you have 3 differant spec pintos you can choose from[all giving differant power] and then the good old XFLOW. Car preperation come down to the RULES on how the are interpreded.and a lot are going away from the basic rules and until someone like you ,stands up and looks at this problem, then you this will not be sorted
|
|
|
Post by timfoxlow on Aug 7, 2012 14:57:27 GMT
Thanks Richard (not bad 95% agreement eh), I agree in any formula you will have people with different budgets, my only point here is that Hot Rod racing has never been a low budget formula relative to others. I do appreciate what you say re the guys who started the formula, a huge thanks to them now! I do believe the difference in speed that I mention is down to the handling and driving of the car, the engine plays a part but if your car does not handle (like mine on Sunday!) it does not matter about the engine. We as a formula, must police the rules and ensure that anyone outside them is put on the right track. I do love the formula and will work with people to help move forward from this less than ideal position.
|
|
|
Post by colin66 on Aug 7, 2012 20:21:39 GMT
Tim i agree with what say 100% and sammy needs all the help to bring this formula on the right road to keeping within rules ITS NOT LATE
|
|
|
Post by stockrod40 on Aug 7, 2012 20:56:00 GMT
Raceivers would be a good move , they work really well for Nhr, giving drivers advice on crashes and oil/debris on track . We often here/hope about a 30 car meeting, if that ever happened, I suggest splitting the cars, maybe at white & yellow grade race etc . Btw one bad day does not reflect the great steps forward the formula are making. Good people organising the formula, good pr, the fans love them etc
|
|
|
Post by timfoxlow on Aug 7, 2012 21:03:26 GMT
thanks Stock Rod 40, it's a Graet formula and we have a fantastic future, as you say we all have bad days. To me and the other drivers what's more important as we learn! End of!
|
|
|
Post by cooperman222 on Aug 8, 2012 0:04:26 GMT
classic hotrods set to steel the show? how was this possible, if their first race proper didnt start till 4.00 pm on the last day of speed weekend, seems the home of hotrods gives more time and space to legends
|
|