"pass under yellow" - You Make The Call!

[WIZARD Racing]

Originally Posted by tb1999

, my best lap @ WGI was during practice that day, 2:26.792

I prob could have popped into the 2:26s, but I didn't want to risk hitting that SWEET Alfa I was racing with. He wasn't in my class, and I was having fun. Unfortunately that video isn't up because I can't find a free hosting place that will take a file that big (over 1GB).

[tb1999]

Originally Posted by WIZARD Racing

I prob could have popped into the 2:26s, but I didn't want to risk hitting that SWEET Alfa I was racing with. He wasn't in my class, and I was having fun. Unfortunately that video isn't up because I can't find a free hosting place that will take a file that big (over 1GB).

I was at your website having a look around. Lots of good info for anyone interested in going racing.

I also saw one of your e-mail's from Serge. He was my race school instructor and signed off on my license. If you see him tell him I said hi. (I was driving the maroon/gold RX7 at the school) I have to try and make it up to NHIS next year....

Also noted your pic of the Laguna Seca track map.

I have this idea that I might fly out for a vacation and rent a miata or whatever for a race event there.

[WeeAsp]

Originally Posted by WIZARD Racing

Yeah, but after a Spec Ford session or Spec/Pro 7 session you don't have to wait for the track to be cleaned of parts.

Don't get me wrong. Spec Miata is fun to watch! I'm even considering a Miata as my next racecar. But in ITA, not SM.

HIJACK ALERT - But I couldn't resist. Pardon the Off-topic rant...

Bring your checkbook with you. (not that you needed me to tell you that)...

I USED to be a big, big fan of the Spec Miata series. Affordable, relatively fast, and straight forward. Then, like a lot of series, it became a victim of its own success and the sanctioning body stepped in (we know who that is).

Next thing you know, drivers you've never seen or heard of before show up with $30K engine builds and rookie stripes. That's not a slight against the rookies, everyone has to start somewhere. However, much like the now defunct Spec Neon, it defeated the purpose creating an entry level racing series. Add to that, the sanctioning body allowing too many cars into the race.

I watched a 90MPH parade lap at Summit Point a few years ago where there were SEVENTY (70) cars on a 2 mile road course. What could possibly go wrong? Track safety spent over an hour picking up sparkly bits from all over the track.

Even the King Rat and MEATHEAD teams will tell you the same thing, but they've made a pretty tidy business from building Miatas and renting them on race weekends. Still the time and effort that goes into rebuilding the cars puts it out of reach of most novices.

If you are planning an ITA car, I would highly recommend that you look at a VW Rabbit. I have several friends who run them with a modest race budget and are competitive in the DC Council Region. Cars are cheap, parts are cheaper and they run FOREVER.

End of rant...

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[WIZARD Racing]

Originally Posted by tb1999

I was at your website having a look around. Lots of good info for anyone interested in going racing.

I also saw one of your e-mail's from Serge. He was my race school instructor and signed off on my license. If you see him tell him I said hi. (I was driving the maroon/gold RX7 at the school) I have to try and make it up to NHIS next year....

Also noted your pic of the Laguna Seca track map.

I have this idea that I might fly out for a vacation and rent a miata or whatever for a race event there.

Thanks for the good review . I really need to get off my ass and update it.

IF I ever get to Laguna, I want to race it in my own car. Run that corkscrew ONCE before I die!!

If you ever plan in going to a 'new for you' track, find ANY in-car video you can. It's how I would learn the track even before I left my house. iRace I heard is good to, but seeing 'real world' I think is more helpful.

[WIZARD Racing]

Originally Posted by WeeAsp

HIJACK ALERT - But I couldn't resist. Pardon the Off-topic rant...

Bring your checkbook with you. (not that you needed me to tell you that)...


Next thing you know, drivers you've never seen or heard of before show up with $30K engine builds and rookie stripes.

If you are planning an ITA car, I would highly recommend that you look at a VW Rabbit. I have several friends who run them with a modest race budget and are competitive in the DC Council Region. Cars are cheap, parts are cheaper and they run FOREVER.

Since there are only 3 of us here, including the author, not much of a hijack. LOL. And we are all Club Racers.

I know about the $30k high dollar racers. Saw enough of them come and go. I myself will always be happy as long as I have someone, ANYONE, to have a great race with. My competition is to get my 'next best personal lap time' and improve my own skills.

I won't even run IN a race group with Spec Miatas!! NO WAY!!! They are CRAZY!! But great to watch.

I don't plan on leaving the Escort if I don't have to. It's a nice underdog car (and we have 3 in the Northeast). Them Wabbits are too damn loud for me, but I agree with you.

[tb1999]

Originally Posted by WIZARD Racing

Since there are only 3 of us here, including the author, not much of a hijack. LOL. And we are all Club Racers.

I know about the $30k high dollar racers. Saw enough of them come and go. I myself will always be happy as long as I have someone, ANYONE, to have a great race with. My competition is to get my 'next best personal lap time' and improve my own skills.

I won't even run IN a race group with Spec Miatas!! NO WAY!!! They are CRAZY!! But great to watch.

I don't plan on leaving the Escort if I don't have to. It's a nice underdog car (and we have 3 in the Northeast). Them Wabbits are too damn loud for me, but I agree with you.

"Wreck Miata" "Spec Pinata" whatever you call it, it's a freaking looney bin on wheels. But if you got lots of $$ and b*g ba**s, it's got to be the best series out there.

I just think too many nutjobs try turning it into a mini NASCAR event, and get into the "rubbin' is racin'" mindset too much. I've seen some pretty scary videos with people doing crazy to win a $10 trophy. (like those pics you had on your website with the mess under the bridge at Nelson Ledges, and I have seen a semi-significant SM wreck at every race I went to this year. Either major carnage, or cars on thier roof etc)

I like running the Focus, it's an odd duck in these parts, and I get alot of attention and compliments. It's not entirely competitive but I'm doing what I can ;-)

I would not be happy finding a honda and just throwing in a bunch of tried an tested parts into it effectively building a "kit car".

I like learning how to design the car for racing and what is important and what is just "filler". When the time comes to move on, I'll probably buy a turn-key mostly sorted racer, but having the experience from building this car will help me know what to look for in the next one. (or i'll just drive this one till the wheels wont stay on anymore)

At this point in time I am mainly concentrating on learning how to race, working on my personal best, being smooth and learning how to read a track pitch and surface to find the few extra tenths of a second here and there like you have to do at an autocross.

[WIZARD Racing]

Originally Posted by tb1999

I like running the Focus, it's an odd duck in these parts, and I get alot of attention and compliments. It's not entirely competitive but I'm doing what I can ;-)

At this point in time I am mainly concentrating on learning how to race, working on my personal best, being smooth and learning how to read a track pitch and surface to find the few extra tenths of a second here and there like you have to do at an autocross.

The same reason I like the generation (2gen) Escort I have. But it's a LOT harder to find 'go fast' parts for it. We more or less have to 'borrow' Miata motor tech. There are 3 of us in the Northeast (2 in NY and me in MA), and maybe 2 or 3 others scattered.

Your approach to racing is a good one. I hope to be hearing about (or seeing) your great racing experiences.

[WeeAsp]

Originally Posted by WIZARD Racing

The same reason I like the generation (2gen) Escort I have. But it's a LOT harder to find 'go fast' parts for it. We more or less have to 'borrow' Miata motor tech. There are 3 of us in the Northeast (2 in NY and me in MA), and maybe 2 or 3 others scattered.

Your approach to racing is a good one. I hope to be hearing about (or seeing) your great racing experiences.

If interested, I know where there is a COMPLETE - COSWORTH Escort for sale...

[WIZARD Racing]

Originally Posted by WeeAsp

If interested, I know where there is a COMPLETE - COSWORTH Escort for sale...

Oh you're KILLING me!!!!! I really want one of those too. But it's not meant to be right now. If you reall want to torture me, give me the details.