Region: SFR
Car #: 51
Year : 1990 Posts: 106
Status: Offline
posted
I had some good clean fun racing with Dean, Brian, Doug, Matt, etc. This was the best racing I've ever been a part of, and it was also great to relive & enjoy it afterwards with everyone.
Region: SFR
Car #: 12
Year : 99 Posts: 267
Status: Offline
posted
Nice drive Darin! Great move on Dean on the last lap switching from cooperating to racing in a split second, I suspect after the previous bumps he didn't see that coming. It's interesting to see how the weight hurts the 99 from 2-6 but the torque (and some setup) helped out of 6, 11 and 14/15.
Nice move by Matt Rose at the beginning to take P1.
Short of blowing my second qual by getting my time wrong and showing up late, I had a great weekend. Lots of good racing with not so much as a sheet of paper between us and aside from moving Darin's mirror around, no paint traded.
Sorry to see the rear view mirror chaos at T1. Hope everyone gets it straightened out for Infineon and the Spec Miata Festival. There is going to be at least one party and I'm working on potentially a lunch for drivers on Sunday too between races.
I ran a cool suit for the first time this weekend courtesy of SafeRacer. It was 90-104F ambient and track temps on Sat were 135F. Not the hottest it's ever been there but plenty hot. All I can say is that anyone not running one of these in anything over 80F is giving away performance during the race, especially late in the race or in a fierce battle when your heart rate soars. It was a pleasure to be to the grid 15 minutes early and stand by the car in impound - no cold towel required.
Regrets to Tommy O who got collected on Saturday when he spun from the lead. Sorry I didn't make it to you sooner after the race.
-------------------- MotorsportReg.com / Haag Performance / Team SafeRacer 2010 San Francisco Region SMT Champion
Region: San Francisco
Car #: 34
Year : 1992 Posts: 2279
Status: Offline
posted
Hey Darin,
Great driving and great view of some good racing! That was smart cooperating to make sure Brian didn't get away. Nice exit out of T5 in the last lap. Thanks for posting. Lots to learn from it.
Region: san francisco region
Car #: 39
Year : 90 Posts: 1800
Status: Offline
posted
check that. Steve has bruised ribs and I have a sprained neck. Been Icing all day. Well it's VERY clear from your video that John just moves right. He said he had someone to his inside, but I think he is mistaken. oh boy
Region: SFR
Car #: 84 - SSM / 55 - SMT
Year : 1991 Posts: 24
Status: Offline
posted
@ Steve Holifield
I hope you're feelin' OK. Juan's vid shows you took a pretty good shot to the door from me. Sorry for that! What a crazy start. Another example of "You can't win the race on the first lap, but you can certainly lose it"
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
Well, sorry to all involved for causing the "setup" for the situation by missing my 2-3 shift at the start. Total brain fade on my part - I just tried to rush it.
Thanks to Brian, Darin, Doug and Matt for some really tight, clean racing. Darin's Zanardi move on the exit of T5 was classic. Video will be up by tomorrow.
Sorry to bring up an unpopular topic, but the videos show some extremely cooperative drivers (yea!) as the front of the field was coming through the tail of the field, and also some very unaware driving
Tommy O, Nick, Joe, Dan, Steve - really sorry to see the damage to your cars. Tommy - I hope upon hope that you can still find a way to get the car ready for the NASA Nats...
Mike - great to see the Sharpie car make an appearance, but sorry it is at the expense of a motor in the other car.
Thanks to everyone for helping Laura and I get a brand new paint job through its first weekend unscathed (well, except for a bike falling on it in the paddock!)
Cheers,
Dean
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: San Francisco
Car #: 34
Year : 1992 Posts: 2279
Status: Offline
posted
Dean, I don't see how you have anything to apologize for. We should be able to run four wide in the first turn without crashing out. We all want to come out ahead, but we've also got to drive steady and in control, and ensure we make room for everyone to survive the heavy traffic at the start.
quote:Originally posted by Juan Pineda: Dean, I don't see how you have anything to apologize for. We should be able to run four wide in the first turn without crashing out. We all want to come out ahead, but we've also got to drive steady and in control, and ensure we make room for everyone to survive the heavy traffic at the start.
-Juan
+1...it's racing!
-------------------- -RA
"Happy birthday, I didn't get you a present...Oh, mom got you one? Well, that's from me then too, unless it's shitty." 9:52 AM Sep 14th, 2009 via web http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by Brian Ghidinelli: It's interesting to see how the weight hurts the 99 from 2-6 but the torque (and some setup) helped out of 6, 11 and 14/15.
Unfortunately for the 1.6 guys, 6, 11 and 14/15 are the turns that lead to the passing zones.
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
No problem, Brian. Darin and I have plenty of video of you...
Seriously, though, that sucks! There were so many good "moments" in that race that would be good from your perspective. I was looking forward to a combined race video with Darin's video, your video and my video. Now there will only be two.
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: San Francisco
Car #: 34
Year : 1992 Posts: 2279
Status: Offline
posted
Dean,
Awesome race and video! Thanks for posting it. It's great that this year the top finishers are sharing video. It's helpful to see the really close yet survivable racing displayed at the sharp end of the field. Exactly what club racing should be.
I love the three wide into T8! And your view of Darin's Zinardi line was even more amusing than Darin's video.
About the pile up at the start, it's clear that it was caused by the #25 car coming across a lane and a half to contact Dan. Don't know if he missed his turn-in point, or was trying to get clever to get on Darin's right. This is a prime example of why fast or "clever" moves are a bad idea at the start!
BTW, it's time to update that video setup to HD! At the very least, turn up the bitrate and use full image size when encoding. Aim for 2Mbps for Vimeo non-HD, 5Mbps for HD. More info here:
Region: SFR
Car #: 82/73
Year : 1991 Posts: 2015
Status: Offline
posted
I think the #25 needs to review Dean's video of the start and explain himself....
-------------------- Kim
91 BRG SMT RIP 06 MX-5 Cup
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy sh*t...what a ride!'" - Unknown
Region: SFR
Car #: 12
Year : 99 Posts: 267
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by dtfastbear: The video is Chasecam's highest quality setting and uploaded without any compression. It's so convenient that I have no interest in switching.
This bullet cam I'm testing should be about 65% of the cost of the ChaseCam with full 1080 or 720, external mic, external power plus interchangeable wide angle lens options and a small screen so you can aim/review video without downloading. Runs on up to a 32gb SDcard. Even has a remote control if you want to put the unit out of reach. It's pretty much a wish list for an in-car camera. It's waterproof too so running in the rain = no problem.
Turns out I didn't have enough battery... so stupid on my part not to charge before the race. It was a last minute install so I didn't get the external power done. How about we do it for SMF at Infineon?
Bad move on the start if it was for clever reasons but we've all missed an apex before yeah? Still, clearly the instigator...
-------------------- MotorsportReg.com / Haag Performance / Team SafeRacer 2010 San Francisco Region SMT Champion
Region: SFR
Car #: 88 SM
Year : 99 Posts: 367
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by Brian Ghidinelli:
quote:Originally posted by dtfastbear: The video is Chasecam's highest quality setting and uploaded without any compression. It's so convenient that I have no interest in switching.
This bullet cam I'm testing should be about 65% of the cost of the ChaseCam with full 1080 or 720, external mic, external power plus interchangeable wide angle lens options and a small screen so you can aim/review video without downloading. Runs on up to a 32gb SDcard. Even has a remote control if you want to put the unit out of reach. It's pretty much a wish list for an in-car camera. It's waterproof too so running in the rain = no problem.
Turns out I didn't have enough battery... so stupid on my part not to charge before the race. It was a last minute install so I didn't get the external power done. How about we do it for SMF at Infineon?
Bad move on the start if it was for clever reasons but we've all missed an apex before yeah? Still, clearly the instigator...
I was charging my camera for Qual. I was behind the #4 when he lost it in 8. He lost it and went to the left, I floored it and prayed, Passed him just before he shot to the right. Saw him out my mirrors doing barrel rolls on his nose and knew it wasn't good. J~
Region: NorCal/SFR
Car #: 17/19
Year : 92/89 Posts: 268
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by dtfastbear:
quote:Originally posted by Brian Ghidinelli: It's interesting to see how the weight hurts the 99 from 2-6 but the torque (and some setup) helped out of 6, 11 and 14/15.
Unfortunately for the 1.6 guys, 6, 11 and 14/15 are the turns that lead to the passing zones.
This is interesting to me since it seems that more is being done to improve the perfomance of the '99 next season.
Region: San Francisco Region
Car #: 14
Year : 1999 Posts: 453
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by Jeff Lyon: This is interesting to me since it seems that more is being done to improve the perfomance of the '99 next season.
So... you getting a '99?
The NAs are getting '99 subframes and wider track, which should make their handling even better. So NAs will stick even more in the turns, and NBs will pull even more in the straights. Overall it's a wash, hopefully. Personally I like racing against cars with vastly different characteristics; one of the fun things about racing in ITS...
-------------------- Viet-Tam Luu (a.k.a. "Tam") SFR-SCCA #14 ITS Director, SCCA San Francisco Region
Region: NorCal/SFR
Car #: 17/19
Year : 92/89 Posts: 268
Status: Offline
posted
My point is that Dean runs an extremely competitive 1.6 and Brian G. is fast no matter what he drives and obviously has the '99 figured out so it is a excellent comparison between the two. If Tommy hadnt had his poor luck, it would have been an excellent match up of the 3 segments. So the 1.6 is getting more weight (not that many of us can make weight), a little better suspension but is already losing out down the straights and that is where the '99s are getting a boost with timing and fuel regulator. Seems like a move in the wrong direction.
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
I'm with Jeff. Seems like the proposed changes further accentuate the strengths of each car. The problem is that the 1.6 doesn't NEED better handling, it needs to close the torque gap. Being able to charge into the turns faster isn't going to help if you're 2-3 car lengths back at the end of every straight. The ONLY way to pass with these stark differences is if a) the 99 driver makes a mistake in the middle of a turn or b) the 1.6 driver times it right to have a 2-3 mph exit speed advantage. Unfortunately, all the 99 driver has to do is breathe the throttle ANYWHERE in the turn and the 1.6's plan is screwed.
Tam, I agree that it's "interesting" and "fun" to race cars with different characteristics, and that's the appeal of ITE, ITS, etc. But that is NOT why I race spec miata.
I feel like the cars are close enough that winning this race was definitely in my grasp - I made obvious mistakes. But, if they widen the gap any more in the same direction (more 99 HP, better 1.6 handling) I'm going to lose interest quickly until I decide to throw even MORE money at this freaking sport and build a 99.
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: SFR
Car #: 51
Year : 1990 Posts: 106
Status: Offline
posted
I hesitate to bash the '99 locally, because I don't want to take anything away from Brian's driving, or imply that he couldn't win in a 1.6. With that said, it is a bit frustrating when my advantage only seems to occur in the parts of the track where passing doesn't happen, while the other guy has it the other way around.
If I were starting over or building a new car, it would be a '99 for sure. I can't blame Brian for making the right decision.
Here's something not likely to happen but fun to consider - what if me & Brian swapped cars for a race? (a real points paying SCCA race, in the midst of our championship battle)
-------------------- 2010 SCCA Regional Driver of the Year 2010 25 Hours of Thunderhill E1 Class winner, MX-5 Cup
Region: San Francisco
Car #: 45
Year : 1990 Posts: 328
Status: Offline
posted
Guys, Posting messages on this forum bitching about the proposed rules does nothing to affect a change. If you really want to make a difference send the CRB and SMAC a message. I have not seen messages from most of you.
-------------------- Dave McAnaney SM#45 San Francisco Region
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
Still trying to figure out exactly what to write, Dave. I hate to just shoot things down without a better idea...
I want to echo Darin's sentiment that I don't want to take anything away from Brian's race. He won that race fair and square through driving. I'm concerned about the coming changes, not the current parity, which I feel is "good enough" once I lose, as Darin called it, the extra ballast I'm carrying "inside my driving suit"...
Dean
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: SFR
Car #: 88 SM
Year : 99 Posts: 367
Status: Offline
posted
Rob, Here's 10mins of Kyle.
I was as high as 17th after turn 1, but lost talent in 10 and was picking off back markers. Came up on them and didn't think much, boy was I wrong. Great race Kyle!!!
Region: SFR
Car #: 12
Year : 99 Posts: 267
Status: Offline
posted
At the beginning of the season with my new motor, I was at a visible power disadvantage to everyone including Darin's crate. You guys both have brand spanking new engines and mine is now broken in and sorted. Let's wait a bit before we point all signs at the motor. Unless you want to buy a motor from Haag Performance, in which case, blame away.
My car is freshly built from the ground up with the intent to win. No apologies about that.
-------------------- MotorsportReg.com / Haag Performance / Team SafeRacer 2010 San Francisco Region SMT Champion
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
I think I said (meant to say?) that I thought parity was good, now, but that moving the two cars further in their same respective directions would not be good.
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Great driving by the top 3 on Sun(and Sat)...as is evident by your posts. Brian don't worry about your camera malfunction...it probably would have been pretty boring with nothing to watch in front of you
Doug M...great sportsmanship on your part. I hope this goes on more than I see!
Thanks for the post Johnny!
To the #4 car(Joe?)...real sorry about your car...but glad to see you walked away with hopefully nothing more than a bad memory. Which is of course all anyone hopes for...cars can be replaced!
-------------------- -RA
"Happy birthday, I didn't get you a present...Oh, mom got you one? Well, that's from me then too, unless it's shitty." 9:52 AM Sep 14th, 2009 via web http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Region: SFR/NorCal
Car #: 16, 17, 18
Year : 90 Posts: 121
Status: Offline
posted
Here is my video from Sunday. Pretty boring except for that first lap dodging cars (boy your spinning car came close Juan ). If you watch the whole race, don't pick up any bad habits, because I can see I don't have any good ones.
Region: SFR
Car #: 12
Year : 99 Posts: 267
Status: Offline
posted
Well Steve's video confirms that #25 did indeed have someone on the inside - he was trying to drive around Darin and ran into Dan. Pretty low percentage move on a stacked up start like that. Doesn't look to me like the #55 car helped things either but a bummer for all involved.
-------------------- MotorsportReg.com / Haag Performance / Team SafeRacer 2010 San Francisco Region SMT Champion
Region: San Francisco
Car #: 34
Year : 1992 Posts: 2279
Status: Offline
posted
Kevin,
Man, I don't know how you managed to avoid contact as I was thrown in front of you. I was sure we had touched until I got out of the car and looked to find no sign of it.
Was that Philip up the hill there above T10? What was he doing way up there?
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It's interesting to see how the weight hurts the 99 from 2-6 but the torque (and some setup) helped out of 6, 11 and 14/15. 
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