SOCAL 944 Challenge at Willow Springs May 5-6

[Tim Comeau]

Who's going?

I might stick around and rent at the PCA Zone 8 AX at streets on Monday, as well.

 

I'll post attendees as email and phone calls are returned.

Should be great weather this time of year.

Anybody want to run in 944 Cup?

[Capt Squid]

I will be there. According to an email from Ryan, it looks like Tim and I are the only ones so far.

[nhamden]

Tim and Jim,

 

Since the turn out this time isn't so good, why don't you two come out to PIR for the last day race of the summer and that will put us up to 11 racers which will make for even more fun racing and this summer the AZ gang will go out there to get the numbers up, kinda like CS but with out the carnage.

 

I predict this to be one of the best races of the year with Glenns new car, Mikael, Darren and I have new motors, Steve has a new head, Jim Foxx has a new hip etc.... It will be worth the trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[944-Spec#94]

Temps are expected be in the low 80's too. That is rare for Az in May.

[FOOSHE]

I'll be there .... for what it's worth.

[944 Swede]

Captain Squid, my Tribute partner, let's join forces again and show these nice AZ folks how to drive

[Capt Squid]

Too late for me this time, already registered. I would love to race with you guys again. Will plan better next time as the drive is only a few more hours.

[nhamden]

Come on, we need "Team Captain and Tenille" to show us nice people how to drive out here. I'll bet NASA would even transfer your registration fees to here if you would sing them a song!

 

Sorry if you can't make this trip, it is always a pleasure to race with you guys. Maybe early in the season we should all get together and decide which ones we are going to do together.

 

Good Luck at WS, my money is on you for a podium finish!!!!!!

[Tim Comeau]

Bad news for me, guys. I put off making the call until the work picture became more clear, just in case some factors changed. Unfortunately, I can't race at Willow Springs this weekend.

I'm really concentrating on building my business this year and playing has to come later.

You guys have fun racing!

[Packfill]

Jim Richmond wins!! Jim Richmond wins!!

 

Couldnt happen to a better guy!!

[Spec-944#70]

There's a joke there that I'm not going near!!

[PeanutinCA]

Sounds like the death of 944 Spec racing in SoCal. What's going on? I mean, I know there was an attempt at reducing the spending, but down to zero? Not good gentlemen, not good.

 

P.D.

[944 Swede]

Yes, this is really sad.

Let's try to think positive and be creative. Who could we change, I mean what could we change to make the situation better?

[Tom #16]

My engine is being blueprinted and stroked, otherwise I would be there.

[PeanutinCA]

My engine is being blueprinted and stroked, otherwise I would be there.

 

I stroke my dog (head out of the gutters gentlemen), is that the same thing? He really enjoys a belly scratch!

 

P.D.

[Packfill]

Look, lets not over analyze this thing... its one race... I think there has been good attendance till now? I think that SoCal is going through a retooling. There were a lot of people that didnt want to adapt to the new rules... We need the new car builders that embraced the rules to step up and participate. I have been hearing about "all these new cars" for over a year... THey need to get out and breath new life into this program. Above all, these are still the best dollar for dollar race cars going, and my thought is this class needs to happen....

[genikz]

I'm one of the "builders", and had hoped to make this event to continue up the HPDE ranks, but my wife talked me into a very expensive puppy. You win some, you lose some.

 

I'm really hoping to start racing with you SoCal guys (all three of you) come early/mid 2008.

 

Somebody else posted in the $500 944 for sale post and said they're building for SoCal too. I talked to two guys at Cal Speedway who were running 944's in HPDE and hoped to build for the series as well. I'll be at the local PCA-OCR auto-x's too, and maybe even SDR if I feel like driving that far.

 

It's easy to lose motivation to build a car though when the grids are sparce for each event. Just throwing out my $.02 here, not trying to start a war over the "rules".

[mfoley]

I have an idea that just might save this class. Let's roll the rules back.

[Tim Comeau]

The class isn't dead gentlemen. It's just that many of the drivers that were currently running have decided not to adapt to the new rules, which were put in place to not only lower the cost, Dylan, but more importantly, to keep the HP and torque levels more equal.

 

Mikael,

It's clear that you feel I'm the problem. I would contend that the problem is guys like you. You continue to go against the philosophy of the class. Here's what I mean.

1. Disconnecting your vacuum line to your fuel pressure regulator, which increases fuel pressure.

2. Installing crank case oil vapor catch tank, which increases HP.

3. Filling in the gaps in the front of the body work to gain an aerodynamic advantage.

4. Getting caught adding fuel to the car before going to scales.

 

I have a problem with behavior like that and, as series director and a guy who really cares about this class, I have to react to it.

 

I'm not going to tell you what to do, but maybe you should consider moving to a more open class where having advantages in your car is a respectable endeavor. How about 944 Cup?

 

Jim,

I agree that this class is still the best thing going. I'm working hard to build the population back up with equal, good looking, reliable cars. Just turned one out the other day. Just picked up a 1985 chassis the other day, and have agreed to buy another car. I also bought an 83 car with factory LSD. I haven't seen the outside of my garage, which we just reorganized yet again, in a long time.

We just had 7 different drivers in the 944 spec class at a local PCA autocross. 2 more (ladies) were driving spec cars in the GP class. It just takes time to get new people up to the level of racing.

I'm doing my part to keep the dream alive. Let's embrace the concept of equal cars and work towards building a large group of 944 spec cars that will ensure the great, close racing that we all crave.

You guys who don't wish to adapt your cars to the new rules can still race together in the 944 Cup class at NASA events any time.

 

Oh, forgot to mention that I'm renting to Nick P. at an event at Streets on Monday. Here's another guy who wants to come racing a spec car in SoCal, but his ex-Wilberding car isn't quite ready yet. He's good people.

[Spec-944#70]

Tim,

That was totally uncalled for. Mike resolved the aero issue (filled in gaps along headlights - since removed) He told you it was something his painter did. Besides I don't think that was what made him 2 sec a lap faster than you at CSW. Should we talk (again) about your aero issues?Mike has also redone his car to the new Spec rules and is now racing with the guys at AZ and the one guy that is supporting the Spec 944 group in So. Cal you blast away at? BTW he was on poll yesterday, made a mistake at the start which put him back to 5th and then managed to drive his way back up to battle Glen who finally beat him on the last lap to win. So if Mike is such a big cheater maybe you should ask the guy who just beat him. Mike is a great driver but he can be beat in a Spec legal car. There are several drivers who have done it!!

[Packfill]

Mikael,

...I would contend that the problem is guys like you. You continue to go against the philosophy of the class. Here's what I mean.

1. Disconnecting your vacuum line to your fuel pressure regulator, which increases fuel pressure.

2. Installing crank case oil vapor catch tank, which increases HP.

3. Filling in the gaps in the front of the body work to gain an aerodynamic advantage.

4. Getting caught adding fuel to the car before going to scales.

 

Tim,

 

1) This post was really unnecessary. You are the series director. You make decisions that effect the series and you get benefits from having this position. This makes commentary and criticism of your comments, decisions and actions understandable, acceptable and frankly, necessary.

 

Mikeal, on the other hand, is just a racer. I NEVER heard anyone say, I am not going to THAT race, because Mikael is there, and, UNFORTUNATELY, I was considerably more involved in both conversation and racing with this group last year, than you were.

 

I, and I would guess many more on this forum, would appreciate a retraction of your statement. It is not good for you, or the class.

 

I'm working hard to build the population back up with equal, good looking, reliable cars. Just turned one out the other day. Just picked up a 1985 chassis the other day, and have agreed to buy another car. I also bought an 83 car with factory LSD. I haven't seen the outside of my garage, which we just reorganized yet again, in a long time.

 

2) This class is not about guys running a bunch of cars built by you. We NEED a lot of cars in So Cal and frankly do not have the luxury to send ANYBODY away. Mikael is a great competitor, and has single handedly stepped up the game of everyone in 944spec. This is a good thing! He does "milk" the rules for everything they are worth, but until he is caught breaking them, leave it alone... if it wasn't him, it will be someone else... Mikeal attends races, gives advice, helps fellow racers, drives other peoples cars for comparison, and helps others get generally faster.... you?

 

PS:Didn't YOU approve the oil vapor catch??

 

 

Please feel free, upon deletion of your post, to delete this one as well.

 

Thanks.

[944 cup]

Mikael,

I would contend that the problem is guys like you....... I'm not going to tell you what to do, but maybe you should consider moving to a more open class where having advantages in your car is a respectable endeavor. How about 944 Cup?

 

 

Mikael:

 

And you would be welcomed with open arms in the 944 Cup.

[Tim Comeau]

Eric,

You should talk to the guys in AZ about Mikael's performance and his car. I have already received a call. As far as the body mods, the driver is responsible for his car and no one else. You want to give Mikael credit for resolving something that never should have been done?

Has anyone heard about the dyno testing at PIR that Mikael tried to talk the other drivers out of having done?

 

Jim,

That post WAS called for and it IS good for the class. People need to know that when the playing field is unleveled in SoCal, I'm going to try to correct the problem. That's my responsibility to the class. Mikael has openly called for my replacement several times. My replacement might make his behavior a little more difficult to correct, but I'll continue to react to ANYONE messing with the class.

I don't know where you got the idea about cars being built by me was what we needed? Any spec cars are welcome.

 

You stated, "Mikeal attends races, gives advice, helps fellow racers, drives other peoples cars for comparison, and helps others get generally faster.... you?"

Are you serious? I don't think you thought out that question before you typed it, really......Are you asking what I've done for the class?!

I did ok the oil vapor catch tank at first, as it was explained to me. I learned better soon afterwards and let Mikael know it was not ok and why.

Mikael has not stepped up the driving game, but he has stepped up the spending game. Is that what this class is about?

Ask yourselves, "Is this an engine builder's class?" Then read our rules.

If you don't want to come to the starting line with an equal HP/torque car, then you don't belong in this class.

[PeanutinCA]

The class isn't dead gentlemen. It's just that many of the drivers that were currently running have decided not to adapt to the new rules, which were put in place to not only lower the cost, Dylan, but more importantly, to keep the HP and torque levels more equal.

 

My comment was more a slap on the hand of the driver's who 'wanted an equal class', but are not turning up! It doesn't help to ask for a class (now) that you intend to race in 2008 or, 2009. Sorry to that person but, we have had plenty of people say they are joining the class and then never turned up to an event. Enough of the gunna's, I'm gunna join the class, I'm gunna race, well, when my budget allows and that will be the Summer of 200?. Racing is expensive, consider that before convincing yourself your going racing. It does nobody anygood to say your coming when there's a chance you aint. The more the numbers dwindle per event, the more it will continue to dwindle. Tim, I understand your financial situation, but it would still help if you could turn up at some events. You do do a lot of good for the class, but even better would be to turn up to the occassional event to rally the troops. I'm not trying to insult you, just giving the pep talker a little pep talk. People with cars, communicate, offline even and rally together to attend some events. Keep the class rolling along. And for the record, I'm a BIG fan having more limited rules and thus closer cars. I wish it had come earlier.

 

P.D.

[Packfill]

Tim,

 

Without another long winded post... yes. I do think about what you have done for the class. You are our series director and there IS NO CLASS in So Cal. There are basically two guys showing up for races... and you are giving one of them crap. I still believe you mean well. But the results are in the attendance sheets.

 

Again, with Mikael. If he has been caught cheating... so be it. Until then, you are on a witch hunt. You have found a guy who is fast and it REALLY bothers you. Frankly, even if you did need to make changes to his car... wouldn't that be something that should be done in a one to one private conversation? I just think it is wrong for a series director to claim someone is cheating, publicly, and never spell out why or what....

 

I assume from your comments about Phoenix that we will see Mikael has been Disqualified? Otherwise.... it is just more smear.... unsuitable for a director.