Ernesto Roco Posted July 27, 2006 Posted July 27, 2006 After digging down real deep this year and experiencing all my engine issues I have decided to throw in the towel. Maybe next year. You all have a good and safe race. I feel a little better now without the stress. Here is why: * travel expenses 2400 miles each way about 4K * hotel for the week or 5 + day s on track and 6+ on road 1K * tires 2 sets 2500 * engine fix ?? * wheel spares 3.2K * prep car 1.5K (axle bearings, front hubs, diff service, oils, fluids etc.) * no real payout, no travel support, NO SPONSOR, etc... * about 12-14K total assuming nothing goes wrong In other words I am broke.
runningmole Posted July 27, 2006 Posted July 27, 2006 Bummer. I like watching your car at the local events
Members Jim P. Posted July 27, 2006 Members Posted July 27, 2006 Sorry to hear that! Rumor has it that there were some Southeast drivers that had planned to show you to their tailights at the nationals (let the smack talk begin!)
pederb Posted July 27, 2006 Posted July 27, 2006 Sorry to hear that! Rumor has it that there were some Southeast drivers that had planned to show you to their tailights at the nationals (let the smack talk begin!) Oh there will be enough West Cost Cars left to take the top 3 in AI and AIX Sorry to hear that Ernesto. Is the season over or are you going to Sears?
Ernesto Roco Posted July 27, 2006 Author Posted July 27, 2006 I plan to be at Sears and BW for th remainder of the season and hopefully get to race with Mr. Paul Brown in his new AIX car that I have been helping him build. That's what my car wants to be when it grows up
pbr96 Posted July 28, 2006 Posted July 28, 2006 So far, but we might need to cannibalize Ernesto's car to finish mine. Getting short on time and always money. I hate to travel across the country with an untested car, but we’ll do what we can. Paul.
trackboss Posted July 28, 2006 Posted July 28, 2006 Add me to Ernesto's list. It will be a no show for all the same reasons including what paul mentioned. All I have to say is if the lap times are not WAY faster than A-sedan I will throw up. This is nationals! There is no doubt in my mind that a well built AI car will be significantly faster than an a-sedan. Out here a well built and driven AI car is easily in the top ten, that's being conservative, when compared to speed TC. Heck, if you look at the thunderhill T-1 times, which are usually very fast cars, are not really faster than the front running AI times. Although I have never been to mid-O I have looked around at times and never seen anything impressive other than T-1 and WC. This all opens me up for being a target, but believe me, I tried to get this thing done and put my money where my mouth is. Just no way its going to happen right now.
V8cobra99 Posted July 28, 2006 Posted July 28, 2006 You gotta race to finish. And you gotta finish to Win. Including me, there is/has been some over-spending going on within AI, and not enough driving. I / we could easily build a $150K car, today, and win every race, assuming the car finishes and no driver errors into walls. However, this is club racing, with minimal financial assistance. Given this, tone down the spending, build a solid car that will last a season, and let the driving skills do the talking.... Nationwide, in AI, there are some great racing happening and some very good drivers, managing to run a championship season with less than $10K annually. Funny thing is, I watch the forums on WC GT and TC, and those guys (some) complain about not having enough money also.... That is a whole different level of racing, and no one is going to keep up with Factory spending and budgets ($250K minimum to well over $1MM). You guys know enough about building a solid car, in your own garage, to succeed in AI. And your driving skills are excellent. Tone down the spending and get back on the track. If Ford Racing or Cadillac calls you, then think about the super $40K motor and 1000 man-hours chasis. andy
Pat L. Posted July 28, 2006 Posted July 28, 2006 Ernesto, sorry to hear you won't be at Mid O. You and your rocketship will be missed! Hope to see you at Sears.
Helldin Posted July 29, 2006 Posted July 29, 2006 Ernesto Good point here. Travel cost is just crazy especially with todays gas prices. I been working and travelling with a Grand Am Cup team this year and being on the Road is just extremely expensive. Hopefully a "travel fund" will be set-up just like for the SCCA Runoffs, that would at least take away the expense of getting the car there. And as for tires. (and for the record, I do not favor SCCA, just for comparison) you could at the SCCA runoffs have a tire deal worth at least $2k in free tires, been there, done that. Will not do it again but just a comparison. It is sad to see a NASA runoff without such fine west coast drivers as Ernesto and Vageli, both with a good shot at winning. But to spend $10k for one race.... Just my thought Per Helldin
Ernesto Roco Posted July 29, 2006 Author Posted July 29, 2006 Good points Per. West region certainly got the short end of this stick. Besides the home field advantage that they have we have to fork out 4-5K just to get there and without any help (transport, tires, entry fee) it is tough even as much as I would like to be there. Heck, even if I did go I have to pay for a spot to park my car or park in the grass, right.
Pat L. Posted July 30, 2006 Posted July 30, 2006 Good point, I'm in the hole another grand just so I can have my trailer parked on pavement I was at Mid O. for the ALMS/World Challenge race and it was a travesty seeing the cadillacs and aston's pitted in the dirt. Mid O. is a great track, but the facilities are mediocre at best.
JWL Posted July 31, 2006 Posted July 31, 2006 Guys- I was going to leave this alone, but I am really disappointed to see folks slamming the event and the facility after all the hard work and the damn good program we've put together. I don't believe you have to spend $5k to get to the track as Ryan and I put together an $1800 round trip with 7's Only and plane fare is no more than $400. Other than that, the costs are only slightly higher than a regular event with the exception of the parking and garages. As to the parking comments, the pay for space concept was the only way we could figure out to manage the limited amount of asphalt without sheer chaos and fistfights over who gets to park where. The way we have configured the grid, the manufacturer auto-x, and the vendor midway soaks up most of the parking, so we had to figure out a way to manage it and this seemed like the best path. We'll see how it works and perhaps rescope for next year. So, I'm sorry you guys won't be there, but please don't blame us for your decision not to attend. I'm going to lock this thread now as I don't see any opportunity for further constructive discussion here. -JWL
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