This topic has been of particular interest to me, since I may be one of just
a few folks in the country who has ever been lucky (insane?) enough to go
straight from a Stock ride to a competitive AMod ride with nothing
in-between. I can tell you that Joe Cheng's previous analysis of the
challenges in driving modified cars like his Phantom is not AMod machismo
talking (well, maybe a *little*). I've never driven so poorly at Nationals,
but I felt so relieved that I didn't drive worse!
I, too, have even greater respect for Indycar/F1 drivers--not to mention
Gary, Joe, and John among others--after my stint in the Engstrom's car. Like
all autocross cars in general, it is unfortunate that AMod cars look so
bloody slow from the sidelines relative to the speed and forces experienced
from the cockpit! I can more accurately extraoplate how an Indycar that
looks lightning-quick from the stands must be like from the driver's seat.
But I'm still probably way off of reality.
And from the same file as "I wish someone would build a purpose-built
autocross facility" comes "I wish someone would build a two-seater AMod
car". I told Engstroms a *hundred* times this year that they could finance
their season if they would just add another seat and offer
instructional/exhibition ride-alongs for money! For some reason, they just
didn't share my enthusiasm for the idea. Probably has something to do with
why I'm not driving it anymore...
So um, Joe, what about you guys? Certainly you must be seeking a new
challenge for next year. I've even got a name suggestion: The Phantom X2!
;->
Ross Fortini
Enjoying life in "mild-mannered" CMod
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