I confess that I lurk and usually don't post, but the recent posts about the
Mazda Rev It Up pro prompted me to come out of the closet.
>>>Do you mean to tell me with all of the great drivers that the SCCA not
to mention any other racing organizations that are out there, that only
one person in all of the events that have been held last year and this
year has beaten the Mazda Pro at the course.<<<
Wrong thinking. Jason is a standard. He is used as a consistant measuring
tool. He is not a target to beat. Sure, Jason has the advantage of several
laps to dial in and yes he knows the course. Who do you think sets up the
course and chalks it? ... Jason, Jim O and Ron.
Jason has a very very healthy attitude about his job. The truth is that we
have more than just one shoe who can do the job. At a pre-tour shoot out, all
the pro drivers put down laps. Everyone was literally within one or two tenths
of each other, so there was no one single driver who stood out. The reason
Jason is the index driver is because his other duties allow him to break away
and set the index. Everyone else is tied to a skills course. At any time, we
can pull up another driver who is just as wicked fast as Jason (i.e. Coop,
Chief, Fieni, Payne, Alsup, Prappas, Elmer, Dilorio, Velez, Fanelli, Tolsma,
Thek, and the list goes on....)
As for the "beat the pro mindset," we don't mind it. It makes a good story and
Jason knows there are a lot of brilliant drivers coming out. It keeps him on
his toes. However, don't come to the Comp Tent talkin' trash. It's not smart
to poke the bear.
This year at Houston, a certain competitor (who shall remain nameless,) posted
a strong score on his first lap early Saturday. That always prompts me to
interview the driver, or at least get the 411 on him/her. I interviewed this
driver and asked him what his thoughts were about his second lap. He replied.
"I'm looking at that index time and I'd be embarrased if I can't beat that on
my second run."
As soon as he said that, I knew he'd choke. He would not improve his
time/score and lose the event. I wanted to tell him, but I held my toungue.
Sure enough, he did not come close within .5 of the index, and he also coned.
Oh well.
If you come to compete at Rev It Up, fantastic!!! We'd love to see you. And if
you beat the pro, that's an awesome feat. But you should focus on doing your
best, because ultimately, this thing is designed to reward the driver who is
best for their event and finally, in the country.
Caroline B. Wright
Announcer/Instructor - Comp Tent
Mazda Rev It Up 2004
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