I started the thread -- and I want to thank everyone who expressed their
opinion, whether or not I agreed with it. I can't resist throwing more
fuel (or water) on the fire.
I've raced since 1963, all of it in SCCA except for the last four years
which have been in Vintage. I raced a Sprite, a TR3, a Formula Vee, and
a Formula Ford. I have a garage-full of trophies to prove it. However,
in all those years, I had exactly TWO metal-to metal contacts that were
my fault. My cars were hit by others exactly three times, and my car has
hit inanimate objects three times. I have also pulled my share of
bone-headed maneuvers during which the other driver had to make up for
my stupidity -- and I thank every one of them and hope I can return the
favor.
Anybody who doesn't respect the other person's car or driving ability
should race open wheelers for awhile, where maybe the very best driving
is taking place in Vee and Ford.. Hey, if you touch wheels, somebody
goes on their damned head. Vees race inches apart and although in SCCA
they regularly wipe each other out, in Vintage racing they seldom do.
Finally, two weeks ago at the VSCDA Grattan event, there were 165 cars
racing for three days. Most races had multiple lead changes , like the
USRRC race where two Corvettes for Pete's sake exchanged the lead every
lap. In my group, a combination of 2 and 3, the six fastest cars started
at the rear (too complicated to explain) and worked their way through
the entire field without incident. They all passed me cleanly and
properly, though I did my best to outdrive them. During this weekend
there were only four incidents, and no penalties assessed. The racing
and the driving was of a very high caliber. For this event, anyway, I
am proud of myself and my fellow competitors.
Even if Thompson does drive the Red Rat Bastard sideways.
--
uncle jack
TR4 - 10 mpg
TR6 - 30 mpg
(plus a few other differences)
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