well due to lack of intrest, i'll write this off for now.
if i'm wrong for assuming so, please let me know.
Robert, i'll help in any way i can, just ask.
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well due to lack of intrest, i'll write this off for now.
if i'm wrong for assuming so, please let me know.
Robert, i'll help in any way i can, just ask.
Lou or AJ either, I'll show up.
I never stop learning.
thx,
jb
lets get something worked out.
I was just waiting on details.
I've watched all these posts about platform parity and related issues such as this one, and I've avoided posting, but I'll throw in my two bits worth here.
Firstly, on the issue of "platform parity", I've had the opportunity to drive a couple of the CMC mustangs in our group and a couple of the CMC F-bodies in our group - and I own none of them - so I have a somewhat unique insight that is less biased than most. Without going into specific details, my opinion is that both platforms have different strengths and weaknesses, but overall they are remarkably well matched. As to which one I personally would want to take into battle? Well, while I concede that the GM product might be easier to drive near the limit, and it may even be capable of turning a faster qual time on some tracks, I'd pick the Mustang - it's a much nimbler weapon and in skilled hands my opinion is that it it should offer an edge in wheel to wheel combat on the majority of tracks that we race on with NASA Texas.
To the Mustang owners who might be feeling that they are at a disadvantage right now, I say stop wining about it, man up and get back in the sandpit, and do something about your car's preparation - and the driver's preparation! Anyone who thinks that there is or has been a CMC Mustang in this region that is/was prepped and tuned to the max within the limits of the rules is seriously deluded. Don't get me wrong, I think overall the average level of prep in our region is as good if not better than anywhere else in the country, but there is PLENTY of room for improvement! And I could make exactly the same comment about driver ability!
The bottom line is this - regardless if the type of car you drive, if you just want to have a blast on race weekends and winning championships is not your primary motivator, than an average prepped car and average driver skills are going to do just fine - CMC is still the perfect place to play and there will plenty of like minded competitors to play with. But if you want to win a championship - at least in our region - the bar has been raised high enough that you have to invest considerable time and effort to finish consistently up front. There is nothing wrong with that picture - that's how it is with most any mature racing class.
While I applaud Glenn's efforts to improve the knowledge within the group, I'm not so sure any kind of generic "pro-driver" clinic is going to be of any more benefit to the average racer than reading a good book - there are plenty of books available and they are going to be cheaper than a pro-driver clinic! I think the best way for a driver to improve their car is to network with those who are racing the same type of car - both within our region and there would also be some benefit in building relationships with racers in other regions?
What Glenn and Mitch have done with their cars is the perfect example. This doesn't mean everyone has to spend $1000 of dollars on DEs and 100s of hours tinkering with your cars either - although as the bar is raised higher over time that may indeed become necessary if you want to win a championship, and it is much more difficult to test and tune ideas during a race weekend than it is at a DE. So find a buddy with a similar car who you are willing to share info with. Drive each others cars - record information - make notes - look at what is working for others - and what is not - make changes to your car and document the results of those changes, etc.
Another thing that helps a whole bunch is to have a "Crew Chief" - another person to help you with the car. For example, you cannot hot pit your car and take tire temps and pressures in the middle of a practice session without a helper. If you don't have a significant other to fill this role, then recruit a buddy who can come help you out on weekends, or buddy up with a newbie who is still running HPDE, or form a 2-driver team. You'd be surprised at how much benefit this can be!
Once again, I whole heartedly agree with Mister Cooke.
Cue the music Boudreaux..................
jb
nice post Darron.
however, i did not want this to be about the issue of parity among platforms in CMC. thats not what this was about. it was more about getting the skillset of our group up to another level.
i was also going to try and find a "free" instructor. Lou has done it in the past. Bobby Archer has too. Steve Hill would be a good cadidate (so i have heard). anyone knows a good person for this, let me know. they dont have to be a "Pro Racer", hell even we are NASA "Pro" Racers.
Good post guys. AI/CMC was built and grown on the open paddock atmosphere and sharing of information, parts and helping hands. We've achieved and always strive for parity in the series, especially CMC, thru many, many years of dyno days, swapping cars, sharing of info, etc.
While the offer/idea of a suspension seminar by an outside pro is nice, I think the simple sharing of info within the group on an ongoing informal basis (like mentoring) will continue to compress lap times within the fields as we've seen since Day 1 in Texas.
I'm not taking anything away from the gurus at Griggs, MM, LG and the like...just saying that those experts provide awesome insight as to how to make the car really fast...after that, there's a whole bunch of personal tweaking that can be done (which people like myself have never had the time or patience for).
-=- Todd
OK, you asked for it...
http://www.argentlab.com/nasatx/misc...%20it%20Up.mp3
Boudy
I hear you Glenn, and I didn't mean to derail your topic - but it was related, so I lumped my 2 bits worth into one basket.Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
The "problem" with someone like Lou, Bobby or Steve Hill is that the info they have to impart, as good as it is, tends to be heavily biased towards the platform they have the most, or most recent, experience with. So if we were to do something with a "pro", I think it would be most useful if the topic of discussion was more along the lines of test n tune and development procedures that the pros use, rather than suspension tech as such.
For more targeted knowledge, I still think the best place to look is within our own group, as least for the Mustang crowd - there are several knowledgeable individuals who have a wealth of clues about making a Mustang work who are not currently running CMC - Messers Marvel and Pedersen for example? Mr Manor?. I can't speak for them of course, but I am sure some of them would be quite approachable for advice? I am already assisting a couple of the CMC Mustang guys, and would be happy to help anyone else who asks.
For the GM camp, between LAW and Mr Burch, there is none in the country who knows more about making CMC GMs work right?