Clutch Chatter -- August
2000
RE News
by Mark J. Badgley
This month I find myself contemplating an age old
question
.Does size really matter?
As I reviewed the Observers Report for the May
Double Regional at IRP during the June Board Meeting, you
could see the sense of frustration on the faces of those
that had busted their tails to ensure that the road race
competitors in this region continue to have a place to
play. This report stated that this region should get
serious about whether or not we want to continue to stage
road races. This revelation was based on the reality that
the worker turnout for this race was too small.
The report did state that the workers in attendance
were motivated, competent, worked hard, and did a great
job. I have been told that this sort of compliment is
meant to make you feel better when your size is
questioned, but somehow it did not work. I was still left
feeling somewhat inadequate and not sure what to do next.
As the time for the Indy Grand Prix approached, my
feeling of inadequacy started to catch up with me.
Questions about our seriousness started to creep into my
head. Maybe if we worked harder or if we beat up on the
race chairman and the worker chief, then we could feel
better about our size. While the worker attendance was
light, the event came off wonderfully. Sure we were
staffed lightly, but the racing was great, the tribute to
Bruce May was emotional and my feeling of commitment was
never greater. Thoughts about having to do your best with
what the good Lord gave me came to my mind.
So what does it all really mean? Well
.while size
may matter, the size of the heart and the commitment of
those who stand on the corners, chair the events and give
of themselves week in and week out cannot be questioned.
As we think about next year, we must certainly address a
very difficult and multifaceted problem, but I look
forward to working with all of you again.
See you all somewhere.
CALENDAR
Aug 8 -- Board Meeting at Laughners Cafeteria
Aug 19 -- Road Rally Points Event
Aug 20 -- Solo II Points Event
Aug 22 -- Clutch Chatter Deadline
Sep 10 -- Road Rally Points Event
Sep 17 -- Solo II Points Event
RALLY REPORT
by Chuck Hanson
By the time that this appears in print the fourth
event of the season will be history. The August event has
been pre-checked and is ready to go. Next month we will
publish the mid-season standings so that you will know
how you stand for season end trophies. Remember that the
final standings will be based on your best six finishes (75
% of the events), and that you have to be a member by
Sept. 1 to get a yearend trophy.
I am seriously thinking about volunteering to continue
as Rally Chairman (if the new Board wants me to) for the
2001 season. That means that I am starting to think about
the schedule. Anybody who is interested in being the
Chairman for an event is encouraged to contact me,
particularly if you would be interested in putting on an
event early in the season (March, April, or May). The map
rally was a lot of fun. The Harts put it on in
Hamilton County in 1999 and the DeBolts did Hancock
County in 2000. We have the concept for you to follow. We
need a volunteer for a new County in 2001!
At each event we have been handing out an evaluation
form to get feedback from you. The responses have been
very interesting, and some of them have brought some of
our historic concepts into question. I would like to take
the rest of this column to expand on the survey by asking
the rest of the membership to join in.
Survey
Have you ever participated in a rally? Yes No When?
Why did you stop participating in rally events?
What might get you interested in participating again?
It has been suggested that Saturday afternoon would be
better than Sunday: Agree Disagree
It has been suggested that later in the afternoon, to
end just prior to dark might be better: Agree Disagree
It has been suggested that only paved roads should be
used: Agree Disagree
The metropolitan area is becoming very built up. How
far would you be willing to drive to reach a suitable
starting point? ___________ miles.
How long should an event be? _________ miles or
_________ hours.
Please reply to Chuck Hanson by Fax at (317) 780 -
7845 or by e-mail at
2000 RALLY SCHEDULE
Aug 19 -- Anywhere Is -- Bob Burns (twi-night)
Sep 10 -- Frank or Candi -- Frank & Candice Pope (Tour/Course)
Oct 22 -- October Tour -- Ken & Deb Osieki (Tour)
Nov 19 -- Dan Cook (Course)
Indy & Columbus Region Rally Points Event #5
ANYWHERE IS
AUGUST 19, 2000
The Rally will start at the Marsh Supermarket, Indiana
267 at Stafford Road in Plainfield (Between I-70 & US40).
SCHEDULE:
Registration: -- 4:00 4:45 PM
Drivers Meeting: -- 4:45 PM promptly
First car starts course: -- 5:01 PM
First car completes course: -- Approximately 8:30 PM,
Pizza Hut in Plainfield, (expect darkness)
Members of SCCA: $10 -- Nonmembers: $20
Concept of the rally: This is an easy TSD rally with
no traps. Only public, paved roads are used. There will
be a mixure of Open and Do It Yourself (DIY) controls.
For further information: Charles Hanson (317) 780 -
9007 (Leave a name and phone number if you get voice mail.
I travel a lot.)
Solo Report
by Dave & Cathy Hart
We hope everyone enjoyed themselves at the "Indy
Solo II Grand Prix". The B.F.Goodrich Cendiv Solo II
Championship event that Indy Region hosted was a big
success, with approximately 200 competitors. The results
from this event will be listed in the September issue.
An event of this magnitude requires a significant
amount of help from everyone involved and we would
especially like to thank the following people: Sherman
Dedman and the Converse Aviation Board, for the use of
the Converse Airport. The people of Converse, for their
interest and hospitality. The Converse Masonic Lodge #601
for the Famous Fish Fry. Boy Scout Troop #390, for the
convenient concession stand. B.F.Goodrich, sponsor of
this premier series. The BFG Series Committee Members,
all of whom volunteer their time so that we may all enjoy
this top-level competition. Rick Swarts, Mark Badgley,
and Darlene Badgley, who collectively helped pull all of
those nasty "loose ends" together, as well as
taking care of course design, registration, etc. Clemens
Burger, Chris McGuire, Ann Klem, Dean Smith, and Lee
Miller for their exemplary service as specialty chiefs.
Terrence Garrett for the use of the RV for timing and
scoring. Columbus Region for the use of their timer. And
the list goes on
Our apologies to anyone we failed
to mention, thanks again for your time, effort, and help.
Our next event will be August 20 at the 16th Street
Speedway. See the event advertisement elsewhere in this
issue.
Be sure to qualify your points by helping with a
special work assignment (course setup, tech, etc.) and
join/renew prior to September 1 to be eligible for year-end
awards. If you have any questions or need more
information, please contact Dave Hart.
Please consider taking an active role in the 2001 Solo
II program. Cathy and I will not be organizing the
program for next year, and its up to you to ensure
that Solo II continues to exist within Indy Region. We
are looking for someone to pass the Solo II lead to and
encourage anyone interested in becoming more involved to
work with us so that we can have a smooth transition at
the end of the year. We will continue to be active with
the Solo II program (if we still have one), but need to
play a "behind the scenes" role.
See you at 16th Street
2000 INDIANAPOLIS REGION SOLO II SCHEDULE
Date(s) -- Points Event -- Event/Site
Aug 20 -- 6 -- 16th Street Speedway
Sep 17 -- 7 -- Australian Pursuit / Speedrome
Oct 15 -- 8 -- TBA
Indianapolis Region Solo II Points Event #6
16th STREET ASPHALT ADVENTURE
SUNDAY, August 20
Rain or Shine
16th Street Speedway Parking Lot
1501 West 16th Street, Indianapolis
Karts Welcome! (Contact Dave Hart for Rules)
It is the judgment of the Solo Safety Steward whether the
course design, surface, solid objects, and type of karts
running present an unsafe mix (2000 Rulebook 2.1.D).
Please contact the Solo Chairman prior to the event to
determine the likelihood of limitation or exclusion
occurring.
Registration & Tech: -- 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Driver's Meeting: -- 10:45 AM
Event Start: -- 11:00 AM
$15.00 Members -- $18.00 Non-Members
Contact: Dave or Cathy Hart at (317) 849-2495 or dave.hart@insightbb.com
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
with Aeron Hylton
Our big event of the year, the Indy Grand Prix
National Races, came off on July 8 & 9 with beautiful
weather, great food, cool popsicles, and good racing. The
day started off with Formula Vee and Formula 500. Our
guys were really cooking in qualifying. Fred Edwards Jr.
was third, Aaron Ellis was second and the pole went to
Freds brother. Unfortunately the "IRP jinx"
that has been following the younger Edwards son at his
home track struck again, this time in the form of a flat
tire. When we saw him at Gingerman later in the month, he
asked Daddy and I if we could avoid using his name in the
same sentence with the words "broke again." I
dont understand why, but Daddy said something about
"racers superstition," whatever that is.
Any way, he let me play with his dog at Gingerman, so I
guess I ought to do what he asked. Fred and Aaron didnt
have any better luck, and neither lasted till the
checkered flag. In Formula Vee Greg Buttrey was fourth,
Jerry Schopp sixth, Joe Claudy (in a car borrowed from
Lisa Noble) 14th, Craig Leeke 15th, Jan Castelluccio 16th,
and John Reisert 18th.
Race 2 was for those cute little oil leakers, the prod
cars. Bill Campbell was our only finisher with fifth in
FP. His buddy Lloyd Jennings had problems with the Pinto
and didnt finish. In the big formula car race, Bob
Hoppes was our best finisher with 14th in Formula Mazda.
Craig Campbell was sixth in Sports 2000 and Dave Hams
C Sports Racer only made 3 laps. In race 4 for the
thunder makers, Gary Parkers Corvette took eighth
GT1, and Sheldon Wilde had an excellent second in GT3.
Race 5 was for Formula Continental and Formula Ford,
and it included a special parade lap salute to Bruce May.
Bruce was a friend to everybody, even kids like me, and
it didnt seem the same to be at the track without
him around. Aaron Ellis, trying a new class this year,
was seventh in FC, while Jerry Wieda was ninth, Paul
Pfauser 11th, Ralph Johnson 12th, and David Bleke 14th.
We didnt have any FF drivers on the track that day.
And we only had one Spec Racer driver in Group 6. Paul
Holeman was eighth. Daddy could have had a good time with
them if Mommy hadnt chained him to that post in the
Registration Tent.
In qualifying for race 7, Bill Baten took his pretty
new T2 Camaro and made it ugly by taking out a whole row
of fence posts on the backstretch. Then he spun into the
turn 12 guardrail in the race. Not a good weekend
.unless
you own a body shop. Dave Hart was running his first
National Race and found out just how serious these people
take their hobby on his way to eighth. But Cathy won him
a really nice anniversary present at the party Saturday
night
..a set of Hoosier Tires from Dave Garner and
Hoosier Midwest. Bob Sirico was third in Touring 1. Ralph
Porter was fifth in Showroom Stock C.
In the Valvoline Pro Vee Series race, Greg Buttrey put
on a cool drafting display as he and two other guys diced
for first. Greg came out second best, but the race was
exciting. Jerry Schopp was seventh, Joe Claudy ninth,
Craig Leeke 12th, and John Reisert 16th.
Results from the Ohio Valley National at Mid-Ohio in
June show that Fred Edwards was fifth in Formula 500,
while that brother of his had better luck and was second.
Greg Buttrey was fourth in Formula Vee, and Chris
Jennerjahn was 16th. Sheldon Wilde was third in GT3, and
Ralph Porter was third in SSC. Steve Alexander barely
made half the laps in T1.
At the July 1-2 Cincinnati Double Regional at Mid-Ohio,
we had quite a turn out. Tony Fesi and Bruce Shire shared
a Formula 500 and took third and second. John Reisert was
eight FV both days. Ricke Katko had a great weekend and
won GT1 both days. Dave Bleke had a fifth and a seveth in
Formula C. Dave Hart had a little trouble staying on
track Saturday, but still got fourth in American Sedan.
On Sunday he stayed on track, but only got fifth
..go
figure! Jason Baugh was 17th and 23rd in Improved Touring
S. In Spec Racer, Stu Coomer was second on Saturday, but
got punted around on Sunday and was only eighth. Daddy
went the fastest hes ever gone at Mid-Ohio and was
14th and 12th. Don Munday was 17th both days, and Darold
Rude was 19th and 23rd. Jeff Brueckheimer didnt
finish either day in his F Production Midget. Brian
Duncan was 14th ITA on Sunday. On Saturday he only got 4
laps, which shouldnt have even counted as a finish,
except the race got cut short at 9 laps, so it counted
for Brian. Dave Thomas was 11th and 18th in ITB.
Daddy ran Gingerman for the first time ever at South
Bends Double Regional and got faster and racier as
the weekend went on. He got 14th and 9th. But heres
the scary part
Mommy got in the Spec Racer on
the test day, and now shes talking about racing it
at Grattan!!! Renee Edwards had her first front row
start, but had to stop on the pace lap to fix a loose
steering wheel (good idea!). She finished second both
days. Her husband, ole whats his name, is going to
have to get another car ready for Nationals soon.
On the rally side of things, the Phillips and Gilbert
team took their SAAB to Wisconson at the end of May and
came away with two second place finishes. Then they ran
an event in Michigan and had to dodge high water hazards
on their way to a win. They currently lead the points for
the "limited" class in the CenDiv championship.
There Tom, I kept my promise. Can I play with your dog
again at Grattan?
DUMPSTER DIVING WITH DENT
by Larry Dent
Editors Note: Those of you who roam the Internet
have probably seen a rather controversial article
regarding the new SCCA President written by an anonymous
author who calls himself The Drummer. The following are
comments from long time SCCA member and former Area 4
Director, Larry Dent.
In 1969 I felt there were some serious problems with
the SCCA and so I wrote a quite caustic letter defining
the problems as I, and some of my fellow members, felt
they were.
I SIGNED THE LETTER.
I was suspended from the club (rightly so) and only
allowed back in after I was able to prove most of my
points in a national hearing and apologize for the TONE
of the letter, not its facts.
Now a person calling himself "the Drummer"
has circulated a very caustic note on E MAIL, very
widely, to SCCA people making a lot of charges about our
new director Steve Johnson. The tone of the E Mail is
worse than anything I did, and there are NO facts, only
charges and innuendoes.
HE DOES NOT SIGN THE LETTER.
I believe that all the Newsletter Editors and Regional
Executives that received the communication should toss it
in the garbage, where it belongs.
The strength of this club has always been in the
members, and at the same time its biggest failing has
also been in the members in their ability to cloud the
waters with rhetoric such as this.
We have a new CEO and now we need to give him our
support and get on down the line. If he does well, great.
If he does not do well, THEN it will be time for other
action. What that action would be is interesting, too. At
one time I applied for the CEO's job, about the time Nick
was hired. Today, I think any one applying for that job
has to be about a half bubble off plumb. The Drummer and
his ilk are good reasons why.
If you see his note, don't put it in MY dumpster. It
smells too bad.
Solo Is: Girl Watching
by Warren Leveque
Our # 2 favorite sport after Autocrossing , or do I
have that backwards? I need to insert a definition here:
Anecdote--A short account of an interesting or humorous
incident; also, secret or hitherto undivulged particulars
of history or biography.
Youll notice that nowhere in that definition do
you see any reference to FACTS. All of my articles are
anecdotal. They are just observations. At no time do I
claim to actually know anything about the subject. I need
to state this especially now because I am going to talk
about women!
In my youth--anything under 40--I was consumed with
girl watching, unless I was actually on the track. Under
25, maybe every where. I always believed that in my early
days of road racing, the way they kept us from passing
out on the grid ( 90 deg. and Nomex) was to parade cuties
in shorts by us, supposedly to check our gear. A genuine
pleasure when registering for an event now is being
greeted by the pretty, friendly, feminine smiles.
Anyway Im digressing. Now all of the women are
girls to me, and I love to watch them in competition. At
a recent autocross my daughter Michelle, who had just
flown in from Texas, wanted to autocross after a 5 year
layoff. She entered my Corvair Stinger in the CPL class.
This class is always nail biting to watch, but today was
especially interesting to me. These girls are SERIOUS.
You would never get a more diverse group of cars. One was
a " tub prepared" Mustang; powerful front
engined, race prepared on a stock chassis. Another was a
" tube prepared" Camaro which is sort of a huge
front-mid engined formula car built to GT1 specs. The
other was my Corvair which is a rear engined "tub"
car built to GT3 specs.
I mention all of this because the girls dont
know or care how diverse the cars are; they just go for
it. After 5 runs of constantly switching the lead between
the three, they all finished within the same 1/10 of a
second. How is this possible? When the men ran, the
diversity of the cars was definitely reflected in the
times. Some cars just fit some courses better.
I quizzed my daughter about the lines she had taken.
She looked at me like I had just asked about the theory
of relativity. She said, "I was just going as fast
as I possibly could." Actually her lines were pretty
good, but the point is that she was mostly interested in
just "nailing it". Thats what makes them
so much fun to watch. These girls finish every run
breathless, flushed, and trembling.
Over several seasons, Ive tried to analyze the
differences in the runs of men and women. Theres
usually a couple of seconds difference in their
respective times. Yes, I know about Shauna Marinas
winning in the open class at the Nationals. This is about
lady drivers in general.
One renowned CP driver remarked to me that his wife
always wore out the front tires and that he always wore
out the rears. Aha, a clue! Upon closer observation, Ive
noticed that on approaching a right hand turn for
example, the men driven cars would "step out"
very noticeably at the rear to the left. The front of a
lady driven car would "step in" very noticeably
at the front to the right. This was true when watching a
great sample of drivers. They hit the same "spot,"
but in a very different manner. The most obvious example
of the male method of turn-in is watching Dan Pop in his
Corvette. He drives visually like a Pro Rally driver, but
never misses a "spot".
I had occasion to ride with each of a man/lady Miata
racing team. The man drove into the corner under great
"entering courage". It was unbelievable that he
could make it. The lady drove into the corner VERY
precisely, sometimes slowing very much to hit the spot
exactly. Their times were within hundreths of each other.
One wonders if something from both methods could be
combined in one National Championship run.
If there is this much difference in technique in the
more powerful cars, then a 2 sec. difference is easier to
see. Some of the ladies are entering the open mens
class for practice events. Their stated reason is to
relieve the pressure of winning and learn different
methods of going faster.
If I had to postulate a theory at this point I would
have to state that the rear end out technique of corner
entry yields a smaller "half a heart" or
smaller classic late apex at a greater speed. The ladies
have to wait until the front wheels are straight enough
to accelerate. The men never had the front wheels turned.
Naturally this shows up more when there is more
acceleration to be had.
So why dont the ladies use this technique? Many
do. Youll find their names at the top of the trophy
list. Ive interviewed many ladies about this. Some
very fast ones actually liked the feel of the rear end of
the car sliding. Very few did. Most blame it on being in
an accident precipitated by sliding--most likely while
sitting to the right of their male counterparts.
Back to the three CP ladies, my guess is that they
very precisely find the limit of the rear tires and drive
right on it. Since all three very different cars had the
same limit, they ran the same speeds. Conversely, it can
be said that the men never find the limit of the rear
tires (they are always over it) and would be faster if
they did. This argument holds fast for front wheel drive
cars also; they just have a different method of stepping
out or rotating the rear end of the cars.
It seems upon review, that Ive demonstrated
again how little I understand the ladies-but insist on
continuing to try-- and have admitted to spending way too
much time watching them.
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE: 10 x 20 Canopy with Galvanized Steel Frame (complete).
Only used a couple of weekends. Original price $200.
Asking $100. Call Dave Dudgeon (317)357-1089. (8/00)
FOR SALE: 1995 Dodge Neon ACR damage to right rear
quarter. Asking $2500 or best offer. Call Ralph Porter (765)457-9034
after 4 PM. (8/00)
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