Kentite Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 So a tag line on the home page of the Chumpcar website refers to ‘Joe Average’ which led me at start thinking about the presence of “pro drivers” in our series. Our team pitted next to the Sahlen’s team at PIRC. If you haven’t seen their pit set up it is a sight to behold. From the weather prooofed tower where they monitor timing and scoring, to the pneumatic air guns and lug nuts glued to multiple sets of race tires, the countless numbers of dedicated crew right down to the handful of well known race drivers it is a professional operation. I know Randy Pobst has been in a few races recently and I’m sure there are many other pro drivers racing our series across the country. I for one like to see them out there and I’m glad they are part of the series. But should there be any designation that separates their teams from the truly amateur team when it comes to overall race victory? Should they be classed as EC? Should there be a penalty of x number of laps applied based on every pro driver who drives the car? And what defines a pro driver? Is it someone that earns the paycheck behind the wheel of a race car? I’m undecided in the matter. On one hand I love the idea going out there with the chance to pass and hopefully beat guys I admire as drivers. On the other hand I’m just a ham and egger out here a couple times a year trying to have some fun and do the best I can on a shoestring budget. So what is everyone else’s opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvumtnbkr Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 No. It feels really good to kick their ass (uh, we did not do that at Pitt race....). Plus, when you can see that they have a chump legal chumpy car and you can see what they can do with it, it helps the entire field. It should say to the other competitors that this is what is possible. In the end, it should help the entire field get faster (if racers are willing to put in the time and thought into making some changes). Its funny, Sahlens has copied some stuff from our car and we have copied some stuff from them. We talk about differences in the cars and ways that either team could be faster. If they didn't have that awesome rig, and matching uniforms, you wouldn't be able to tell them from any other team. (Like RBank for example). 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted October 12, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 ^That. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDChristianson Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 I've wondered the same thing, but I haven't really come up with any idea that would really work. And I'm not sure there needs to be anything done. Katchup Mustard and Charcol don't really dominate races. My son and I worked the NCM race and Tom OGorman was driving with ,I think, Hong North. As I recall his lap times didn't stand out all that much. I don't know them but they are all clearly fast. Are they pros? Toms times have been lots faster with other teams I recall him running with. I just think it's cool they come out to have fun with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted October 12, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 It would be really easy and cheap to make a tower bigger than the Sahlen's tower. All for the price of a months worth of Starbucks coffee and a trip to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted October 12, 2017 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 I love the competition from teams like Sahlens. At PITT race last weekend, I had a HUGELY fun battle with the Honda fit. Turns out it was the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge champion driving. I think it is great having a mix of newbies and pros. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kentite Posted October 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 2 minutes ago, wvumtnbkr said: No. It feels really good to kick their ass (uh, we did not do that at Pitt race....). Plus, when you can see that they have a chump legal chumpy car and you can see what they can do with it, it helps the entire field. It should say to the other competitors that this is what is possible. In the end, it should help the entire field get faster (if racers are willing to put in the time and thought into making some changes). Its funny, Sahlens has copied some stuff from our car and we have copied some stuff from them. We talk about differences in the cars and ways that either team could be faster. If they didn't have that awesome rig, and matching uniforms, you wouldn't be able to tell them from any other team. (Like RBank for example). I tend to agree with you. Just taking the temperature of the community. One of the highlights of the weekend for us was our much improved pit stops. We did our normal full stop with, fuel, driver change, cool suit, etc and managed to change all four tires with one impact and jack quick enough to be sitting at pit out with time left on the clock. Not as flashy as all air guns and crew members but still got job done. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewheelerZ Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 To me, as long as they show up with a legal car and play by the rules, Im all good with it. For me, I think its pretty cool to get out on track with guys that really know what they are doing and would welcome one of the pros to come drive my car to see how much faster it can go. Same deal with guys showing up with big haulers and stacker trailers. As long as they have legal cars, I welcome the chance to go out and beat them. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest E. Tyler Pedersen Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 It's great to have the Pros in this series as it helps with getting other teams and drivers. How cool is it to drive with Pro racers and you could end up beating them in the end? I think that is what is great about this series, it is for the Average Joe to come compete in and it is for the Pros to come get some great seat time while being in a grassroots organization. I have had Misha drive with me and he drives the JDC Banana Boat in Prototype. You can learn a lot about your car and strategy with having a pro on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvumtnbkr Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 3 minutes ago, Bill Strong said: It would be really easy and cheap to make a tower bigger than the Sahlen's tower. All for the price of a months worth of Starbucks coffee and a trip to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Dude, that shower curtain idea is being stolen. Gah! Great idea! I may even go vertical with my pit stall next year. Staring at the other side of a concrete barrier for hours on end and trying to see a flag stand just sucks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted October 12, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 I do draw the line at Air Conditioned pit stalls. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewheelerZ Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 1 minute ago, wvumtnbkr said: I may even go vertical with my pit stall next year. Staring at the other side of a concrete barrier for hours on end and trying to see a flag stand just sucks. Hear hear! Why do they make those walls so friggin high? Best you can do is see the very top of the roof or listen for the engine sound. Just raise the damn pit row by 2 feet and all would be good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted October 12, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 I posted this image on facebook how crews were setting up and the internet went bonkers. I mean some guys were truly upset by this image and another image of the transporters. People stating that I should have never posted those pictures up because it gives the wrong impression of ChumpCar. That kinda blew me away. I posted up stating that maybe we need to add to the rules that you can only tent camp at races, and you can only tow dolly your race car using a 1998 or older Ford F150 only. You guys have no clue how hard it is to interview Troy when he is standing on the other side of the pit wall. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted October 12, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 But what I found interesting were the comments were mostly from people that had zero CCWS images or posts on their facebook. Lots of other types of racing. Even tractors. But no CCWS. So I am questioning their every racing with ChumpCar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommytipover Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 That pit rig is pretty bitchin' probably worth more than my whole operation but their entry fee money is as green as anyone's and they build to the rules like everyone else. They've just been doing it so long, they've accumulated more stuff. @Hi_Im_Will 's operation will look like Sahlen's in a couple of years 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted October 12, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Gp race down south and you will see lots of pit lanes with pit boxes like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pintodave Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 29 minutes ago, Bill Strong said: I posted this image on facebook how crews were setting up and the internet went bonkers. I mean some guys were truly upset by this image and another image of the transporters. People stating that I should have never posted those pictures up because it gives the wrong impression of ChumpCar. That kinda blew me away. I posted up stating that maybe we need to add to the rules that you can only tent camp at races, and you can only tow dolly your race car using a 1998 or older Ford F150 only. You guys have no clue how hard it is to interview Troy when he is standing on the other side of the pit wall. And what's funny about that is you have people complaining Chump doesn't present itself professionally enough. So you post a picture of some Chump racers acting like professionals and people lose their minds 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pee Wee Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 32 minutes ago, Bill Strong said: I posted this image on facebook how crews were setting up and the internet went bonkers. I mean some guys were truly upset by this image and another image of the transporters. People stating that I should have never posted those pictures up because it gives the wrong impression of ChumpCar. That kinda blew me away. I posted up stating that maybe we need to add to the rules that you can only tent camp at races, and you can only tow dolly your race car using a 1998 or older Ford F150 only. You guys have no clue how hard it is to interview Troy when he is standing on the other side of the pit wall. Too many people out there are worried about what other folks have instead of working on the shortcomings in their own life, or team for that matter. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jab31169 Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 (edited) Yea, never gonna make everyone happy. As long as the "pro" teams are playing by the "rules" I see no problem with it. That doesn't mean I'm not jealous of those sweet rigs and dedicated crew. As chumpers I would think we should be flattered that the series gets enough respect from the pro's to come down and get in some cheap w2w time. I'd say that should give us all the warm and fuzzy feeling that we are all doing something right. Edited October 12, 2017 by Jab31169 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted October 12, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Go talk to the pro teams. They are great. Troy and I used to do that all the time. We would ask them for advice on everything from race craft to the proper way to run wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron_e Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 I'm all for having and welcoming the pro's just like everyone else. To give a pro penalty laps is a slippery slope, next someone would suggest new teams get bonus laps to compensate for their possible uncoordinated efforts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest E. Tyler Pedersen Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 58 minutes ago, Bill Strong said: Gp race down south and you will see lots of pit lanes with pit boxes like this. @Bill Strong please work on your spelling before you retire or if it's from too many donuts and your fingers getting a little larger go back and edit posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted October 12, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 just need a larger keyboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest E. Tyler Pedersen Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 3 minutes ago, Bill Strong said: just need a larger keyboard Which option do you want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mender Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 1 hour ago, Bill Strong said: Gp race down south and you will see lots of pit lanes with pit boxes like this. I took a pit box like that to Portland and had lots of people snickering about it (or maybe at my Fiero; hard to say) - until a couple guys sat up top and realized how much better it was. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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