The Roaring Season

AMCO72 wrote:I know I have gone on about handicap races since 'Auntie fell off the tram' !!!!!!!! I have seen some of the best racing EVER under a handicap system, so WHY are so many people against it. Surely it cant be THAT hard to work out handicaps. Ok, so you aren't going to get it dead right, because of all sorts of reasons, but it will be near enough.

Watching those hard chargers working their way through the field, while those they are trying to catch are doing their best to keep in front has made for some very memorable battles.

And don't tell me it is dangerous. For one thing it avoids that mad scramble at the first few corners in a scratch race.

If we don't get some handicap type racing in the future, I am predicting that cars that usually run at the back of the field will slowly drop away, never to return.

I have spent some time myself being tail-end Charlie, and have spoken to other drivers in the same situation. Without exception they have all said how surprised they were at the speed difference between them and the front runners.

We are all being told that we are out there to have fun, well I can tell you it is NO fun at the back, especially when you get lapped.

AMCO72 wrote:Rod,I think you are selling yourself a bit short there when you say that 'you only filled out fields in the old days'.

In my experience it is the Guys that 'only filled out the fields' that had the best racing, while the Hot-Shots roared off into the distance!
The racing would be pretty damn boring if there were not the `'amateurs'......read impecunious.......competitors providing most of the thrills, and yes spills, of racing.

As ERC says........'it is not now, never has been, and never will be a level playing field. How true. Viva the 'Field Fillers'!!!!!!!

Rod Grimwood wrote:The reality is at the moment, you will have to run with later (or re-engined) similar cars that are quicker, but I think just to run the car and don't worry about how fast others are and look after your cars is the priority.

rogered wrote:"sharing" a grid in some form with HMC on a meeting by meeting basis is something that has crossed my mind, while both have smaller numbers. . Maybe something along the line of starting each class with a half lap space.? and only with the blessing or invite from HMC so as not to offend.

ERC wrote:Rome wasn't built in a day...

Maybe some people expect too much too soon? I can undertstand ACC's position, but we all know that there is a need for this class as I said before, it is the missing link. It is the only class of cars I can think of, that currently doesn't have a place to race.

Maybe I should take a long hard look at our own two groups as if our own active numbers don't increase, then maybe we can push a few of the slower guys in the fast group, down in to the slower group to re-boost their numbers and create another class within the faster group.

Then the issue would probably be (from both groups), "No, we racers with our older race saloons, don't want to race against Porsches, MGB V8s, TR7 V8s, Capris (6 & 8 cyl), Ferrari etc", and our Sports/GT drivers running on road tyres, might well object to racing against race cars on slicks...

The other logical mix - and probably more sensible is for the race saloons to race with the Historic Muscle Cars as in both cases, the numbers are not yet there. Steve, Dale and Tony have a solid set of rules for their own cars, but at this stage, they cannot yet field a cost effective grid. Surely this is the most logical step forward as even with the vast pubicity the HMC has had over the last couple of years, on here and in print - plus backing from the Historic Commission, being realistic, the reality of a consistently cost effective grid in the future is still some time away.

I may get shot down for this, but at the real end of the day, race meetings do have to be cost effective and if drivers can't cope with another class of cars sharing "their grid", the answer has been noted earlier. No one (or two or even three) driver(s) is bigger than the class and let's not forget it.

The U3L grid shares the track with the HMC at non-series meetings. The commonality however is not the cars, it is the CoD or the perceived rules.

George Sheweiry wrote:Well Johnny that was a nice little attempt to lay all this on me, its a shame theres just a nasty little thing called the facts to get in its way. Firstly after talking to people about these old cars and finding there was interest in starting a class I canvassed everyone as to would they run their cars if I could arrange a series for them to run in beginning September and could they make the first meeting. 80% said yes, and no I was not holding a gun to their head. So much for the " came together very quickly and needed time to get ready.
second "and the seal went on him and didnt race at the first meeting" Hello Johnny I paid my entry fee and was there and did practice!! Yes I should have had the car for a test day but instead I was slacking, rebuilding the engine and fitting it back into my daughters car and helping my son with the gearbox in his Falcon, having to buy and organize 2 other cars and drivers to run them because I was worried I was going to be let down, run my electrical business, correspond with all the others (email and phone), try and help with my 84 yr old mothers failing health issues, liaise with the car club, and try to finish my car with my sons help in the 2 last days, finally loading it in the transporter 1.30am Saturday night!!! and what were you doing at that time Johnny!! Oh and by the way you announced Barry needed a new radiator AFTER I had said on this forum that I had bought the 2 cars. and so what does that mean , that I should pay for everyone's parts so they can go racing!!!!! And yes after sidchrome declining both times I put Sheweiry on the car cause I couldn't afford to be sued by them if they really didn't want it on. So tell me again how I let this deal down, Didnt do enough Maybe!!! So thanks very much for let me see, what was your quote for the owners of these cars??? Oh thats right some respect and support!!

John McKechnie wrote:Last post is demeaning, belittling and insulting- car owners not playing ball ?
George had spent a few years getting his car ready, and the seal went on him and didnt race at the first meeting. And I didnt see the Sidchrome Mustang , I saw the Shewiery Mustang.
This whole thing came together very quickly. Others needed time to get their cars ready, and George knows how long it takes to prepare a car.
Full marks to those who got there to the inaugural meeting, we loved the show.
I feel for the guys who slaved to meet the deadlines, didnt make it.
And now they get kicked, slandered and abused- these are the guys who make up the field and have done the hard yards.
These cars are far too valuable and as some such as the Addis Charger and the Algie Monaro have been laid up for too long to rush out unprepared.
And to hear that he went out and bought extra cars to make up the field when I made it public Barry needed some money for a radiator and he would have been there.
George decided to move on but these guys still have their cars , they want to finish them and run them.
And they will because they WANT to, for themselves and for you.
In the meantime, show these owners and the cars some respect and support

All owners should be respected for their efforts, and take heart to continue - from someone who didnt get there in time.

Anything Historic needs patience and acceptance of what it means to be historic.- my earlier post.

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