Well now, Ripper, you do have a haul-ass car. I know you've been told this by many: It is a fact.... YOU NEED THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT TO HELP YOU SURVIVE A CRASH! (regardless of who or what's at fault). Now as far as Class-Specific b.s. - it's just that. I'm more of a Run-What-You-Brung kinda guy.
Yes indeed Rick, when you begin to question the cost or the rules, that are made to protect our fragile lives, then it is time to get another safer hobby or get some professional counciling. Believe me when I tell you that I hate the BS you have to go through and the heat of that fire suit. But fire in the cockpit, is a hell of lot hotter than the temperature inside the suit, etc. All to often we get complacent about things until something bad happens. Then is usually the same old comment about "I wish I had done this or that, so I wouldn't be in this situation" Been there, done that myself. But each person has to make the final decision on his outcome, in case of disaster. Just a bit on the price of racing, insurance rates are out of sight for track owners. Many smaller one's are barely getting bye as it is. Used to amuse me when I was boating on the Missouri river, gas was always a dollar higher on the river docks than in town. Up comes a 30ft cruiser to fill up and the "Cap'n" bitches the whole time about the fuel cost. Never did make sense to me, if you can afford to play with the big dogs, then they shouldn't bark about the price's. Funny world we have created.
I've always been a Run what ya Brung guy to Rick until I spent more time sittin in staging waitin for them to clean up a mess on the track someone made because that didn't have somethin as simple as a catch can on there car. I'm not against having the proper safety equipment...if finances and time would have permitted I would have gotten a multi nozzle halon fire supression system...not required but IMO the best way to go. Terry we have been VERY fortunate the past 2 years at Atlanta the weather has been great..nice and cool..and it looks like it will be that way this year. fingers crossed Terry H. website says 10am to 12...I'll probably wait for the line to dwindle down a little. I wouldn't trade this experience for nothin...I just know what to expect next time.
That burns me up to see that happen. What's even worse, are the super fast cars that do not pull over and stop (safely) once they know they broke something (tranny/rear/other). If they break something the first 100', they'll run the spill all the way down the track and to their pit area (or just off the track) KNOWING FULL WELL they might've been spilling something. ARghhhh!!! That's at least a half hour down time per each event. I rarely hear the announcer reminding racers to pull over and stop if they think they might have a spill. I think they should announce it EVERY TIME THEY CALL CARS TO THE LANE. That way, there's a better chance they'll remember it in case it ever does happen (and odds are it will, eventually). 10-4 on the Fire Suppression. That's a relatively minute expense (less than $500). I vow to put a system on mine (even though I won't be going nearly as fast as you - not with my current setup anyway). Best of luck to you and be safe! We want you around so we can brag on fast Mavericks! (....okay, and we think you're a cool guy.)
