Thanks George. I hope John P does not rain parts agian but you never know. lolLOL,it's not like he's done it before! lol
-George

Great racing guys...two heats for stock and 19t...gotta wait for butts (tm) report...I spent most of my time repairing my car. It should be a good one since he was able to watch and turn marshall most of the races :(

Well lets see I usually have to piece together a makeshift report from memory but since my car got destroyed before it rolled two feet in practice I had all night to watch. Guess what? I still dont have a total recap of everything that happened even though I watched almost every run of every class. Well watched while marshalling that is.

I will start off by saying one word "LIGHT!" Yeppers with the correct bulbs installed in the 3rd turn fixtures there is now enough light to see all the crashing that has apparently been taking place over there but we just could'nt see it before. Actually the new lighting now makes the rest of the track look dark.

From my perspective, It looks as if the consideration for the other drivers went out the window in all classes. From messy starts, Uh lets make that really messy starts to spur gear checks and flying cars(litterally)in 19t. It was not a clean night of racing. Everyone of us are better drivers than what was shown. Man! I saw cars and parts flying through the air in practice. Legends cars and parts too. :confused:

Oh well on to the racing.

Legends
Yikes I didnt think there were that many cars left running with the shortage of parts and such but there were 6 or 7 cars running last night and I still think those racers are having more fun than anyone else. Dont know who tq'd or won.

Pro-spec
Hmm? Steve Pedano, Steve Pierce, Stoney Mullins, Jason Lambert and Eugene Biala were all getting around pretty good. After qualifying was over the top 3 were seperated by a mere eight tenths of a second. Jason won it and I believe Stoney and Steve Pierce in that order finished ahead of Steve Pedano after his pinion went Weeeeeeeeeee. all the way home. Eugene had to sit it out with a broken car and no parts.

Stock
Wow! Enough cars for two heats and probably the friendliest rivalry of them all right now. JP Snyder continues to improve and made the "A" main with a couple of good runs. It was Chris Garland who takes down tq and the win and almost hit his goal of a 31 lap run with a 30 4:00.98 in the first round. The Moyers both did real well too with Josh in his first race looking like he'll be one to reckon with in the future. Shannon(mr. 3rd place)had some problems with traffic. Both Shorts, Steve and Michael made the A. Stock could be anybody's class to win but right now Chris has two tq's and two wins. Thats a big lead to catch.

19t
Hmm? I dont know where to go here. With the list of names looking like it should be the most impressive racing at the big track it just wasnt. There were enough cars for two heats again and there was an A and a B main run which should've separated the cars a little better but they were attracted to each other like they all had rare earth samarium cobalt magnets all around the chassis. Not a pretty site. Phil took down the win and I really dont know who got 2nd or 3rd and didnt get the B results.

All in all I hope lastnight was just a rare occurence and we can all get back to some fun racing in the future. It looks as if we may be honored with more visitors next friday so lets all get back on our game. We owe it to each other. These cars are not cheap to maintain and to replace a broken part no matter how small is not fun.

I want to say something that came to light(no pun intended)to me lastnight. Safety!

My car was hit just a split second after I set it down for practice and like many of us I was holding it by the pod when I set it down. That means my entire hand was underneath the body unprotected facing the direction the cars travel and if you didnt see it heres the rundown.

A car was coming at full speed down the track just a little higher than usual, Ok alot higher than usual and since it was practice there were a whole bunch of guys standing around the steps to the stand basically blocking the view up close to the wall.

Thats right where I and most(not all)other people sit their cars down for practice and lo and behold my car was litterally up againt the wall where no car should ever travel and wham! Full throttle totally squared up directly into the rear end components where just about .5 seconds before fingers and hand/wrist had been.

My car went about three feet in the air came down in a mess. Afterwards a quick inspection revealed a broken chassis, Bottom plate and severely bent Silva steel t-plate and possibly a damaged crystal or reciever. In my 25 years of racing this will be the most expensive crash I've ever had.

Think about this the next time you sit your car down or you are turn marshalling. If that hit had occured only .5 seconds sooner I may not have been able to type this today. Undoubtably would I have a broken finger but may be missing a couple this morning aswell.

I didnt blame the other driver as the whole series of circumstances leading up to that moment in time just happened but it sure gives us something to discuss in the future. He felt terrible and offered to buy the parts or atleast pay part but it wasnt all his fault. Just think of what could've happened but didnt, We probably dodge that bullet with more frequncy than we all imagine with little to no thought but it sure got my attention. How about you?

Nice recap Butts(tm), just finished my coffee to it. I'd like to add to what you said, I don't like it when people stand in front of the drivers stand close to the track for that very reason. Next week that area should be kept clear not only during practice but during the heats as well. Oh yea, I realized that you were human last night when you got ticked (totally understandable) about your car, HE IS HUMAN, I REPEAT, DAVE BUTTS IS HUMAN ;) Well I guess we'll keep ya anyway dude! I had fun last night even though there more wrecks than a good day on 103rd/Blanding Blvd. I added the fastest lap time sheet for 19t now, so that week's Main is available through the link by Billy Bruces's 6.5'er on the Records page. Points standings should be up there by tomorrow.

Shawn,
I am running an L3 in oval and an XRay in touring just so you know for the web site.
John

I was A good turnout friday and hope most of you guys had fun. The new layout looks good for touring and it closes the gap for the oval. Good work to Chris G. and the rest of the guys that helped him. I dont know who helped him so maybe he will post them for us.
Thanks,:thumbsup: John

Thanks John, we'll get it up there. I thought there were a ton of people out Friday especially since it wasn't "the big night" like on the 28th or this coming Friday. Very good turn out indeed.

Myself, Chris , His Brother Dave G. and Eugene G. Put the new lay out down on Wed. Needs a few adjustments but MUCH BETTER!!

Hey guys/girls if I am off from work Saturday,I will see you stock oval guys Saturday...I'm sure Shannon wants to put a spankin on me after the Nastruck race in Branford...See Ya Friday night :wave: Kevin

Kevin's RC Oval Site/Branford RC Speedway (http://www.kevinsrc.tk)

Was it just me, or did I see a 5 year oval veteran at Hobby World running 19t for the first time? Good seeing you out there Jason.

I would like to add that I don't think that there are any 18-wheelers that are currently available w/ optional automatic transmission. If there are,Butts would be driving one Monday had he left his hand there a split-second longer! :(
I agree that we should come up w/an "off-limits" area (or "No-Man's Land"! lol) during practices & races. It should also include the computer area,too. There's been too many times last Friday (and some of the other Fridays,too) for me to try and call the races while somebody's standing right smack in front of you. There's absolutely no way to spot the wrecks for the drivers like that. (suggest 5-laps off of mains? Or how about a $10.00 fine? Or 50 lashes w/cat-o'-nine tails? crucifixion to old concession bldg w/4-40 BHS screws? Shawn demonstrating Heart Catheterization to offender w/Paragon as anaestesia? I dunno!) Also,maybe we could move the clipboards w/ the time sheets closer to the pit area instead of keeping them in the computer area. IMO,that should keep the traffic down to a minimum. My .02.
-George

I will start off by saying one word "LIGHT!" Yeppers with the correct bulbs installed in the 3rd turn fixtures there is now enough light to see all the crashing that has apparently been taking place over there but we just could'nt see it before. Actually the new lighting now makes the rest of the track look dark.

From my perspective, It looks as if the consideration for the other drivers went out the window in all classes. From messy starts, Uh lets make that really messy starts to spur gear checks and flying cars(litterally)in 19t. It was not a clean night of racing. Everyone of us are better drivers than what was shown. Man! I saw cars and parts flying through the air in practice. Legends cars and parts too. :confused:


glad to read about the bulb issue.. but you all better get your A game on again...mike boylan is on a misson again friday and he may bring a few friends with him! lol seems he likes hobby world alot!

hey guys whats up..its mike wehner. i am having a little trouble with my roll out for my oval car. im trying to get my monster motor at its full potenial but i dont know if i should get closer to 2.05 or 2.00...but also what happens if i am close to one of the numbers but not between with. for ex. 1.98 or 2.060. Should i stay in the 2.05 and 2.00 range or get as close to one of those numbers as a can. Thanks again for your help. hope to hear back from you guys. :thumbsup:

Mike, Alot of us in stock run very different rollouts for some reason. Dave P. set the track record with a 2.34 roll out. I have my car set up almost the exact same as his with the same motor #'s (close). And when I tried to run that roll out I was a snail. So he is running 32 4 flat and I am having trouble running 31 laps so who do u listen to..lol. But my car seems to like a 2.10-2.20 roll out.7.5 - 7.6 are my lap times out of traffic and hitting my line(which dosn't happen to often) with that roll out. When I tried Dave's I never got out of the 8's. Take it for what it's worth...This is my first point series in oval at this track and the first time I've raced an oval car in about 6 yrs. 2 cents
-Chris

I like your idea about the "off limits" area George. However, using common sense and verbal communication is the least expensive way to minimize this risk. This is, of course, no guarantee of solving the problem completely. We should consider all suggestions and come up with something.

Great turn out Friday night. Look forward to this Friday.

John P

The off-limits area is a good idea. There isn't enough room for people to mill around in front of the drivers' stand anyway, so let's just tell everyone to go behind the stand. Some barrier tape could be used to steer people in the right direction.

But, we also need to realize that safety is everyone's job. When I do a accident or "near-miss" investigation at work, I hate to find fault with the victim. In this case, it sounds like Butts(tm) should have been a little more aware of his surroundings. (I'm not slamming you, Dave. Just making a point that we need to think safety at all times.)

We've all had our cars smashed by someone that doesn't look past his own front bumper, which isn't entirely the driver's fault--its just the nature of R/C racing due to limited peripheral vision and the speeds involved. I'm not about to put my hands down on the track unless I've verified that there are no cars in turns 3 or 4 or the front stretch. We all need to remember that it takes an oval car less than 3 seconds to get from the entrance to turn 3 to the entrance of turn 1.

I've worked with electricity and high pressure fluids for over 20 years, so I'm very proactive with my safety (you don't get any "do-overs" with 6900 volts or 2500 psi steam!). I'll stand down there with my car in my hand for several minutes waiting for a safe opportunity to place it on the track.

So, be careful out there and don't assume that the other guy will avoid the accident.

Well let me have my say in this safty thing seeing how I was the one that tagged the back of Butts L4. When I put my car on the track I walk to the center and set it on the back side of Legends oval , then walk back over to the drivers stand. The last thing I ever wanted to do since I have been out racing again is do what I did to Butts L4. When I was testing out the changes that I had made the car was super loose. I came off 4 a little high to gather up the car and someonne walked right in my view of the car. when I saw the car again it was still high on the track and right when I tried to dive down it was to late. I never saw Butts put his car down or I would have just stopped, But I didn't.So I think it would be great to keep everyone out of the way the drivers stand only to put their car down in the center of the track. Or drive it from the wall to the middle of the infield then walk up the stairs.Also look up and say "hey I am putting my car down" so they know to slow up. I am just thankful it was just the car and not Dave's hand or something. I tried to pay Dave for the damage but he would have nothing to do with that and said it wasn't one persons falt that many things played a factor in what happened. We all just need to try and make sure noone is put in my shoes again. I mean David Butts of all people, to destroy his car. MAN I felt like POOP!

Also you guys should drive your cars to the small oval and then go up to the drivers stand instead of putting it down on the front stretch or turn one. I also think that the only guys that should be in front of the drivers stand are turn marshalls...... If you want to put lap sheets somewhere else thats fine but remember the someone other than the guy running the race will have to take them to the new place. Also you need to turn marshall after you race so if we start the race and you are not around the track when i say go ( or when whoever is running the race) you get a lap off your fastest qualfier and you main. No exceptions you must turn marshall or find someone to do it for you.
Thanks,
John

Well said,John! I think we need to have a driver's meeting Friday (actually every Friday) & reinforce the topics we've covered here. Especially with "guests" coming over to play w/us again this week. I'm sure they all know the rules,but it doesn't hurt to discuss the basic guidelines again.

I still like the crucifixion w/4-40 BHS screws-idea,though! lol
-George

dumb question??

the driver who hit daves car friday night..was he on the drivers stand? or was he driving from ground level, below the drivers stand? he said someone walked in front of his way and he lost sight of his car? that's alot harder to do when on the drivers stand? sorry to hear about your car dave...S happens i guess

My 2 Cents Get Some Of That Unused Pvc Pipe And Make A Pit/take Off Area Like Most Do That Way If Someone Leaves It There, Drops It Down There ,sets There Trim Etc There Safe. Also They Can Pull It Off There As Well

i think the big issues here is that ever since i have raced at HW the has only been like 3 or 4 drivers meetings. I know we like to have a good time at the races and don't want to make it no fun but I think that if we had a drivers meeting telling everybody not walk in front of the stand to use a frequency clip and other thing would help out huge. the hole deal with Butts 9tm) car was just a freek thing but it could have been avoided.

Katfish also brings up another good point about people practicing from the infield. My opinion is that big thing is called a driver stand for a reason.

dumb question??

the driver who hit daves car friday night..was he on the drivers stand? or was he driving from ground level, below the drivers stand? he said someone walked in front of his way and he lost sight of his car? that's alot harder to do when on the drivers stand? sorry to hear about your car dave...S happens i guess
I was on the driver stand but the car wasn't . It was on the ground along with the person who blocked my view of the car. It all happened In like a fraction of second. Like I said I never saw Dave put his car down and I knew I was high on the track, If I would have known Dave put his car down I just would have stopped when I lost sight of it. I couldn't see my car for at least 5 feet because of the angle of where my vision was blocked. I am not a factory driver by any means but I can get around the track in complete control of my car. I hate that it happened and I just want to make sure we do what we need to do so we lower the chances of it happening again.
-Chris G.

schumacher 99 i wasn't there..i was just curious..i see sooo many guys not using a the drivers stand at every race i go to..i was just asking..because i have seen it before is all...i'm doubting what happend is your fault or anyones elses..poor dave though...ouch! the speeds of the cars at hobby world are way faster than you think..a wreck that involves a car at a dead stop is not going to be pretty,lol..

It's cool Katfish . I just wanted everyone to know exactly what happened. It was really a multiple things that lead up to the hit. I wanted to make it clear as to how it all lead up to the crash. And know it was not pretty at all. (sounded worse). Like I said hopefully we will set up some rules to prevent it from happning again.
-Chris G.

OK all you 19t fanatics we will be down friday night to school or be schooled, lol probably schooled. We should roll in between 3 and 4. Some of you have ran @ the Branford track before and we would really like to get y'all over there this coming Saturday night as we will have some extra guys showing up from Pensacola and Mobile So if you can, let's get as many over there as we can and give Scott a really great turnout. He's a great guy and loves racing these little cars as much as the next guy and he would love to see a bunch of us show up and do battle, so get um tuned up and get out the caps and let's do Branford up right! That means stock and spec racers too, see y'all at the track!

Looks like HW is the place to be on Friday and Bradford on Saturday...We (aren&me) will be at both places...How about the rest of the HW regulars?

Hey Butts (tm) if you need a car let me know. I got a brand new L4 put together two weeks ago but just to lazy to set it up. I also have one of those old pcm receivers too and both a gt7 & q2 speedo. I can let you borrow them. You just have to have it "buttsfied", the whole car. I wouldn't want you to miss this race. Let me know. :thumbsup:

David, you can't beat a racing buddy like that , I hope you make it out to both venues, I enjoyed racing with ya!

19t just got more interesting...guys for the south, guys from the north and guys from the west...J'ville must the the east...Good thing I dont race 19t :jest:

I can watch all the action

I use to have drivers meeting every week or every other week but the drvers would no show up or wine about because they had to stop working on there car so i slacked off. But hears the deal I will start drivers meating agian like I use to but if you dont show we need to have some kind of penilty. ( like one lap off your fastest quil. or start in the back all night )

Ok the car is back together. New steel t-plate, New bottom plate and a temporarily repaired chassis until the new one comes in. I threw the crystal out and the spur gear didnt get so much as a nick in it? :confused:

I think all in all more has been made out of this than I originally intended but any conversation about track safety is a good one.

I will be running this friday night one way or another, if it doesnt rain. One thing I forgot to mention before was the three or four different people maybe more who offered me cars to run last friday night. It's a pretty good bunch of people that race at hobby world and I appreciate the offers guys.


As more people start to show up the problems of practice and track time in general get more exagerated. 20 people? No problems. 30people? some problems. 40, more problems, 50 Oh yeah theres gonna be problems but they'll just have to be worked through.

The area around the steps to the stand and in front of it has always been a gathering place for people waiting to practice but few people realize that they block the view of the fastest part of the track for the oval cars. Since the stand is so far back from the track itself it's easy to get into someones way without realizing it. I've had to ask people to step back from there during a race and it should be common consideration to back away.

Also as mentioned before the area directly in front of the announcer should always be clear. It's hard enough to see the whole track from there with the handicapped drivers area just to the right(I've called a couple races) not to mention that everyone seems to like to stand in front of the anouncer during the races.

But wait theres more, Lets race!

Looks like HW is the place to be on Friday and Bradford on Saturday...We (aren&me) will be at both places...How about the rest of the HW regulars?

Hey Butts (tm) if you need a car let me know. I got a brand new L4 put together two weeks ago but just to lazy to set it up. I also have one of those old pcm receivers too and both a gt7 & q2 speedo. I can let you borrow them. You just have to have it "buttsfied", the whole car. I wouldn't want you to miss this race. Let me know. :thumbsup:

Eugene, Thanks for the offer. I didnt see it till after I posted my last post. Just use Sean Cochrans snowbird setup on the back of your instruction book. That and the right tires and two blue side springs and you'll be the envy of everyone else at the track.

Anytime Dave

alrighty then, we know who is going to be in JAX friday night, so who is going to Branford Saturday night?

I use to have drivers meeting every week or every other week but the drvers would no show up or wine about because they had to stop working on there car so i slacked off. But hears the deal I will start drivers meating agian like I use to but if you dont show we need to have some kind of penilty. ( like one lap off your fastest quil. or start in the back all night )
Just hold the meeting and they will come:)

Just hold the meeting and they will come:)right!!!!!!!!!!!!!

maybee someone could pick up a roll of that caution tape and we could put it up from the fence in turn 1 to the corner of the stand. thus forcing everybody to go around the back of the stand.

Can we have some lights back there...it gets dark over there :D

Theres already a light just need a blub and pluged in.

that is a good point we'll have to see about some kind of dim litghing because a spot light will bother the neighbors

yah what he said. what kind of bulb?

yah what he said. what kind of bulb?i think a regular bulb

I'll bring one and look into the wiring thing

I'll bring one and look into the wiring thingthere is a place on the back of the drivers stand for clipboards and there is a fixture above it that Chuck Brown put in about a year ago.

Hey Where has Joe Malin Been??????????????

he was at stricklands on saturday

I'll bring the caution tape since I have an 8 year old always running around the track

Just say Butts (tm) post about your L4 Eugene he is exactly right just use that set up with 2 blue springs pruple fronts and magenta rears and you have my track record set up.

david i have a team chassis and battery tray plus bumper fot that sled of yours..20.00 takes it all...it is not new so it has scratches on the bottom of it like your old one did... katf1sh@earthlink.net

I'll help put up the tape. Hey Katfish you coming up friday night? I hope you feel better because I think you are going to be sick friday :)