I was wanting to get a feel on how people feel about getting beat on race-day? Does it motivate you to work on your stuff, or does it discourage you?
Here is the background.
About a year and a half ago we started an oval pancar club to gain some unity with the pancar racers in Arizona. We have 6 great places to race oval here and the turn-outs were fragmented. It took off pretty well.
A-lot of us were making the A mains or at least in the top 3 or 4 and the wins seemed to rotate among the membership pretty regularly.
About 6-9 months ago a Pro-Level driver from back east transferred to our desert community (I won't mention any names). Needless to say he broke the track record on his first night and handed us a whompin' in excess of 4-5 laps! (it could have been more - I've blocked it out - LOL). His presence drew out another couple pro-level guys who had all but disappeared. Needless to say those of us who thought we knew what was what were left scratching our heads.
For me personally it has motivated the heck out of me and brought me to a whole new level of learning on these cars. At my favorite track I have gained 4 laps on average, 5 on a good night. Most of us have gained and improved. Of course the top 3 guys are gaining and improving also so we are still 1-3 laps behind and there is some level of frustration.
We have also suffered from a decline in regular club attendance on race nights and the fragmenting is starting again.
I would love to hear what the rest of you think & feel.
Here is the background.
About a year and a half ago we started an oval pancar club to gain some unity with the pancar racers in Arizona. We have 6 great places to race oval here and the turn-outs were fragmented. It took off pretty well.
A-lot of us were making the A mains or at least in the top 3 or 4 and the wins seemed to rotate among the membership pretty regularly.
About 6-9 months ago a Pro-Level driver from back east transferred to our desert community (I won't mention any names). Needless to say he broke the track record on his first night and handed us a whompin' in excess of 4-5 laps! (it could have been more - I've blocked it out - LOL). His presence drew out another couple pro-level guys who had all but disappeared. Needless to say those of us who thought we knew what was what were left scratching our heads.
For me personally it has motivated the heck out of me and brought me to a whole new level of learning on these cars. At my favorite track I have gained 4 laps on average, 5 on a good night. Most of us have gained and improved. Of course the top 3 guys are gaining and improving also so we are still 1-3 laps behind and there is some level of frustration.
We have also suffered from a decline in regular club attendance on race nights and the fragmenting is starting again.
I would love to hear what the rest of you think & feel.