No Appeal, Auto City, & what to do now?

Hello to all you race fans of TF American Racing,

So glad you are checking out the blog. I am requesting some input from the fans. What to do now? The 2010 race season is quickly coming to a close, do you think there is an event I can still enter? What should I do with the bent racecars? Got an event you want to see me race at this year or next? Feel free to comment here or on my Facebook page. No idea is far fetched...well don't suggest Formula One...I can't afford that. Maybe in a future blog I can get a poll up. Please read down further on some event options. ;-)

Oh...and if you have a gmail account, please "subscribe" to the blog...it is nice to know who is checking this place out. ;-)

Now onto the juicy details...like ESPN's Sportscenter...the top story isn't about sports, its about the latest in the court system...LOL

The owner/driver of TF American Racing decided not to appeal the SOM (Stewards of the Meet) penalty for my accident during the Sunday class race at Waterford Hills during weekend #5. I did write up about 80% of my appeal, when back to the track and took a ton of pictures of the track and racecar, but I decided, it really wasn’t going to solve much. I know how I race and what happened. I understand what it looked like and I understand other parties involved were upset and the SOM had to do something. I know I can control the car…when it has brakes. I actually probably don't give myself enough credit on how well I have driven and raced this year. I turn faster laps during the first weekend in the new car then I did...ever in the old car. I qualified 7th out of 12 at Mid-Ohio, without ever seeing the course. I ran 3rd in class at Mid-Ohio during the Sunday class race. I did a great job of avoiding wrecks this year. (I counted 4 spinning cars in one weekend alone and two major wrecks.) I ran 1:21.4 in Old Glory at Waterford Hill...never thought I would ever go that fast. I stayed consistent in lap times in races 2 through 4 at Waterford Hills with the same set of tires. I ran 0.3 seconds slower in the same car as Mr. Chris Childs...a very good, experienced racer, during the same weekend.

I feel the SOM did overlooked some items and the process can be improved…but why create a stink? These are volunteers doing the best they can…I am one too. If/When I make it back to Waterford Hills, it will not change how I drive/race…in fact I think it will be more motivation to race harder, and kick some butt. I am not a bad driver, I am not a menace on the track. I don't have a history of wrecking cars...I did not spin once this year at Waterford Hills. I had an unfortunate driver error accident last year. This one was a brake failure, nothing more. That’s racin’. If people view me different after the accident...so be it...I am not that concern on people thinking. I just move forward...continue to learn, seek and grow.

I have learn some lessons during this process too. I have a better understanding of the course of action in dealing with problem drivers in the future. I think I also have more of an awareness to speak and be more open to drivers whom are beyond the line of control. Better do it before they make a bigger mistake, let them know where you stand on their car control ability, do not be afraid to say, "Hey I am watching you, you kind of scare me and frankly if we wreck, I will file a paper against you". Filing a paper is an option and will be used in the future. Even to the legality of the cars.

I made some points on my posting at the Waterford Hills forum and here on my unhappiness of the whole situation (I just lost a car...I could see myself retire in). I was emotional, on sensory overload and well…vented. Does it make it right or wrong? I do not know but I do not regret anything. I am what I am. I am human after all.

I think it will be good for the members of the club to see the penalty and maybe for those that actually NEED to be watched, or talked to, or drive over their heads will take notice and make sure to click it back a notch to know that a penalty this harsh to me, could be even harsher in other situations. Let’s race and quit bending metal.

There are also other options in the future besides an appeal. I could petition for an early end to the probation and options to race other places with my license if necessary. My two big issues with the penalty.

In other TF American Racing News…

I will be entered in race weekend #6 at Waterford Hills. It should be fun. But I can let the entire cat out of the bag ;-) (I will say I always wanted to race a Corvette…hehehehe).

Not sure what I am going to do now. Never been at a point in my life like this. Sort of unsure on what to do. There is pros and cons to the situation I am in...risks and opportunities. I love racing, it consumes me. God has given me a passion for racing, as a driver, owner, promoter and most importantly in my eyes...a fan. I love racing. I mostly enjoy the long nights working on the car. The efforts to beat the fender out of derby car for that extra inch of wheel clearance, it is fun and I have a child-like enthusiasm for it. The family and friends that support me in this...what a treat...what a blessing. And the family I met at Waterford Hills, a total blessing. But the funds are currently not there. I am involved and committed to many activities (and if you ask anyone too many activities...LOL). Many I enjoy and find a calling for service too. The passion is there for them too...as much as racing...no...but a passion no less. I put my heart and soul into everything I do, how else can I do it? (Which personal motto would you like - "I rather burn-out then rust-out" "I don't just burn the candle at both ends, I use a blow torch"). Racing does take up a lot of effort and time, but I find it is so worth it. Others may not agree. So do I pull up the trousers...(what is this 1960?) pants and get working...or do I take ball and go home (not that I really feel like that)...or more, cut my losses and focus elsewhere (Still not true)...or say thanks for the blessing and its been fun...now where do I truly go from here?

(Wait two weeks...that September race weekend is right around the corner...LOL)

I have a derby car with, what I think is a bad starter. Two wrecked ITB Mustangs, with a feeling I really don’t want to run ITB again…at least at Waterford Hills (still time will tell). I have a derby car not built. One Caddy I would love to short track race…or sell. A tow vehicle needing some work, as well as the trailer...silly brakes lights and I pulled the first rotted board out the other day. And my daily driver needs work for that matter ( I hit that 120K mark…check list for this weekend, timing belt, serp belt, and fuel filter, inspect wheel bearing). But time will tell…well and the bank account too. Time to sit back and enjoy the fall….btw did God just flip the switch between summer and fall…30 degrees cooler overnight! Wow!

I did have the opportunity to take my date (now girlfriend) up to Auto City Speedway last Saturday, for what I will call “Redneck Games”. She enjoyed the adventure and dealt with the very cold temperatures and wind. A trooper.

I think the TF American Racing team might need to try some of these events in the future. (Calling for driving partner…Bryan or Scott you available?)…events included (besides the partially regular show of Lead Sleds/Pure Stock and “Hornets” – 4 cylinder car with young kids…even had two Mustangs entered!)

- Skid cars…front wheel drive cars with “skis” welded to the rear rims. Quite a shower of sparks. Spin out mandatory. (hmmm…I would have to find a front wheel drive car)

- The always popular School bus figure-8…no accidents at the intersection. But entertaining no less. (hmmm…no CDL…pass)

- Hare and Hound….how to explain this…first Auto City has a track within a track. The “big cars” – modifieds, late models, sprints, etc… race on a ½ mile oval…which turn one and turn two is shared with a ¼ mile where the "small cars" - thunder trucks, lead sleds, and pure stock cars, etc… race. Also there is a figure-8 in the middle as well. Now this is what they do. Line up four cars…and from what I figure, any kind of cars can enter. The first car is the hare and can race anywhere on the track….yep…anywhere. The rest are hounds and the goal is to pass the hare and become the hare before the three minute time limit is up. So the hare takes off goes into turn one and two then down into the figure-8, might turn left at the intersection, back into turn one and two then down the ½ mile back straight….etc. Quite entertaining. Especially when someone gets really behind and they start running head on towards one another! (hmmm…I totally could see me doing this!..I think we should try this at Waterford Hills!)

- Figure-8…crazy…much more crazy then when I do it. (No way…I think some of these drivers come in cages to the track)

- They had fireworks too…something we only dream about at Waterford Hills…LOL

Now for my two personal favorites.

- Chain gang race…two cars chained together, first car has engine…and no brakes (hmmmm…something I have experience with) and the second car has a disabled engine and working brakes. Put twelve teams on the ¼ mile track and hilarity ensues. One team had two ½ ton pickup trucks, one team had matching mini-vans (and did not do so well). There was a team that had a Bonneville that looked like it was Grandma’s car two days prior. This race started Formula One style (for some reason I think I was the only one there that might have understood that) and the leaders ran three wide for the first four laps until…a Sunbird ended up on its lid, driver was ok (…on second thought…). The winners had a Caprice Classic sedan pulling a Camaro. The pickup trucks lead for quite a while until the rear truck hit the wall and flatten a rear tire. The trucks would go into the corner the rear truck would side out…correct then the front truck would slide sideways….correct…repeat until through the corner…talk about car…errr truck control.

- Push Car race…Just like above except the cars are separated and get in each others way. It was funny to see the engine car that would purposely turn 180 degrees on the track to go back for the other car.

Life may not be fair…but it is good. I am still smiling and just shaking my head because everyday I find more and more blessings.

Stay safe, be careful and please try to keep it on the road. (And do not follow the author's example on how to get into the newpaper!)