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I would like to Echo the comments of the rest. I met the Eric and Beth last year at the Houston National tour. even though I was wearing my a$$ hat prior to the event for a while they didn't smack me in the head to put me in my place no matter how much I needed it.

Learned alot that weekend. 

 

I now make an effort to be nice to all the people I meet at an event. specially new people.

 

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Want to go faster, please send money.

Hey JCM,

Not to sound like a broken record, but I strongly agree that you just come out and worry less about whether you're in a class-competitive car.

 Last year was my third trip to Topeka, but my first in SM2, having moved from C Stock most recently, and STS2 in it's inaugural season.

While I think autocross has one of the best types of participant bases for a sport anyway, SM2 was a very welcome class. C Stock is definitely fun, and I have some great friends from that class. But with that said, at Topeka last fall the SM2 guys, who didn't know me at ALL, were more than welcoming. Volyuntarily coming up and introducing themselves. Not at all stand-offish.

Additionally, after getting a taste of it at a national level, I was trying to get a sense of what it might take to step it up. Of course Chris (fellow Miata driver) is very open as, like me, he is just starting in SM2 nationally. But even guys in the top competitive cars, like Andy McKee, have been beyond helpful in the process.

I was never that competitive in C Stock nationally, so I have no delusions about being king of the hill in SM2, but that's here nor there. I will stay in SM2 and do the big events because it's a fun class, and has a great group of participants. I strongly encourage you to build the car you'll enjoy, then get it out there.

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Paul Magee
45 SM2
Canton, OH

Welcome!

Come out, run whatcha brung, and have some fun with us! It's a pretty laid back group. I see the class as a group of folks working together to make our cars the fastest fenderd cars in solo. I've never had someone withold info when asked a question, and often times the top guys will even offer tips unsolicited. Nationals is as much about the social aspect and the camaraderie as the competition, even for the guys who go in hopes of winning. It's a great, almost carnival, atmosphere, and just a lot of fun. You get to eat, sleep, and breathe racing for a whole week! :)

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Randy Noll

mageep:

Additionally, after getting a taste of it at a national level, I was trying to get a sense of what it might take to step it up. Of course Chris (fellow Miata driver) is very open as, like me, he is just starting in SM2 nationally. But even guys in the top competitive cars, like Andy McKee, have been beyond helpful in the process.

Was it you that gave me a shot of that firewater at the banquet??!?! :)

 
SM2 is always welcoming new folk to the class. It would be nice to see some more corvettes participating, but it looks to be just me and Densmore (if he decides not to run his RX7 in 08)

SM2 is a popular class in the Denver region, and 3 of those people run nationally as well (myself, Mauro Jr and Swearingon). On average we have about 9 people running SM2 class. We are trying them to get out to more national events

 

m

 

 

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Michael "MrPickles" Feldpusch
#144 SM2
Broomfield, CO
rmsolo.org
lefthandracing.com

MrPickles:

mageep:

Additionally, after getting a taste of it at a national level, I was trying to get a sense of what it might take to step it up. Of course Chris (fellow Miata driver) is very open as, like me, he is just starting in SM2 nationally. But even guys in the top competitive cars, like Andy McKee, have been beyond helpful in the process.

Was it you that gave me a shot of that firewater at the banquet??!?! :)

 I refuse to answer the question pending further review of Kansas state law...   

 I was just sharing some of the 'degreaser' that one of our locals, Jeff Blumenthal (FMod)  brought to Topeka... Thanks for reminding me!

 

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Paul Magee
45 SM2
Canton, OH

Alan (Densmore) has been running his 'vette here locally so far this season, so I would assume he is planning on taking it to Nat's this year. He is brutally fast in both, so I wouldn't be surprised with either choice.

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'77 Scirocco FWD SM Monster

mageep:

Hey JCN,

Not to sound like a broken record, but I strongly agree that you just come out and worry less about whether you're in a class-competitive car.

 Last year was my third trip to Topeka, but my first in SM2, having moved from C Stock most recently, and STS2 in it's inaugural season.

While I think autocross has one of the best types of participant bases for a sport anyway, SM2 was a very welcome class. C Stock is definitely fun, and I have some great friends from that class. But with that said, at Topeka last fall the SM2 guys, who didn't know me at ALL, were more than welcoming. Volyuntarily coming up and introducing themselves. Not at all stand-offish.

Additionally, after getting a taste of it at a national level, I was trying to get a sense of what it might take to step it up. Of course Chris (fellow Miata driver) is very open as, like me, he is just starting in SM2 nationally. But even guys in the top competitive cars, like Andy McKee, have been beyond helpful in the process.

I was never that competitive in C Stock nationally, so I have no delusions about being king of the hill in SM2, but that's here nor there. I will stay in SM2 and do the big events because it's a fun class, and has a great group of participants. I strongly encourage you to build the car you'll enjoy, then get it out there.

 

Thanks!  I love cars and love tinkering as well as driving.  SM2 is fun because there are so many options and you can build a car the way you like.  Hope to see you guys in Topeka and thanks for the support.  Maybe by my entering, it'll increase the number of trophies for top spots for you guys!

Thanks, had a blast a Milwaukee Tour this weekend.  Was a little cheesed off at a certain SuperStock Corvette that decided he wanted to win tires and went "slumming" in SM2... for the second Tour in a row. Now in a matter of sweet irony, he was still beaten by a Miata...  but seriously, isn't that against the whole spirit of autocrossing and SM2?  I loved looking at all the other "built" cars that had been lovingly constructed by their owners in a non-standard fashion... and to have someone repeatedly entering our class in a stock car... takes a little fun out of the class for me.  I guess that's the way it's done and it's "technically legal." But still kind of cheeses me off.

I guess i just need to learn to drive better.

Why would it "cheese you off" ?

I guess you want the "Dr." 5 minutes in front of you---that would be better right ?

Just be lucky it's not a really good driver in a GS mini-----much easier to save face being beaten by a SS vette than a GS mini.

 

Entering a SS car, except an Elise of course, in SM2 is totally legal.  Besides maybe there were already 2 drivers running the car in SS, or maybe the car owner didn't want the competition, or maybe they wanted a better shot at winning tires.

 

PS----Keep running events, as much as you can-----work on your driving and your car as much as you can----you will get better, and have fun while doing it to boot !--(seems to be working for me)

PSS----(then YOU can kick that Vette's ass all the way back to Bowling Green, KY)

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Trying to get faster

Oh----yeah---that guy was beaten by a Miata

BUT...............

 

He did win a tire

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Trying to get faster

JCN:

Thanks, had a blast a Milwaukee Tour this weekend.  Was a little cheesed off at a certain SuperStock Corvette that decided he wanted to win tires and went "slumming" in SM2... for the second Tour in a row. Now in a matter of sweet irony, he was still beaten by a Miata...  but seriously, isn't that against the whole spirit of autocrossing and SM2?  I loved looking at all the other "built" cars that had been lovingly constructed by their owners in a non-standard fashion... and to have someone repeatedly entering our class in a stock car... takes a little fun out of the class for me.  I guess that's the way it's done and it's "technically legal." But still kind of cheeses me off.

I guess i just need to learn to drive better.

If the guy in the stock car can win in SM2, he deserves the tires a lot more than the guys he beat.  

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Jason Isley
2005-2006-2007-2008 B Stock National Champion

JCN:

Was a little cheesed off at a certain SuperStock Corvette that decided he wanted to win tires and went "slumming" in SM2...  and to have someone repeatedly entering our class in a stock car... takes a little fun out of the class for me.  I guess that's the way it's done and it's "technically legal." But still kind of cheeses me off.

I guess i just need to learn to drive better.

That's funny.  Most people like it when someone like me jumps into their class...lol.

And it's not that uncommon for a driver in a lower bump class to size up the field and decide to bump up to try and score some tires. 

In 2006 I ran ProSolo SM2 in an SS Corvette to help Onks make a class in Walnut Ridge.  He won tires and I ended up 8th in the country in SM2.  For both of us a win/win.  That was one of my favorite years running that C5 against Onks in AR, Popp and Erik in DC (I even pulled Popp to 60 ft!! From then on it was a different story.), and Andy, Moffet, and Mr Pickles in the Finale. 

Great national class with some of the best competitors in the country.  You should be encouraging SS drivers to join you to make the class even better and getting more trophies to share.

Now I'm back in SS, but I had a ton of fun that year I ran SM2.

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Ted

2004 Z16/Z06 SS

Well, the thread was about why attendance in SM2 was sparse...

And just telling you about a situation that makes me think twice about being in SM2.

This is a grassroots sport, no?  People really are not professional racecar drivers.  They go back to being accountants, ER physicians, BMW technicians, customer service reps, etc. during the week. 

SM2 had sixteen male and three female competitors at nationals.  It's in danger of eliting itself out of existence.  There are cars in SM2 because they're "running what they brung..." that will never compete with a SS corvette.  Even with the best driver in the world.

Weenie protests are legal, too.  I don't like those either.

I'm just speculating and making an assumption, but I think it's more sporting to do what Beth Strelnieks is doing this year.  She won SM2L Nationals last year.  I notice she is entered in regular SM2 this year...

But yes, will work on the driving to compete with SS cars.  Or just bail on the class, watch it get absorbed, and drive a Mini.  :D

JCN:

Was a little cheesed off at a certain SuperStock Corvette that decided he wanted to win tires and went "slumming" in SM2... for the second Tour in a row....

I have no problem with Kenton running in SM2.  If the fast drivers in a given class don't show up at a Tour event, someone's bound to change classes to get a better shot at tires & cash.  It's not like we get that many chances to offset expenses in Solo, and some of us have to pay for things like blown engines.....

-Steve
(one of the guys running a "Mighty Mouse" CSP car in SM2 last weekend.  )

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Steve Garnjobst
#75 XP
'99 Mazda Mutant

But spending $30k on a dedicated SS killing SM2 car is a strange way to offset the cost of tires! 

Just wasn't expecting the governing capitalism to so fundamentally change the underlying motivation when compared to local events... especially after the buildup of the "SM2 is a great group of car enthusiasts that enjoy the build as much as the drive" that populated the first part of this thread.

ProSolo, fine.  But this isn't even that!  If it's really that much of a dog-eat-dog quest for tires, then I think we're going to skip Nationals this year.  We're actually so disgusted that we're thinking about stopping autocrossing altogether. 

 It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer is in the beginner Karate class... with 10 year olds...

JCN:

If it's really that much of a dog-eat-dog quest for tires, then I think we're going to skip Nationals this year.  We're actually so disgusted that we're thinking about stopping autocrossing altogether. 

I wouldn't do that.  You should go for the experience.  It's a lot of fun.  There's no SS or ASP car going to jump into SM2 at Nationals, unless SM2 runs T/W and they want to go home early.  No SS or ASP car is going to win any tires in SM2 at nationals.  You'll be up against only other SM2 cars.  IMHO.

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Ted

2004 Z16/Z06 SS

What Ted said.  Tours are kind of a unique case - especially since Tour results have no bearing on Nationals.  Nationals is a whole different animal - with top-notch drivers in virtually every class.  Nationals is a fun (and humbling) experience - lots of cars, lots of great drivers, and lots of great socializing.

 

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Steve Garnjobst
#75 XP
'99 Mazda Mutant

JCN:

But spending $30k on a dedicated SS killing SM2 car is a strange way to offset the cost of tires! 

Just wasn't expecting the governing capitalism to so fundamentally change the underlying motivation when compared to local events... especially after the buildup of the "SM2 is a great group of car enthusiasts that enjoy the build as much as the drive" that populated the first part of this thread.

ProSolo, fine.  But this isn't even that!  If it's really that much of a dog-eat-dog quest for tires, then I think we're going to skip Nationals this year.  We're actually so disgusted that we're thinking about stopping autocrossing altogether. 

 It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer is in the beginner Karate class... with 10 year olds...

So you are less offended that a CSP car ran the class than an SS car?

Locally, a friend of mine ran my HS car in FSP last weekend --- and obliterated the class.  Would you be offended by that?

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Steve Rife
ETRSCCA

You probably need to sell your car.

From what you say your car is way underprepared-------

The top SM2 cars are monsters, and so are the drivers---(I heard a rumor that when McKee heard that there were no more burgers at the welcoming party at a tour one year, and mind you this is just a nasty rumor, but I heard he got so pissed off that he just grabbed a dude, and yelled at him for like a minute, and then cussed out like five other people in line----mind you this is just a "rumor", but what if it's true ?.....that guy is serious !)

Oh yeah-----that episode of Seinfeld is GREAT........."they were like little fists of fury"

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Anyway.......back to the topic at hand........quitting would probably be a good idea.....hell I almost quit on Sunday, when I got up at 3:15am last Sunday, and then drove 250 miles to Deland, FL for a "local" event 4 hours away----baked in 95 degree weather, and got back at 9:00 pm at night---(oh yeah----I got a total of like 4) 45 second runs.

I really wish I could quit this stupid stuff----but you see my entire wardrobe consists of racing related t-shirts----If I quit now, then I would have nothing to wear........

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Although you could always buy an ST car..........

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Trying to get faster

(ok---now I am replying to my own post----I seem to get more "post points" for that, but I have as of yet no idea what I should be doing with these post points, when I get another  10,000 points-----can I get a free airline ticket then ?)

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Once again---you said you had a "Great Time at the Milwaukee Tour"------why give it up ?

Someone has to win, and someone has to come in DFL-----and people also have to fill in the middle.  So what ?

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We all do this to have FUN------winning tires only offsets a part of the cost----if you can even win tires.

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Maybe you need to get a more "stock" like car, or once again an ST type of car----but you can't hope to come close to the top drivers with the top cars in a class like SM2--ain't going to happen----AT LEAST NOT OVERNIGHT WITH AN UNDERPREPARED CAR, and a driver with little experience....

But mix in the right class-----with a whole bunch of experience-----and soon you will be "MOVING on up to the top"----Just like the Jefferson's......to a deluxe apratment in the sky....(actually I can't believe I watched that stupid show......although Lenny Kravitz's mother did star in that show as Helen Willis-----George Jefferson's neighbor, and her son----the actress Roxy Roker--((no relation to Al Roker, at least that I am aware of))----well anyway----her son is the rock star Lenny Kravitz, who by the way  sat in my Elise, the day I bought it from the dealer in Miami-----although I have since sold that car, so obviously my claim to fame is now gone.

Well anyway, I think you know what I am trying to get at.

Sincerely,

David Lehman

3rd Floor group leader---Broward County, Florida---State Mental Hospital

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Trying to get faster