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dhrmx5:

That information would be incorrect. I was at the test and at no time did Scott get into a Ferrari of any sort. He had asked for Grand Ams permission to drive the T1 car but they had refused so he spent those 2 days driving the Daytona Prototype.

Could be wrong but as posted by AJ what is this?  http://grand-am.com/news/index.cfm?series=r&cid=22823  Read down paragraph 6

I read it on the internet, it must be true:) Can anyone tell me what that car weighed?

There was an extensive test for two days of the 360 and 430. I drove, Bouchut drove. We tried lots of tires, brakes, set ups and we removed the ballast to see what the fastest lap an SCCA spec 430 with a LeMans winning driver would be.

The defending National Champion never went faster than the Sprints Pole in either car with legal weight OK?

Relax.

 EZ

apex97:

I read it on the internet, it must be true:) Can anyone tell me what that car weighed?

There was an extensive test for two days of the 360 and 430. I drove, Bouchut drove. We tried lots of tires, brakes, set ups and we removed the ballast to see what the fastest lap an SCCA spec 430 with a LeMans winning driver would be.

The defending National Champion never went faster than the Sprints Pole in either car with legal weight OK?

Relax.

 EZ

Ed,

The general attitude/sense on this site is that no one believes anyone. The fear that a car (430) shows up that hasn't been "shown" either at all or completely in prior competition has been around 'long time before you and Scott tipped your toes in SCCA Touring. So, please, don't take it personal.

One thought that came to mind jsut now: you and Scott have bigger fish to fry that the Run Offs, AND you have nothing to gain business-wise or customer-wise by doing so (and this isn't meant at a shot at anyone). To me it appears as though for you September's race is a nice distraction from what you really focus on.

That being said, it sure would have been nice to see a Ferrari at The June Sprints.

See ya in September!

Nice sentiments, Dave. You are right about the Runoffs being "fun" for Scott and Ed.

Something most of these guys haven't paid attention to is the fact that although Scott chooses to run a car that is out of reach for most club racers, that isn't where any advantage lies.

Scott's real advantage is in the fact that he is racing/practicing/being coached nearly every weekend of the year and leaves no stone unturned in his quest to be a better driver. I would wager he has more seat time this year than the next five top drivers in T1 combined.

Although he has only done 4 races this year he has set a track record at every event he has attended, and that includes Seattle where he drove the 360. It isn't his fault that there has been little competition for him, as the events were the only ones he could attend. He gives it his all every time he gets in his cars.

Who among us wouldn't take advantage of that ability?

Ed,

Obviously Scott has improved. Seat time is huge. The only person who is in the same category is AJ. In fact there are times when I think the young boy (AJ, not Scott! ) is going to burn out because it seams as though he is in a race car each and every weekend. It reminds me of the saying: "My favorite dinner is spaghetti, but I don't want to eat spaghetti seven days a week."

Scott is living the life, as we all are in differing degrees. Just making the false grid in there races is an accomplishment so few get to experience.

If it means anything, my daughter is pushing me to get a Ferrari to race...

And AJ, if you are reading this, the term "young boy" is one of endearment, not a slam.

Thanks David,

The Sprints conflicted with the Mid Ohio Grand Am race so we really couldnt have done it, but our test was scheduled so we could have some valid data from the T1 field to compare against. I dont beleive that we saw ALL of it, but I dont see John, Lance and others being big sandbaggers either. I understsand that the forums have always spread more proaganda than a political campaign, but I (think) I have a reputation of being a pretty stright shooter when I post here so I wanted to be sure no one got their panties in a wad over that stupid Grand Am release. There is no love lost between me and a certain french driver and our marketing department promoting him as tearing off some "super" lap in a T1 car really chaps my hide. No mention of the defending champ doing dozens of set up laps in "correct" cars for two days of course:)

We are not trying to put one over on anyone here. While I actually agree that car/driver combinations should qualify for the runoffs thats not the way it is now, so keeping your cards hidden is still a good idea. We went to great lengths to keep the development program of the 430 SCCA car a secret for all the right reasons. We spent a lot of money to have RA exclusivly for 2 days so there were no "peekers". Then our marketing folks go ahead and send out a Grand-Am release with a un-represetative T1 time at the Runoffs track. I can't speak for Scott, but I was pretty unhappy when I looked at the Grand Am page and read that.

Dont minimize how serious Scott and I are about SCCA, we both love club racing and think that the SCCA National Championship is a title worth earning. It is not just a diversion, its an important part of our program! I am fortunate to be part of a program that can commit whatever is needed to win. I can tell you that in my opinion the neither Ferrari is the best car for Road America, and if you consider that the time Bouchut did may have been in a car 500 pounds lighter than T1 currently allows, you will feel pretty good about your chances.

It will be an interesting week in September and whoever wins it will be a deserving Champion.

EZ

Just as others have said, I agree it would be nice if newly classed cars got qualified for R/O's.  In Touring and SS it has been a problem in the past.

Ed you know I've got no ax to grind - we had a frank chat at the Road ATL Ferrari Challenge.  If Scott's the intended pilot, it would have been nice if he took his 4 National Races for a R/O's invite in the 430... 

Seriously why would I or anyone believe any of the facts the Ferrari drivers have stated?  At the beginning of this post it was spelled out that the entire press release was bogus and now it is not.  As for me I think and have been told by very good sources they were on track on Hoosiers.  As for what weight that is an unknown but we do know they self claimed the cars to be in T1 trim testing for T1 so why wouldn’t you run them at weight?  Just my .02.

Also I understand you couldn’t do Sprints for your other races but are you seriously telling me that there are not any other National events that you could have made with these cars if being honest is your intention?  There still is 2 more National events at RA this season.

"Also I understand you couldn’t do Sprints for your other races but are you seriously telling me that there are not any other National events that you could have made with these cars if being honest is your intention?  There still is 2 more National events at RA this season."

And given the attitude on this board I am sure that if the Ferrari showed up and did anything besides dominate the race you guys would be screaming "sandbaggers" at the top of your lungs.

Where is the upside for Scott and Ed?

dhrmx5:

Where is the upside for Scott and Ed?

It certainly wont come from people pointing out the cars ran and you saying its not true

LVKnupp:

dhrmx5:

Where is the upside for Scott and Ed?

It certainly wont come from people pointing out the cars ran and you saying its not true

Sorry, Grasshopper, you must learn to open your mind to all of life's possibilities. My statement was true, there are factual mistakes in that press release. I just didn't specify what they were.