Time to step up...

[Finch]

For those who the distance or traveling to the events is the issue just give us a shout and hook up with the Rat Pack road trip. That in itself is an adventure you will not forget.

We will be heading North for the Faceoff event so look for details on when and where we will be coming through.

[tazzz25906112]

Brian is right on the money,,, I'll be leaving Toronto cutting through Detroit and across lower Michigan into Illinois and co-coordinating our timing to meet up with the rest of the RatPack most likely around the Chicago area by the sound of things...... Join the adventure and drive west with me to hook up with the gang on the way into Road America....

Come on don't let me be the only crazy Canadian in the group LOL....

[Scott Parkhurst]

If I can bring my 4-door wagon to Road America, what's anyone else's excuse?

(...and yes, I drove it there- it's already in Milwaukee for the event...got 19.8 mpg on the way too!)

[tazzz25906112]

Cool Scott

[bret]

For the guys who think they can't drive...I have to tell you a story.

In 2003 I gave myself a present. I went to the Bondurant Driving school in Phoenix. In 3 days they were able to make me as good a driver as what I THOUGHT I was when I arrived. I proceeded to feed my new lust for driving by creating the air ride Technologies Street Challenge track day in 2004 to demonstrate the merit of air suspension on the track. There I received another lesson in how average my driving was when I was passed not once, but twice within 10 laps by Boris Said and Steve GRissom. I was driving a 630 hp 69 Mustang. They were driving my 62 Buick Invicta Wagon. [I'm not making this up].
In 2006 we brought the Street Challenge autocross to Goodguys in Nashville. It became popular and was integrated into 6 GG events in 2007. Since I had some seat time under my belt I was always the fastest car there, usually by a half second or so.

There was a guy that was competing at every event and was trying like hell to beat me. Every event he got closer and closer. After about a year and a half he succeeded in beating my time. He has continued to work on his car and himself to continue to get faster. Now I've been chasing him for the last 2 years.
The point is during all this, it has been a large amount of fun for both of us. I can't speak for him, but as for me...there are few people I'd rather beat than this guy. It is a friendly rivalry that has made me a better driver, and my companies parts better as well. I can only suspect that it has done the same for him. Did I mention that it has been great fun? It is slightly more fun to win, but the fun is truly in the trying...the struggle to acheive. If it was easy, anyone could do it. What would be the point?

Oh, yeah...the guy I was talking about...Kyle Tucker.

[JEFFTATE]

Since I had some seat time under my belt I was always the fastest car there, usually by a half second or so.

There was a guy that was competing at every event and was trying like hell to beat me. Every event he got closer and closer. After about a year and a half he succeeded in beating my time. He has continued to work on his car and himself to continue to get faster. Now I've been chasing him for the last 2 years.
The point is during all this, it has been a large amount of fun for both of us. I can't speak for him, but as for me...there are few people I'd rather beat than this guy. It is a friendly rivalry that has made me a better driver, and my companies parts better as well. I can only suspect that it has done the same for him. Did I mention that it has been great fun? It is slightly more fun to win, but the fun is truly in the trying...the struggle to acheive. If it was easy, anyone could do it. What would be the point?

Oh, yeah...the guy I was talking about...Kyle Tucker.

That's a great story Bret ..
In years to come , You and Kyle will remember these days , just like Connie Kalitta and Don Garlitts remember the dragracing of the late 50's and early 60's.

[bret]

Jeff...I think your comparison of us to Garlits and Kalitta is a bit optimistic...but I get your point.

Another thought...

For those who are concerned about appearing slow or incompetent, please consider the fact that the only people who will [negatively] criticize your skills or your ride are the people who are slower than you are. If you have ever been to a drag race you know what I am talking about

[JEFFTATE]

There is no such thing as being too slow or incompetent.
It's all about having fun , and self improvement , and improving your car..

[Gitter Dun]

There is no such thing as being too slow or incompetent.
It's all about having fun , and self improvement , and improving your car..

Definitely, there no place anywhere for negative criticism!!

[shmoov69]

Can I criticize myself?! I'm pretty good at that! Lol!

[Gitter Dun]

Can I criticize myself?! I'm pretty good at that! Lol!

LOL. thats true. I'm usually my worst critic.

[DFRESH]

For the guys who think they can't drive...I have to tell you a story.

In 2003 I gave myself a present. I went to the Bondurant Driving school in Phoenix. In 3 days they were able to make me as good a driver as what I THOUGHT I was when I arrived. I proceeded to feed my new lust for driving by creating the air ride Technologies Street Challenge track day in 2004 to demonstrate the merit of air suspension on the track. There I received another lesson in how average my driving was when I was passed not once, but twice within 10 laps by Boris Said and Steve GRissom. I was driving a 630 hp 69 Mustang. They were driving my 62 Buick Invicta Wagon. [I'm not making this up].
In 2006 we brought the Street Challenge autocross to Goodguys in Nashville. It became popular and was integrated into 6 GG events in 2007. Since I had some seat time under my belt I was always the fastest car there, usually by a half second or so.

There was a guy that was competing at every event and was trying like hell to beat me. Every event he got closer and closer. After about a year and a half he succeeded in beating my time. He has continued to work on his car and himself to continue to get faster. Now I've been chasing him for the last 2 years.
The point is during all this, it has been a large amount of fun for both of us. I can't speak for him, but as for me...there are few people I'd rather beat than this guy. It is a friendly rivalry that has made me a better driver, and my companies parts better as well. I can only suspect that it has done the same for him. Did I mention that it has been great fun? It is slightly more fun to win, but the fun is truly in the trying...the struggle to acheive. If it was easy, anyone could do it. What would be the point?

Oh, yeah...the guy I was talking about...Kyle Tucker.

That is truly awesome man--thanks for sharing. I'm glad to be able to say that I have attended the RTTH event here in So Cal, and even though I had no chance of winning (driver & car cannot be considered competitive) I would go again. The experience is everything I hoped it would be---great people-and I mean that--lots of very down to earth fun people--it would have sucked if they were arrogant/ego driven folks, but not even a hint of that. Made great memories and got to meet even more great people in this hobby. For me it's about the relationships and the cars---it was great to meet many others just like myself who haven't vested much time at a track day event like this and were learning their way through it, and having a ball doing so. Great memories to have--and the older I get, the more I appreciate that. By the way Bret, Jimi made you guys look good almost the entire day in Velocity---until he too fell to the Pink Hat. Thanks for being a big part in these events---after attending one, I have a much greater appreciation for those involved.

Doug

[trapin]

I envy the hell out of you guys who have finished cars and can take them to all these great events. I would love to throw a fist in the air and give out a, HELL YEAH! but without a finished car I'm stuck being a Pro-Touring Groupie (actually that's not such a bad thing, I've had fun with that). However, after 9 years I am ready to step away from the sidelines and make a fool of myself in front of y'all...all in the name of fun of course. And believe me, I know I will fall flat on my face the first few times out but I'll get up grinning. It's the kind of guy I am.

You have my word I'll be there, just as soon as time and money see eye-to-eye with me.

[Taman]

I went to my first auto cross event. Not only was I last in my class, but I was dead last in every class. If my TA is ready this week there is an auto cross event at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates,IL. I should do considerably better. Just remember for every moron complaining because you are a new guy there are twenty waiting to help you.
I would love to try a road course but, I have no top end. My TA was setup for drag racing.

[69fbodyproject]

I would love to get out to these types of events, but the drive distance to even get out of Canada to head to an event is 6 hours. For example Pheonix is a 28 hour run to get to. Its just a touch far to go for a weekend.