[DeTomaso] 2007 POCA Fun Rally Form

[mikeldrew at aol.com]

Tom wrote,

John, who would I talk/email regarding the track time at Pahrump?

>>>That would be Larry Finch, and me.

>I'm
hoping to convince the operators to let the "B" group race against each
other like the "A"s do.

>>>Save your breath (or in this case, your electrons).

The whole point of the event is to have graduated levels of 
performance, based on a number of variables including driver 
skill/experience and automobile technical qualifications, which allows 
beginners to come in right off the street, build their skills and as 
they gain confidence (and with it, safe speed), and then move upwards 
into the next higher group.

The fact that we have a race at our event at all is very unusual; few 
open-track organizations do so because the insurance becomes 
considerably more expensive.  The ONLY way we can have a race is by 
ensuring that only the strictest standards are in place.

It's this simple:  If you are fast enough and experienced enough to 
race, and want to race, then you're welcome to race.  But if you want 
to race,  you better bring a race-prepared car to the track--that means 
proper safety gear, for both you and the car.  And you are going to 
race against other racers who know what they are doing, in the A-group, 
not B-group goofballs like me.  Remember that the junior level of 
achievement within the B-group is somebody who has driven on a 
racetrack precisely five times in his life.  You don't want to be 
'racing' against somebody with that moderate level of experience--and 
in fact, YOU might be at that level of experience, and if so, 
reasonable people don't want to be racing against YOU either.

Realize too that driving in an open road event is no substitute for 
track time when it comes to learning how to drive and how to race.  You 
could drive in a thousand ORR events (like Mad Dog) and still be a rank 
beginner at open-track driving and thus be very much a C-group driver 
(like Mad Dog), and thus nowhere near ready to actually race. :>)

Remember that some of the A-group cars are very streetable; Larry 
Stock, Dale Eriksen, Bob Benson and others drive their cars on the 
street all the time.  It doesn't have to be an absolute animal, it just 
has to have proper seat belts, rollover protection, and that's about 
it.  You have to be fully kitted out in safety gear (driver's 
suit/gloves/boots etc.) as well.

If you have the requisite equipment, your car is suitably equipped, and 
you have the necessary experience, we'd love to have you move up to the 
A-group.  And if not, we'd still love to have you have fun in the 
B-group.  There's still plenty of people to pass there, even if it's 
not unlimited 'racing'.

Who knows--you might even have a chance to pass ME.  Of course, you 
might wind up getting your doors blown off too...see you in 2007? :>)

Mike




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