Ken Killam
Fats
SOOOoooooo, doin' the math, as ICSCC does hold 15 race events a year. There's a good comparison. It's just not as compact as an all at once endurance-type race format. Point is, there's bang in sprints and there's boom in endurance. Since this thread is in regard to the long race format the prep and calculations are different as is the driving style and car make-up.
Once upon a time guts was part of the equation. A car ran out of gas, was pulled to a safe location, and the team had to figure a way to supply the current driver with petrol enough to make it back to 'base' (the pits). If the car broke, it was pulled to a safe location, and the driver (unfortunate enough to be in the car after the previous driver wore it out) had to wait for the team to provide parts and encouragement to repair the car where it sat. Otherwise, they would be forced to withdraw and let their lap count be their trophy. THAT was the challenge to the endurance racing teams. That was the 'guts' run after a full 13-15, or more 'sprint' race season. Then some of those teams, successful or not would travel to Westwood for another try on another circuit sometimes only one or two weeks later.
Who's gonna remember some stories about those endurance races, albeit preparing for only a 6-7 hour long race with only about 1-2 hrs of dark depending on the weather?
THAT was called an endurance race. THAT was called a 'team' sport. And THAT is what has changed.
I suppose I'm not being very nice either.
But since it's not my money on the line (just my own, and my safety team's life and limb in response on a 'hot' circuit to said broken, or mis-fueled race car in light or dark, fog or rain) it is merely an observance.
No guts. No glory. With the race being it's own reward. Spend your hard earned $$ where you can have the most fun.
I just needed to say that out loud... once.
Once upon a time guts was part of the equation. A car ran out of gas, was pulled to a safe location, and the team had to figure a way to supply the current driver with petrol enough to make it back to 'base' (the pits). If the car broke, it was pulled to a safe location, and the driver (unfortunate enough to be in the car after the previous driver wore it out) had to wait for the team to provide parts and encouragement to repair the car where it sat. Otherwise, they would be forced to withdraw and let their lap count be their trophy. THAT was the challenge to the endurance racing teams. That was the 'guts' run after a full 13-15, or more 'sprint' race season. Then some of those teams, successful or not would travel to Westwood for another try on another circuit sometimes only one or two weeks later.
Who's gonna remember some stories about those endurance races, albeit preparing for only a 6-7 hour long race with only about 1-2 hrs of dark depending on the weather?
THAT was called an endurance race. THAT was called a 'team' sport. And THAT is what has changed.
I suppose I'm not being very nice either.
But since it's not my money on the line (just my own, and my safety team's life and limb in response on a 'hot' circuit to said broken, or mis-fueled race car in light or dark, fog or rain) it is merely an observance.
No guts. No glory. With the race being it's own reward. Spend your hard earned $$ where you can have the most fun.
I just needed to say that out loud... once.
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