Earthblog

Wheelguy wrote:
I think Dave B. makes a valid point. If the rules allow only sports sedans and sport coupes then those should be the only vehicles eligible. The series organizers should either enforce the existing rules or change them.

As to whether the Solstices should be eligible for the series, I'm not sure. It could create the following problems.

1) If these cars are allowed, couldn't just about any sportscar claim to qualify. How about a 3 liter Boxster S. Would these cars change the character of the series and perhaps cause it some harm?

2) What if the Solstice start winning. With a solid platform, Eric Cote building the cars and Bourgeat, Bilodeau and Gravel driving them it won't be long before this happens. Will this cause discension in the field since the rules don't allow for this vehicle?

On the positive side, they probably are an inexpensive way to compete in the S/T class.

1- the character of the series is to have lots of cars for a good show, as long as they are comparable in speed and somewhat in looks. As humans we have judgement and the series is free to allow one car and refuse another. Its not because you accept one car that you are OBLIGATED to accept another.

2- My god, well i hope i'm gonna start winning eventually!!!!! I've always won in everycar I drove, whether it be a VW, BMW, Kart, whatever. Not to be too full of myself but its reality, the problem would be more if i did not manage to win. and BTW The rule DO ALLOW for this vehicule.

dbensadoun wrote:
Hi Chuck,

I seem to have hit a sore spot - sorry about that. If you read my email again I think you'll see I was 80% complimentary and 20% critical. The critical part was just to get some pre-season discussion going! And I seem to have succeeded.

I'm happy you're back and it's exciting to see new cars and new ideas. It will be a fun season. If I'm critical it's only because I have a somewhat fixed idea in my mind of what a touring series is about, but Patrick, yourself and others make good points.

Anything that makes the series more affordable is a good thing. We just have to be careful that it keeps growing in a direction that makes it attractive to sponsors and to premier race events. It's just my opinion and it's nothing personal Chuck!

Both you and Jocelyn make comments about budget here in an open forum. I'm not sure it's the right way to take the discussion. I'd be happy to sit down with either of you over a beer and we can have a good discussion about it, but I don't think it's appropriate to do so here. What I will say is that racing is and has always been about the evil combination of money and talent - if we can't accept that, we should find another sport. I got into this because it's fun. I hate that it's expensive!

Dave

Thanks man...

AND BTW!!!!!!!!!!!! im building a car very slowly and im not sure when im gonna race!

dbensadoun wrote:
Hi Jocelyn,

What was Camirand's lap time? I'm sure he was quick, but please remind me. Camirand is a great driver, certainly better than anyone in our series. It would be great to see what he could do in any of the cars.

John is welcome to check out our cars anytime.

As for your comment on budget, please see my reply to Chuck B.

Camirand was half a second faster than Etienne , .700 faster than Greg and 1sec.+ faster thant you and the rest of the field on his first drive in this car without proper seat adjustment.. Not bad ! That was during Sunday's 40min race.

As for the comment on budget , i didn't state a thing about that. Only referring to high maintenane BMW, but that's all !!

Believe me i will never judge you on the money you have, you contribute to have a nice field in ST and the money you spend doing that is just your own business. On top of that you always have been a fierce competitor and a nice guy off the track.

It will always be like that before season opener, then on first race we can set the record straight !

We won a championship without having a single chance of a victory on raceday !! ( except maybe Mosport on rain day .. ) This was getting frustrating for our team, we felt like David vs Goliath ! But our team never gave up

Alright! There's the love I needed! Good luck building your car and I hope to see you soon. If it helps, you can have my burned out practice tires and my blown up BMW engine parts.

OK.

Just so everyone (by everyone, I mean the 8 of us that actually post on this forum...) knows, I was running a 2.8L engine in every single race last season because my 3.0L kept blowing gaskets. So, that full second might have been just a little less! Plus, I'd like everyone to know that my yellow car is not at the same spec as some other black/white cars! I've got a great car for sure, but don't paint every bmw with the same brush!

As for your season, I shook hands with all of you guys at ICAR - it was great to see what you accomplished. I think that result is the absolute strongest argument that RWHP and lap times are not the full equation! Reliability, perseverance and discipline all play a huge role in winning a championship.

Let's have a great season!

Jocelyn, you guys = David. Try running two seasons without a podium! But all that is gonna change this year!

On another note, I hope all this talk about horsepower doesn't overshadow torque. I hear there are some cars out there putting down some rediculous grunt!