This makes my heart smile
 

Take one for the good guys! Really happy to see a positive turn around..
+1 in the win column for the good guys..
:king:

Nuts and bolts of this deal. I’ve been with NASA since ‘03. TT started ‘05ish? I’ve told many, groups get large in TT especially when 4 is combined.
If u can’t be prepared for what may happen u don’t belong out there.
Darrell is not a rookie and quite frankly from what I saw I could have driven a bus through that hole

No worries guys, you know I've got nothing but love for everyone.

What I did see happen which may have been a learning curve issue for you guys, that group was NOT a TT/HPDE4 mix, what did happen was you guys gridded first and "jumped" the start.

For a detailed explanation....

The first lap is a no passing/"gentleman's agreement" lap usually the sub 1:50 guys are in the front and bunch us up towards the end of the lap, and REALLY bunch us up from 8 to 11 ESPECIALLY at 11.
Unfortunately from what I saw, the pace vehicle pulled in after 10 and Dirt Missile TOOK OFF, hahaha.
We were still bunching, and I was in 10 when I saw the Missile disappear into 2. The regular fast guys hadn't even nailed it out of 11 yet. I knew the Missile was screwed and would be into the TT6&5 cars before they got up to speed and after looking at the video, it looks like I was right.
Easy and honest mistake to make, and the car is stupid fast. Most of the guys on Slicks are out for 2-3 laps tops and pull it in knowing that there's nothing to be done after the traffic jam starts. I'm usually only out for 4-5 laps for the same reason. spec Miatas and e30's become roving chicanes and you're not going to have a good lap.
ALL THAT said, it is always the responsibility of the passer to execute a safe and undisturbed pass without endangering the cars. As a rule of thumb in a non racing class, once the first car in a braking zone's lights come on, overtaking is over. Line up and power out. Great teachable moment and with the wonderful technology of on board cameras and the "Incredible, edible Internet", we can share these teachable moments with everyone. I spoke with the driver afterwards and the track and had a laugh about it. The car ius hard to see and like I said, I knew the E46 was there (and I know the driver and his style/personality), but had it not been for me hearing the Missile banging gears and double checking my mirrors, and subsequently surrendering the corner, that would have been an expensive turn for what was already not going to be the best lap of the day. Risk vs. Reward.
Looking forward to teh next one guys! THill in August, hope to see you there! and Greg... Seriously hope the car is legal for& you're making a push for TTU at NASA Nationals in Sept. Seeing that car on track is nothing short of awesome.

I noticed the exact same thing from up on turn 9 terrace...I remember thinking they should have held the green flag for one more lap to help get everyone bunched up before releasing the hounds.

Are you saying that either way (green then or on the next lap) that it is common courtesy for everyone to stay in line for the first lap after green to get everyone up to speed and warmed up...then try to make your one or two hot laps?

I could see that helping to stem the problems Darrel had all weekend catching the end of the pack too soon, but not sure if it's good or bad for the top third of the faster cars in the group? I always like to get in front of those slower than me before starting my hot lap but I've never been on track with 73 other cars with such wide variations of lap times at the same time so... :waveflag:

Dirt Missle
 

I like parking lot racing
but it has cones showing me
where to go:headspin:

Bob

I don’t know what class MERC9 runs Bob — but the car is stupid fast — running Sonoma in sub 1.38 —- so faster than the Norma.... He’s 1000hp — and has had years to get the car sorted.

I won’t live long enough to see the match up —- as we’d need to put the power up to 850ish and of course - have time to sort it all.... and I’d love nothing better than to go MERC9 hunting!!

Yes. We are gridded according to best lap times of the weekend, so as long as everyone is bunched well, that SHOULD give the fast guys 2-3 clear laps before they catch the backmarkers.
Looked like it was just a rookie (to Norcal NASA TT) mistake. making the TT meetings throughout the weekend can definitely help with that. We usually do one Saturday and Sunday mornings, first thing (drivers a.m. meeting) and then after the first session. As long as everyone plays/drives well, that'll be it for the weekend. If you guys ever need help, hit me up.

There is NO way a Miata belongs on the track with a car like this.(Or a majority of the others in the video) It's just asking for trouble to have such a range of speed on the track.

“Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” –Jonathan Huie

Or not.

Maybe ensuring bad individuals don’t prey on others brings more peace.

I'm confused. Does Jonathan Huie drive a Miata? :EmoteClueless:

Is song comes to mind... 😂😂


Car looks awesome, sounds awesome, speedtech really stepped up to the plate

You're almost correct. You actually have it backwards.

PACMAN doesn't belong on track with all of the other cars. The majority of the TT cars at NASA run 1:50 to 2:00+. So a 1:40 car is out of place (and there are only 2 of them there).

This weekend wasn't the preferred group/event to run with. But time was of the essence and it was what it was and the best was made of it.

SCCA in 2 weeks is/was the preferred venue/outing for this car and that is what is on deck. :thumbsup:

Oh hell no! This guy deserves all the misery I can send his way! I will go to my grave thinking this guy is nothing but a cheating scum.

I’m confused, is Jonathan really Ron? Or does he drive a miata and doesn’t deserve forgiveness or... Ronathan?

I’ve been in AA for 34 years —- we try to always find good in people no matter what their “story” is....

Sutton knew he was building this car for a dying man - a man that was his friend - that did everything he could to help further his business etc.

There is no excuse for what he did - to me - to my friends - to us here in the forums.... he cheated his drivers and families in his other business. And who know what he did before (a completely different business). He deserves nothing from anyone except the utmost disrespect.

Watching the NASCAR Sonoma race. Looks like they are using the full 2.52 mile course, including the carousel: "Sonoma Raceway will return to the circuit's historic 12-turn, 2.52-mile road-course layout for the 2019 Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend". The qualifying times for the field were between a low 1:34 to 1:42. With a little fine tuning and a clear track for a lap time, the Dirt Missile would have been at least mid-pack. Impressive.

Pappy

Edit: The race lap times for the fast cars were generally in the 1:39+ range

Exactly!

The missile with proper chassis ride height, bar and spring rate, aero balance, and shock tuning should be right there. Especially if Darrel is running with similar paced cars. :thumbsup:

Today's track configuration made for great racing...… hope they continue to run it. Disclaimer: I'm only a NASCAR fan on road courses and Bristol. :D

Can you only imagine the Sutton marketing machine spooled up if HE had built a car for a customer that goes out and runs with Trans AM and NASCAR???

REMEMBER —- HE didn’t build the current car.... the car he built was a pile of crap. I was trying to think of any single system that he had anything to do with that remains..... the front suspension PICK UP POINTS is all I can come up with. Everything else was scrapped.

I’m still laughing at the buffoon..... HE thought we needed him. NOPE. Not one iota.

How very sad for you.

Fixed it for you.

“They have a Right to censure, that have a Heart to help: The rest is Cruelty, not Justice.” W. Penn.

Speak all the truth you wish, since you have given far more to others than many ever poses. Your censure is the only justice being doled out in this case.

You have no reason to worry about forgiving anybody, buddy. You have, and continue to do, so many kind things for people without an expectation of something in return. Ensuring others in the community are aware that Sutton is, the antithesis of anything he projects himself to be, is not vindictive or cruel, it is just another selfless act.

Sad for US!

I, as well as others, will do everything in my (our) power to assure that worthless piece of **** never scams anyone again.

If you got screwed by him, lost money, had to redo almost everything you paid for, like me, Greg, and many others, I'll guarantee you wouldn't be on here posting rainbows, sunshine, and forgiveness.

Maybe he would be. There's a time to be pissed and a time to move on with your life and leave it behind.

No truer words have been spoken. I just had that conversation with my wife on the same subject.

:cheers:
Xoxo

Whatever you did, just say your sorry and tell that woman you love her. Also tell her I said hello.

I agree with this holistically. I ain't a forgiving guy in terms of maliciousness. There's a grave and distinct difference in $200, $2,000, $20,000 and $200,000. When the amount gets large enough on the other side of that pendulum, ain't no forgiving and praying. I'm sure we all can imagine how much money Greg paid Ron. I know I don't have Greg's money and then, to have to redo it....oh hell naw!! Forgiveness my a$$!!

I don’t want to speak out of hand or for someone else, but from what I’ve read, inferred and have come to the conclusion of.

While 200k is a bunch of money, this was less about money and more about time. Someone knowingly taking advantage of situation, knowing the importance of that Time for the sake of money and ego is a very special kind of asshole, whom truly has a special place in a hell.

Robbing people of money, sure.. at some point forgiveness and moving on is important, because it is just money. but that’s not the core of the betrayal here in my opinion, Greg lost time, and all the money in the world can’t buy more and that’s not something that should be forgiven

I hope I didn’t speak out of hand, just my interpretation of the events

:lol::lol::thankyou:

Very well stated in my opinion. I'm sure Greg can give to s#!t's less about the money and more about his time loss and wanted to see the car finished. He's made many references to this. Glad you got to see it finished and on the track tearing things up too.

SPOT ON! And thanks for understanding

Greg,

How are you feeling? Are you still trying to make the 6-7 Jul event at Sonoma? If you think you will make it, I may try to join you. I will be in Southern California, and I think I will fly out - the traffic was brutal for that last trip! (But worth the effort!)

Pappy

Pappy —- My plan is to be there —— I have a surgical procedure on the 3rd — will fly to Oakland on the 5th. Getting in about 1:00 - hope to get over to Sonoma and see Darrell if he’s still there. With rentals etc - who knows.

Adrienne and I will try to head up to “our spot” on Saturday... Seems to be a pretty good spot to watch the action.

As far as my health goes — it’s just plain terrible.... I will not improve - I will not feel well - and each day I get out of bed is not a step towards recovery. Each day that passes is just another step closer to the end. THAT will not keep me from keeping on!! I will push to do whatever it is I can do... until I can’t.

We should all take inspiration from you buddy. I know I do.

Make the most of every day, because none of us know what lies ahead.

Nobody should sit around and wait for things to happen. Do whatever we can do, every day, to make things happen, until we can’t.

Best wishes to you Greg, and family.

I'll be in the Bay area this weekend, and although I have made plans, I'll see if we can make a detour up north to see you and the rest of the gang at Sonoma.

Prayers for you on this morning Greg. GOD will handle everything with his grace and mercy.

Thinking good thoughts for you Greg. Prayers! :angel: