USCC (leave your axe outside) - Page 259

**joeb** · 12 Apr 2014, 17:38 (Ref:3391526)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Most were happy to write it off in 2013 and have only sought affirmation in 2014. To their credit, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the positives so far, but that sentiment can be applied to just about ALL forms of motor racing these days and only gets exacerbated with all the negative waves in here and other threads. However, their are plenty of positives that I can still focus on in TUSC and elsewhere. Spot on MrB, 2.25 races in and I am not jumping ship just yet.

You're right, the series hasn't exactly covered themselves with glory so far this season, and I don't have the wool pulled over my eyes so to speak. But I am still going to stick this thing out. Because I am a fan of racing and sportscar racing in particular.

There are many other sports I follow, and from time to time my favorite team has a down year. A year where they can't get out of their own way and win a game. I don't stop liking the team though. That is how I feel about TUSC right now, they are having a bad year, but somehow they will pull through, and I'll still be a fan.

I also wonder if a lot of the complaints we have about BOP would be there if the situation was reversed. What if P2's were blowing away the DP's after the first 2 races? Would everyone here still be howling about inequality, conspiracy theories, and favoritism? I suspect not.

Breitling24 · 12 Apr 2014, 17:41 (Ref:3391528)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

In reference to the 'competing watch manufacturers not allowed' discussions from last year, no Breitling logos on Bentleys in BES this weekend.

Yet a Ferrari running BES has rather prominent "Alpina" logos on it's doors. (watching feed via nismo.tv)

fieldodreams79 · 12 Apr 2014, 18:16 (Ref:3391533)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

There are many other sports I follow, and from time to time my favorite team has a down year. A year where they can't get out of their own way and win a game. I don't stop liking the team though. That is how I feel about TUSC right now, they are having a bad year, but somehow they will pull through, and I'll still be a fan.

Same here, but you know damn well that sometimes its just too painful to watch. Unfortunately, there's plenty that feel that way already.

Let's see what gives at LB. Plenty of time left on my clock.

ThatGuy · 12 Apr 2014, 20:33 (Ref:3391562)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breitling24

Yet a Ferrari running BES has rather prominent "Alpina" logos on it's doors. (watching feed via nismo.tv)

And the PMNA/CORE RSRs are running Chopard decals on their mirrors.

aneesh99 · 13 Apr 2014, 00:12 (Ref:3391726)

Well, I'm beginning to lose faith in the series. Two races to get the broadcasting sorted out is enough, but to have ridiculous ad breaks after fan feedback is insane.

What the hell is the point of having a 100 minute race when half of it is adverts?!

Maelochs · 13 Apr 2014, 00:22 (Ref:3391732)

What impressed me is that Fox managed to fit in 41 minutes of commercials into a 100-minute race. That has to be some kind of record for a TV show.

Will these guys Ever get it right?

isynge · 13 Apr 2014, 00:41 (Ref:3391743)

As I've said elsewhere, I want to like what TUSC is trying to do, but after Long Beach it gets difficult. An overly short and indifferent quality race would be one thing but the lamentable presentation of the product was unforgivable.

For me I've long maintained that as TUSC was the only game in town and as such deserve our support, today's experience says I was wrong and that maybe this needs to go the way of all flesh.

To save this village we first had to destroy it...

Breitling24 · 13 Apr 2014, 00:44 (Ref:3391745)

Quote:

Originally Posted by isynge

As I've said elsewhere, I want to like what TUSC is trying to do, but after Long Beach it gets difficult. An overly short and indifferent quality race would be one thing but the lamentable presentation of the product was unforgivable.

For me I've long maintained that as TUSC was the only game in town and as such deserve our support, today's experience says I was wrong and that maybe this needs to go the way of all flesh.

To save this village we first had to destroy it...

Yep, three strikes... glad I made no plans for Laguna. DP/P2 BoP and tire situation is horrendous, Watching on TV not worth the time. Good weekend to visit my Mom and Dad, or a weekender to San Diego.
Maybe I'll plan on PWC at Sonoma, for sure WEC in Austin.

Rcz · 13 Apr 2014, 01:20 (Ref:3391756)

Well, it seems to be getting better in a way

No FCY
No terrible calls.

But, when it seems they fix something, a new problem arises.

I think they get it eventually...

PointDSM · 13 Apr 2014, 01:26 (Ref:3391758)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rcz

Well, it seems to be getting better in a way

No FCY
No terrible calls.

But, when it seems they fix something, a new problem arises.

I think they get it eventually...

But nobody will be left to see if they actually do fix it...

TRspitfirefan · 13 Apr 2014, 02:26 (Ref:3391772)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

There are many other sports I follow, and from time to time my favorite team has a down year. A year where they can't get out of their own way and win a game. I don't stop liking the team though. That is how I feel about TUSC right now, they are having a bad year, but somehow they will pull through, and I'll still be a fan.

Personally, I'm an ALMS fan....not a TUSC fan.
If the new IMSA wants me as a fan, then they are going to have to earn it.
So far, they aint done to well.

fieldodreams79 · 13 Apr 2014, 02:30 (Ref:3391774)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maelochs

What impressed me is that Fox managed to fit in 41 minutes of commercials into a 100-minute race. That has to be some kind of record for a TV show.

Will these guys Ever get it right?

No. But I understand the MRN coverage was terrific.

**joeb** · 13 Apr 2014, 02:37 (Ref:3391777)

I was excited for the first all pro race of the season, and the no full course cautions was a huge bonus. They could have thrown the double yellows at two separate times but they waited and let the cars get on their way. Bravo for that. But for a reason I can't put my finger on the race didn't grab me. It wasn't a bad race, there were some good battles but it was overall kind of blah. It may have been the 100 minute length, an all green race over 3 or 6 hours could be truly interesting. But I do hesitate to write that because I like the different strategy required for such a short race. What I really look forward to now is Laguna.

FstrthnU · 13 Apr 2014, 02:59 (Ref:3391786)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

I was excited for the first all pro race of the season, and the no full course cautions was a huge bonus. They could have thrown the double yellows at two separate times but they waited and let the cars get on their way. Bravo for that. But for a reason I can't put my finger on the race didn't grab me. It wasn't a bad race, there were some good battles but it was overall kind of blah. It may have been the 100 minute length, an all green race over 3 or 6 hours could be truly interesting. But I do hesitate to write that because I like the different strategy required for such a short race. What I really look forward to now is Laguna.

Admittedly, each of the Laguna Seca races will only be 20 minutes longer than this race, so it's still a semi-sprint strategy.

**joeb** · 13 Apr 2014, 03:07 (Ref:3391789)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

Admittedly, each of the Laguna Seca races will only be 20 minutes longer than this race, so it's still a semi-sprint strategy.

Good point. But that will be a 2 stop race so hopefully makes it interesting. Why the p2 cars are still shutting down during pit stops is beyond me. Oak has trouble restarting during the put stop and lost time. Am I missing something on this front?

FstrthnU · 13 Apr 2014, 03:20 (Ref:3391791)

It's entirely up to team preference whether to shut the engine down or not. So they are probably doing it for safety reasons or because of muscle memory.

MagVanisher · 13 Apr 2014, 06:17 (Ref:3391834)

I think the IMSA needs to mandate on whether they shut the engine off or not.

All I can see right now is that the DP teams are winning.

BullMan · 13 Apr 2014, 13:10 (Ref:3391936)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

I think the IMSA needs to mandate on whether they shut the engine off or not.

All I can see right now is that the DP teams are winning.

They do mandate that you can leave the engine on. I couldn't fathom being penalized for shutting the engine off.

wdave0 · 13 Apr 2014, 13:15 (Ref:3391937)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullMan

They do mandate that you can leave the engine on. I could fathom being penalized for shutting the engine off.

They should mandate engine off for safety - you can see that on many cars the fuel inlet is almost directly above the exhaust outlet - poor gas man at best gets cooked shins, and what happens when the inevitable dribble gets lit?

BullMan · 13 Apr 2014, 13:22 (Ref:3391939)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdave0

They should mandate engine off for safety - you can see that on many cars the fuel inlet is almost directly above the exhaust outlet - poor gas man at best gets cooked shins, and what happens when the inevitable dribble gets lit?

Oh I agree, but I guess the rulemakers felt proper pitstops aren't exciting enough since they're slower. Gotta keep that casual fan interested!

**joeb** · 13 Apr 2014, 13:57 (Ref:3391952)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullMan

Oh I agree, but I guess the rulemakers felt proper pitstops aren't exciting enough since they're slower. Gotta keep that casual fan interested!

Yup. I think the point is to get the cars out on track more and in the pits less.

The one change I would like to see is no work while refueling. That would put some tire strategy into the race and, without changing bop, would make p2's more competitive.

wdave0 · 13 Apr 2014, 14:02 (Ref:3391954)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

Yup. I think the point is to get the cars out on track more and in the pits less.

The one change I would like to see is no work while refueling. That would put some tire strategy into the race and, without changing bop, would make p2's more competitive.

I think it would make exciting TV for 6 people to be working on a fireball. Sort of like race ads that only show crashes.

Speed-King · 13 Apr 2014, 14:12 (Ref:3391955)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdave0

I think it would make exciting TV for 6 people to be working on a fireball. Sort of like race ads that only show crashes.

Does shutting off the engine really make that much of a difference in terms of refilling safety? Engine running or not, the exhaust is still going to be hot. Also, I can remember two serious fire incidents in ACO-style racing in the last 7 or so years and none in Grand Am.

wdave0 · 13 Apr 2014, 14:27 (Ref:3391967)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Does shutting off the engine really make that much of a difference in terms of refilling safety? Engine running or not, the exhaust is still going to be hot. Also, I can remember two serious fire incidents in ACO-style racing in the last 7 or so years and none in Grand Am.

There's only flame coming out when the engine's on, the exit pipe itself is below ignition point, DP exhausts used to exit in the rear of the car - far from the fuel inlet.

MoMedic9019 · 13 Apr 2014, 15:11 (Ref:3391980)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdave0

They should mandate engine off for safety - you can see that on many cars the fuel inlet is almost directly above the exhaust outlet - poor gas man at best gets cooked shins, and what happens when the inevitable dribble gets lit?

We all agree that it's safer, no question about it. But, NASCAR doesn't think it's needed when they spill a gallon or two every stop and have at least two pit fires a year from a hot lug...

Screw anyone's safety...it's more exciting.

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