What Sparked Your Interest in Road Racing? - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

WARNING THIS MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF A READ.

My Grandfather use to race with the Thunder Valley Motorcycle Club in the 40's and 50's. The formats were primarily oval, hill climb, and trail.
My Father in the 60's drag raced at Union Grove (WI) and Byron (IL), and in the 70's he raced short track at Rockford (IL) Speedway. However My father would always make the yearly trip for the June Sprints at Road America.
Myself, I did karts in the 80's, AMA Motorcycles (Road Racing) and AutoX in the early 90's. Even earned a Comp Liscence that I ended up not using.
There is a whole list of people that have helped in some form or another along the way. I would have to say the biggeset and closest names that have been Dave Watson, Ray Irwin, and Gerre Payvis. As mentioned there have been others that have given support such as John Eberhardt, Bob Denton, Steve Butzen, Rick and Jill Peters, and Phil Daus.
I just wanted to thank these people for their assistance, advice, and friendship.
what I love about road racing is economics, seat time, and the variety of makes and models that are involved.
Economics:
If you were to fiqure what it cost for every minute you are in the seat, road racing comes out being cheaper than circle track and drag racing combined.
Seat time:
20 to 30 minute practice session, 20 to 30 minute qualifing session, and a 30 minute race each Friday and Saturday.
Your HPDE has 20 to 30 minute sessions, and that is usually three sesions per day for each group.
road racing provides tons of seat time.
Different makes and models:
No matter what kind of racing you do, we all have one common factor. They love of the automobile.
A road racing event is like a car show with the added benefit to see those cars perform.
Sorry for the length, but now you know a little about me.
So, what got you hooked?

This post has been edited by T.O.Dillinder: Nov 18 2007, 04:47 PM

T.O.Dillinder View Member Profile	Nov 18 2007, 04:42 PM Post #1
Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 119 Joined: 22-April 06 From: Beloit, Wisconsin Member No.: 1,167	WARNING THIS MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF A READ. My Grandfather use to race with the Thunder Valley Motorcycle Club in the 40's and 50's. The formats were primarily oval, hill climb, and trail. My Father in the 60's drag raced at Union Grove (WI) and Byron (IL), and in the 70's he raced short track at Rockford (IL) Speedway. However My father would always make the yearly trip for the June Sprints at Road America. Myself, I did karts in the 80's, AMA Motorcycles (Road Racing) and AutoX in the early 90's. Even earned a Comp Liscence that I ended up not using. There is a whole list of people that have helped in some form or another along the way. I would have to say the biggeset and closest names that have been Dave Watson, Ray Irwin, and Gerre Payvis. As mentioned there have been others that have given support such as John Eberhardt, Bob Denton, Steve Butzen, Rick and Jill Peters, and Phil Daus. I just wanted to thank these people for their assistance, advice, and friendship. what I love about road racing is economics, seat time, and the variety of makes and models that are involved. Economics: If you were to fiqure what it cost for every minute you are in the seat, road racing comes out being cheaper than circle track and drag racing combined. Seat time: 20 to 30 minute practice session, 20 to 30 minute qualifing session, and a 30 minute race each Friday and Saturday. Your HPDE has 20 to 30 minute sessions, and that is usually three sesions per day for each group. road racing provides tons of seat time. Different makes and models: No matter what kind of racing you do, we all have one common factor. They love of the automobile. A road racing event is like a car show with the added benefit to see those cars perform. Sorry for the length, but now you know a little about me. So, what got you hooked? This post has been edited by T.O.Dillinder: Nov 18 2007, 04:47 PM

rmackintosh View Member Profile	Nov 18 2007, 10:48 PM Post #2
Senior Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 5,226 Joined: 24-December 03 From: Danville, CA, USA Member No.: 27	As far as what sparked my interest in racing..... I was basically born into it. My dad crewed for SCCA cars since the 60's. He was dragging my mother to races at Laguna Seca, Sears Point, and others while I was still in the womb. As a kid, I spent much of my childhood at those places hanging out with my dad and learning to love race cars. When I was younger, I too helped crew on various cars for a few guys. When they got burned out or moved on, my life got busy and I basically became just a spectator a few times a year, went to school, and started a family. When I could, I started racing on my own as I missed the sport so much! Personally, I enjoy building and working on the cars ALMOST as much as driving.........almost...... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)