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

Teutonic Speedra... Teutonic Speedracer View Member Profile	Nov 28 2007, 05:14 PM Post #2
LS1 Inside! / Toolbox / Mechanical Engineer Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,215 Joined: 5-February 04 From: NJ Member No.: 179	I just always liked watching road racing. I knew before I graduated college that I was going to buy a Z28 and prep it for HPDE days. While I prepped the car, paid it off/insurance, etc., I used to catch myself at high speeds on twisty country roads out here with the 5pt. harnesses on. I grew up and realized this wasn't a good idea when I nearly creamed a horse trailer that was slowly pulling out while I flew around a turn. I just always loved speed and had the desire to drive a challenging course consisting of multiple turns, camber, braking zones, and g-forces combined in all directions, etc. It's just awesome to be in the car for a 20-30 minute session. Now the car is a kill switch, and tow hooks away from being a full racecar. Of course, now I'm getting married, buying a house, and planning a family shortly thereafter, so I may be referring to the other thread in this section and going the simulator route one day. I enjoy working on the car, modifying it, and racing it on the track. I may never do W2W due to the cost, but if I ever sell the car, I'd hope that the buyer would. My first time was at Limerock in a 1972 BMW 2002tii prepped for SCCA. Since then I've done about 60 track days on about 7-8 tracks and have progressed to the instructor level. I have found another group of friends in the NJ BMW club that have come to accept and actually approve of my "American Iron".