[mitchntx]

After this weekend's carnage with my F-Buds, I am giving serious consideration to just quitting.

It seems most are caught up in FTD and willing to spend what it takes to get internet bragging rights. I just can't do that.

The costs associated with it, the time required to create it and the effort put forth into it is so great that it appears daunting ... and especially no fun.

When I first began doing this with Chuck, it was a blast. We hung out, laughed, joked, did a little maintenance ... it was fun.

Now, we all seem to work so hard at keeping these damn cars running, that the fun part is gone.

Don't misunderstand ... I cherish my friendship with all those I run with. But looking back at the last few times we have run together ... we always seem to be thrashing on someone's car.

If I were racing, then the expectation set would be differnet. But this is just OT. There is no prize for first.

I guess it's time for me to decide on what my priorities are.

[MikeP-99Z]

..or finish putting the cage in it...

you too Chuck.

Let's see, I race about 6 weekends per year, car went on the track with 270 total miles in 1999. Car has 8300 total miles (only about 1500 on the street). I'm on motor #5, which is about to go boom, so I need to find/rebuild motor #6. Tranny #2, clutch #4, rear end #5, hood #3, bumper covers #2, front fenders #2, calipers/rotors #lots...

Was it worth it? Depends on your perspective...lots of wasted money, lots of good competition, many emotional highs and lows. OT gets old after awhile, time for a new thrill...like three- or four-wide into Turn one at TWS in the rain. It's a whole new focus level.

If ya can't bear to take a chance on wrecking the current vehicle, find a car that you're a little less attached to, that costs a bit less, that wouldn't be a heart breaker if damaged - and go wheel-to-wheel. Plenty of cheap to moderately priced third gen A/S cars out there - toss a bullet-proof 350 in 'em and go AI.

Spec Miatas are fun, but a front running one is far more expensive than you might think.