Set Up.......on Speed, Mike (Jr) Johnson Options

[rmackintosh]

I have 3 observations/opinions to make after watching the final episode of Set Up. 1. If they MUST have a chick announcer, flagger, or what ever on the show, find one that understands a little about the sport. The on-the-job training got old. 2. Pontiac Solstices are rather fragile as road race cars. Or ay least the intercoolers are. 3. Mike was shafted.

I agree on the lowest common denominator way the show was edited/produced.

As for the Solstice being fragile....I dunno....don't have enough data to make a call on that....most of the "drivers" on the show used their car as a battering ram.....so what do you expect???

Mike got what he deserved.....he made a jackass move.....he lost his shot...dunno...

The best parts were Mike telling "Tommy fuckin Kendall" that he shouldn't tell him about rough driving.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

And the biggest moron Scott getting told "you are done" and "get out of here" while he ran alongside the winner while doing donuts....only better finish would have been Scott getting tagged and sent to the hospital (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

[rpoz-29]

"fans/buddies/nuthuggers"? I'm not sure that was called for. Yeah, the "rubbin is racin" line wasn't well received, but the trumped up "going for it", and "this is what you've been working for", advice Tommy was giving the drivers wasn't given in order to have them drive timidly.

[rmackintosh]

"fans/buddies/nuthuggers"? I'm not sure that was called for. Yeah, the "rubbin is racin" line wasn't well received, but the trumped up "going for it", and "this is what you've been working for", advice Tommy was giving the drivers wasn't given in order to have them drive timidly.

Depends on what category you fall into. Not saying which it may be, but the declarations of being "screwed" and "turning off the TV in disgust" because of the incident surely implies some of that. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

The show WAS PLUMB FULL of irritating rule changes/declarations/incidents.....showing such emotion because of this one, implies some level of "preference" to the driver in question.

If the driver in question read into "going for it" and "this is what you've been working for" comments to mean drive over your head, why should that be accepted and/or condoned. Seems more like a non W2W driver not understanding W2W driving at all. Sure he was faster than the other guy....sure he couldn't get around him....if I had a dollar for everytime that happens to me, I could finance my ALMS career! The faster driver DOES NOT ALWAYS win in road racing.....imagine that! Patience, picking your spots, race craft all are huge....AND don't alway work!

Coming into a turn with his inside wheels at the racing surfaces edge, on a turn where the inside line is DOG SLOW....locking up the brakes for 30 feet and pounding the guy on line into the weeds is POOR driving. Sorry, no two ways about it. His comments about how "I was in the same place the last few laps....he should have known I was there....." was another example of non W2W experience showing. The PASSING driver is responsible for making the pass SAFELY. If he can't, the lead driver has EVERY RIGHT to take the proper line in the turn. Divebombing up to the guys door with tires smoking is NOT "having the line".... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[patred]

I'm one of Mike's buddies but in no way would hug his nuts. I'd hug his wife's cans, though. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Haven't seen the episode yet but heard second hand that Mike wished he didn't make the move considering how much of the race was still left.

Pat

[marka]

Howdy,

I was rooting for Mike, but I also agree (from what they showed of it) that that move was a bit over the top... The brakes locked up thing didn't seem to be too out of the ordinary (since they disabled the ABS on all the cars) compared to other drivers, but he really wasn't alongside the guy prior to corner entry or even during corner entry.

I thought Jr. handled the afterwards interview stuff reasonably well overall... Adrenaline pumping, race face on, etc. and he defended the move fairly rationally despite the "drama inducing" setup.

Looked to me like a lack of w2w experience bit him there and he learned that sometimes you have to be more patient. I imagine he's learned something from it. Hopefully he can put together some type of program to get some more seat time and can use that plus the exposure from the show to start moving up.

Mark

[rpoz-29]

I consider Mike to be a "buddy", and although I feel that another new rule at that point was BS, I still enjoyed the show. Was he screwed? I think so. But I saw many other cases of it during the show that did not involve Mike. None were as severe as Mikes but maybe none were as deserved. I sure wish he was running at the end though. Good call Pat!

[patred]

I saw the episode earlier today, and seriously, Mike's move wasn't *that* bad. Slid 50 feet with the brakes locked up? Puh-leeze. If they didn't disable the ABS on those cars (and it's universal knowledge that the Solstices suck without ABS), we'd all be swinging from Mike's nutsack now. Still a little optimistic given the number of laps left in the race, but with $100K on the line and Tommy Kendall pumping Junior up before the race ... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) If you guys only knew what I did in the "race" at the end of my first SCCA school so I could get my second school waived and save a $300 entry fee. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

But this show was just a contridiction the whole way. Layup, and go home. Push too hard, and go home. One wheel off, go home. WTF? And that dark-haired chick lasted only one less race than Mike Skeen and Mike Johnson, and she only survived because of the random penalties thrown at other drivers so they would finish behind her. I laughed when she claimed on the previous episode where she had a pinched nerve and was taking herself out. No, it didn't have anything to do with being uncompetitive and driving around aimlessly like a rolling chicane. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Pat

[bsim]

...and seriously, Mike's move wasn't *that* bad.

Bad enough to take out two cars.

...Slid 50 feet with the brakes locked up? Puh-leeze. If they didn't disable the ABS on those cars (and it's universal knowledge that the Solstices suck without ABS), we'd all be swinging from Mike's nutsack now.

And if they ran time trials, you may be right. RACING is a whole different world. Definitely a rookie move that screwed two guys.

So what that ABS was disabled? His wasn't the only one...

[CamaroFS34]

If you guys only knew what I did in the "race" at the end of my first SCCA school so I could get my second school waived and save a $300 entry fee. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

What you did in the race wasn't nearly as bad as what'd you'd done earlier in the weekend. You're lucky Gillen wasn't the Chief Steward. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[patred]

Bad enough to take out two cars.

Which two? What was wrong with Brady's car?

So what that ABS was disabled? His wasn't the only one...

Right, and how many drivers locked up their brakes and/or made contact, and they weren't pulled from their cars and told to "go home"? Junior was the only one.

Pat

[CamaroFS34]

...and seriously, Mike's move wasn't *that* bad.

Bad enough to take out two cars.

See "fragility" comment above.

...Slid 50 feet with the brakes locked up? Puh-leeze. If they didn't disable the ABS on those cars (and it's universal knowledge that the Solstices suck without ABS), we'd all be swinging from Mike's nutsack now.

And if they ran time trials, you may be right. RACING is a whole different world. Definitely a rookie move that screwed two guys.

So what that ABS was disabled? His wasn't the only one...

While it is true that everyone had the ABS disabled, I think it's worth noting that the ABS in the Solstice is probably closer to the system in the LS1 Camaro, where if it's disabled, the brakes become hypersensitive. Even someone who is used to threshold braking is going to be caught off guard by that. I know that doesn't excuse the move, but what I'm saying is that what Mike and everyone else had to deal with in terms of the ABS sensitivity is hardly a "real world" scenario. Mike got bit by it. So did the team that tried to work around it by "modifying" their brake pads.

The constantly rules "modifications" were a huge disappointment in my book. I would have given up long before the final race, as I find such conditions frustrating and not worth the headache. The rules don't change on a whim in real world situations, so what's the point of doing it here except to induce drama? I agree with those who've said that the term "setup" is really what's being done to the "contestants," and not the car. Did Junior deserve to win? Maybe, maybe not. There were a couple of guys there that were probably better overall drivers than the guy who won. Mike at least got to show his ability on TV, though, and that will be worth something, I'm sure.

This post has been edited by CamaroFS34: Apr 13 2008, 02:44 AM

[rmackintosh]

I saw the episode earlier today, and seriously, Mike's move wasn't *that* bad. Slid 50 feet with the brakes locked up? Puh-leeze. If they didn't disable the ABS on those cars (and it's universal knowledge that the Solstices suck without ABS), we'd all be swinging from Mike's nutsack now. Still a little optimistic given the number of laps left in the race, but with $100K on the line and Tommy Kendall pumping Junior up before the race ... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) If you guys only knew what I did in the "race" at the end of my first SCCA school so I could get my second school waived and save a $300 entry fee. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

But this show was just a contridiction the whole way. Layup, and go home. Push too hard, and go home. One wheel off, go home. WTF? And that dark-haired chick lasted only one less race than Mike Skeen and Mike Johnson, and she only survived because of the random penalties thrown at other drivers so they would finish behind her. I laughed when she claimed on the previous episode where she had a pinched nerve and was taking herself out. No, it didn't have anything to do with being uncompetitive and driving around aimlessly like a rolling chicane. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Pat

Never said he locked them up 50 feet...more like 30....but regardless if he locked them up 2 feet, or none at all, he still was in a "bad position" and took another guy out. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

It IS kinda hard to tell for sure however due the the FREAKIN STUPID way the scenes were cut together on the show allowing only a second or two glimpse of ANY move and/or incident....
(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant2.gif)

Now I agree with the jackassery way the whole show was run...no doubt about it.

In this instance I think taking a long look at your self and what happened would be the IDEAL thing to do. I AM SURE Mike is a great guy. I am also sure he is a good driver. He made a mistake however. Own up to it, learn from it, and move on. I am sure that is most likely how he is dealing with it.

In a "real race series" the whole drama wouldn't have mattered about him losing his car anyway....he would have been DQ'd and all the drama would have been for naught.

This post has been edited by rmackintosh: Apr 13 2008, 06:55 AM

[mitchntx]

I bet the Set-Up CCR had so many mark-throughs, erasures and pencil marks that it was as thin as Costco toilet paper at the end.

Moves made that involved body contact would have been dealt with swiftly and severly in my regional series. There was inconsistencies in the way penalties (or the lack thereof) were handed out.

In the end, Mike's penalty very well could be the result of the ultimate prize ... knocking folks off track for $100K might not have set too well with sponsors. drama ...

The problem is, this whole "set-up" was a "set-up" to "set-up" a dramatic finish. Maybe the producers realized that Mike was the man and there would be a boring race for $100K? drama ...

It's pretty easy to arm chair Qb this one. Most of us will never be in that predicamant. So it's hard, for me any way, to point a finger.

What would you do for $100K?

[rmackintosh]

I bet the Set-Up CCR had so many mark-throughs, erasures and pencil marks that it was as thin as Costco toilet paper at the end.

First of all, you have to ASSume there was a CCR on that show. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Seemed to me Scott was making things up as he went, and if he happened to be in a bad mood, which seemed often, the penalties were much more bizarre and/or extreme.

You are very much correct about the "true meaning" of Set Up though....hit the nail on the head.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[BrianChevy]

As much as I bash on the SCCA and their crazy rulebook I will have to admit that this show is example of what happens when the rules are UNCLEAR and CHANGE at a moments notice. Junior DID go in too hot into that corner, but there were OTHER cars there that the other driver could have been put into and he could have restarted ahead of junior. They COULD have done the NASCAR "Freeze the field" thing -- but that wasn't in the rules OR the cards...

The show would be fine if the enforcement of a static set of rules was clear and consistent. I'm sorry Junior lost, but we all know, he got screwed.

[rmackintosh]

I'm sorry Junior lost, but we all know, he got screwed.

....sigh....
(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[mitchntx]

Was Mike screwed?

The decision to give his car away is a debatable point ... so, maybe Scott screwed him.

But, Mike put himself in that position. I think that is where our differing experiences come into play.

Those of us W2W racing, we have had race directors all across the country pounding into our heads to be patient, have the line before passing and be under control while doing it.

What convicted Mike in this instance, were all wheels were locked up which is not in control. Something someone said on the show was that there was no way he could've made that turn at that speed. The evidence taped supports that as he hit the other guy. When the tires began sliding he was no where near at the guy's door. His momentum carried him there as the other guy was under braking.

For those who AX, consider for a moment having an additional set of cones on track that move and you have to avoid. That's kind of like W2W racing.

So, Mike screwed himself by putting himself in that position.

[SStrokerAce]

BTW What form of racing GIVES the guy who got punted a new ride and takes the guy who punted him out of the race? Local circle tracks will put a guy to the back of the field if he does what JR did but they don't give the guy with a broken car the guys car who punted him! That's the only BS I could see in that whole deal.

Honestly I can understand what he did and probably would have done the same thing. It's pass or be passed, granted waiting a tad longer to make the move would have been better but the producers put all this BS in your head and $100K in front of you, what do they REALLY WANT?

Bret

[CMC #37]

Karen makes a good point about "drama" - this mixed up with really skilled drivers and an educated audience like us who understand rules and road racing etiquette made this whole affair really frustrating to watch. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/loco.gif)

[rpoz-29]

Shouldn't the sponsers of Mikes car been allowed a voice regarding who was going to drive? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) As I said earlier, the guy who won it seems like a nice enough sort. Does anyone here know him?

This post has been edited by rpoz-29: Apr 14 2008, 05:19 PM