As far as the pro 8, it was and is about the fastest vettes as you can
see by the field yesterday. Guys will step up to run & more cars are
being built to run in the pro 8. We do not want to slow the field after
seeing all the fast cars yesterday. An all 10 second field won't draw.
People want to see wheel standing cars & fast action. We have come a
long way so lets not try to slow down the field. Some of you with
slower cars could line up together in the challange to race side by
side. When we get enough cars to make up Two different class then we can make a change.

 

 

I like the idea of NOT limiting the pro 8 to a specific time or index. The series was set up for those who wanted to race heads up. Unfortunately that usually escalates very quickly so that only those with the deepest pockets can compete. Not to long ago, the bump spot in the ultra quick 8 (Sunday) was in the nines.....now it's mid 7s to compete in that class. For those who what to race heads up....that's the price of admission.....that's also why bracket racing was invented......so even poor people like me can race.

From a spectator point of view, i like to see the raw power of heads up racing. It would be great if the competition was a little tighter, but i think it will get there. Some other suggestions:

How about maybe going to a sportsman ladder instead of the pro system used now. At least the extremes wont be paired up on the first round.

And maybe some clear rules....which could be designed to limit cost and tighten the competition.


Maybe have Etwon at least attempt to prep the track before these guys run and dont run the pro in 40 deg weather

 

No matter what some people may say the VD PRO 8 isn't broke and doesn't need to be fixed.

When I started this class is was a 4 car field and was only created to showcase some of the faster cars. At the request of the racers I went to an 8 car field knowing it would be hard to to have a competitive field but does allow a few racers an extra run at no additional money.
So thats good.

I could see all the banter if they were racing for some BIG MONEY but this is a bragging trophy class and thats how it should stay.

 

 

Carmen , How many close , heads up races were there on Saturday ???? How about NONE !!! I think there should be a Quick-4 run on Sundays , and a 9.50 index Pro-8 run with the regular Challenge , or there's at least eight challenges throughout the year , why not have 4 Quick 4's and 4 Pro-8's with a 9.50 index , the 9.50 index will provide the " closest " heads up racing .And I never said let's have a ten-second field . Eight cars all running mid to high nines will provide the best racing .

 

If you're interested in the opinion of a fellow racer looking in from the outside, then read on.

I'm personally against index racing... I don't think very many want to watch it either.... the Quick 8 should be wot from start to go... brakes are for bracket racers. I'd also recommend not to move the quick 8 from the day your bracket series is going on.... they sort of go hand in hand.... its part of the "Corvette Spectacular". Splitting it up on different days will take a little bit away from it in my opinion.

I think the real victory of the quick 8 comes from "Just making the show", in otherwords, I would recommend you guys award 8 trophies for the Quick 8. Forget about the ladder, and just run one round of elimination .... once the field is set, take the 7 and 8 car and have them race for 7th place. 5 and 6 car race for 5th place and 3 and 4 car for 3rd place and of course the 1 and 2 car for 1st place... and race it in this order as well.

This would insure side by side racing.... and the outcome determines the size of the trophy for the participant.

If allowed, I would make this best of 3 races to determine the winner or optionally to make sure everybody is getting enough passes, you may instead want to give everybody an extra trial pass.

With this method... you won't have an 8 second car racing a 10 second car....the personal challenge for each racer will to slowly try to improve their position from event to event.... in otherwords a guy who was consistently racing for the 5th place trophy is going to try and find more et to sneak up into the 3-4 race the next event... the racers will be more focused about how fast the racers are going right around him vs worrying about the 8 second full race car et's. He doesn't have to too win a trophy.

I think deep pockets can help you go fast, but on the flip side ingenuity and smart spending can you help you go faster.... I've seen many high dollar race cars unable to get down the track, so if I was you guys, I wouldn't give up on it just because you don't have the big cash budget.... just spend as wisely as you can instead.

On the track conditions, thats part of racing.... when it gets cold or too hot, the track changes.... to me this is part of racing, you have to make adjustments with your launch rpm, tire pressure and driving technique. We would all love to race on the perfect track every weekend, but it just doesn't exist. (Try racing Carlsbad Raceway every weekend for years!! ) I'd suck it up and figure out what adjustments to make to your car to get it to run straight with whatever conditions.

At the end of the day, I think the East Coast Challenge quick 8 is meant to be a fun class for the racers and spectators considering the trophies and no cash layout... the racers and spectators want to see side by side racing... the above layout would accomplish that... and in my opinion, if you have a car quick enough to qualify through time trials for it, you should automatically get a trophy.... just how big of a trophy you get is decided on raceday.

good luck with whatever you guys do with it.

cheers,
Beach Bum

 

My thougt's on Pro 8

Let's see.....I lost my concentration yesterday and lost second round cause I was worried about getting back to shoot video of the Pro 8...so I really don't want to see more of them as much as I love it.

So we are all on the same page with the history of the Quick 4 and Pro 8 stats, we have always had the majority of our races with a 1-2 second difference from 1-4 or 1-8

 

Welcome to the club.

IMO you should have someone else shooting the video, you don't have time for that now.

 

These are good suggestions , it would help close the gap .

 

I once asked about a sportsman ladder for the Pro 8. The answer was something like, in heads-up racing he who has the quickest car should have the biggest advantage so it was declined.

 

You use a PRO Tree, it's called a Pro class, you run off a PRO LADDER.

You reward the faster cars .

 

[QUOTE=mackeyred96]You use a PRO Tree, it's called a Pro class, you run off a PRO LADDER.

You reward the faster cars .[/QUOTE That's easy for you to say Mackey , you don't race in the Pro-8 , as it is now there's no close races , the ladder change should be the first change made .Something needs to be done .

 

Mike I may have said that the wrong way.

The Pro 8 is modeled after every other heads-up racing class I have seen. I did not mean to imply that I or Mackey or Raceway Park are giving anything to anyone other than what they have earned based on what done done at any other heads-up event.

 

Edgar could you post the Pro 8 rounds and Reaction time.
It sound like Mike wants another Bracket Class,

GEE, I thought we already had one.

And yes I don't run the Pro 8 but if it were not for me there wouldn't have been a Pro 8.

 

I like this guy’s line of thinking. I know we can make this series more competitive with out slowing the cars down. ***** out is the only way to race and put on a show.

Mike

I am sorry that the event doesn’t excite you. But I can assure you that not everyone shares you opinion for most I think watching a guy click off an 8 or 9 sec pass is exciting regardless of the 1 or 2 sec gap between him and his competitor.

I do agree that changing the ladder system would help the series

 

I don't want another bracket race . I hate bracket racing . And Mackey , I thought you were done with the Challenge ? If you are going to stay involved you need to have more of an open mind , not your high-horse , my way attitude , at least hear what the racers have to say .If not , then I think you need to stay out of it completely your just going to make it more difficult for Edgar .

 

Talking to Edgar & Being the sponsor. I think for next year the pro 8 will stay the same. till we have more cars to change things.

 

That's fine but then we need to come up with another heads up competition or event that can run 6x a year or start something on on own if the people that make these events so popular get ignored. I feel heads up racing with streetable cars will be just as popular and more competitive in addition to the pro 8.

 

Rob, that's fine, but you have to see how long it took just to get the Quick 4 in place, now the Pro 8. Starting another series would be great for those who want to do it, but it's going to take some $$$ to even think about it happening.

I love heads up racing, but unfortunately I don't think I'll ever be able to compete in any Pro 8's due to that Italian disease-Lowfundsa.

More power to the folks who can, I enjoy the show.

In the past there was discussion about getting involved at Atco, but I don't know where that conversation went. They may be more approachable than Raceway Park.

They already know ECS,Cartek and The Vette Doctors, so there is your "in".