Speachless. That's not a good enough response I suppose.
Thanks for the compliments, and the humor.
The races are tomorrow and Sunday. There are some fierce competitors behind me on the grid. The winner of these races will have worked for it.
Things have come together for us. We have found a "sweet spot" with the setup that rewards my driving style. The car is very flattering to drive...
So is the Citation a friends and family only kinda thing, or are people still obfuscated by sweeping body curves?Surprised that there aren't more of them out there!
I can only think of one word-synchronicity.
You guys are awesome!
Thanks for making me look like a total jerk. No one is going to believe you can spell "australopithecus" but not "speechless."
So do most of the adjoining counties.......Originally Posted by starkejt
You have to know the secret handshake and tap dance steps first.So is the Citation a friends and family only kinda thing, or are people still obfuscated by sweeping body curves? Surprised that there aren't more of them out there!
For a second there, I read that as "fattening"!
You know? While in college after all the beer parties and women, we searched high and low to get guys like you to help us cheat on our mid-terms... but all you smart guys wanted to do was drink our beer and date our girls.
That's why I can't spell sync.....
In my tribute post i did quietly mention Wren (one sort of had to read between the lines
"add high quality machined parts,"
A few years ago, while watching Langbien build his car, in my own little world, i invented the phrase "Citation Co-op". To own and successfully race a Citation you must become a member of the Co-op. Citations are not delivered as anything close to a roller, it has to be considered more of a 'kit' with parts of the kit being supplied by many different members of the Co-op. Uprights are built in one state, chassis in another, bodywork someplace else. Not exactly a car for a newbie looking for a turn-key car to rapidly take racing. Thus you usually see more experienced racers in them, and definitely racers that are able to turn their own wrenches with skill. Citations go way way back, but the turning point in FC started with the upgraded design of DaveW's '94(95?). Even his car has gone through many winter "alterations" since then. No two cars are exactly the same, but the heritage is obvious if you study them closely. I personally think the breed has improved a lot in the last few years because of even more sharing of ideas between members of the co-op. While attending the "ICP Seminars" of old, one would understand the critical attention to getting all the possible mechanical grip possible from the platform, but also quietly in the background much attention was paid to aero. A notable marque in small bore formula car racing.
Last edited by Purple Frog; 06.09.12 at 2:01 PM.
3 in a row
car doesnt break, or he gets taken out he is gonna win them all. As the series continues people willl step up their game and close the gap but it will be hard to do this season.
Kevin Firlein Autosport,Inc.
Runoffs 1 Gold 3 Silver 3 bronze, 8 Divisional , 6 Regional Champs , 3x Drivers of the year awards
"Citation Co-op"
Mike:
Do I have to pay royalties if I use that phrase?
You are exactly on the money with that description. I got the idea from the home built airplane industry. Brandon actually flew his RV up to see me when we mapped out the plan to produce cars. The first batch of 9 are out and we are in the planning stages for another batch.
The cars have their foundation in the work of ED Zink and later Chuck Mathews. I have learned something from almost every driver who has ever driven a Zink/Citation over the decades. What you see today is the collective effort of a bunch of good drivers all working on the problems of going faster. That is a lot of brain power applied to the same problems.
What is really interesting is the cross fertilization that comes from building the same basic car for three different classes.
Ok, they just sent out this message over Race Monitor. Fess up, who stole the results sheet?
No doubt the Dixon/Steve/Wren combination has some of the similarities of the brain thrust of a Penske/Donahue and the out of the box thinking they searched for as detailed in the book "The Unfair Advantage". Are they beatable? Absolutely, but we have some work to do.
It is great to see 5 chassis in the top 5 today. The CitaDixon, Stohr, Firman, Van Diemen and Élan and the Piper that holds the Mid Ohio track record and current National Champion Brain Novak will certainly show up at the top. I am sure the Factory supported Stohr and Firman are working their program. Us Van Diemen Nova conversion guys have the designer Jay Novak to leverage his knowledge and Mike Devins at HRP is working on our aero package. So I think we have a lot of energy in play that is great for F1000 and the Pro Series.
Michael
Last edited by crowe motorsports; 06.10.12 at 10:47 PM.
I feel like I am getting a little bit too much credit for helping belt Brandon in the car. All of the credit for his success belongs to him and Steve. I could be replaced with a well trained monkey.
Wren this is a set up
When Brandon starts losing, you don't think we would blame Brandon or Steve.
You will be the whipping boy
Trust me, no one of sound mind is giving you any credit. Monkeys are way more accurate when it comes to feces throwing.
Hell, even a badly trained monkey..........
The food and drink bill would be lower as well.
Whatever it is, it's obvious that the combination is working incredibly well. Congrats to everyone involved and please let me know when a spot in the Co-Op opens up, I want in!
It only takes a phone call to get startedWhatever it is, it's obvious that the combination is working incredibly well. Congrats to everyone involved and please let me know when a spot in the Co-Op opens up, I want in!
True dat
Quite a lead already
Wow!
Looks like the big guns loaded up with the wrong bullets today.
Congrats to Bill McLaughlin! Great jobs to Richard and Jason, and to all the drivers! Look forward to a race recap.
Yep
So what happened?
Pure guess: a flock of Suzukis quit flying.
Broke a valve. Lots of attrition today.
Interesting vid from this weekend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_N9RiL9uDw
And he "barley" miss the bridge?
I thought Verra rented a full season from TTM in the Elan that they bought. Has he changed to Philly Motorsports? Is that car still with the Honda engine?
Ken
Ken
Congrats to bill. Way to represent the Firman crew. Awesome job
Last edited by Alex Pate; 06.11.12 at 8:44 PM. Reason: IPhone auto correct
Man, the Kink is so much more fun than that Chicane!
TTMRacing had trouble with their transporter for NJ, so they rented Philidelphia's car for the event for Ryan.
The ladies at narra weren't comfortable with it, so they had to run the chicane. It would have been much more interesting with the full track.
Has anyone heard what happened to JR or Slahor's engines? Coop and Verra were out with non-engine related issues. Brandon broke a valve in an engine that was brand new at the runoffs last year and Mayer was an electrical issue.
Novak Cracked cases on Saturday..
Something went in the valve train during the standing start. Right after the start, the engine started missing and was down 1000 rpm on straight. I pulled in on 2nd lap so not to totally grenade the engine.
Not sure what's going on but man it sure is getting old. Left the car at a friends in Jersey so I'm not gonna dig into it for a while. If we get our checks I'll head to VIR. Good seeing/racing with the group. Hope everyone made it home ok.
Take Care,
J.R.O
How come no one told me we aren't ignoring the elephant any more?
Coop,
I was wondering when there would be some noob-entangulation in the series. It's unfortunate that it always a fast guy getting taken out. Hopefully some of that Mo$port podium money will cover the damages.It sounds like it was a frustrating weekend for many.
Don't forget the tow fund.
Ken
Wren, were the valves new then,before the Runoffs, thanks jrm
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
