Racer X 99 I wish they would be closer to NJ. The problem is the western gang of about 1/2 would not make the trip. I would like see this event go back to east coast,west coast. They tryed running the Northeastern Challenge. They only got about 20 cars. Loudon is a nice track but for the bump on going to and from the circle track to the road course. Watkins Glen I would like to run at, 1 of these years when the car is done. VIR what a super race track. Sign me up for this one. MPH track out in Hastings Neb. This place has both road course and drag track being finished as we E-mail. This is another 200 miles for me to travel.
The rules for R&G are not as tight as going to some of the other tracks, N.H loudon, there is a noise limit because of some guy across the street reading the level of the noise off the track, When it gets too high 95 dec. he calls the police. You are removed from racing. WHAT CRAP. Some people trying the racing seen for the first or second time, are not going to spend $300-1,500.00 dollars on shoes,jacket,pants, good custom seat for racing. Should they be wearing this stuff, YES. But these people are just here for the fun. Most are mid to late 30's and up. Some are out for blood or trying to sell there product and using R&G as a test between the different car builders. R&G has come back with a manufactures classes. I think it worked well this year. We will have to wait and see in the future. Gateway is small compared to Mid Ohio or Mid America. There are some great tracks in Texas and Cali. That we all would like to race on. Gateway is in the center of the country and they have been super to the R&G events over the years. Tim and Dan are like Family and have let things slide that where questionable but not dangerous for either car or driver. It was a full moon late year and half the guys used up there mulligans.
I took a broken car through the tunnel that is for cars only. My dually and trailer fit without any problem but I broke the rule and got a time out. Anyway as for the $600.00 gas bill to travel, I would spend 3/4 of this going to VIR and about 1/2 to The Glen. For Pro hard core racers Gateway is too easy. For the average cobra driver with stock suspension it's fun. You get the speed on the turns 3 and 4 on the main track and the off camber 280degree turn in the infield. Maybe it will move in the next year or 2. I go for the people and the fun. I am not as fast or stupid as I used to be running my car.
Clois, Dean, and Jay put on another great event. This was Jay's last year. It's hard to find people who have and will take the time for all the hard work to get this event running every year. This year the rules have changed due too possible problems and being sued by someone. Each driver is responsible for his own safety checkout. They are going to sign off on there own cars. This event would cost 1/3 less if not for the insurance policy needed. This is at every track. If the R&G went to the west coast, I think it would continue to do well and grow. There are alow of cobras and other kitcars on the eastcoast but not sure how many would come out for this. Alot would again depend at which track. The Northeastern Challenge failed and it cost Joe T. about a grand for the bills after the last event. The timed road race on the streets was cool but the back roads up in N.H. put dents and paint chips in everyones car. This was not good. Some roads where gravel and crushed stone. If someone wants to stepup and run and east coast R&G, I am sure the magazines will cover it. They could add this on to either the Kit car show at Carlisle or the Ohio show in london. Just thinking out loud. Got to go Rick