starting line reaction tools/methods for stockers

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Ron Ortiz

At the season opener divisional race in Bradenton, FL I took my future son in law. He had a good time and enjoyed all the cool looking cars. All the friendships and howdy do's from other racers that I have'nt seen since last year impressed him. I informed him of the great parties at night with all these other people. What a dissapointment to walk around the pits at 9:00 and see no one. It was like a ghost town. Everybody was huddled in their motorhomes or had gone off to their motel rooms. I believe that we saw maybe 4 areas where there were people hanging out, but it was not as if they were having a good time. I guess that most people have decided to lead the clean life and get ready for the upcoming days activities. I would understand this reasoning if it was on a Saturday night, with eliminations starting at 8:00 AM on Sunday, but this was a Friday night. What a dissapointment.
If anybody is at a race and wants to have a good time at night, look me up, I'll be the one with a beer in hand and food in my mouth sitting there waitnig to party.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA maybe I should get serious..................right.

Ron, that is an interesting observation. Just do a poll on the age of the Stock and Super Stock population ages and you will see that there are not a lot of young people racing in these classes in comparison to the older folks that are racing. A lot of the young ones are the kids of racers.

In the past, we have discussed the shift in the population of our classes; interesting enough, we have come to the conclusion that many of the kids are more interested in Japanese/JDM/Ricers/Drifting, Hip-Hop/Rap music, technology/computers, hybrids, environment and text messaging. In a nut-shell, a lot of us are getting old and many of our kids are not interested. Also, look at the limited selection of new cars to race; probably with the advent of the new S/SS factory race cars from Ford and Dodge, things may change. Also, the cost of racing has escalated.

The new kids cannot afford that buy an old muscle car and build a car from scratch because the prices have gone up with the classic car auctions and the trends to modifiy the cars just like Unique and Fosse by lowering the cars, putting big wheels and big sound systems.

Let's face the reality...our population is growing older, health issues pop-up and we cannot party the way we did in our earlier days.

[Stacie J. Ridings]

Michael Beard's advice and website, have improved my consistency on reaction times this year. After the Division 9 Rockingham race, I purchased a pocket tree and started practicing the second light out. I thought it sounded crazy, but it works with my car (VRT) and my (DRT). I was really consistent at Jackson; every time was red; but they were close to perfect. On Sunday I was -.009 in qualifying and -.007, 1st Round with a 7.524 on a 7.52 dial. I'll keep practicing, and maybe next year.....

[Bobby Zlatkin]

Yea, getting old is a bummer, but the alternative is worse.

I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to know that the better physical condition you are in, the better and more consistant job you'll do on the starting line.

I'm at the point where I'm happy to just be out there and still be a part of it.

[THE LEGEND]

As i sit here looking at my 14 iron men and reading this post i thought for a moment.
1) I'm fat (250)
2) I never have drank a drop of alky
3) I never did any drugs
4) I get about 5-6 hrs sleep a night.
5) I eat fast food for breakfast at least 3-4 times a week the other times it's a honey bun and diet coke.
6) I eat fast food(CHEESEBURGERS) for lunch at least 3-4 times a week.
7 Healthy is an occasional salad with my cheeseburger or Subway
8) We eat Red Meat for Supper at least 3-4 times a week.
9) I own a vending company so I eat crap all day.
10) I probably drink a case of water a year.
11) Will I'm racing I may stop and eat a steak and Ice cream or I may munch on trail mix all day depends on the mood.
Bottom line is I have FUN and win an occasional race or 2.
If you want to be good at this don't over analyze, have fun, and get some seat time.
Chip Johnson
p.s.
Don't beleive in practice trees

[Dusty Lowell]

I follow the strict technique of Bubba Linke. he seems to have it down seeings he is #6 in the world at this moment. So if you want the secret come see us at the Dutch.

[Troy Henderson]

Originally Posted by Dusty Lowell

I follow the strict technique of Bubba Linke. he seems to have it down seeings he is #6 in the world at this moment. So if you want the secret come see us at the Dutch.

Haha, now that's funny!

[racerhead]

The 'secret' is that there isn't a secret.

In my workshops and individual coaching I find that what works for one driver can do the opposite for another. If a driver is naturally tense he or she is going to need to learn some relaxation skills. If naturally relaxed, then some energizing skills. Then they have to learn how to find that state each time they face the starting line.

To the driver that started this thread: It's a fascinating topic. It's interesting to see how many thoughts people have. But in the end, it's your responsibility to be in a constant state of discovery about what makes you react fast and consistent...with the same level of attention you put into your car's speed and consistency.

Bruce Deveau
The Racer's Mind

[Mike Gray]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

Ron, that is an interesting observation. Just do a poll on the age of the Stock and Super Stock population ages and you will see that there are not a lot of young people racing in these classes in comparison to the older folks that are racing. A lot of the young ones are the kids of racers.

In the past, we have discussed the shift in the population of our classes; interesting enough, we have come to the conclusion that many of the kids are more interested in Japanese/JDM/Ricers/Drifting, Hip-Hop/Rap music, technology/computers, hybrids, environment and text messaging. In a nut-shell, a lot of us are getting old and many of our kids are not interested. Also, look at the limited selection of new cars to race; probably with the advent of the new S/SS factory race cars from Ford and Dodge, things may change. Also, the cost of racing has escalated.

The new kids cannot afford that buy an old muscle car and build a car from scratch because the prices have gone up with the classic car auctions and the trends to modifiy the cars just like Unique and Fosse by lowering the cars, putting big wheels and big sound systems.

Let's face the reality...our population is growing older, health issues pop-up and we cannot party the way we did in our earlier days.

Sure we can! As proof just attend the Goodguys (I mean Heritage) race at Bakersfield.
Those old guys kept me up late with all of the partying and engine noise. Yep they even fire them up in the middle of the night out there.

[The Hawk]

I`ve raced for 25 years,and what I`ve learned,do what works for YOU!!!! If someone doesn`t do this or that,and this other racer does this and that other thing,doesn`t mean it will work for YOU!!!! If you cosistantly go out and get crocked the night before a race and you do well,hell,stay with it,but keep it to moderation. If you try everything that works for everyone else and you still have problems being successful,guess what? You are not them!!! Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what makes YOU a better racer,and eventually,you`ll be successful. I never had anyone to ask questions to fall back on when I was struggling,so I had to learn on my own. When I was racing with delay boxes,I would approach racing a little differently,but I knew what worked for ME!! I wish I could give some better advice,but that pretty much sums up what I can give from Dacono,Colo. Lane

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Mike Gray

Sure we can! As proof just attend the Goodguys (I mean Heritage) race at Bakersfield.
Those old guys kept me up late with all of the partying and engine noise. Yep they even fire them up in the middle of the night out there.

Would not surprise me at all...the old farts are high after sniffing Nitro the whole day...