Up and Comers

[Mike Meier]

I hate to rain on the parade, but driving skill and hard work will only take you so far. This game is all about the $$$$. If you don't have it, your butt is sitting at home. If some of us make it to 5 races next year we'd be lucky.

[dcm933]

I wish that W.G Lankas would get back in to stock competition...not too many people kno that that kid can tear up a footbrake car...first time in Jeff Warren's /FIA firebird and wins a national event...the kid is rediculous.

[Div 6 Fan]

16 year old Cody Lane, son of Div. 6 S/SS racer Jeff Lane, entered his first Divisional race this year at Acton Montana in a borrowed SS/GA Camaro and proceeded to set the National Record. Although he did not come up through the Jr program, he has been around the track since birth and has a pretty decent mentor. He could be trouble in the coming years. Regardless, there seems to be a great crop of talented new racers coming which is a good sign for the sport as a whole.

[david ring]

Originally Posted by Mike Meier

I hate to rain on the parade, but driving skill and hard work will only take you so far. This game is all about the $$$$.

It's not all about the $$$$ if you are willing to partner up. I wouldn't have a comp car without a partner. Lee Zane would not have two world championships without partners. And then you need to be smart, as you were when you went looking for a combination that would not cost an-arm-and-a-leg to build, as was I (there are stockers out there that probably cost more than my comp car and it had a single digit for two years).

[MHoward]

In Div.3 look out for Chris Stevenson,this kid was raised around Class Racing went bracket racing for a few years and he is tough,Runner-up @ a Points meet and at the Fall Classic this year,had some bad luck at the nat. events.Look out for the little red Apollo.

Monte Howard.

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by MHoward

In Div.3 look out for Chris Stevenson,this kid was raised around Class Racing went bracket racing for a few years and he is tough,Runner-up @ a Points meet and at the Fall Classic this year,had some bad luck at the nat. events.Look out for the little red Apollo.

Monte Howard.

You are correct.He will definately get his first big win next year!

[Mike Meier]

Originally Posted by david ring

It's not all about the $$$$ if you are willing to partner up. I wouldn't have a comp car without a partner. Lee Zane would not have two world championships without partners. And then you need to be smart, as you were when you went looking for a combination that would not cost an-arm-and-a-leg to build, as was I (there are stockers out there that probably cost more than my comp car and it had a single digit for two years).

I agree with you to an extent Dave, but ultimately someone is gonna have to come up with the cash whether it be for entry fees, gas money, hotel bills (or motorhome upkeep), and upkeep on the car if you even want to get in the gate. As far as stocker combos go, barring the decision to run with an inconsistent FWD, there is no "cheap" way in unless someone wants to take the gamble on letting you drive their stuff. But it is very hard to find a ride nowadays, regardless of whether it's LODRS or local bracket racing. I can't even find a 12 to 13 second car to borrow for Street ET let alone a Stock / Super Stock car. People just aren't handing out cars willy-nilly.

To go off on a tangent.....I think if there is going to be a driver-car owner partnership the owner has to have the right mentality like being able to trust someone else with their car, being willing to travel to the races to help out if needed (or butt-out in some cases), and be willing to take the risks (breakage/crashing) associated with racing a car in order to achieve glory. For owners like yourself or the Arnie Martel's of the world it is your mindset to build a good competitive team. You guys are few and far between. For most people though the risk is too much for the reward. Their hang-up is "am I gonna let someone potentially blow up my motor all for $400 in prize money?"