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Who Killed the Sunset Four Funs???????????

Guest · 2008-08-19T18:54:01Z

Now that I have been thinking about this all day since the new rule changes with all of 5 or 6 nights to go has killed the division. I wanted to see where the blame laid for the death of this division and i came to the conclusion theres plenty of blame to go around.Lets start with the DRIVERS, now this has to be the most diverse group of people ever to get behind the wheel of a stock car(and no I don't care if these cars fit your definition of stock car). Now the new ownership group hasn't exactly shown these driver any amount of respect and these drivers have continually misplace there anger towards this. They started from about night 2 of the new ownership when the second round of heats were dropped and a consi was picked up starting only 24 cars in the A-Main. This then lead to the slower drivers to start filing complaints about how they deserve a last place payout or tow money. They then ended up getting what they wanted and on most nights even receive a "little feature" for those who do not qualify to the A-Main. But there complaining has not stopped there, the issue then arose that they did not get enough public viewing and they no longer wanted to be the last feature. Now there was a reason they were the last feature, the former ownership group realized how many cautions these inexperienced drivers could create and how long they can make a night. And once again the drivers yelled and they received. But as it was last time they still were not happy. So the person who was doing his best to help him became there next victim(yes thats right I'm the victim) the Tech Guy, some cars were going to fast and the slow cars and drivers could not keep up(in slow drivers view the fast guys were cheating). Now I teched a probably about 10 cars or so and measured springs checked tire sizes and rating, the muffler depending on the car, and even looked for hidden ballast weight. And came up with nothing. No one go DQ'd and that did not sit well with these drivers who do not win, so what happens, they race backwards and what happens people who should have never won a race end up winning and it was just wrong in my view and many others because thats not racing that a circus. So it all comes to a head when some certain 2 faced drivers(and they know who they are) whined to the new owner at the first drivers meeting he attends that I'm not doing my job and etc etc etc so in turn the owner insults me to all the drivers and I quit. Fred takes over Four Fun tech and the complaining goes away for a short period. They get what they want again and end up racing the correct way and the same winners end up in victory lane and the complaining comes back so what happens, the rules change and no camber and no different rim sizes and the complaining goes away. But the same winners and driver continue to finish in the top 5. Now thats just there off track issues. There on track issues were clearly visible Saturday night, disregard for your fellow drivers safety so that explains itself.Also with the majority of injuries over the last few years and dramatics of some of the drivers, now I'm not down playing any of the accident this year, but there have been certain drivers that pull dramatics after accidents and now make people think these accidents and injuries are not serious(anyone remember September of 2007 pm me if you want the story).So now that the drivers have done there part it is now onto the FLAGGING STAFF.Now every year in this division except this year the ZERO contact rule has been in effect, we have seen drivers intentionally flip other drivers and just flat out wreck each other. And for all of these accident the black flag has been used the issues are solved. Rob would come down to the drivers meeting and tell us that intentional contact would result in a black flag and the contact goes away and accidents stop. How many times last year and in 2006 did this division race flag to flag. This year I have personally not seen the black flag thrown and its resulted in some serious accidents. So pretty much all of Saturdays accident, all of which broke the camels back could have been prevented if the black flag had been used this year these drivers would have feared contact with each other and these accidents would not have taken place. I understand Rob no longer flags the 4 cylinder divisions but something needed to be done and it never was. Next up is Tech StaffNow I told you my track record as Tech Man and the record in the post Rainman time. Now there were 3 Dqs in 2007 if I remember correctly, I was nailed once(heater core) as well as Terry Woodly(snow tires) and Bill Campbell(H rated tires on the borrowed track VW Jetta). Now Fred`s view of the rules was the same as many, as long as it was with in stock adjustment it was good, its a beginner and a learning division and without allowing drivers to adjust there cars how are they suppose to learn. So in my view the Tech Staff did nothing ...

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SSWebguy

Aug 21, 2008 8:29 am

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...I have never seen the Sunset 4 Funs but I can't believe that anyone would think that a class where drivers wear shorts & short sleeves in cars with minimal safety equipment and crash into each other like they were driving real race cars is a good idea. There should be zero tolerance on contact. Any contact is a DQ. Intentional contact is a ban from 4 Funs forever.

From the 2008 rules: "Driver’s fire suit recommended but if not, long pants & a long sleeve shirt required." Yeah, not much better, but if drivers are really driving in shorts then they're breaking the rules anyway.

Also from the rules: "Mild contact is generally part of racing. In the Four Fun class it is not. Deliberate or out of control contact will not be allowed." So again it is clear that rules are not being enforced.

And as a side note, the new rules package should really be posted on the website so people know what's what.

Mark

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slide112

Aug 21, 2008 8:44 am

(@slide112)

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And as a side note, the new rules package should really be posted on the website so people know what's what.

It should. Would save ALOT of bickering..

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oldbill

Aug 21, 2008 10:04 am

(@oldbill)

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Video of Ohsweken Fun Stocks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce6D0vuUi8g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf83B-wOKMg

I have never seen the Sunset 4 Funs but I can't believe that anyone would think that a class where drivers wear shorts & short sleeves in cars with minimal safety equipment and crash into each other like they were driving real race cars is a good idea. There should be zero tolerance on contact. Any contact is a DQ. Intentional contact is a ban from 4 Funs forever.

You are turning 16-19 second laps in the INFIELD of a 3/8th track on dirt. Thats what 40 mph. Thats the other option to make 4-funs safe, make it as fun as driving with grandma in the parking lot. Sorry man, but that video should scare a lot of people into the other option of putting a cage in...

that video answers nicely the question, "How can other tracks run 4-fun without problems....", now my question, Do you want that?

But I thought that was what the 4 Fun class was all about! To give people a racing experience at low cost and low risk. Yes, it will be like racing with Grandma! If you want full out racing, build yourself a proper racecar and go mini-stock or something.

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BIG Don Fan

Aug 21, 2008 5:58 pm

(@BIG Don Fan)

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+1 on your original post Doherty.

The larger problem people seem to not see here is that the lack of driver respect and subsequent lack of black flags on the track has caused these wrecks, not the "safety" of the cars. If drivers are allowed to bash each other and not suffer consequences, then the wrecks happen. Yes, the lack of safety equipment raises the stakes for an injury but if the drivers didn't bash into each other then the wrecks wouldn't happen as often in the first place.

Yes, raise the safety standards, no argument there. But get to the root of the problem first!

And I agree with you 100% Amanda, the Barrie setup is ideal. If they're gonna rewrite the Four Fun rules anyway they should consider going that route instead.

Mark

How often have you been to Sunset this year Mark. I have personally seen black flags and could go to my score sheets and rhyme them off to you. They are out there.

Don't throw the blame on the starter here. Drivers have a responsibility to the safety of their well being on the track as well as their competitors. How can you begin to blame track officials for guys/gals driving skills or lack there of...........Of course the officials are there for a reason. But Rob has been guiding the new starter and I know first hand that they are not letting things go.....

One thing you people don't realize is the cost of insurance and how hard it is to obtain. Each and every one of these incidents have to be reported when they happen. How do you not know that maybe there isn't a pressure on Wes to deal with this or else.

As far as loosing heats, you wern't the only division this applied to. Depending on car counts it applies to all divisions at the speedway.

Debbie - when does the new starter take over permanent? Spoke to Robert at his office a week ago and he would not get into detail when (if) he was leaving. He did say he asked for a job in afghanstan?

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JT_Racing

Aug 21, 2008 7:02 pm

(@JT_Racing)

Joined: 1 second ago

OMG has it come to this? We are now driving away our starter to a war torn country?

How bad can it be when going to Afghanistan is a better choice than working at the track?

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