*** I was so CONFUSED ***
Alan:
My best times were in the 11.7X range and MPH in the 114-116 range. I wanted to keep it close to 12.0, in case they started with me about not having a bar in the car. Then all I needed to do was take a couple of turns out and it should be in the 12.0 range. I had a great time and I hope no one thinks that I'm complaining. I know I didn't quite understand how the whole pairing thing worked. What was said, was obviously NOT what I understood. I don't know know if you had left already or not, but how it ended up working was...
You made three (3) passes and those runs were averaged. Now, the 2nd part is where (not only me), but a few other people got lost too! The closest to that bracket's index (10.0, 11.0, 12.0, etc.), would race the closest person from the next bracket. Now, sitting here and typing it, makes sense to me (kinda). Honestly, hearing it didn't click. What I heard was, 3 runs, average those runs, that's your dial-in, that's fair!
Nope, that's not what was
said, even though that what I wanted to hear. What that meant was,
one person from the 10 sec index, one person from the 11 sec index would race, etc. So, if you had a 12.50 car for example, it would be to your advantage to slow it down to 13.0X, because anyone that averages 12.49 or less, has automatically sent you home...only one car from each index will race period, everyone else is done for the day!
Now that's the part that I did not understand until it was too late! Again, I'm not griping, I just misunderstood the rules...my bad! But, to acknowledge that it was a bit confusing, Chris set me up with the guy that averaged .04 away from me. I can't remember if it was slower or quicker, all I know is I was a bit bent out of shape for not understanding things and just wanted
one more run before leaving.
I didn't mean to write a book, but I think some of the guys that may have left early would have been confused as well. I was expecting a 1 on 1 ET bracket pairing, or an indexed heads up, where everyone would get to pair up with someone, not a one car per indexed bracket. No, there was no money involved in my grudge thingy. I was just a little kid that just wanted
one more ride on the pony!
I did get stomped by the 10 sec Pony and he did his thing too (as he should have). He went a 10.77 at 123mph. Next time I'll bring a bigger saddle to ride that pony!
All of the guys that I met were nice, no one was talking smack nor acting stupid. I was sorry to see the one case of
"the dumbass" syndrome that did occur, but I think he learned that it's better to lift and come back for another pass, rather than to stay in it and try to ride it out.
-Bobby
