Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Lately on here Ive been uncharacteriscic of myself speeking about the good ol' days compared to the racing today and I apologize, Its an argument that can go on and on without any resolve, and each of us has there own idea what era had more on the edge of your seat and thats the way it is. Some of us have been there and seen non-wing races and the transition to the wing era and some have not had the pleasure to witness it at Knoxville, since Shumann's CRA. But by that time Knoxville had lost some banking and the track lost its famous tacky surface so it was great racing but not a good representation of what used to take place every weekend back in the day. I offer peace between all of us so called critics of the sport but what really touched me off about the whole deal was listening to some people refer to the old days as boring compared to todays racing. The whole deal for me started with arguing with a friend last year when one of my friends that drives and actually had drove the indy pro-series last year, we argued the whole way to Huset's when he made the comment that a winged sprint car is much harder to drive than a non-winged car, In all fairness when he took a ride at the Chili bowl after entering the corner balls out and no wing he admitted theres a little more skill involved in the corners when you dont have something glueing you to the track. Its an attitude you hear quite a bit these days and the only thing that upsets me is yesterday's driver was a different kinda of hombre, They got into cars that would probably scare the hell out of today's driver and would probably wear some out in hot-laps. No power steering, skinnier tires and most importantly no wing. So a driver had to use his skill to get around the track the steering wheel, throttle and brake had to be orchastrated just right to make a good lap, compared to today when a car is dialed in they practically drive themselves the driver is there to keep it straight and get through traffic correct it when it needs and most importantly glue that go peddle to the floor. I respect todays drivers dont get me wrong but when I hear people comparing the stars today to the stars of yesterday its like comparing Rocky Marciano to Mike Tyson, different era's. All I am saying as you have to give the guys of yesterday their credit and you can never replace them. Todays heroes have there own place and we dont need disrespect either of em theres enough room for both.

I agree.

Stand your ground my brother!

No one, and I mean no one, has started more crap here than have I...with each "phase" I go through, I adopt a new screen name and truly revel in the comments from many of the small thinking, trailer park dwelling, confederate flag waving red-necks. I travel quite a bit now, and have recently returned and am appalled by the weenies that now dominate this forum!

I was fortunate enough to have driven both a winged and non-winged sprint car for several years, ran a race team for a West Coast operation for a decade, promoted an event or two, written about dirt track racing...and can tell you with certainty that it is NOT the same as it once was.

I don't know if it was better then or now, it's just different. One thing I know for certain, Rocky Marciano never did time for rape, or bit off potions of an opponents ear!

Keep the faith!

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

Word. The racing of yesteryear was completely different. Smaller, harder tires, rougher surfaces, less safety advances........this list is long. The warriors of days gone by were a different breed. I miss the days of settling an on-track dispute in the lot afterwards and arriving at the track next week with a clean slate. I will, however, comment that todays openwheel drivers are dealing with MUCH more speed which makes things completely different. A bobble at 70 or 80 mph is much easier to correct than one at 120 mph.

Much respect to all who strap in and put on a show for this fan.

"The Outlaws have people out here that don’t know 
anything about racing. I don’t understand how they 
come up with some of the calls they do. It makes me 
think that they just might be that stupid. It’s 
scary."     -Steve Kinser

The old days for sure. How do we measure when the yardstick keeps getting changed? I have recently seen a driver or two that has the skills. I have to admit, wings have kept many greats alive, so I'm not so against them. We just need a break every now and then.

don't go all soft on us now. say wtf you want. we will correct you. lol. we all spew crap in here from time to time. think of it as a big bs session among friends that are trying to out do each other and are taking turns going at each other. now don't make me say this again but i consider everyone in here a friend and am glad to have the opportunity to speak my mind with them. aw crap now i have to go blow my nose!

Don't say sorry for crap.

Yesterday was it's own breed and damn good. You have to keep the pot mixed up or all the goodness settles to the bottom. Now open that mouth some more and tell us how racing was better then. Cause it sure as hell was. Water on the track and week long dirt grating.

-----------------------------------------------------
A healthy diet of dirt in my nachos and beer.

I can't remember seeing very many girls and teenage rich kids with string bean arms wielding a sprint car for some reason...lol. Seems to be a phenomenon of late.

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

Except of course everyone's favorite teenage girl, rich kid with string bean arms...Tyler Walker.

I heard he'll be re-surfacing in a ride co-sponsored by the Columbian Council for Tourism, and Pablo Escobar.

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi