In a message dated 1/17/00 1:40:48 PM, jrubin@interaccess.com writes:
<<Yes to all except the part about being the "passee" -- there's still plenty
of room for real racing within the cloak of "classic" vintage racing. I
would hope that racing in the "vintage spirit" means good sportsmanship and
respect for your fellow racers and their cars, but nobody likes to be passed
by a "closely matched car"...
Jack Rubin>>
Why not? What does it matter? Being the "passee" is not a mark of
failure in any way. It does not mean that you have to give up or surrender
to the other guy/gal. You can pass him/her back at your first opportunity.
Hell, I'm not above using the classic "Earnhardt maneuver" if the passer
slips wide in the process of passing. Successfully playing the role of
"passee" means not blocking the overtaking car or not turning a late braking
duel into a dangerous game of chicken. It simply means that someone else has
done a fine job of driving to set up the pass and you should cooperate in faci
litating that pass (yes, wave them through). Then it is up to you to see if
you are good enough to return the favor and set them up for a clean pass.
That's the difference between a good dice and simply passing another car.
Is it more fun to be the "passer"? Only if winning is more important
than enjoying a good dice. If you are only the "passer" all you've done is
passed a car. Big deal. During the course of a season you will make dozens
of passes that you will hardly remember. But if you involve yourself in a
good back and forth dice, it will be a session you will remember for a long
time. Being involved in a good dice requires both parties to be adept at
being both "passer" and "passee" and which one of you was the last to be the
passer before crossing the finishing line should matter not.
Doug Meis.
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