[Spridgets] SMRS Safety / Vintage Philosophy

[Charles Hall III]

Thanks Stan

Well received

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________________________________
From: stanbmason at aol.com <stanbmason at aol.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 1:22:01 PM
To: Derek Sprite Chima <derekchima at hotmail.com>; Sieling LemanSprite Roger <sarl45 at hotmail.com>; Steve Myers <steve at skunkriverresto.com>; Nathan Bugeye Burress <nburress at gmail.com>; Jason Stine <stine.jason at gmail.com>; RichardVscdaBugeye McCormack <mccormackr at hss.edu>; Tom Speedwell Colby <tcspeedwell at gmail.com>; Kirk BugEye Kosidowski <kirkkos at yahoo.com>; Harry Spridget Racer Gentry <hcgracing at aol.com>; JohnSqBdyBE Salisbury <salisje at comcast.net>; Tim Spridget McGinley <tim at mcginleyinc.com>; Ed VSCDA Hinsa <edwardhinsa at gmail.com>; Buckley SB Jeff <buks62500 at yahoo.com>; DaveVscdaBugeye Williams <bugeyedave at aol.com>; Tom Sqbdy Cole <tlcnam at aol.com>; Jeff Carloss <jeff at mozer.com>; Greg SpeedwellBugEye Kuzuhowski. <happykozfam at comcast.net>; Skip Bugeye Meyer <skip.meyer at ymail.com>; Dick Rzepkowski <dick at mgcarclub.com>; Steve LeMansSprite Coleman <steve at onecoleman.com>; Ellie Lynch Lynch <esolynch at gmail.com>; Phil Schaefer <spridget72 at yahoo.com>; John Deikis <deikis at gmail.com>; Steve Bugeye Bisson <steve.bisson at yahoo.com>; Gary.perser <gary.perser at gmail.com>; John McCue <slugthemtrhd at suddenlink.net>; Charles Hall III <charlie at charles-hall.com>; Steve Sprite Wright <stevewright9928 at gmail.com>; Evan Midget Holmes <racingred69midget at rogers.com>; Paul PotentialSprite Racer Harris <pauljharris914 at yahoo.com>; Erik BugEye Jacobsen <kekjacobsen at yahoo.com>; Bill VSCDABigHealeyBlue Dredge <mowogbill at yahoo.com>; Grant Gongoll <viggen at bellsouth.net>; Jon Sprite Bauer <jbtruck at dwave.net>; Buzz Bugeye Thcko Merchlewitz <buzzmerk at yahoo.com>; swope david <swope66 at aol.com>; Loren <loren at cascadeclimber.com>; Jeff SB Bakker <jeff.bakker at yahoo.com>; Dave Brown <dbrown07 at aol.com>; Rick Bug Eye Michalek <rickdmichalek at gmail.com>; ptgbhtl at aol.com <ptgbhtl at aol.com>; Kevin SBSpridget Clemens <wrtr at aol.com>; Colin Comer <colin at colinsclassicauto.com>; Thomas SqBdy Spridget Wilcox <ta.wilcox57 at gmail.com>; Rick Spridget Fisk <refisk at chartermi.net>; Joe Bugeyerace Steifel <rsr914k at yahoo.com>; Dave Sprite Thomas <spridgets at autox.team.net>; DavidBugEyeTx Lee <dlee1967 at sbcglobal.net>; Mathew Midget Meixner <ccstickleback at yahoo.com>; Bob Bug Eye Kanasa <Swindrace at aol.com>; Erick Zanner <ezanner at gmail.com>; ScottSpridget Schmidt <scthsc47 at gmail.com>; MalVscdaMidget Fay <mg72racer at juno.com>; Terry Speedwell Cowan <terry at toyshop-resto.com>; Ron Soave <soavero at yahoo.com>; Ed Sprite Forrest <edwforrest at gmail.com>; Derek Sprite Shannon <kered_2004 at yahoo.com>; Buckley SB Greg <buckleyproperties at gmail.com>; ThadSqBdy Evans <thadevans at windstream.net>; Jim50 Midget <bmwwxman at gmail.com>; Mark Huffaker Maehling <mmaehling at comcast.net>; Chip Starr <dynamic881961 at yahoo.com>; Chris SquareBody Beukema <christopher.beukema at gmail.com>; Jim Donato <jdonato at donatoandsonsmotors.com>; John Sprite Race Jones <nadadawgracing at yahoo.com>; Ted Hershey <thershey at frontiernet.net>; Don Kelly <devildogracing9 at gmail.com>; Steve SpridgetSCCA Best <stevebest3131 at gmail.com>; Ted Bugeye Canada Michalos <ted at hoyes.com>; Dave SMRS Walters <d.walters at lackstrim.com>; Kevin SridgetRacer Fay <k_hund59 at yahoo.com>; Jeff WinnerCircle Porada <wc at spridget.com>; Ron SpriteChamp Bartell <ron.bartell at comcast.net>; Severin Bill Thompson <wsthompson at thicko.com>; Doug Bruce <dbruce at taborbruce.com>; RogerThicko Heil <rfheil at aol.com>; Richard BugEyeHP Duncan <mgvadick at aol.com>; Clancy Sprite Schmidt <clancy at sunflower.com>; Craig E. Seifert <cseifert at tombrowninc.com>; Larry SB Race Smith <larsmg at aol.com>; Joe BugeyeRace Chiarello <chia219 at comcast.net>; Ashley SpridgetRacer Burress <ashleyburress27 at gmail.com>; Max Spridget Speedwell <maxspeedwell773 at gmail.com>; Rod Hahnemann <spridgetech at ameritech.net>; Cana Comer <cana.comer at gmail.com>; Dan Spridget Rudd <sgthui at yahoo.com>; Nick BE 2E Pirner <nickpirner at gmail.com>; Adam Sprite Mozdzien <adammozdzien at gmail.com>; Bruce SMRS Newcomer <j.newcomer at yahoo.com>; August Midget Race Schmitz <Schmitau60046 at gmail.com>; David SBTx Lee <dlee1967 at sbclgobal.net>; John Spridget Basnik <jbasnik3 at gmail.com>; Brian Spridget Ulinski <brian.ulinski at gmail.com>; Dave Spridget Kessinger <dbkessinger at yahoo.com>; Greg SMRS Newcoimer <gregnewc1981 at gmail.com>; Brian Lynch <brian at griffinspeedworks.com>; Dan Sprite L'Huereux <dan at callconsult.net>; Leah Sprite Bauer <leah at leahbauerdesigns.com>; Dan SMRS Bug Eye Parson <dan at virtualparsons.com>; Christopher Spridget Folkers <christophermf323 at gmail.com>; David SMRS Long <dstantonkc at gmail.com>; Bob Danielson <bldan at bldan.com>; Roger Smith <chezsmith09 at att.net>; Dick McClain <dickmcclain at earthlink.net>
Subject: SMRS Safety / Vintage Philosophy




VSCDA Group 2 and Spridget Racers 2024 Season

(Revised September 23,2024)

I hope everyone’s 2024 Vintage Sports Car Season was fun for most of you.  There were others, especially Spridgets that were not, as a result of contact and major repairs.  This is a concern to me as the VSCDA Group 2 Representative. We have encouraged the Vintage Spirit for over the 13 years that Sprite Midget Race Series group has existed, yet it does not seem to be applied recently.  We have become the majority of the entrants in Group 2 with our number 50% or greater.  I understand that with more in the group that the probability of more accidents is possible, which I don’t see as an excuse for increased incidents.  Group 2 had 8 incidents resulting in 38% of overall incidents within VSCDA.  Sprite Midgets incidents are 64% of Group 2.  I wanted to get this information out before the Ozark Race coming up on October 11-13 and hope that everyone will be more conscious of this issue.



Some of the Good News is Passing under Yellow has been a concern for some years and it appears that there has been improvements this year by imposing stricter enforcement with some being sent home for the weekend.

Incidents and corrective actions: I want to highlight and group our 2024 incidents so there is an awareness of where these mistakes are made and corrective actions to consider.   The following comments are my opinions with some reference to other technical sources. I am not criticizing individuals for the incidents that they experienced, since they have happened to me as well.  Some of the sources referenced were: (AF = Ace Factor E. Paul Dickinson)

1.       Mechanical -  a car had a mechanical issue and resulted in another car coming in contact

a.       Corrective action – This is difficult and based on how to avoid a spinning car.   Anticipation is emphasized in AF and the following car may have avoided accident with Anticipation.

2.       Over aggressiveness – This happened where more than 3 cars were in a turn or at the start of the race.

a.       Corrective action - Reducing competiveness and making room and awareness of others around through using mirrors is the best solution.  When in doubt don’t would be the best path.  There will be other opportunities where it will be safer to pass in future laps.

3.       Off track - This happened during the first lap when tires are cooler and not up to their maximum adhesion.

a.       Corrective action – The first lap is always the most critical with everyone in close contact, any mistakes made then are usually going to result in contact with others.  Give room and maintain position with great awareness of everyone around you.

4.       Drafting - Described as running very closely to get an aerodynamic advantage allowing the following car to gain speed.

a.       Corrective action – This is a condition that reduces time to react because of close contact and usually done on a straight where higher speeds are also involved.  Not doing it is the ultimate solution to this condition.  If you are going to do it then Extra Anticipation is required.  I have also observed that having a string of cars running closely can result in overtaking drivers paying more attention to the rear bumper of the car in front of them Vs using your long rang vision by looking ahead in anticipating of any upcoming changes that may result in a chain reaction.

I am including our Jim Donato Most Respected Drivers Award Criteria, which always applies:

1. Predictable / Trusted: (uses mirrors, points faster cars by, passes safely and allows others room to pass and is always a defensive driver over winning at all cost), stays on racing line except when car failures would leave fluids on track or safety is a concern)

2. Objective: Listens to others and approaches other drivers that they may have an issue in an open and fair way. Can sit down with any driver and feel comfortable that they did the right thing when on the track.

3. Observant: Looks forward to observe incidents and flag stations, inspects car between sessions for safety to avoid causing accidents to others on track.

4. Respectful: Avoids Red Mist, which is identified as an emotional win at all costs attitude and maintains Vintage Spirit Philosophy.


I wish everyone a great time at the Ozark Race and have safe fun with our CVAR Spridget Friends!

Stan Mason





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