The Gentleman Racer

     I have been thinking about writing this particular piece for a long time.  Since last November actually.  At first I thought it wasn't my place.  Then I thought maybe if I discussed some of my thoughts someone in a more prominent position in the racing community would take up the cause, but I finally realized that nobody was going to say anything and it was time I took the time to express my thoughts. 

    I have been involved in racing for over 10 years now with two clubs. This is an opinion piece and in no way includes the views or opinions of the management of the clubs that I race with I have not consulted with either of them before writing this.  When I say racing, I mean  actual door to door racing.  This piece deals specifically with door to door racing.  I don't participate in Hot Laps, or HPDE enough to entertain having an opinion.   Each club has its own particular attributes.  Some good some bad.  Each approach racing their own way.  In the last 10 years I have seen a marked decline in the Gentleman part of Gentleman racer. 

     That's what we are supposed to be.  Amateur Gentleman racers.  Lets be honest.  Nobody is graduating to the ranks of professional making enough of an income to live on, nobody gets tires, gas, repairs, or sponsorship at the local club level to even entertain the thought that you're a professional.  When I first started there were respected racers with years of experience and a wealth of talent that guided the race group.  Not from an actual position of group management, but from more of a position of mentorship or fatherly advice.  Chad Nelson, Don Uhler, and Mark Alger  seemed to be the guiding hand that kept the race group under control.  They were fast, respected, consistent, safe and when they took the time to talk during a race group meeting or in the paddock during a race weekend people listened. 

     When I first started racing I was getting my ass kicked at the starts of the race.  To the point where I was frustrated and complained to one of the officials that one talented racer was jumping the start every race.  Basically video was used to make me look like an ass and I deserved it.  The other thing that happened was Chad told me how to start a race.  What to look for, what to do in the car and how not to make a mistake.  Those three gentlemen also took the time to see that I learned to make good racing decisions, to be humble and to work on my race craft always. 

     What I have witnessed this last 12 months and specifically since November both on track and watching multiple videos of our races and racing incidents  has made me realize that its time that somebody, I chose myself, should speak up.  I have had contact with 1 car in 10 years due to me running into the back of a car that was running out of gas in front of me.  When one individual has been involved in three racing incidents since November, and another has mechanical breakdowns every-time on track its time to take notice.  You see,  we all pay to race together.  The same amount.  We are spending the same on gas, tires, entry fees, travel to the track, food etc.  When some individuals  through their own negligence don't maintain their cars, they cost us track time.  When some individuals are involved in on track incidents three times in 6 months, they are causing damage to cars other than their own, and putting other racers in danger. 

     The other issue that has become a glaring problem is blatant cheating at the start of a race, or passing late going into a corner going two or four wheels off to make a pass.  When the car being passed needs to take evasive action to keep from being hit, That might as well be blatant cheating as well.  Consistent erratic driving, failing to drive a racing line, changing lines drastically throughout corners, swerving towards other cars while being passed and continually blocking faster cars is not only disrespectful, its talent-less racing, and above all its dangerous to other racers and yourself.

     At the start of a race drivers are required to stay two by two in line until the green flag waves.  Slightly moving one way or another to see the starter is totally different than getting completely out of line and getting a jump on everyone else.  Blaming your make and model of race car on your inability to run fast lap times and maintain the racing line is nothing more that an excuse for your lack of driving talent and total lack of respect for the very people, and the club you are racing with.  Not racing cleanly does not make you a winner.  It makes you a bad driver. 

     There are racing rules written or unwritten that need to be followed.  On track contact REQUIRES  that you report it to the race director.   EVERY racer needs to have at least one camera in the car during the race.  It can clear you if you honestly believe you are not at fault, and more than anything else is allows you to study your racing when the weekend is over.

     Please don't think that I believe that I am the best racer out there.  I certainly am not.  I have competed in one form or another my entire life and pride myself on knowing just exactly where I rank.  Being a Gentleman racer comes with some responsibility, to your fellow racers, to the club you are racing with, and to yourself.  I intend to marshal other respected individuals into helping me in guiding the race group into the future.  You see I have a choice to make.  Keep quiet and keep  my opinions to myself, or work to make sure that the hobby that I have grown to love so much continues to grow and be available for myself and others in the future.