AI has hit a wall !! HELP !!!!

[COBRA #17]

Well guys I had a very interesting talk with Dan S. tonight!!! It doesn't look good !!! We all need to get together and get a game plan for this year or we not have any AI to run in !!!:( We will be stuck in BIG BORE FOREVER !!!

He had an hour and 45 min talk with the AI west guys about the rules and other changes for next year!!! They have made a few changes in the rules but nothing major!! I don't think I can tell you all of them on here but in confidentiality I may over the phone !!! ( SHUGG DON"T EVEN CALL ME !!!:321: )

The problem lies here on the EAST coast and we need to get together and work a plan !!

THE MAIN THING WE NEED IS CARS !!!!!!!
THERE IS STRENGTH IN #'S:cussing:

Tom, John, Don, Jason, Dean, Kevin,Tone,Will,
OH you too Shuggybuns
I NEED YOUR HELP !!!!! OR :flush:

THIS IS NOT A JOKE !!!!!

AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR (for now )
COBRA #17 I should be home tomarrow night after 6
540-965-3357

[98banana]

So, what's the deal?

[Dean95CobraR]

Are you saying the AI may go away and be converted into the Big Bore class? :confused:

I keep getting promised that the midwest will run an AI series so that means my east coast races will be very limited. I hope to make Road Atlanta though.

[justagt]

I am definitely in next year. We are testing the car next weekend at VIR to shake it down and be ready in Febuary. What do we need to do to make sure that AI is around for next year?

[svt_coupe]

Shuggybuns? Umm... these nicknames (at least this type) have GOT to stop!!! STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!!!!

So like.... what's the deal?

Shugg. (note location of period signifying end of name ;) )

[97whitevert]

Originally posted by svt_coupe
Shuggybuns? Umm... these nicknames (at least this type) have GOT to stop!!! STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!!!!

So like.... what's the deal?

Shugg. (note location of period signifying end of name ;) ) awwwww, come on now .. i really like shuggybuns......not even form us female types?????:D :bounce: :bounce:

[98banana]

You know, I thought about this crap during my long drive into work this morning (4 miles) and I've come to the realization that the main reason I'm planning to build another Mustang is because of AI. I need to know soon what the future of AI is. If there is no AI, I'm seeking other possible car makes.

And if anybody is wondering, the Focus (v8 version) is currently holding the number 1 spot with an old 911 at a close 2nd and a C4 'vette in 3rd.

And, I'm never calling Shugg anything but Shugg. Well, except for when he's not listening. :D

And there goes that and thing again. AND STOP THE MADNESS!!!

[rshelbygt]

Hoover -- I'd love to run AI...but I don't think 2 HPDE weekends qualifies me to run with you big dogs:D Besides...I really learned alot and enjoyed helping with Shugg's car this year...hoping to help him again next year if he'll let me.

My plan was to buy/prepare the car this winter and run many (at least 10-12) HPDE weekends in 2003. Then (finances and talent permitting) run a limited to full schedule of AI in 2004.

You AI/X guys provided great racing this year! Let me know if there is anything else (besides racing) that I can do to make sure there is AI/X in 2003 and beyond!...........

[Blown96Snake]

How many cars run AI/AIX? Is there not enough cars or what? I would hate to see that happen, I didn't get out to a race this year, but planned on seeing bunch of races next year. What would this "Big Bore" class be? Corvettes? that would suck, don't they have enough places to race? :doubt:

Dave

[b_tone]

Hoover, call me tonight.

Shugg, you know that you love the nicknames. I can see you at home watching reruns of 7th Heaven petting your fluffy white cat with a smug look on your face being content to be called shuggybutt, shuggybuns etc.

Shoot me a note. I hope you are enjoying 'work' I am ;)

Brian

[COBRA #17]

I guess we will be around this year but the future has it's doubts if we don't get the car turn out we need. Not all of you were at the races this year so I'll breifly explain!!!
We ( AI ) were shorted a ton of track time this year simply because we had to run with the big bore group. It ( BIG BORE) is baisicly made up of leftover race cars from other classes that are there or testing or just out playing. Well they end up crashing going off or dumping a ton of oil and ruining or sesions!!
This is not the main reason we are in jepordy but is greatly effected by the # of cars.

IT IS KILLING ME NOT BEING ABLE TO TELL YOU ALL THE WHOLE STORY!!!! DAN SWORE ME TOO KEEP IT TO MYSELF UNTILL WE TRY THE FIRST PHASE OF FIXING IT!!!
BUT IF WE GET THE CAR COUNT UP IT MAY FIX ITSELF !!!:doubt:

Dan and I aren't going to be able to carry the whole ship like we did last year though!!!!!! If you guys only knew how much time and $$$ we have both put into this thing you guys would have a stroke !!! It's not going to be as easy this year though!! Pockets are getting empty and patience are getting thin!!! Cooperation from you guys is needed at a MAXIMUM !!!

FEEL FREE TO CALL ME TONIGHT AND MAYBE I CAN GIVE YOU SOME MORE DETAILS IN COFIDETIALITY !!!! There are still parts though that I can't tell just yet!!!

!!! Rice burning bullshit drifting and rollover crap is more important than real downhome racing !!!! :321: No offence to Adam or any of his buddies but as you can tell I'm PISSED:mad: :mad: !!
I just don't grasp the thought of watching a honda civic wagon race against a mazda protige unless it's to the grocery store and they both crash and rot !!!!!
I have worked too hard to let this thing DIE!!! SO HELP US IF YOU CAN !!!!!




Beat the bushes and get the word out !!!!!!!!


I'm going to take a prozac and calm down !!! LATER !!!!! :(


AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR
COBRA #17 ( 1 pissed hillbilly !!! )

[98banana]

You can't leave us hanging like this. If I build a car, I'm doing it with the plans of making it last more than one year. What happens if AI doesn't return for 2004? I'm not ready to move to Kalifornia to race over there, so what's left?

I agree 100% with the Hyperfest comments. Rollover and drifting contests, IMO, are irresponsible and don't belong at an event meant to teach performance driving.

But, (there goes that preposition thing again!) if you're talking about the Hondas and Mazdas getting out there and seriously tracking the car, then I have absolutely no problem with that. 90% of the cars out there don't belong out there from the factory. And yes, the Mustang is one of those cars. More power to anybody that can make a car perform on the track.

[svt_coupe]

Hoover - I love ya like a brother so don't take this the wrong way.

You can't put this on a public board and expect not to have an uprise. In particular since it directly affects (one way or another) most of the people using this forum.

As far as the help is concerned... all you have to do is ask. If you did, I think you'd have a "call to arms" from almost everyone involved with AI. Heck, what I do for NASA-VA directly affects American Iron (trickle down theory...). I most certainly don't do it for the fun - getting called on the intercom often while trying to sort out a racecar OR go race isn't fun. I do it because 1) I used to instruct and it helps the organization 2) it helps AI - I can explain how offline. I believe that you'll have a handful of people helping you if you ask... just get ready to delegate responsibilities.

I'm not sure I understand how AI will be wiped out for next year if we don't get the numbers up. That makes about as much sense to me as cold fusion. However, if it comes down to a matter of SUPPORT or HELP with the organizational stuff, look to me as the first one that will do my part to ensure the INCREDIBLE first season isn't also our last season. AI is something special. I think it's bigger than any of us probably realize. There are people who are talking about building an AI car so they can compete 1-2 years from now after they get the school/track time. I'd hate to see it all go away because of ANY reason.

B

[sn8kbit]

i honest to god wish i had the time and funds to throw at you guys. right now, the only thing i've been able to do is keep shuggalicious humble (and what a job that is! whew!)
all in all, i think NASA itself needs to grow some ( i know the nashville chapter ended up having some bonehead management problems, and is no more). the view by most of the folks i know around here have no conception of what open tracking or racing is other than a parking lot full of cones, and that just doesn't come across as "hell yeah i'll do that!!"
i hope this thing sorts out, i've got 2 folks i'm pullin for next year...

[COBRA #17]

I put this on a public forum for that reason!!! As far as your trickle down theory IT SUCKS !!! Your getting stabbed in the back and don't know it !!!!! I hope you know what I'm talking about !!! If not your not as smart as I HOPED YOU WERE!!!
I WARNED YOU DAN AND SEVERAL OTHERS THIS YEAR THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN !!!
As far as the public forum thing It is the only way I know how to get the word out without spending $115 dollars a month on my mobile and phone bill. I can't do it any more !!!!:mad:
I hope I haven't lost any one over this but Dan and myself have been working our asses off !!!! I'm not trying to run anyone off just trying to open some eyes !!!
Dan is probally not going to like the way I have worded this but I do the best I can!!! I don't have the big EDUCATION most of you guys have !!! Prepositions don't mean **** to me!!! Turning raduis, braking distances and torque curves do though !!!!

I"LL SAY IT AGAIN SPREAD THE WORD AND HELP US OUT !!!!

AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR
COBRA#17

[svt_coupe]

The only part I meant was... put it on a public forum and say AI won't be here next year and then don't give a reason and say you can't give a reason.

No worries dude. I'll call you tonight. I wasn't flaming you. Hillbillly.

B

[johnbasf]

Damn James, let us know what we can do!!!!!! I almost have Dianne talked into pulling the tags and gutting the Mystic. LET US KNOW WHAT TO DO!!! I know 3 guys that want to run in 2004, John P, Jason, Don.

[b_tone]

John, clean out your damn PM box so that I can send you a note

[johnbasf]

There is nothing in it!! I don't know what's up. E-mail me.

[johnbasf]

Try it now Brian!! Thanks Lisa!

[svt_coupe]

HOOVER!!!!!! Just tried calling you and your line was busy. But I just called Dan.

There will be an AI next year. I think Dan and James want to get as many cars as possible out on the track. There are some pretty BIG TIME series sponsorship deals in the pipes for '03. Dan and James have promised the sponors a good showing of cars for next year. If everyone that SAYS they'll be there actually shows, American Iron (East) will be position favorably to grow as a series.

I think it's possible for AI to really bring in some good numbers next year. To all those prepping cars: keep in mind exactly HOW LONG it can take to put a car together (ahhemm... WILL!) and keep in mind that March is rolling around the corner VERY shortly. Get working on those cars and get out to the track with us!!!

Along the lines of the series sponsors, those of you building cars may want to consider getting in touch with Dan or James. While nothing is official (yet), knowing who will be supporting AI next year might help you decide what parts to run. Also, next year looks like we'll be getting some pretty big time support from our sponsors. Be very thankful for that as they are who will enable AI to grow to it's potential - the best place to race. Again, that's only if we have a good number of cars... :D

LASTLY - Dan and James DO NEED OUR HELP. If you guys can help get the word out and beat the bushes to see if we can find some other interested racers, that would rock. I have offered my assistance for next year to assist with ANYTHING they need help with. If everyone can do a little, our series will continue to rock and James and Dan can relax a little (not too much Hoover!).

Lastly (for real this time), thanks to Dan and James for their continued efforts.

[SIUNARA]

I'm with the rest of the crew...just say the word on what you need help with and it will get done. I'll be putting the word out up here in Pa. to anyone and everyone that might have even a slight interest in racing AI/X. I recruited a guy for Factory Five while at an autocross earlier this summer...he's currently building a car for next year. I'll see if I can get any AI/X guys this year!

John is being a little opti"mistic" about me racing in 04. Between me starting grad school in the spring and Jeanine being in grad school now (little pay now, BIG payoff later) I'm barely gonna get the car up to specs by then let alone have the extra $$ to race. I'm thinking more like 05. :)

I'm with Shugg on not calling him Shuggybutt, or Shuggybun's anymore...it just doesn't bode well for his image as a racer. So we're clear on that, no more calling Shugg, Shuggybutt or Shuggybun's right? So it will be just Shugg! No Shuggbutt or Shuggybun's OK? Cool...Shugg it is then!! Just to clarify again...NO SHUGGYBUTT OR SHUGGYBUN'S!!!! Just SHUGG!! :D :thumbsup::D

[jbracing]

There is a simple solution to the AI numbers issue. We have many interested racers here in the midwest. We need closer races. I know that we have a couple of new regions that are starting and planning races for 2003. If the regions could combine some of the events the numbers would show. It is just to time consuming to try to attend all the East coast races. How about planning a couple of " National " events for next year. This would benefit everyone.

Jeremy

[98banana]

There's been lots of talk on corner-carvers about a East-West event for AI. I, for one, would love to see that and would attend if at all possible. That is assuming that I have a car built at some point in the near future. :(

[justagt]

Kind of off topic , but to add to something Bryan said - BUY a car already built if you have a deadline. BUILD one if you aren't in a hurry. Just trust me on this one.
Just a warning for my friends. :)

[98banana]

Originally posted by justagt
Kind of off topic , but to add to something Bryan said - BUY a car already built if you have a deadline. BUILD one if you aren't in a hurry. Just trust me on this one.
Just a warning for my friends. :)

For anybody else, I agree with you. But I can't drive something that somebody else built. I HAVE to build it because for me, that's half, if not more than half, of the fun.

So, needless to say, I'm going to be one busy some-beeotch come January time frame. :D

[COBRA #17]

Yes there should be an AI this year unless we are pushed out by the import crap!! It seems that is all NASA VA is interested in. I see that this is a big market right now but fads die legends don't !!! I invite all of you to PLEASE SLAM THE NASA VA site with posts and talk of a great season to come !!! I want to turn this bowl of rice into a huge slice of AMERICAN PIE !!!!
YOU GUYS SAID YOU WANTED TO HELP !!!!:D Here's your first asignment !!!

I will say this we were told that we weren't invited to the HYPER FESTS this year . A month ago we were on the schedule to race the US Touring cars from out west to help put on a show !!!
What's up with this !?!?:doubt: SOMEBODY'S SCARED !!!!!
THEY KNOW WE ARE GOING TO KICK THERE ASS!!!!!!!!
If you all don't know the us touring cars are the NASA Pro series from out west. Pro drivers & pro cars!!!
Speaknig of PRO !!!! Everything you see with NASA on it, it's allways followed by PRO RACING !!!
WHERE THE HELL IS THE PRO PART ?!?!
Maybe I don't understand the meaning of PRO ?? :confused:
YOU GUYS MIGHT WANT TO BRING THAT UP ALSO !!! ( hint hint!!!)

OK guys I'll be handing out grades on sunday night !!!! I'll warn you now you don't want to fail and end up in the principals office!!!!:thumbsup:

AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR
COBRA #17

[kevin]

i'm away from home on a really slow dial-up, netscape 4.7, 10 year old puter, waited 45 minutes just to get this far (YUK, won't use the faces cause they take to long to load).

anyway, i would like to run with you boys. the truth of the matter, i live way to far away to be able to make it a habit. the only way i could run ai is if i were to find a sponser that could store/maintain my 00r somewhere midwest to east. i just can't hual my car back and forth one a month and maintain the other races i'm committed to with my other car. also, if there's a full mid-west ai schedule that i can attend it certainly makes more sense given where i live.

also, as has been already mentioned, it takes time for some to get cars put together. however, it's doubly hard when sponsorship (parts to use) come so late that it's difficult to incorporate those (clearly a plus for the series). all this to say - the rules, sponsors, schedules need to be out there early enough for us to deal with.

now i realize what i'm about to say has nothing to do with ai directly. i still dojn't know if i can come run with you guys in atlanta with my other race car. i realize it's not a directly controlled nasa event, but the lack of firm information regarding the raod atlanta weekend makes planning very difficult (just an example).

boy i hope this makes some sense?

[johnbasf]

OK, get over here!!! http://www.nasaracing.net/pHP_BB/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=173

[COBRA #17]

Great job John !!!
I like a man with GUTTS !!! ANY BODY ELSE HAVE ANY !!!:thumbsup:

I appriciate all the time and work helping spread the word !! We won't let you down come race season !!! I'll bring all the pretzells cookies, brownies and muffins AMY can make !!! It's a good thing I have a high metabolism or I would weigh 500 lbs. ( then maybe Shugg could run some close lap times !!:p )


THANKS AGAIN GUYS !!!

AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR
COBRA #17

[COBRA #17]

OK GUYS GALS & ALL INBETWEEN !!!!:doubt:

I spent several long phone conversations with Dan S. tues and wed. about this coming year. I have to say things have made a VERY BIG 180 AND THINGS LOOK BETTER THAN EVER!!!!:thumbsup:
AI is getting some well deserved suport from NASA VA and maybe our effort hasn't gone unnoticed !!!
:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:
SO if anybody had any doubt that there is gong to be an AI series this year or next or hell we might even knock NASCAR off of speed chanel !!!:thumbsup: :D :thumbsup:

SO you weenies building cars GET TO WORK March is right around the corner !!!!! :flag:
(OH crap I have to get my motor back together, got to go !!!!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING YOU TURKEYS!!!!:p


AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR
COBRA #17

[Dean95CobraR]

Originally posted by HOOVER RACING - Corral
There are going to be some very helpful contingency deals this year. Especialy on the brake side of racing. I can't release any details but we have VERY generous deal on the table!!!

AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR
COBRA #17

Hey Hoover. I saw this post over on the Corral but I thought I would ask my questions over here. :D

Brakes are one thing that I haven't decided on and I was wondering how much longer will it be before you can announce something?

Also, how do these contingency deals work? Do you get certain things when you have their parts and stickers on the car? Plus, is there anykind of financial payoff for winning AI races (not that I have to worry about that. :rotf: )?

[COBRA #17]

Well Dean glad you came to this site with this question.
I can't disclose the brake anouncement yet because we haven't made the final decision.
As far as the contingency deals each work different. Frozen rotors deal gives the race winner a free set of rotors 2nd a $75 gift cetificate, and 3rd $50 cirt. ( don't quote me on the amounts but something like that) You must run there decals.
Griggs deal Pays at the end of the year $2500 for a championship win ( with the full GR 40 kit) but also pays so much for each race win during the season.
I don't remember how Maximuns deal works Shugg may know.
The new brake deal if it goes through will be simalar to the frozen rotors deal.
Also Steeda has a very sweet deal coming for this year also. For you guys building cars you may want to check with them before you make your final decision on buying parts!!!

I can't believe I haven't gotten any coments on my post above!!


AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR
COBRA #17

[Blown96Snake]

Hoover, that is great, I look forward to being at every race next year! I may be interning for the Virginia region. I am looking forward to it!!!!!! Thanks for all your hard work with the series, I hope to race in the series one day. I'm tackling autocross now, big boy tracks later, that junk is expensive on a college budget!!!

Laters, Dave