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2point6
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« on: March 11, 2006, 01:17:59 PM » |
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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...
SIR is a great facility, but some of the staff there... that is another story. Over the years that I have been racing there, I have been treated poorly many times and also witnessed many of us "import guy/girls" being treated poorly and hearing rude comments being made by the staff about "US slow imports" being a waste of time. Comments made by staff saying "It must be such a thrill driving a 20 second HONDA", even by the announcer like: "Ok everybody in the stands lets all look west to the sunset, since there are a couple of HONDA's on the line. Watching the sunset is much faster than these two 20 second Honda's." (BTW, the "20 second Honda's" both ran low 14's. that pass.) I understand humor, but this gets offensive when comments are made consistantly, besides why do they think all HONDAs run 20 second E.T.'s? BIAS, plain and simple. Another very recent occasion, I was going through tech and was asked "how fast is this car?" I said "12.8" the tech then asked me about my "hidden nitrous bottle" and wanted to see if it was vented outside the car. I explained that there wasn't any nitrous on the car and after a very thorough search, the tech said "I don't know what is with you guys going out and blowing your cars up on the track running nitrous. Your cars aren't built for this stuff." He signed my ticket, slapped it into my hand and I walked away from him without saying a word. Why would he say that unless he was BIASED? I even brought this up with the tower officials, who said "SIR techs don't say such things." My complaint went unheard. They don't care.
Last night was no exception.
Personally, I had nearly combative issues with a track official which was totally unproffesional on his part. The official running the staging lanes was NOT the regular guy who runs the lanes. The REGULAR guy has been very cool. This NEW guy started telling people running on slicks to leave the staging area without allowing them to make a pass due to temperature. Another official was saying, "Yes, slicks were allowed at driver discretion". When the staging lane official was approached by Josh and I about the discrepency, he didn't even let us finish our question before he stepped right up to us, finger raised (almost in my face) and said forcefully: "I am running the lanes and if I get any more attitude from you, I will throw you and your friend's asses out." This came across to me as a complete act of aggression, but I decided to back down. He was completely uninterested in our question and had an attitude to start with. He was really cool to the V8 guys when he told them to sit and wait for clarification on the slicks issue before he told them to leave, but he told us to leave immediatley. This was also a show of being BIASED, in my opinion. All this guy had to do was take the time to hear the question instead on being on his power trip. At that point I became frustrated asked him "why he had such a bad attitude?" and he told me to leave, which I did.
They do act like import cars are a waste of time and it is reflected in tech as well as in the staging lanes. It is sad. I would like to see SIR promote RACING reguardless of the car driven, but probably will never happen.
I would like people to let SIR know how they feel about treatment and to post it here. Hopefully SIR officials will take an interest in this feedback and use it to make the track run better. Who knows, maybe there is a legitimate reason why they don't like us...
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The REAL Deal
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« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2006, 02:53:14 PM » |
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Scott,
That does sound very shitty. I have a few things to add...
A few months ago I was at SIR with Jerry when Stacey (red TT C5) rented the track. I got to talk to the track manager for quite some time (without loud cars or him having to do anything). We talked about tech rules (how the same tech for a 67 Nova and a 07 Porsche is the same, which is absurd. There should be a "working airbag tech", and he agreed)
Then on the topic of imports, he mentioned how impressed he was with them (Jerry just ran a 10.5, shitting it out-- bad run). That said, I think they're seeing two divisions: The imports, and the Hondas...
While everyone gets a general attitude from them, domestic owners included, it seems to be more harsh towards the Hondas. I assure you that "we" (Supra owners) back in 99-01 faced similar issues. But as the cars got faster and faster, they started to take notice. Now when you tell them your car "only" runs 11.5, they get mad at you for lying.
That said, these days you could drive a different import-- like an RX7-- and receive ok treatment. The RX7s certainly haven't "earned" the right. So why haven't the Honda's been given the same help?
I frankly think it's because the Honda crowd tends to be very young, and in general the most immature. Scott always acts like a mature adult, and looks the part, but I think they're lumping everyone. The primary reason for the bad treatment is that they're hillbilly morons. The secondary reason is many Honda guys bring it upon themselves, and then everyone is guilty by implication.
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97vetec
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« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2006, 05:30:07 PM » |
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Hello all, I first off would like to thank the people on this forum for the posts. I work in the office at SIR and am very concerned about the bad press. I am also the announcer and would like to take exception to the statement about the sunset. We have had previous announcers that may have said something to that effect, but I have been nothing but supportive to make the track more appealing to all imports. I am also the contact for the track that has been trying to get drifting to our facility, We have changed many things to try to make it attractive to the each individual. I do understand we have alot of work to do in this respect, but please give me, or Mike Nervik (Track Manager), or the office manager (Abby Mabry) the chance to make it better for you to come out and race at SIR. We as Management have changed some procedures even to add 4 (four) nights for street legal/sport compact only. Suggestions are more than welcome by us (the management) and WILL be acted upon. On another note we are looking for employees that would be willing to take an active part in SIR and help solve some of these problems. Please feel free to contact me about anything related to SIR and I will pass it on to our track manager or try to handle it myself. This is my son's user name on this forum so please don't respond to me through this forum. My e-mail is hi.plains.helo@att.net or I can be contacted through the SIR website at office@sirace.com. Thanks. Bruce Mabry (520) 940-3135 Cell (SIR) (520) 909-9413 Cell (520) 762-9700 Office |
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2point6
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« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2006, 06:34:44 PM » |
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Bruce, thank you for posting your input here. I have to admit I am suprised how fast of a reaction I got from you. That does tell me there is at least an interest and that is a big step.
Before I ramble aimlessly, I want to touch on a point that Dennis made before you... I think it is correct in saying that "honda owners" are typically the younger guys in the group. I have witnessed bad behavior at SIR from this group in the form of burn-outs, speeding, doughnuts, and other forms of recklessness in the pit area. This is not completely isolated to the honda group however as I have seen 30+ year old mustang/camaro owners doing the same things the younger guys do in the pits. So where does the opposition to import owners stem from? Recklessness comes in all forms.
As far as my original post putting all of the staff in the same basket, was narrow minded on my part because there are always exceptions to the rule. Hopefully, you are the exception and can help us make a difference. I don't usually speak for other people, but I can tell you that the general consensus is that people go out to SIR... experience it... and then decide the track sucks. I know it isn't the track that sucks, but people are very impreshionable when it comes to how they are treated at any given event. Why would they feel like this? Honestly, from my perspective, it is the treatment in the form of how they are "talked to" that ruins it. This is what pissed me off last night. I was simply asking for clarification because I got 2 different answers and I got aggressivley challenged because there was a misscomunication between the SIR staff. I still maintain this needs to be addressed promptly due to how unproffesional it was. This is not the only time I have had an unprovoked confrontation with SIR staff either and my feelings about these events have boiled to a head. I am tired of it. I know readers/member here are also tired and expect more from their visit to SIR and would agree wether they post about it or not. I don't think we are asking the impossible...
To compare, I know people who are willing to drive to Firebird or speedworld because they feel they are treated better than how they are at SIR. I too notice differences in attitudes at those tracks. The staff is friendly, proffesional, and interested. Times are changing, so are the cars and the people who drive them.
Not to condone street racing, but have you ever looked into this recently? This is HUGE! It isn't the '50's-'60's-'70's domestic hotrods running up and down your street, it is typically the sport compact. Track officials and promoters really need to look into this more. I know a lot of "kids" that don't like going to the track because of how they are treated so they race on the streets. Don't take my word for it... go out for a cruise on speedway friday or saturday night and find out for yourself. Just ask anyone of those people what they have experienced or heard about the track I am sure you will find there needs to be a lot of improvement.
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2point6
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« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2006, 06:44:46 PM » |
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:25 pm Post subject: Long post
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2point6 ~ last night at SIR
Last night was the first night I raced at SIR. Tech inspection was really hard on me, although I was passed. The inspector was looking at everything and was asking about what engine mods i had. As soon as I started my car, the inspector came over to me and told me to wait before I got my wristband. I thought he was gonna fail me, but all he said was if, i go faster than a 11.49 i was gonna get kicked off, which was fair.
I was keeping to myself, for the most part, and trying to stay out of everyones way. On my first pass against a grand national, i blew some smoke in 4th gear (due to poor breather system), but i still managed to put a full second+ on the guy. On the return road he got next to me and was kinda smiling, smurking telling me my motor was blown. He seemed pretty happy until he figured out it wasnt and he just got his ass handed to him by an import on street tires. The guy may have just been a dickhead, but I can sense that imports were not wanted there.
Since I have AWD, good burnouts were not an issue for me, but for the fwd guys w/ slicks, its a different story. I saw Josh - black integra - later that night and he was pretty pissed. These track workers know how FWD cars work (hopefully), but do not wanna help in any way. It seems that they just wanna get the imports out asap, and as Scott was saying, wont even take the time out to listen. Im glad i didnt have any problems last night, but I probably would have if I was still fwd.
Am I crazy, but it seemed like they had more imports than domestics there last night? You would think that they would want both imports and domestics there for better business and more money.
archie |
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Gen2ITR
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« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2006, 06:53:25 PM » |
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1. Thank you for taking the time to reply...
Recently I have expirenced issues with certain members of the staff...while not all are biased, I know certainly a few are. This is their right and I can appreciate that, but when those attitudes are present and applied at any SIR event it makes the entire facility look bad. I have personally met Bruce and doubt he was the Sunset Culprit...As I said before not all of the staff is biased, but it seems that those who are, have been put into postions to exploit that bias. Certain tech officials, the NEW staging director, and a few other misc members of the staff, have made it clear they dont like us, for no other reason than what we drive. This is flat out BULLSH*T. Being 'passed' over by tech/wavier officials is not a good start to your racing expierence, but when I witnessed several IMPORT (not all Honda's) drivers being walked past and the tech's inspecting the V-8 cars, I became outraged! I asked the drivers how long they had waited in line and most where 20 mins Plus! Then I continued to ask about their time at the track and most replied this was their 1st time at SIR. Many out-of-town driver have stated similar stories... Most WILL NOT return.
SIR, to the best of my knowledge, is a Pima County owned facility. If so, SIR officials should be held to the same standards as any other County official. Meaning if they discriminate against any person, group, creed, or belief, they should be reported accordingly. Hopefully the folks that manage the SIR track will take note of some of this, and fairer treatment will insue.
Lets See Some Change SIR!!
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Street Assassins
DA Squad #481
Going GREEN!
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2point6
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« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2006, 11:15:39 PM » |
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My only bash on SIR was that it took me 45min to get through tech in the first place, I was passed like 4 times... I got there at about 7:50 because I came directly from work and I was the only Honda at tech. Then I got only one run because the blown motor in lane 2. I wish they had more customer appreciation. They made me feel like I was a nuescense and not a customer |
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crash lander
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« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2006, 11:26:24 AM » |
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I havent ever ran at SIR, something about my car never being ready.I personally think they're upset that hondas/imports are blowin doors off old muscle cars with big gas whoring v8's and we just use rice eating 4 bangers. Run all night and drive home with gas left over. They on the other hand can only run a few runs and barely leave the track and make it to the gas station. I love my honda.
SCOTT USES OLD ASIAN TEMPER CONTROL METHODS
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2point6
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« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2006, 12:37:49 PM » |
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I havent ever ran at SIR, something about my car never being ready.I personally think they're upset that hondas/imports are blowin doors off old muscle cars with big gas whoring v8's and we just use rice eating 4 bangers. Run all night and drive home with gas left over. They on the other hand can only run a few runs and barely leave the track and make it to the gas station. I love my honda.
SCOTT USES OLD ASIAN TEMPER CONTROL METHODS I see the sarcasm here, but I really doubt the issue is about gas savings or for that matter, Hondas actually being "faster" than a lot of the V8's. LOL |
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JDESSENS
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« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2006, 01:34:28 PM » |
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lol thats true, the guy talking over the speaker has ran his mouth over imports. i know what you are all talking abou and it is true that alot of poeple dont go simply because of how they are being treated. its not only the staff but also some of the poeple there, specially those that get along with the staff, they need to start doing something or street racing will only get worse!!!! by the way on the streets you dont have to put up with any BS thats what is cool about it. And those that hate imports please post why!!!
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97vetec
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« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2006, 11:46:32 PM » |
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lol thats true, the guy talking over the speaker has ran his mouth over imports. i know what you are all talking abou and it is true that alot of poeple dont go simply because of how they are being treated. its not only the staff but also some of the poeple there, specially those that get along with the staff, they need to start doing something or street racing will only get worse!!!! by the way on the streets you dont have to put up with any BS thats what is cool about it. And those that hate imports please post why!!! I assure you that if you are talking about the current announcer at SIR, you are horribly mistaken! He is one of the most neutral people when it comes to who races, or what is racing. The current Announcer is one of the guys fighting for you guys(as well as the NEW manager) Things may have sucked out there and may have continued but it is going to get better, but it is not going to happen overnight. Believe me you are not alone out there, I have a civic , rx7 and an srt-4, and I also work out there part time, so we are trying and we are addressing issues with employees that basically suck at customer service. Thanks Ryan |
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The REAL Deal
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« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2006, 01:46:26 AM » |
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First point to Scott..
As we all know, there are morons of every shape and size. People tend to view morons through rose colored glasses.. When the Camaro guys do a burnout, the hillbillies remember when they did a burn out in their 66 Nova infront of their dad. When a Honda does it, it's just some punk who should be attaching more plastic shit to his car and not be at the track.
Second re: Pima County... while "Pima County" officials is kind of a silly reference, it did make me think that our complaints may not be lost on the county board of supervisors. Scott, if you have time to write a nice and forceful letter stating the issues and how it's leading to low turn out and higher street racing, I bet someone there would be interested! You get those guys going and heads may roll.
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Broke
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« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2006, 01:42:51 AM » |
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I agree SIR is a waste of time. I have a ton of time/money invested in my HONDA and I would rather drive much further to race than to go to SIR. Back when I was "slow"(all motor) I ran a 13.6 against a Camaro that ran a 13.9. I got pulled over and kicked out due to no helmet. Which is fine, I deserved that. BUT the Camaro did NOT. Since then my car is much faster and I do not plan on going to SIR to test it until I hear about some changes....
OK, I am done whinning.....
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"Broke", cause that what cars do to us...
92 SI, Stock H22 w/H/I/E, Full interior= 13.6 swapped to VX
92 VX Built H22, PEAKboosted, 440whp= HOLYSHIT!! sold...
94 GSR lots of goodies, sold...
NEW ish comming soon...
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fuccarlos
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« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2006, 03:30:42 AM » |
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anything lower than a 13.9 you need a helmet the car ran a 13.9 if he would of ran 13.8 he would of been asked to leave also .
all you have to do is buy a nhra rule book and follow follow it to a tee there $10 we learned this by breaking the rules now that we go by that book we have zero issues and we drive a fast civic and get mad respect from all the v8 guys
you are not being singled out they go by the book its as simple as that. there not gonna change the rule to accomidate you so whining about it does nothing
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9.70@148-built block 10.40@136-bone stock block and tranny aem ems powered www.turboelements.comExperience is what you get when you don't get what you want. |
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skillet
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« Reply #14 on: June 21, 2006, 07:22:01 PM » |
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they seemed cool to me. all the tech guys were even looking at and complementing my car.
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ever feel the need to keep it so real you feed yourself into her hunger and dont care if she bleeds 2pretty2drift need turbos/IC/accesories/custom manifolds? www.turboelements.com |
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