2013 GRM Challenge Pro Drivers

I haven't seen this discussed yet so I figured I'd start a thread. Do we have the slate of Pro Drivers for this year's Challenge yet? Can someone in the know post some details of their driving experience?

If Alan is coming again I've got a question for him. How twitchy do you want me to set up my FWD car? Based on the way things are going when (if) I get her running right I want to get the setup closer to one end of the spectrum so I can remove/loosen rear end stiffness rather than put stuff on.

We have discussed this and invited the usual list of suspects. We will also have Jimmy Johnson from NASCAR and Sebastian Vettel from F1 coming.

Eh, puting a pro driver in your $2k challenger is for Bob Costas. Learn how to drive!

In reply to Lof8:

Tell that to my spinal injury.

Tim Suddard wrote: We have discussed this and invited the usual list of suspects. We will also have Jimmy Johnson from NASCAR and Sebastian Vettel from F1 coming.

To cheap to get Kimi ? He would also entertain by the pool!

In reply to hobiercr:

I suppose you may have a valid excuse there. Are you paralyzed or in pain or both? I crushed my C5 vertebrate and bruised my spinal cord in a car accident. I spent 5 months not being able to move any limbs and about a year and a half doing rehab. There are many levels of severity of spinal injuries - I got very lucky.

In reply to Lof8:

All of the above. C5-6-7 diving accident 30 years ago when I was 16. Broke C5 into 3 pieces, C6 in half and fractured C7. Spent 3 months totally paralyzed and wearing a halo. Amazingly (and luckily) started getting movement back after 3 months and rehabbed until I could walk again. Still have full paralysis of my triceps, pec majors and some other muscles. I just look like a skinny guy who walks like E36 M3. I consider myself incredibly lucky and have been spending a LOT of time in the gym lately as the long term deterioration scares the crap out of me and I want to hold on to what I have for as long as I can.

Come to the Challenge and take some runs in my car (if it's done by then). FWIW I do like to drive but feel much more confident on a road course where I have a little more setup time before turns.

Should we start making side bets for all of us with spinal cord injuries?

A major issue with my L5-S1 has ended my racing for about a year now and the last few seasons were rough. I am actually very luck in that I am mostly able bodied although slowed down a bunch and sometimes in unbearable pain. Sadly, loss of control in my left leg has me walking with a cane and forced me into an automatic transmission.

I will take a run or two in my car but have promised my teammate and Father a turn because he has never done it before... should be a fast time with no cones.

Last time I was there we only got 4(?) runs. Is this still the case? That seems like a very few based on the amount of entrants and the fact that most need a little tuning in between attempts to be optimized. Last region I ran with we usually got in 6 runs on average with somewhere between 100-200 cars...

Any word on the number of official autocross runs?

We always use a pro driver, but also drive the car ourselves. I think we took 2 of the runs last year, and put the pro in for the others. He stomped us. Use a pro driver.

My 2 cents on some of the pro drivers (Talk to them to pick your own, they all are great): Alan has been Mr. FTD lately, but I think Steve is "the guy" for rear engine. Danny is the Mustang/Porsche/MX-6/Neon "go to" guy. George is always fast, and willing (brave enough) to drive your dangerous looking heap. Sorry if i missed someone. As always, please feel free to ignore my 2 cents.

Anyone campaign a MINI?

tb wrote: That seems like a very few based on the amount of entrants and the fact that most need a little tuning in between attempts to be optimized. Last region I ran with we usually got in 6 runs on average with somewhere between 100-200 cars...

On that point, here's the current entry list. We'll be keeping this spreadsheet updated.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtcO0MHdsEqLdGFha0ZGOFR0X0JGaGNKelNxS29SRlE&usp=sharing

There's a link on the Challenge event page, too, in case you can't find this thread.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/events/2013challenge/

You guys still processing entries? Spool's should be in there, 1988 Mazda MX6, Swank Force Racing.

That appears to be a short list!

Lof8 wrote: That appears to be a short list!

That's already within 6 of last year i think. I have a good feeling about this.

Andy Nelson is signed up? Hmm, maybe I should head down to spectate this year...

I'm digging the variety 8)

I need a heavy hitter to autocross my full size truck entry.

If you can recruit a NASCAR truck series driver for me.

Because I can't autocross a truck.

Not asking for much.......................

In reply to TIGMOTORSPORTS:

Oooo, yeah, saw that! 4.8/5.3/6.0?

Looks like the year of the Mustangs...

So, Ferrer is in a Minor, and Fenner is in a Mini, right??

Sounds like we both may have compensation issues.

Thank you Alan for, in some indirect way, answering my query.

While I really do not want to finish dead berkeleying last, there is not a whole lot of low hanging fruit on that entry list.

I keep telling myself that just making it there is an accomplishment and not to set further goals... but we all know that thinking like that is pure bullE36 M3...

I think there are a lot of past entrants that will tell you that just being part of this event is a win.

That said, I got beat at an autocross last weekend and it really pissed me off.

We are exited about this year's event.

Let me talk to my GRM brethren, but if we have time, I am not opposed to open it up to six runs.

I just want to make sure we keep it fair for everyone and doable for staff.

I am bringing a f150.

tb wrote: Thank you Alan for, in some indirect way, answering my query. While I really do not want to finish dead berkeleying last, there is not a whole lot of low hanging fruit on that entry list. I keep telling myself that just making it there is an accomplishment and not to set further goals... but we all know that thinking like that is pure bullE36 M3...

My car has a 3.5 hp motor. Is that fruit low enough for you?

In reply to MrJoshua:

Hmmm, bicycle vs. Citicar drag race?

Tim Suddard wrote: I think there are a lot of past entrants that will tell you that just being part of this event is a win.

Indeed! I was ecstatic to meet my own modest personal goals the last time that I made it down there... this time I am just trying to reconcile myself with lowered expectations...

Tim Suddard wrote: I just want to make sure we keep it fair for everyone and doable for staff.

This is, of course, of paramount importance. I probably do not say it enough during events so let me get one in right now in advance, "Thanks, Workers!"