Runoffs

[coop]

Greg Ira places 2nd again in the SCCA Runoffs E-Production class. He drove well but just couldn't pull it off. Sunday is the last day of races and can be seen on speedcasttv.com.

BTW we took the regional championship out here on the left coast with a perfect 10 for 10, but the other day, the engine grenaded while testing at Reno. Four pieces of the motor chipped the windshield of the car I had passed. Later he walked the track and found the #2 rod in the esses. Can you say cha-ching $$$.

[conedodger]

Coop, I wondered what happened to you on day two... My car was sitting off to the side of the track up in the autocross section. Fuel pump problem. You should have snuck up there and pulled the motor!

[conedodger]

Greg is first this year!

[Carl Beck]

Yes - it is Official.
Seems that Matt was pushed down to 4th Place - Perhaps the Officials felt that using the Pit Maneuver on the track was just a little too aggressive the second or third time. It wasn't just Greg being "bumped" out of the way that could account for such a penalty being deducted could it?

Pretty stearn treatment given Madza is the Series Sponsor... Hats off to the SCCA Officals -

Carl B.

[PastorMike]

It was a beautiful race executed by Greg
and his Z. Glad that he was given the win.

[jmark]

It was a beautiful race executed by Greg
and his Z. Glad that he was given the win.

Congrats Greg. You earned it!

[coop]

Watched it on Speedcasttv. A very exciting race. Greg solidly earned the gold and Reynolds deserved to be moved off the podium for his rough driving through out the race. Let's hear it too for Aaron Downey for his thrilling drive to second in his RX3. He and his dad are great people who will, I'm sure, be back at Laguna Seca next year. Wonder if Greg will make the long tow? Laguna is OK for the torque of the Z but will hurt the RX3. Unfortunately, the Miatas will like it.

[jmortensen]

Yep. That race had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

[zKars]

When Greg was initially on the podium humbly accepting 2nd place (again), I couldn't believe the grace with which he accepted that fate. Total class act. Sam his builder was with me and was steaming about the bumping and clearly wanted to protest. Didn't hear until later that the decision had gone Greg's way. Very very glad it turned out as it should have been. Congrats again Greg!

[preith]

I've been searching everywhere trying to find out if Matt got pushed back (deservedly so), not listed anywhere on SCCA's website, finally checked here... Congrats to Greg, the 2nd place curse on that car has been broken!! And agreed Larry, congrats to Aaron on 2nd, he seems like a standup guy.

[gira]

Fellow Z car lovers,

I apologize for being so absent. I have had a one tracked mind for the past 6 months dealing with the race and my new job. You guys are car enthusiasts, therefor most of your comments are right on track. We won the race because you can cheat. We deserved the win simply because you can't bump people out of the way to gain position. It isn't NASCAR and it isn't Spec Miata. This is Production car racing where the cars are fragile and engineered to within and inch of their life. It's not a "bolt on" fest.
I have so many emotions about this race. My team has been through many protests. Unfortunately when some people put on a helmet, it is a different person altogether. FYI, we are five for five in our litigation over the years. Many thanks to my crew chief Guy Marvin IV. He's just a natural negotiator. You know the type.
So, we won after the fact. We waited a long time, years in fact. The process was very organized and quite impressive regarding the fact that there were several different opinions and they have to rule on the spot pretty much. It was good that we really didn't even have to form a protest from my team. Matt Reynolds had knocked the **** out of several people during that race. He's fast but inexperienced, that's it, plain and simple. He will be a champion and a Pro.
John Morton, what a cool guy. He's a down to Earth racer. I would catch him wondering off and watching racing all over the track. He just loves racing, just like Me! He is all there, great sense of humor, still a young man if you ask me. His car was well prepared and he did a better job in that car than about 99% of any humans alive could do. He had very, very little seat time in that car as we go hosed at Road American by the crappy weather. That's partially why Aaron Downey's car sucked and why my car had crap for brakes. Tenth place in that field is damn good!


Jim in Calgary- Thanks for the kind words. You know, when I watched it on TV, I though the exact same thing. I really wanted to beat that kids ass. BUT, I knew from experience we had a good shot of getting Justice.

Cheers everyone,

Greg Ira
National Champion
Anyway, I have lots of cool stories throughout the week up there if anyone is interested. I am milking it for all it's worth!!

[gira]

You CAN'T Cheat. Sorry guys.

[gira]

Yes - it is Official.
Seems that Matt was pushed down to 4th Place - Perhaps the Officials felt that using the Pit Maneuver on the track was just a little too aggressive the second or third time. It wasn't just Greg being "bumped" out of the way that could account for such a penalty being deducted could it?

Pretty stearn treatment given Madza is the Series Sponsor... Hats off to the SCCA Officals -

Carl B.

Carl, you are exactly right! The threat of Mazda's pull was looming over us the whole time. In fact, do you know what Matt Reynolds stood to lose for that Bump and Run? He lost Chicago Region's Triple Crown, SCCA's Super Sweep, AND Mazda invitation to drive their cars for the next year, supposedly worth about 50k. See why we were nervous?

[gira]

Phillip.

He lost two positions for hitting Aaron Downey and one position for hitting me.

greg

[gira]

Have you written in to add 200 lbs to the Miata?

[black gold man]

I was looking for some in car video just the other day. Put it up if you got it. Congratulation National Champion

[gira]

Black Gold Man,

I have some footage but haven't put it up yet. Check this one out for some good action.

2013Runoffs - YouTube

Greg

[Carl Beck]

Hi Greg - Since I couldn't be there - - YES - I want to hear all the stories...

Carl

[gira]

OK, I posted some in car on YouTube. Search for this: 2013 Runoffs Z Car- E Production

Let me know if it's any good.

See you,

Greg

[preith]

OK, I posted some in car on YouTube. Search for this: 2013 Runoffs Z Car- E Production

Let me know if it's any good.

See you,

Greg

Greg, thanks for chiming in here and thanks so much for posting the vid:
2013 Runoffs Z Car- E Production-Glenmartin - YouTube

Jim Daniels also posted one of the better vids from the same race, lots of w2w time with you:
SCCA Runoffs 2013 EP - YouTube

One thing I found surprising was how much more aggressive Aaron appeared on Jim's vid vs the speedcast broadcast.

[black gold man]

Here is some good video here. 2013 50th SCCA Runoffs E-Production Don Bunt 240Z - YouTube

[preith]

Here is some good video here. 2013 50th SCCA Runoffs E-Production Don Bunt 240Z - YouTube

Interesting history on Don's car too, when the SCCA first classed the 240/260 in EP ('98?), Sportscar (SCCA's publication) featured the construction of that car. Was quite exciting to finally see a new tub build which wasn't an IT car, no offense to the IT guys out there.

[gira]

Phillip,

Yes, the aggression is all about perspective. You'll see different comments from different people based on who posted the clip. All the top drivers use similar moves in traffic. Look at Jesse Prathers in car of the start. It's incredible and one Mazda guy posted a comment on his video that I hit Matt Reynolds twice at the start. I commented back as to exactly what happened and the guy has since taken his post down. Anyway, Aaron is a good aggressive driver. His car suffers from handling issues just like we do. Well, compared to the Miata.

Greg

[26th-Z]

Just reading through the June issue of "SportsCar" the SCCA publication....

RUNOFF'S VIDEOS FOR SALE
All 24 races broadcast from the 50th SCCA National Championship Runoffs are now available individually on DVD or via digital download through Amazon.com and CreateSpace. The race videos can be purchased for $8.99 per race on DVD, and $2.99 per race as a digital download.

I have searched and I can't find Greg's race. If anyone has luck, let me know.

[gira]

Here you go. Sorry for the late post.

SpeedcastTV

Greg

[gira]

Crud, the link won't go through. I just went to speedcasttv and looked for EP at the Runoffs. It came right up.

Greg

[beermanpete]

The link works ok for me. Thanks for that.

[Fred Sigarto]

worked for me also, great race, enjoyed. Worked as a Pit Marshal at all the Runoffs @ MidOhio