The last post before the thread was closed, was posted by KBMarauder and he said...
"As veteran of many driving schools and countless lapping days, this post has convinced me that my Kenny Brown prepared Marauder is woefully inadequate and that I do not have the necessary ability to participate in this high level event. Instead I''ll take my unmodified 6cyl mustang with 190,000 miles to a Fun Day at Nelson Ledges or enjoy myself at Putnam Park or Mid Ohio. At least those venues encourage easy and safe participation for everyone without making the rules too intimidating.
And I was really looking forward to a whole field of beautiful Marauders just having a good time".
Hmmm...Very effective of a post, for a guy with 10 posts to his credit. And, rather a strong opinion to express, from someone who didn't involve themselves by participating more in the closed thread? Maybe it would not have been closed with more participation?
Be that as it may, the closed thread was never meant to follow any particular direction, or, to scare anyone away. It was intended (by me, anyway) to share some 411 about what lies ahead for those new to this topic.
Driving a road course has a strong alure to it, much like a woman's perfume. To help others find their direction, and hopefully, enjoy their Marauders on an entirely new and different scale, I offer these words.
Not everyone here likes to drag race their Marauder. Not everyone here likes to do burnouts. Not everyone here is supercharged, or, scrubs and polishes their Marauder to the final "all time ever killer" detail. Not everyone here does what others do with their Marauder, and road course driving is just another aspect of the Marauder, another function, or, level of what this great automobile can do. You should look at your Marauder as a teaching tool. The car can do it, do you care to try?
I have owned three Marauders and I loved every one of them. Was I unfaithful to #1 when I bought #2? Was I unfaithful to both #1 and #2 when I bought #3? Dunno...But, stop thinking about your direction as an owner/driver as being unfaithful?
When I bought a Shelby GT, and then bought a second Shelby GT, I had some specific ideas about how I wanted to enjoy both, as much as I have enjoyed every Marauder I have owned. I drove the snot out of each car and road course driving is just another way to do exactly that. I believe automobiles are designed and produced to be driven. Trust me...I am not disappointing Ford, or, Carroll Shelby (R.I.P.)
However, the fact that I have returned to post here from a long absence tells me one thing. I love the people who own Marauders. I love how they drive them. I love how they customize them. I love how they care for them. I love how well the car fits into thier lives and in many cases, opens up their lives.
I can pinpoint some owners as not interesed in attending an Impreza meet (if there is such a thing), but they are at Marauder meets with us all and this weekend, just to see the fine detail, and watch the burnouts, and so on, and just because they own a Marauder too and visit this website. Alas, they may not love me as much because I left this community, but time will tell on this.
The track event planned at Gingerman for MVX is a great idea, and it's just another way to enjoy your Marauder, nothing more. Forgive me for wanting all of you to not be surprised at the gate. My input meant to take some of the alarm out of all of this, and it seems I failed. Missed my mark.
Yup, it's new to us here, but not a new sport, thus the sage advice from experienced owners. Yet, it's still an experience we never heard of before, nor shared among ourselves and when you consider that, this is an important point to keep in mind. It would have been nice to have KBMarauder's input earlier in that closed thread, but I suppose he doesn't visit here often.
DO NOT be alarmed by some of the facts posted about road course driving, it is not a scary or dangerous sport.
I said early on, this is much safer than most other sports. However, "too safe" is not a challenge and if it's not a challenge, it's not a sport. If dicey curves were absent, you would be simply navigating the parking lot at your local shopping center. (Ummm...OTOH, y'all could learn how to do that better after some road course time, IMHO).
Perhaps some of us have had too much experience in the upper levels that we have forgotten what a Novice is looking at? What he/she may expect? If I am responsible for any of this discouragement or alarm, my deepest and sincere apologies to you all. I never meant that.
There are some things to take into consideration, and those discussions were meant to take some of the suspicion out of this opportunity. But, is it not better that we discuss them here before reaching the starting gate?
Notes:
Past experience is not required. Neither is a race qualified car. This is an event staged and held for all Marauder owners.
Safety requirements are mild, just some "sense" involved? Some clothing may have to come up to specs., but we will learn more about this after discussions with Gingerman officials.
Willingness to explore, and learn new things about you, and your Marauder, are very high. You have to want to explore, and learn new stuff. Let's talk?
Y'all be safe, carry on.
Mac.
Sergntmac@aol.com
312.401.1396