Forum Activity for @will-cronkrite

Speed, at what cost?

General

Some random thoughts regarding this racing speed issue.

The view from a tall ladder is spectacular. The taller, the better.

What racers and competitors are constantly in search of is a taller ladder !

There are those among us that are driven to climb ladders. A certain combination of talent, coordination, desire and testosterone are found in those that venture out onto competitive motor sports ladders.

It is knowing the inherent danger that attracts those folks, knowing that others are not willing to climb. It is an inner drive that is not explainable. It almost seems irreverent to say that we should shorten the ladder just to appease those that are afraid of heights!

These are not stupid people. They know that the others around them are mostly capable of being there, and they are all traveling in the same direction with equipment that has been developed to the extent of current capabilities.

Many times, I have heard Richard , Dale and others say they felt much safer in the race cars than on the highway traveling to and from the race track. If you want to fully understand the inner peace associated with a drivers desires, look at the countenance on Dales face as he is strapping on his helmet just prior to a race, any race. If you are unable to understand that from just looking, no amount of explanation will suffice.

Tony Canaan expressed it well when he stated that as tragic as Dan's death was, there is not one driver here today that would not be content with leaving 'this way'. Doing what they loved best. Drivers close friends and family understand this as well.

Death is no ones friend! But as with other life instances, you deal with it the best you can. I entered stock car racing right after my wife and daughters were killed in a highway accident by a drunk truck driver. I still have to deal with that occasionally, and as difficult as it was at the time to deal with those friends of mine that lost there lives in racing, I am consoled by the knowledge that they were doing what they really wanted to do at the time they left. I cannot say the same thing for the loss of my family.

Random thoughts at this juncture in time in the racing world.

Fear not, the end is just the beginning!

Dover - good karma for RPM?

Current NASCAR

Dave, I found myself in that same neighborhood, some time in the eighties, I believe. I had just built a car for Jerry Bowman from Havre de Grace, Maryland. We had taken our truck, an eighteen wheeler, to his shop to put the motor in and then headed to the race in Pocono.

After we had the motor in, it was one of those all night, then drive 'deals' that were common at the time, and I found myself, apparently lost, in that or a similar neighborhood in downtown Philly. I had some how managed to get off the interstate and found myself in very narrow streets with sharp corners. The harder I tried to get out, the deeper I got lost and finally had to back around a corner to get out.

As I started to leave, several of the local talent expressed a desire to share my 'stuff' in the trailer and I was getting concerned and soon brandished a pair of my 'long distance dogs' ( .38's that bark 'here' and bite 'over there'). They seemed suitably impressed and stood aside, but just as I was leaving that block, three shots were fired at us, and not knowing if we were hit anywhere we just kept going.

When we got to the track and looked around we found two 'holes' in the side of the trailer, and one had hit our nice radio and tape player. I never actually liked the movie 'Rocky' after that!

Dale Earnhardt 1:24 scale Diecast getting closer to being ready

General

Robbie:

I have not payed any attention to that side of the business, but they said they wanted to try and get them out before Christmas.

When I got the first advertisement for approval, I started Googling 'Dale Earnhardt 1:24 Die Cast' and got a number of place that seem to be taking pre-orders, but I never followed thru with them.

There is even someone on Ebay with an advertisement for pre-orders.

Dale Earnhardt 1:24 scale Diecast getting closer to being ready

General

I have added pictures as an album on my page.

Dale Earnhardt 1:24 scale Diecast getting closer to being ready

General

For those of you with an interest in these 1:24 scale die casts, I wanted to share the arrival of the #96 car that showed up in my mail this past Friday.

It is the prototype that they said they were going to send for my final approval. It has NO serial number. What I was most impressed with was the details and the weight. It is quite heavy and seems to have more details than the one they showed me at the contract signing.

I have enclosed some pictures, but I am not a great photographer. Sorry about that. The trunk shows the fuel valve and the overflow valve. The engine compartment has an air cleaner and spark plug wires. All wheels turn and the front ones steer.

It has all the correct decals and proper signs, including the one just behind the quarter window that is rectangular decal indicating that we were one of three 'underdogs' for that race that Charlotte Motor Speedway (now Lowes) indicated might have a chance of winning the race from a lower funded team.

The 'W' with a 'C' around it that is just to the rear of that decal is my signature. It is how I signed autographs at the time, and I had decsals made to make it cheaper to put on the car. The same "W" /"C" on the hood indicates the name of my race car shop, "White Crown Engineering"

I am somewhat surprised that Lionel company would consider replicating this car after so many years, but it sure has ignited a great flood of memories.
updated by @will-cronkrite: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Wendell Scott vs. Willy T. Ribbs - Willy in the News Today

General

I have had the privileged as well to meet Freddy.

I was the main 'stock' supplier for the movie Stroker Ace and Freddy was one of two drivers provided by Anderson and Web trucking to haul around the cars and pit equipment.

I was given as many contracts good for 30 seconds of exposure in a Burt Reynold movie as I could 'sell'. My recollection is that all but two of the cars in the movie came thru my shop in one manner or another. I had built all the others at one time or another and the owners were plenty interested in having the exposure that I sold them by way of contract.

The large tractor trailer trucks were either mine or Anderson and Webb's in one shape or form. I provided all the pit equipment and the Proto tool folks were very willing to assist me in that effort, and provided me with 14 top tool box sections and 3 bottom section, two of which were full of tools. They were VERY good to me.

At any rate Anderson and Webb folks provided two drivers each time we went from one track to another to drive their truck and mine. That Freddy was funny as hell. Either he or 'Bubba' Smith kept us in absolute tears the entire time they were filming. Often filming stopped because one of them had every one else laughing loudly.

Freddy and I would bet $1 on who could drive the truck over one, two or three of the little lights in the center of the highway with out hitting more than the bet was for. He killed me in that game and I soon enough figured out not to bet against anything to do with a truck if Freddy was involved.

He would stay with us during the filming and I had the contract to do the car and truck maintenance and you can see Freddy once in a while in one of my shop uniforms, a three-tone brown/tan shirt, usually around the Datsun shop truck.

I will always remember and think highly of my memories of Freddy. He makes every one want to see him again. Cool Guy!

P.S. It is rumored that most of his 'tips' worked! LMAO!

Wendell Scott vs. Willy T. Ribbs - Willy in the News Today

General

Dave:

I went and looked at the link you provided. I find it a little humorous!

Here is a link to an article that was written about Willy's NASCAR adventure.

http://blogs.thatsracin.com/scuffs/2008/05/the-ballad-of-w.html

It was relayed to me in a chance meeting with an off duty Charlotte police officer, that the way they were able to apprehend Willy after he jumped from the rental / pace car and ran off on foot was the fact that as he was eluding the cops, he ran into an open gymnasium and started shooting a basketball, thinking that they would think nothing of a young black man shooting hoops. Unfortunately for Willy, he had chosen a gymnasium that was part of an all girls school!

Chime in please: Kyle Busch/Elliott Sadler

General

Dave: My inabilities as a writer are becoming apparent, i believe. I bow to your judgement in that regards, as I know you were closely involved with Dale for an extended period of time.

My trying to use the word social skills and Dale Earnhardt in the same sentence may seem incorrect or revealing, as I surely lack some social skills of my own.

What I was referring to was the fact that on numerous occasions, perhaps in what might be considered his 'later' years, he was very aware of the plight of others, and in many PRIVATE moments would give greatly of his time and money. Stories that I witnessed about him buying tires for others, telling Ross to 'put those tires on my tab' at a number of tracks. He had hunting grounds near where I live and I would often run into folks at a small diner that I would stop at and they would tell of the time(s) that Dale would stop in and buy every ones dinner in the whole place, etc. Very private situations that he wished no one to know about were constantly being brought to light very quietly, as he did not seem to mind the term 'Intimidator' on the track, but off the track it did not seem to me to be his character.

Chime in please: Kyle Busch/Elliott Sadler

General

Those characteristics and his on track performance that you describe are what every car owner is looking for in a driver, and it makes every crew member that has ever touched his car/truck proud that their driver takes his job seriously enough to put that much effort into competing.

Recorded wins and finishing positions determine paydays and awards, not platitudes and political correctness.

The greatest attribute, in my opinion , for any person is honesty, and that is EXACTLY what you get from Kyle. No PC and BS.

This thread has gotten me very close to becoming a Kyle Bush fan. Dale was viewed in this manner and it's my opinion that he turned out OK. If one were to take the time to notice what both Dale and Kyle did/do off the track, it will be readily apparent that neither of these gentleman are lacking in social skills and compassion, it's just that they seem to be judged solely on an instant response under the heat of battle that few if any of the critics have even been exposed to, let along experienced.

It's like someone giving an opinion on the quality of a new house based solely on their opinion of the color of the paint rather than taking the time to study the architecture, the materials, and the assembly process. It is a superficial approach at best!

I apologize for these repeated posts, but it gets very frustrating for me to view comments from those that contribute NOTHING to racing about those that contribute EVERYTHING!

Chime in please: Kyle Busch/Elliott Sadler

General

I offer another perspective to the insight that might result in the comment that Sadler did 'Nothing' to be in this position.

If you have watched closely from inside the track corners from up close, it will soon be apparent that the drivers positioning of the steering wheel is not always directly related to the direction that the car is traveling in. If you are running at a high speed paved track like Bristol the elevated corner speeds can propel the car in a different direction that that of the steering wheel is intending for it to go. Depending on a LOT of other circumstances the car/truck can find that the adhesion of the rear wheels is slightly behind that of the front wheels and the car/truck encounters the 'loose' condition. A TALENTED driver can overcome that issue in a manner that does not present itself to the casual observer, but is is absolutely apparent the the driver right behind him.

If Mr. Sadler had been paying attention, and I am sure he was, he would notice that, and in an effort to maybe get ahead of that driver might take it upon himself to attempt to pass on the outside coming off the turn ( a questionable choice in my opinion) and to do so at an opportune time that might make a less observant or less confident driver decide to let off the gas and ALLOW that driver to complete the pass on the outside.

Mr. Busch may have taken exception to that and recognizing that no one in the rear is given the 'right of way' over some one that is ahead (remember, this is the sport called 'racing') and decided to keep his foot in the gas, his car under control, and maintain a smooth and controlled trajectory off the corner.

When Mr. Sadler decided to try and 'scare' Mr. Busch into getting off the throttle, he made a miscalculation as to Mr. Busch's determination and got EXACTLY what occurred. There should have never been any need for Kyle or his spotter to adjust for a person in the REAR trying to make a pass in a questionable at best situation.

I would be very surprised if at least one of Elliot's crew members didn't asked 'what were you thinking, trying to pass on the outside coming off a corner?????".

Just a different perspective! (apparently the backhoe wouldn't start.)