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Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2017 12:49 pm
by gpraceman
They did post the updated rules on the Ford site. Not perfect, certainly, but much better than they were. Rules should be a working document that get refined over time.

I'm looking forward to the Miami race this weekend.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 7:46 am
by Speedster
I thought I'd stay on this topic since it seemed appropriate.
I saw on National News the Boy Scouts will be inviting the Girl Scouts to join them in 2018. WOW! Maybe scouting will have a new name such as "USA scout".
It will be interesting to see this progress. Maybe a young girl will then have the opportunity to join the USA Scouts and reach the rank of Eagle.
I wish them well.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:02 am
by gpraceman
Yeah, well, seems like a sign of desperation due to declining membership. Seems GS getting upset about this is a bit of hypocrisy, as I saw a boy dressed up in a GS uniform at the last Fast Track race. Anyways, we digress from the original topic.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:16 pm
by gpraceman
The Miami race was held on Sunday and went very well. I've got some photos posted to the GrandPrix Software Central Facebook page. Some I took and ones that the GS council had posted.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:57 am
by Speedster
Thanks for the photos. Is Ford supplying the same track for each of these races?

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 12:18 pm
by gpraceman
We are using two tracks from last years races. One is for racing on and the other is used as a test track during check-in. All the gear is packed up, loaded into a trailer and driven to the next race.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:15 am
by Speedster
Do these races tend to start at the same time? I'd like to be there at the beginning. It will take me an hour to reach Troy, MI.
Thank You.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:40 am
by gpraceman
The start times do vary. I'll PM you the info.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 12:29 pm
by pineisfine
That's a pretty cool looking set-up...does anyone know the track and timer they are using?

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 4:14 pm
by gpraceman
pineisfine wrote: Sat Oct 21, 2017 12:29 pm That's a pretty cool looking set-up...does anyone know the track and timer they are using?
Best Track track with a lift kit and a Champ timer.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:36 am
by Speedster
How did the races go in Atlanta? Would you have a picture of the winning car?

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:46 pm
by gpraceman
Speedster wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:36 am How did the races go in Atlanta? Would you have a picture of the winning car?
Unfortunately, at the end, I get very busy so I haven't been able to get many photos of the winners, much less their cars.

Atlanta was another good race. A bit smaller of a crowd, but the most enthusiastic so far. I've posted some photos of the race on the GrandPrix Software Central Facebook page.

The New Jersey race is Wednesday and then Detroit on Saturday. Three races in 8 days, whew...

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:01 am
by Speedster
I am fascinated by everything about these races and what you are doing. I'm getting the feeling you are doing a whole lot more then checking to see if your software is working properly. Does Ford have a team that sets up and takes down these tracks and other things in the display? That has got to be a lot of work.
Looking forward to seeing the Saturday races.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 5:44 pm
by gpraceman
There's 3 of us as the regular crew. Myself and one other flies into each event and the other drives the trailer from city to city. We 3 do most of the setup, tear down and pack up of all the gear. We usually have at least 8 local volunteers that help out with everything. The Match Marketing Group coordinates everything for us, so it is a big team effort. I'm the tech guy, so I am responsible for the setup and tear down of the tracks, helping in the pit area, running the computer, helping coordinate the volunteers, and helping with anything else that needs to be done.

Re: 2017 Ford Fast Track Races

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 4:57 pm
by Speedster
My wife and I attended the Detroit races today and it was Great. There were about 100 Girl Scouts racing. Randy had a set up where there wasn't much time spent between cars going down the track. It wasn't rushed but he kept them moving. It was a noisy crowd and a lot of enthusiasm. It was Great.
I was eager to see the shape of the winning car for speed. Here is a DETAILED description of the winning car. It was a simple WEDGE, stock wheelbase, and it was FAST !!! I do not know if it was a rail rider but it was fast. The final race was very exciting. Lots of very close races.
Randy's crew had a nice set-up from Ford where they would challenge the scouts to solve some problems involving science. That was very interesting.
I'll try to get some pictures posted soon.