Racing Teams and Crews... who joins this goofy shit?

[Ludachris]

The "sport" is real big around here, now granted its not philly, cali, or somethin huge like that. Anyways....the biggest "team" is Waterworks Racing Team. It started out 4 years ago as a small group of friends who did race...

So they did race... then my question is, which racing series were they in? Did they win the points standings? What place did they finish in overall for the season?

A few people defending these race teams talk about how there were members who did some racing - please elaborate and tell us what type of racing they did. Maybe we'll see their names on the SCCA website. This is why I think it's all pretty goofy. People think that having a fast car or driving fast on the street constitutes a car club name with the term "racing" in it. The problem is, many of the kids who join these "racing" car clubs never even look into racing - nor do they care about racing.

Tell me I'm wrong - tell me that the majority of these so-called race teams have the intention of getting involved with a legitimate form of racing. I say the the percentage is small. It's just like the 90% of kids who put monster racing tachs in their cars when the car already has a factory tachometer - it's all about portraying an image and looking cool. Sure there are exceptions, but for the most part, that's how it is. I mean, why else would you name a car club, which is comprised of mostly show cars, "Team XX Racing" when the cars will never see a race track? Too much emphasis on image these days, too little substance.

 

[Ludachris]

damnit chris I was just about to ask you to join my racing team "hella mad norcal racing team Yo!!!!111" i was hoping you would be a member. Anyway is that racing page only going to be that typing or is there going to be a forum that goes along with it?? maybe you could find some sort of way to find a track locator site or soemthign to that extent(specifically 1/4 tracks since that is what most dsmers are concerned with). I agree with you though that racing teams are rediculous but they do provide enjoyment when you spank one of the members and all his "boyzzz" get hella pissed at you.

Zach, I've updated the racing page with some links to the Track Talk forum and the Events forums - and I'm planning a track locator.

 

[prostreetdsmx1]

i know what you guys mean.

I will say though, a few years ago i had my own little DSM team called Pro Street DSM (hence my username" and it was about 9 of us DSM guys that got together to go to the track or roll to some of the local spots together. We never did all this ### shit that the posers of today are doing, it was just cool to roll into a place with 9 DSMs in a row.

 

[Tevenor]

A race team that doesn't race in any legitimate form of racing is like being a porn start that doesn't make movies.


I will bet there are a lot more independent amatuer racers that do legitimate series events than 'teams'. "Teams" aren't really a required thing until you get to the point where you want a driver, not a 'driver/engineer/mechanic/owner' setup, where you have specific roles for specific people. But that is big buck racing we are talking about, usually shop/vendor sponsored as now they have to pay people to do the work you used to do yourself.

Having a bunch of guys roll in cars you either do the work yourself or never really get raced seriously is a car club, not a race team.

 

[ldstang50]

We don't consider ourselves a race team, even though thats what most of us do. But most of us to race at the bigger events at MIR. I myself am getting more into auto-x with 3 fourth place finishes in my first 3 races this year
http://members.cox.net/capitaldrivingclub/results.html
sep 11, 19 and oct 3 is when i raced.
Like I stated before we are just getting started in the race scene this was our first full year of racing attending the big events if you want to call it.

 

[Dsmshopping]

Luda, Team Trinity started off as a group of friends. Its not like someone posted "LOOKING FOR FAST CARZ FOR RACING CLUBZ!" signs all over the NOVA area. The starting group of us met at the first annual DSM meet, and just started hanging out after that. Team Trinity wasn't even thought up until I THINK Travis brought it up at a Burger King...
-Dan

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Well, I am not in a racing club, I was in a small team called Team Rev (for REVolution). But after I found out they were just a bunch of retards, I dropped out. I never put thier stupid stickers on my car either. I do however go to Racing events. I went to the Import Meet at Nurburgring. I went to Bitburg and competed in a Drag Racing event, I was doing good, having edged out 2 Camaros and a Mustang in the elimination rounds. But shortly after I had to leave due to work (POO). The only stickers that I sport are the Vendors that I recommend.

I have been asked to join 2 other quote/unquite racing teams since I've been here. My first question is always "What events to you particpate in" and "Do you tune your cars" Both said none and no! So I declined to join them. Team Rev started off REAL good. The regional director held classes in racing techniques, unformal, but useful. Subjects like Heel and toe shifting, Racing lines, and Saftey installments. Once the Director left germany. The Vice President took over. There were classes in installing altezzas, body kits, and headlights. Then they asked me to pay dues to stay a member. Thats when I quit. It was depressing to see a group go from Grade A to Grade ASS!

 

[EclpzLvr97]

We don't consider ourselves a race team, even though thats what most of us do. But most of us to race at the bigger events at MIR. I myself am getting more into auto-x with 3 fourth place finishes in my first 3 races this year
http://members.cox.net/capitaldrivingclub/results.html
sep 11, 19 and oct 3 is when i raced.
Like I stated before we are just getting started in the race scene this was our first full year of racing attending the big events if you want to call it.

Thankyou! I was about to say that. Just because we are "Team X" doesn't mean we're solely a "racing" team. I mean, come on, it's obvious by looking at what car I have....and I sure don't have the money (nor do I want) to make it one of the few 10 sec 420a-powered DSMs. There are more goals in mind and other things we need to acomplish as well as the racing aspect.

Again, if you read on page 2 where I first posted, I explained the point of the team. Sure, a group of friends can get together and help each other out and do other things together, but we do a bit more than that. We host events and meets, we work for sponsorships, and get discounts from some local shops....something a group of people would have to do as TEAM.

 

[Ludachris]

Luda, Team Trinity started off as a group of friends. Its not like someone posted "LOOKING FOR FAST CARZ FOR RACING CLUBZ!" signs all over the NOVA area. The starting group of us met at the first annual DSM meet, and just started hanging out after that. Team Trinity wasn't even thought up until I THINK Travis brought it up at a Burger King...
-Dan

I'm not targeting Team Trinity. Please don't get defensive. I'm talking about the majority of the "Race Teams" out there.

 

[EclpzLvr97]

We know, Chris.... we're just tryin to explain is all.

 

[Ludachris]

A race team that doesn't race in any legitimate form of racing is like being a porn start that doesn't make movies.


I will bet there are a lot more independent amatuer racers that do legitimate series events than 'teams'. "Teams" aren't really a required thing until you get to the point where you want a driver, not a 'driver/engineer/mechanic/owner' setup, where you have specific roles for specific people. But that is big buck racing we are talking about, usually shop/vendor sponsored as now they have to pay people to do the work you used to do yourself.

Having a bunch of guys roll in cars you either do the work yourself or never really get raced seriously is a car club, not a race team.

Damn Sean, I was thinking about how to word that very analogy. This exactly the point I'm trying to make.

 

[Ludachris]

We know, Chris.... we're just tryin to explain is all.

Cool. I can understand that.

 

[EclpzLvr97]

I think you guys are too focused on one way of intepreting the word "team".

Team does not always mean we are some NASCAR type team. Team means teamwork, working together to achieve a common goal....get it?

 

[Coup D E'Tat]

Although I'm going to get flamed for this, not everyone races their cars at sanctioned events - doesn't mean it isn't racing. Racing on the streets is still racing, just not legal, or organized.

 

[crazyjoe]

I don't think the problem is with the word 'team" so much as it is wth the word 'racing.'

If you don't race (other than to Pep Boys to pick up more purple window tint) you don't have a racing team.

I still think the problem is too much money in the hands of people under 20.

 

[Tevenor]

Again, if you read on page 2 where I first posted, I explained the point of the team. Sure, a group of friends can get together and help each other out and do other things together, but we do a bit more than that. We host events and meets, we work for sponsorships, and get discounts from some local shops....something a group of people would have to do as TEAM.

Guess what. Our local DSM Club does exactly the same thing as your 'Team'. We have club sponsorships with local vendors, discounts and such, we arrange meets, arrange racing events, rent out drag strips as a group, and the like. There are maybe 8-10 members who do most of the leg work but our 50+ club gets to enjoy the fruits of the labor. We are still just a club.

You want to see a race "team"? Look at the Venom Team in the import race series. Multiple vehicles, multiple drivers, all with their own support staff, all flying the same banner. Look at the Acura sponsored GT series cars. Or even something closer to DSM's like Marco Passante at Magnus with multiple cars and a full crew, or Brent Rau and his crew, or Shep and his crew. Those are race teams.

Example. We have about a half dozen "race teams" here locally. Most of them go to car shows and do occasional track days or autocrosses. One in particular made a point of saying they hit 4 different races days with all 4 of their cars. That's a total of 16 different 'races'.

I alone hit 24 autocrosses from April to November of last year. Am I a team? Hell no. It's just me. I do the wrenching, I do the bills, I gather sponsors when I can, and I do the driving. I am just an amatuer racer enjoying what is quickly going from an all encompassing hobby to more of an addiction. I do have 2 or 3 friends that are just as stupid as I am that hit just as many events as I do. Are we considered a team? We probably could be. But since we are all amateurs turning our own wrenches, we are friends first, competitors and racers second.

 

[EclpzLvr97]

I don't think the problem is with the word 'team" so much as it is wth the word 'racing.'

Well, I believe it is the word "team" because it seems to be automatically associated with meaning "racing".

Oh, they call themselves Team PSI....that must mean they are/think they are true racers.

When in reality, a team this actually has structure, is also heavily based on teamwork that includes many different talents and specialties, as well as gaining things I've already mentioned.

 

[Tevenor]

When in reality, a team this actually has structure, is also heavily based on teamwork that includes many different talents and specialties, as well as gaining things I've already mentioned.

Exactly. "Team" as used by the current import and domestic crowds are nothing more than another iteration of "Clubs". The problem is, "Team" has a much bigger tie in to real racing like WRC, or Nascar, or GT SCCA etc, and as such, the image of racing is part of the image of a "team".

Want to get away from that, instead of calling yourself "Team Triple XXX Hotties", how about "The Triple XXX Hotties Car club". You want to know why that won't happen? Because it doesn't sound 'cool' enough.

 

[big green]

I do not understand how a team would work in racing, when only one person can be behind the wheel anyways

I don't know about the whole "club" or "team" thing. I just lke to be around other like minded people that care about preformance and improving their driving technique above all eles. I label these people as "friends" and I love to have a friendly competition.

 

[EclpzLvr97]

Exactly. "Team" as used by the current import and domestic crowds are nothing more than another iteration of "Clubs". The problem is, "Team" has a much bigger tie in to real racing like WRC, or Nascar, or GT SCCA etc, and as such, the image of racing is part of the image of a "team".

Want to get away from that, instead of calling yourself "Team Triple XXX Hotties", how about "The Triple XXX Hotties Car club". You want to know why that won't happen? Because it doesn't sound 'cool' enough.

Yes, I see where you're coming from, but like I already said, you see the word "team" one way and one way only.

The other meanings to the word do not necessarily mean it's how the import & domestic crowds interpret it.... In general, there is more encompassed to the word "team" than racing. I'm not trying to insult you in any way, but you gotta be a lil' more open-minded to how words are used....and not only in the car scene, but the language in general.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

I do not understand how a team would work in racing, when only one person can be behind the wheel anyways

I don't know about the whole "club" or "team" thing. I just lke to be around other like minded people that care about preformance and improving their driving technique above all eles. I label these people as "friends" and I love to have a friendly competition.

Its not that simple, true only one guy is behind the wheel for the most parts (excluding Long-term or Endurance Races), but there is usually more to it. Crew members, such as mechanics, engineers, chore boys are all associated with one car, that would making the a TRUE racing team. Sometimes the drivers don't know JACK about how a car works, but rather how to make a car react and react to the car.

 

[Dsmshopping]

Man you people hang on word meanings way too much.
-Dan

 

[boostedinaz]

Yes, I see where you're coming from, but like I already said, you see the word "team" one way and one way only.

The other meanings to the word do not necessarily mean it's how the import & domestic crowds interpret it.... In general, there is more encompassed to the word "team" than racing. I'm not trying to insult you in any way, but you gotta be a lil' more open-minded to how words are used....and not only in the car scene, but the language in general.

The words have expanded to "mean" more becasue of these silly "teams." Before all of this F&F horseshit people just belonged to clubs or helped there friends. Now everyone wants to be on a "team" so that they can get laid by no brain bitches, or so than can impress other ignorant people.

Its like the term import. At first it just meant a car that was imported from another country. Now it has evolved, usually, to mean an under powered 4banger. Just becasue a fad comes around doesnt mean that the entire meanign of a word should change. I still think that common sense should rule over all. If you are buddies that race then great, but that still isnt a racing team, just buddies.

 

[big green]

Its not that simple, true only one guy is behind the wheel for the most parts (excluding Long-term or Endurance Races), but there is usually more to it. Crew members, such as mechanics, engineers, chore boys are all associated with one car, that would making the a TRUE racing team. Sometimes the drivers don't know JACK about how a car works, but rather how to make a car react and react to the car.

Yeah but thats usually a pro driver. We are talking about the average joe that has a few buddies that want to start a "club" or "team" How many of these local "Clubs" have dedicated mechanics and engineers? I might be way off to say close to none

 

[EclpzLvr97]

If you are buddies that race then great, but when your "team" has there name enscribed on a trophy then you are a team.

Well, you gotta start somewhere, don't you. Can't just "win a trophy" and then be like "oh, well, we're a team now.....how bout that shit? what's our name again? What have we done in the past AS TEAM X to get here?" You work your way up to points like that.

And people doing it to "be cool" or to get bitches is one thing...... but doesn't mean all are like that.