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Conference oass::racers

Title:Racers and Racing
Notice:As long as it's not NASCAR or F1 or Drags...
Moderator:RHETT::BURDEN_D
Created:Tue Aug 08 1995
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:391
Total number of notes:4486

252.0. "EMRA" by BOOKIE::HASTIE () Wed May 22 1991 14:54

I'm interested in running some EMRA events this year, to get my 
feet wet in fender-to-fender racing.

Can anyone tell me anything about this organization? What their 
events are like, how to contact them, licensing requirements, 
etc.?

--Lil
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
252.1Rumors I have heardNYTP05::JANKOWITZSlime is oozing from my terminalThu May 23 1991 11:347
>>Can anyone tell me anything about this organization?

I don't know about them first-hand but I've been told that they are not
the same quality as SCCA. I'm told that just about anyone can get out on
the track in just about anything, safe or not.

What do you/want to drive?
252.2BOOKIE::HASTIEThu May 23 1991 14:1418
Well, SCCA seems like a major undertaking when I'm not sure I 
want to pursue fender-to-fender racing. EMRA seems a simpler and 
easier way to try it a bit and see if I like it. 

From what I hear they are somewhat lax about licensing, which is 
one reason I thought it might be a good way to try it out without 
a lot of fuss and bother. If I like it I plan to try SCCA.

(I do time-trials now, mostly at Bryar ... excuse me, 
New Hampshire International Speedway. I drive a Honda Civic, 
prepared along the lines of SCCA Solo II "street-prepared" 
classes. The car would also not easily fit any SCCA road race 
classes, too modified for IT, not enough for GT.)

Has anyone run an EMRA event?

--Lil
252.3EMRA contactSOLVIT::PLATTThu May 23 1991 14:1712
    Lillian, the best place to find out information re: EMRA is right in
    COM's backyard with Rod Folia.  He's a long time EMRA guy.  If I
    still have it kicking around, I'm on the mailing list for their
    newsleter, The Checkerqued Flag.  I'll try to get you names and phone
    numbers of folks to contact.  
    
    If you want to talk to them nose-to-nose, I'd suggest you register for
    the July COM event at Bridgehampton.  EMRA is usually well represented
    by not only driving the event with us, but acting as instructors and
    workers.  You could get some first hand info there, as well, but for
    now I'd contact Rod.  His number at work is 603 434 4179.
    
252.4carefulBEING::MCCULLEYRSX ProFri May 24 1991 22:3252
.2>  From what I hear they are somewhat lax about licensing, which is 
.2>  one reason I thought it might be a good way to try it out without 
.2>  a lot of fuss and bother. If I like it I plan to try SCCA.
    
    Umm.  It's your life, you pays your money and you takes your choice.
    But consider...
    
    I've heard about other clubs (no specific names) that are somewhat 
    lax about licencing and also about officials and workers.  And maybe
    insurance.  I've talked to another flagger who once worked another
    club's race and told me she didn't feel safe flagging with the other
    folks they had flagging.  That was enough to convince me to stay away,
    especially since I know firsthand the levels of competence and staffing
    at SCCA races and how shorthanded we sometimes feel.
     
    The other clubs claim there's less hassle.  I've stayed away so I've
    never had the chance to ask whether they can show less risk, or more. 
    Or if there's more hassle if something happens (especially if there's
    more chance of something happening).
    
    
    Another point.  If you get on the track and are surrounded by
    incompetents will it be a fair test of whether you like it or not?
    What if you are the innocent victim of some (other) turkey's screw-up,
    trashing your car, your wallet, and perhaps your health?  Sure, that
    can happen in any racing situation, but for my money the activity is
    hazardous enough that I look for any opportunity to shave the odds in
    my favor.  Based on that I think the "lax licencing" seems more an
    argument against rather than for.  Especially for a beginner.
    
.2>  Well, SCCA seems like a major undertaking when I'm not sure I ...
    
    Racing is a major undertaking in any event.  If you are not sure you
    want to pursue it you probably should take every opportunity to ensure
    your introduction will not be biased against a favorable experience.
    
    I would suggest that an alternative worth considering might be to look
    for a rental, to do a drivers school or two and maybe even a regional
    or two, before you commit your own vehicle.  I'd suggest that for any
    club, not just SCCA, incidentally.  That eliminates a lot of the
    details for you, and maybe the SCCA won't seem so bad after all.  I'd
    really recommend that you try it with the club you feel gives you the
    best odds for a successful experience.
    
    
    NB, lest I sound too much in favor of SCCA club racing, I'll add a
    caveat.  It's not as good as it could be, in fact I'd jump to IMSA the
    moment I got the chance - but it's the best game in town for a
    beginner, or for somebody who wants to treat racing as a hobby (my
    problem is that I get too serious about my hobbies for them to remain
    hobbies!).
    
252.5EMRA officialsDATABS::SOOWe need the machine that goes *ping*.Sun May 26 1991 01:198
    Partial listing of the 1990 EMRA officials:
    
    	Chairman:			Fernando Maldonado  (516)569-3424
    	Vice Chairman:			Bob Kress	    (516)724-3025
    	Secretary & Chief Tech:		Bob Hill	    (718)948-7971
    	Treasurer & Pre-registration:	Gaille Maldonado    (516)569-3424
    	Time Trial Chairman:		Bob Ferdon	    (201)295-3543
    	Race Licensing:			Mark Wendling	    (201)328-3274
252.6EMRAOASS::BURDEN_DHe's no fun, he fell right overThu May 30 1991 20:087
Just for a point of reference, EMRA is made up 4 or 5 clubs.  You don't really
join EMRA, you join one of the clubs belonging to it.  We had looked at having
COM join EMRA a few years ago and it was basically a matter of money.  Have
COM give EMRA a check for $XXXX (4 digits) and we're in!  Needless to say,
COM is not a member of EMRA, but we kept the ties between the clubs.

Dave