Tudor United Sportscar Championship loses another team

"Jonathon Klein" (jonathon-klein) 03/26/2014 at 15:17 • Filed to: None

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More news coming from the new Tudor United Sportscar Championship. The team of the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing LMP2 will not being competing in the Long Beach Grand Prix or at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the next two stops on the new IMSA schedule. In a press release they posted yesterday on their site, they stated that " they were unable to spend their usual amount of time preparing and learning about their new P2 ORECA Nissan ." Not only did they not have enough prep time with their new car, by their accounts only about 5 weeks which is still astounding they made the first two events, but they are also having to deal with the new tires for the series. Last season they ran Michelin, but this year the P2 class can only run Continentals, and adding more potential issues, these new P2 cars have never run Continentals making the tires a completely new variable for the teams.

It seems that the entire restructuring of both ALMS and Grand Am into one series might be a bit of a mess at the moment. With IMSA asking that both teams and fans must be patient as they go through and work out their growing pains. But how much longer can we wait. We are about to go into the third race of the season, and with last race's monumental cock up over poor marshalling and the fact that they didn't reverse their incorrect decision, are we going to see a mass exodus of teams out of IMSA? Yes, it's early to start the death knell of TUSC, but this so far is not looking like a properly run racing series. And with drivers lives on the line, not to mention all the sponsorship money, they can't afford to continually make mistakes.

Team owner Greg Pickett said that " it's never an easy decision to make when deciding to miss a race, let alone two…Additionally, while we did lead some laps at Sebring, the speed differential between the DP cars and the P2s is still quite big and I want to see what the series does with that over the course of the next couple of races, as these will take place at tracks that should favor the P2 cars ." He went on to say that having a racing team and being in racing in general means that you want to go out and be competitive, and being forced to be not competitive is not really racing, " you can't being fighting for wins if you're not on a level playing field ."

With so much flux, confusion, and mistakes IMSA really needs to get their acts together, otherwise the merger will be a definite failure. I personally loved watching ALMS, and I have watched the last two races, and both have not captivated me like the last few years of ALMS. I don't know if it's the addition of the DP's or the lack of P1's or the new leadership, but something is definitely missing from the series now.

Muscle Milk Pickett Racing is stating that they are pulling out of these two races because they need more time preparing their new car, but the statements from Greg Pickett relay a different message of a lack of confidence with this new series. Only time will tell if this will become a trend.

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Photo Credit to Muscle Milk Pickett Racing.

Bob > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 15:40

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Of course the problem is with the merger if you don't like how they are running things where are you going to go. You can race in europe which means moving your entire base of operations and find new sponsors, or you can try a different type of racing like Cart or Nascar, but if you want to race sports cars in the US its them or to step down to a lower tier.

Jonathon Klein > Bob 03/26/2014 at 15:41

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Or we could do this? http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/we-need-a-prop…

Bob > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 16:04

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Being from chicago I've designed multiple tracks going down Lower wacker and past the honorable Richard Daley Plaza(that's where they got the Picasso.Just bank rolling a new series isn't easy

Jonathon Klein > Bob 03/26/2014 at 16:09

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We need to get those guys who funded COTA to come here!

ScreenShot > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 16:20

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And the grieving over the loss of ALMS continues...

Jonathon Klein > ScreenShot 03/26/2014 at 16:20

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Agreed

Just wear your damn mask... > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 16:25

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The problems I'm having with this whole TUSCC thing are:

1. They had more than 18 months or so between announcing the merger and the first race in Daytona. There was more than enough time to figure out these issues.

2. It isn't like one or both of these organizations that merged were new to this sports car thing. The whole officiating team is made up of supposedly experienced people.

I get it that merging two mostly dissimilar series was going to be a challenge, but so far they don't seem to be up to it.

Jonathon Klein > Just wear your damn mask... 03/26/2014 at 16:27

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No and it's upsetting especially to the fans. We all loved ALMS, and now it's just seems like a sort of farce race. I can't imagine the rest of the field not feeling the same way either.

AspenRS > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 16:33

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That's a shame. I watched that team lay the smack down on everyone at VIR last year.

optomistic > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 16:35

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Muscle Milk is legit behind after some car problems at the first two races. While I am disappointed to see them sit out I wouldn't read to much into this one. Team owners are not going to admit to much fault.

On another note the marshaling has been appalling, but I am optimistic that the series can get it together, especially with the VOCAL fan base we have lol.

JDIGGS > Just wear your damn mask... 03/26/2014 at 16:35

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If you think about it all they really did was have to balance lmp2 / DP. The rest nothing really changed on, and we lost 3 classes, gx in grand am, gtc, lmp1......

Reality;

- More teams in therefore resources with 2 series combined

- Teams that did both have said this is better and simpler allows concentrating on 1

- Half the events to manage compared to the 2 series before, also thinking about places like Laguna where there use to be 2 races and now 1

I just can't get over the fact as a whole how much less it is to plan one series than 2 yet instead of what should have been perfect integration given all the players turns into poop stew. Because Nascar and France and where they go their lackeys and shitty business partners go to! AMERICA!

Nimrodical > Just wear your damn mask... 03/26/2014 at 16:57

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I'm pretty disappointed in IMSA so far myself but hold on there little doggy, an LMP2 did finish second at Sebring and if not for the yellow at the end would have won, it was the fastest car on the track.

Pickett racing is having trouble adjusting in a very short amount of time, that's understandable. It's also easy to understand that they are frustrated as they are accustomed to winning every race in their former 2 car class.

Just wear your damn mask... > JDIGGS 03/26/2014 at 16:57

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I think it was a bit more involved, since the whole thing has been a series of compromises. But even then, there are supposed to be experienced people running the show and the results have been amateurish.

dvsc > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 17:00

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So what they are saying is after running a 24 hour race and a 12 hour race, the don't have enough data to run a sub 3 hour race?

That's female logic right there.

The359 > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 17:09

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One team sitting out two races is hardly leaving the series. The DeltaWing is also sitting out Long Beach, and Starworks has put their Honda DP powerplant on hold until May to get more testing in as well, so they will also not be at Long Beach.

This is not an exodus, this is teams who are out of contention for the championships spending their time and money more wisely.

North > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 17:13

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(IMO) It's because of the merger itself. There really was a reason that both the American LeMans Series and Grand-Am were separate. They were two totally different types of auto racing that are labeled under the moniker of being "sportscars". If anything Grand-Am and the Pirelli World Challenge would have been more harmonious. The biggest issues are the Daytona Prototypes and the GTE cars. The DPs are or a completely different structure and fundamental idea than an LMP2 car. They don't belong with each other in terms of power and ability they uniquely possess on the track. The BoP is what's killing Pickett because they're used to easily being able to dominate amongst a field of equally-ish balanced cars, or Dyson for short.

Furthermore, GTEs are too slow to match the straight line capabilities of GT3 cars so they ruin the GT3s with more BoP changes and hurt teams that could have otherwise joined the series. Look at Turner! They're potentially looking at switching their effort more favorably towards the PWC because they allow unrestricted use of GT3 cars. The problem all lies with sanctioning bodies and rules, rules and wait? What? More rules... and the worst officiating you've ever seen ... IMSA needs to pass the torch of influence and guidance to the FIA, not the extensions of the ACO or NASCAR, they know how to categorize and develop classes of race cars. The others are ruining the series they built.

Image from motorsport.com

SubiSanchez > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 17:16

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There's also the Turner BMW Z4 being converted to GT3 spec to run Pirelli World Challenge. Team boss Will Turner said they just have plans for one race but didn't rule out future outings. I have a feeling this is an exploration into an alternative to racing TUSCC, and the Pirelli World Challenge is sure gaining momentum as a premier GT series even if it is more of a sprint format.

SNAFU_rider > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 17:39

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If they were to do away with DP and just have P2 cars along with having an open tire option this would not be happening. But the fact that NASCAR still believes that V8's are the best engines in the world and having only one tire carrier for a class is the best option in the world they will continue to FUBAR this series. Hopefully they'll get their act together and make it somewhat work after all this trial and error and losing teams.

LastScene86 > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 17:43

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Is TUSCAR going to still come to Greenville,SC before Petit now that they run Continentals instead of Michelin? Havent heard anything :(

The highlight of my year was meeting the boys and girls in ALMS and sitting in Muscle Milk's car.

It pains me to think of all those people with lowered heads while what was once great racing is slowly destroyed.

bryan40oop > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 17:52

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Leave it to nascar to fuck up a perfectly good series.

Hshsjsjshsksjsk > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 19:22

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It's garbage racing anyway. Bring on WEC.

rlfletch > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 19:48

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Said it before, saying it again: No P1, no care. Who thought eliminating the top series was a good idea?

Bakkster, touring car driver > JDIGGS 03/26/2014 at 20:44

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Bakkster, touring car driver > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 20:44

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A little early to call them 'lost', wouldn't you say? At this moment, it's two races off.

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > JDIGGS 03/26/2014 at 20:51

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Repeat after me, "It's a learning year, the new LMP2 regs will make everything better, Sebring 2014 will never happen again". Then proceed to cry.

Groagun > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 21:21

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I've worked in racing before and sort of from a 'front office' but in the 'pits' kind of position: I did both marketing/public relations and was a crew member for the series manufacturer 'guest/journalist' car.

From the 'front office' perspective it seems several strategic and political moves are afoot. Fears of what NASCAR and the France ownership would do to the incoming ALMS teams seems to be founded.

Both the ALMS and NASCAR management teams talked endlessly about how this was a merger and not a take over. Well BS to that! It all depends on where you stood at the time.

If like many here it seems were ALMS fans, we were all too familiar with the financial strains of the series and individual teams that started in 2008/2009. Up until that point ALMS had done it's own thing and done it well. It was improving on the track and even in it's marketing campaign.

Unfortunately the onset of the global economic crisis put the nail in the coffin. Give credit where credit is due, Scott Atherton and his management team at ALMS had figured it out and was doing a very good job. There was nothing he or anyone could do at that point in history and no fault lies at their feet.

GrandAm/Rolex on the other hand never really hit it's stride. There are several reasons for this: first, sports car people and NASCAR people/fans are different. Two, the classes and cars in GAR were inferior to ALMS and everyone knew it. Third, the style of management and execution between the two series was vastly different. Lastly, because GAR never realized it's position in the world and didn't take advantage of it, it decided to reach for the stars and shoot beyond it's natural selection state and appeal.

What do I mean? "first, sports car people and NASCAR people/fans are different." This should be self evident. It tends to get peoples backs up and in arguments over class and acceptance in ones position in life but in the end it's just true. And that's OK. As an ALMS fan I did look down at the GAR series slightly and didn't see them on the same technical level but why did they have to be?

"the classes and cars in GAR were inferior to ALMS and everyone knew it." This again should be and was self evident. The truth be told, that was the strength of GAR and should have been exploited. GAR wasn't some backwater piss-ant fly by night operation. If you just wanted to go sports car racing but didn't want to take the leap up to Le Mans levels of complexity and cost, GAR was the ticket for you.

"the style of management and execution between the two series was vastly different." This one gets a bit tricky. It speaks to the 'in the moment' decisions and actions of ownership/management and the perceived wants and aspirations of the series' themselves.

ALMS was very clear about it's intend on what and where it wanted to go. It was the highest level, most complex and most definitely, European Sports Car Racing: the stepping stone to Le Mans.

GAR on the other hand was a step below, some may argue two steps. It seemed always that NASCAR was unhappy with that lot in life and was forever trying to compete with ALMS. Why I keep asking?

With the class structure in GAR, there was a place for anyone/everyone. More grass roots than a Euro Le Mans series. Racing is expensive no matter what form or where, the leap between ALMS and GAR was rather vast and should have been.

The problem here, and it speaks also to my last point "because GAR never realized it's position in the world and didn't take advantage of it, it decided to reach for the stars and shoot beyond it's natural selection state and appeal." with the backing of NASCAR's deep pockets and what I believe is an over ambitious and maybe even arrogant mandate, GAR swooped in when it could and took over ALMS, it's 'thought of' competition.

So here we sit today with what you might consider two disastrous races, a few teams falling by the way side, a more than evident feeling of further storm clouds on the horizon, not just from fans but people in the sport itself and from a fans perspective, an inferior product.

We as race fans have most definitely lost something special. ALMS was unique here in NA and let us see, touch and experience what real Euro Sports Car Racing was all about. That does not mean that I or anyone is or even did dismiss GAR at all, it was just different and had it embraced that and supported that, perhaps we may not be in this mess today.

Perhaps the economic crisis of 2008/2009 may have sealed the deal no matter what anyone did and we would have ended up here anyways. Either way, today it's not being handled correctly and the future is grey and cloudy at best.

One quick side note: How many of you know what Tudor is? If you know, how and when did you come to know? The series has done an abysmal job telling the world what it's title sponsor is. In the 18 month lead up to the flag drop at this years Daytona 24, I had heard what Tudor was only a few weeks prior.

For those who don't know, it's a sub brand of Rolex.

highplainsdrifter > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 21:22

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To be fair they are just sitting out two races, they didn't quit the series. Even though I wouldn't be surprised if they did, the bop didn't actually happen and it's crazy trying to equalize two completely different types of race car. The GT categories and the prototype challenge are fine but the DP cars racing in the same class as Lemans Prototype cars is absurd especially since the teams have to run the cars to such tight rules. Its also a shame they blocked the possibility of having P1 cars attend the races, who doesn't want to see that?

quarterlifecrisis > Bakkster, touring car driver 03/26/2014 at 21:56

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Exactly what I came here to post. It isn't uncommon at all for these teams to miss a race or two throughout the season. Risi Competizione did it last year due to their car being FUBAR. Sounds familiar...

DangerBadger > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 22:34

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I'm shocked that an incompetent sanctioning body and a NASCAR-type approach to cautions (OMG THAT CAR TOUCHED A BLADE OF GRASS FULL-COURSE YELLOW FOR AN HOUR PRONTO!) would lead to teams losing interest.

xcheck44 > Jonathon Klein 03/26/2014 at 22:35

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Watch the Pirelli World Challenge this weekend. It's there opening weekend of the 2014 season. They'll have the McLaren GT3 car, as well as other awesome machines.

Right now they're mouths are watering......

xcheck44 > xcheck44 03/26/2014 at 22:36

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Sorry......
*their

pronebird > rlfletch 03/26/2014 at 23:22

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Who from P1 is going to run in the States? One or maybe two showings from the euro bunch? You can't spend the time and money for an extra class when they only show up for 2 of your 10 races.

rlfletch > pronebird 03/27/2014 at 00:23

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Porsche and Audi for starters.

Brosenkranz > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 00:45

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Who parked all those NASCARs in a field of prototypes?

996C2 > SubiSanchez 03/27/2014 at 01:08

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I heard today that WC has fielded some more calls...

The newly opened up GT3 spec update for 2014 really opened up a new avenue for GT teams. Its a shame WC doesn't have a P2 class. :)

Years back we used to slam SCCA for not getting things right and put IMSA up on a pedestal. Looks like they've swapped positions now.

pronebird > rlfletch 03/27/2014 at 01:14

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For only a couple of races. Like I said... not enough to justify investing in.

bucklau > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 01:43

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Can someone tell me why we can't just have a GT series? I'd gladly just watch the top sports cars from manufacturer teams duke it out on Laguna Seca without having to watch the prototypes.

That would probably bring in more people to the series as well, as manufacturer pride is a big deal for a lot of people.

SteyrTMP > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 04:13

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I totally agree. I couldn't wait to see the next ALMS race, and once I saw Porsche was bringing their LMP1 to fruition, do you have any clue how pissed I was when I realized that the new TUSCC wasn't going to have LMP1's? That alone was almost enough for me to ignore it completely. I'm not going to even get started to the other week's yellow flag parade... er... race. I don't appreciate watching a race that uses yellow flags so unfairly that it changes the end of the race. The Honda LMP should have won. End of story.

Either way, as I said a while ago, it's sink or swim, and I'll give you a hint... IMSA ain't swimming right now.

Jonathon Klein > SteyrTMP 03/27/2014 at 08:54

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WEC is going to be where its at!

Jonathon Klein > bucklau 03/27/2014 at 08:55

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Totally a valid idea, it would be a DTM style race, kinda like this. http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/we-need-a-prop…

Jonathon Klein > xcheck44 03/27/2014 at 08:56

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So is mine!

Jonathon Klein > highplainsdrifter 03/27/2014 at 08:58

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Yeah, but the wording that that Greg was stating was more indicative of possibly staying out of the series altogether.

Jonathon Klein > Bakkster, touring car driver 03/27/2014 at 09:03

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It is early, but the way that things are headed aren't looking good.

t_s > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 09:22

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I cannot read anything concerning 'Muscle Milk' and not giggle like a ten year-old. Sorry.

willconltd > JDIGGS 03/27/2014 at 10:25

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So less events, and everything is run by NASCAR who is still pushing ancient tube frame chassis at a time when everyone and their brother are bringing out their new LMP1 cars? Sebring was fun this year, lots of furniture burned, but I miss the Audi R18 e-tron quattros. They were so amazing last year. The noises they would make around turn 7 into 8 & 9 gave you silent chills. Plus those LEDs were so blindingly bright you always knew when they were coming, even though you couldn't HEAR them coming. Why NASCAR is afraid of technology is beyond me, but I have absolutely no interest in oval races or tube framed race cars. Spec miata is far more exciting racing if you want the cars to be "stock."

Ntovorni > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 10:44

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THIS IS.

A great photo. Just wanted to say that.

Jonathon Klein > Ntovorni 03/27/2014 at 10:47

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I KNOW I LOVE IT!

Ntovorni > Groagun 03/27/2014 at 10:55

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to your last point. Woah. I thought It stood for something.

Groagun > Ntovorni 03/27/2014 at 12:55

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I assume you are talking about what Tudor is. That really is a problem from a marketing, position and overall vision and competency evaluation.

Ntovorni > Groagun 03/27/2014 at 12:58

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Yes. Without a doubt. I honestly thought it was the abbreviation for the series, like..idk "Totally Unsual Doored Opposition Racing" That's an extreme example, but yeah.

I've never heard of them or even seen a commercial for them as a watch company. So it's just TUSC...maybe that's where my confusion came in, the TU probably threw me off, and in my own mind, and when talking to non-car friends, saying "American LeMans" was just easier.

Bakkster, touring car driver > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 14:47

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Maybe when entries drop below 50 I'll start to sweat. Every series gets cars dropping mid season, and both ALMS and GA always saw far more cars at Sebring and Daytona than the rest of the season.

Don't forget, Dyson's still coming mid season with a GTD Nissan GT-R, and we just learned today that Starworks will be trading their DP for a Ligier/Honda. I don't see any reason to panic, entries are just shuffling around, there is no mass exodus.

Jonathon Klein > Bakkster, touring car driver 03/27/2014 at 14:55

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Leaving is not really my concern, but rather the racing itself and marshalling that needs to be fixed.

Bakkster, touring car driver > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 15:06

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Absolutely, though Pickett gave no mention that factored into the decision at all (he seemed more concerned over BoP).

Jonathon Klein > Bakkster, touring car driver 03/27/2014 at 15:09

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I feel like it was implied in a bit of that press release though.

Bakkster, touring car driver > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 15:12

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Specific part? Can't read the press release atm.

Jonathon Klein > Bakkster, touring car driver 03/27/2014 at 15:23

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"We came here to be competitive and we know that we have the drivers and the car to do so, but a big part of that competitiveness comes from the balance of performance and you can't be fighting for wins if you're not on a level playing field, " emphasis mine.

Bakkster, touring car driver > Jonathon Klein 03/27/2014 at 16:42

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Always sounded like a complaint about BoP, to me. Only way it links to officiating is the DPs were better on cold tires (aka, after a caution), but that's really a BoP issue where if the P2s are faster at that moment they won't care how many cautions there are.

HellPhish89 > Jonathon Klein 03/30/2014 at 20:37

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Tudor is dying.. and painfully so.