Landracing Forum

Misc Forums => NON LSR Posting => Topic started by: thundersalt on July 21, 2008, 04:41:42 PM

Title: ???????
Post by: thundersalt on July 21, 2008, 04:41:42 PM
OK, I waited two days before asking thinking someone would address this so I wouldn't have to be the bad guy. What did you guy's do to Rattliff?? Did he pick up his toys and go home. :cry: I see he was a guest yesterday and a newbie today. Did he use up all of his alotted post's and had to start over?  :-o
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: doug odom on July 21, 2008, 05:14:28 PM
 What did you guy's do to Rattliff?? Did he pick up his toys and go home.

One can always hope!!!
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on July 21, 2008, 08:56:22 PM
I'm not sure what happened, although I was watching the posts on motorcycle safety when I noticed his status had changed to "guest".  A recent inspection of the members list indicates that he has re-registered, but has made no posts.

Here's what I do know.  Two of the times I'm aware of when Franklin got into, well, for lack of a better word, "trouble", were during threads concerning safety.  It's a hot-button issue for all of us.

It's also clear by reading through past posts that, stylistically, Franklin had what many probably think is an off-putting habit of making a single statement, followed by text, or a link.  Rather than promoting his argument or proposal in his own words, he would just drop an article on our desktops and see where it went.  I consider it akin to dropping a few flakes of food in the aquarium and see which fishes came to the surface to nibble.

Also, Franklin is a fan of rocket and jet propelled vehicles, which puts him in a camp that, to some, is an eccentric side-show to the larger, better represented, wheel-driven, grass roots faction in LSR.

Personally, as a volunteer moderator, and the one who locked up the Funny Car Safety link after it turned into an off topic shouting match, I am a bit taken aback by the amount of time I've had to keep an eye on Ratliff's posts and the comments they have prompted.  Sure, we're a competitive lot - we race or build racecars and bikes, or have an acute interest in them.  None of us like to lose, especially an argument.  But does ripping on an eccentric do anything to make any of us better?  Conversely, does being unaware of how one is perceived, or perhaps, uncaring as to how one is perceived, give one the right to stand in self righteous indignation when one's views are questioned?

I've read some of Ratliff's posts and rolled my eyes, thinking, "Here we go again".  But I've also read some where I said, "That's an interesting angle", and it's sent me off to discover something new.  Additionally, I've seen Ratliff's "Ignore" numbers fluctuate up and down, which leads me to believe that even those who like him the least occasionally went back and checked out his posts.

Sticking to topic can solve most of this.  That would include not questioning someone's motives, intentions or intelligence.  The topic is what the thread is about - the topic is not about who posted it. 

One other thing - while privately owned, this is a publicly viewed forum.  Do we really want to take our trash to town?

These are my personal views.

Chris
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Ratliff on July 22, 2008, 10:24:25 AM
Too many racers think with their egos not their brains. Or deceive themselves into thinking they're smarter than they are simply because they have a big bank account or a big line of credit. That's why when someone introduces an idea they haven't thought of it's must be suspect because if it were a good idea they would have already thought of it.

Outside of the dry lakes clique, it’s fuel roadsters and competition coupes that are the peculiar cars.

In the larger world, it’s jet dragsters and Funny Cars that are seen by millions of people each year. It’s jet and rocket land speed cars that get papers written about them published in engineering journals. It’s jet and rocket land speed cars that get in the history books.

It was rocket drag bike racers who were the first to adopt rider drag chutes. It was a rocket drag bike racer who verified the effectiveness of rider drag chutes.

It was jet and rocket land speed cars that verified the practicality of tireless wheels since used by many Bonneville racers for the front ends of their cars.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Sumner on July 22, 2008, 10:44:08 AM
Outside of the dry lakes clique, it’s fuel roadsters and competition coupes that are the peculiar cars.

In the larger world, it’s jet dragsters and Funny Cars that are seen by millions of people each year. It’s jet and rocket land speed cars that get papers written about them published in engineering journals. It’s jet and rocket land speed cars that get in the history books.

It was rocket drag bike racers who were the first to adopt rider drag chutes. It was a rocket drag bike racer who verified the effectiveness of rider drag chutes.

It was jet and rocket land speed cars that verified the practicality of tireless wheels since used by many Bonneville racers for the front ends of their cars.


Unfortunately your not preaching to the right choir.  Most of us are interested in all forms of land speed racing and the history there in and some of us are also interested in circle track racing and drag racing.  What this site is mainly about and the what the majority of its members are about is "fuel roadsters and competition coupes" and other cars/bikes that fit the structure of land speed racing under the rules of SCTA, USFRA, ECTA and DLRA.

I've often tried to make a point on something that maybe I feel differently about than others.  I make my case and then will spend a couple posts maybe trying to defend it.  If you do more and try to hammer your point home relentlessly you will lose the respect of those who are your friends and will find yourself being reduced to being irrelevant.

Hopefully you will consider this approach and I will continue to read what you have to say instead starting to get turned off reading what you have to say as has been the case recently.

c ya,

Sum
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: bak189 on July 22, 2008, 11:27:26 AM
Landspeed Racing..............SCTA/BNI....USFRA.......
ECTA.....DLRA............AND............................................. BUB ALL M/C Speed Trials
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Ratliff on July 22, 2008, 11:32:55 AM
Landspeed Racing..............SCTA/BNI....USFRA.......
ECTA.....DLRA............AND............................................. BUB ALL M/C Speed Trials

The Texas Mile.

Where the only pavement land speed record over 300 mph was set.

With a jet car.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Glen on July 22, 2008, 11:57:12 AM
If you want to find out about Ratliff just google his name and you will see it's not only LSR he's an expert in it's everything. He knows all  :evil:
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: aircap on July 22, 2008, 12:50:20 PM
Quote
If you want to find out about Ratliff just google his name and you will see it's not only LSR he's an expert in it's everything.

Self-proclaimed "World's Foremost Authority", Franklin takes abuse from worldwide sources - and keeps on rockin'.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: maguromic on July 22, 2008, 01:02:17 PM
"If you want to find out about Ratliff just google his name and you will see it's not only LSR he's an expert in it's everything. He knows all"

 OK, I Googled. There has to be more than one Ratliff he cant have that much free time!!!  Maybe he is a expert in cloning technology.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Dean Los Angeles on July 22, 2008, 01:08:39 PM
Franklin, you miss the point that this isn't the rest of the world, it's LSR. Most of what you post is outside ANYBODY'S area of interest.

Please look up the word dialogue, then look up the word diatribe.
Oh wait, let me do it for you.
Quote
di·a·logue
1: a written composition in which two or more characters are represented as conversing

2 a: a conversation between two or more persons; also : a similar exchange between a person and something else (as a computer) b: an exchange of ideas and opinions <organized a series of dialogues on human rights> c: a discussion between representatives of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution <a constructive dialogue between loggers and environmentalists>
 

Quote
di·a·tribe
1archaic : a prolonged discourse

2: a bitter and abusive speech or writing

Yep, what you post is a diatribe. The subjects are rarely of interest, you never enter into discussion, just keep repeating the same old thing. The same old thing being some obtuse, arcane thing that may or may not have been used once on the planet and holds no interest to the rest of the world because there are more drawbacks then benefits.

I also introduce to you the third "d" word, dense
Quote

Main Entry:
    dense Listen to the pronunciation of dense
Pronunciation:
    \ˈden(t)s\
Function:
    adjective
Inflected Form(s):
    dens·er; dens·est
Etymology:
    Latin densus; akin to Greek dasys thick with hair or leaves
Date:
    15th century

1 a: marked by compactness or crowding together of parts <dense vegetation> <dense traffic> b: having a high mass per unit volume <carbon dioxide is a dense gas>

2 a: slow to understand : stupid, thickheaded <was too dense to get the joke> b: extreme <dense ignorance>

3: having between any two elements at least one element <the set of rational numbers is dense>

4: demanding concentration to follow or comprehend <dense prose>5: having high or relatively high opacity <a dense fog> <a dense photographic negative>
synonyms see stupid
— dense·ly adverb
— dense·ness Listen to the pronunciation of denseness \ˈden(t)-snəs\ noun

You pick the correct number.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Ratliff on July 22, 2008, 01:13:37 PM
Franklin, you miss the point that this isn't the rest of the world, it's LSR. Most of what you post is outside ANYBODY'S area of interest.

Please look up the word dialogue, then look up the word diatribe.
Oh wait, let me do it for you.
Quote
di·a·logue
1: a written composition in which two or more characters are represented as conversing

2 a: a conversation between two or more persons; also : a similar exchange between a person and something else (as a computer) b: an exchange of ideas and opinions <organized a series of dialogues on human rights> c: a discussion between representatives of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution <a constructive dialogue between loggers and environmentalists>
 

Quote
di·a·tribe
1archaic : a prolonged discourse

2: a bitter and abusive speech or writing

Yep, what you post is a diatribe. The subjects are rarely of interest, you never enter into discussion, just keep repeating the same old thing. The same old thing being some obtuse, arcane thing that may or may not have been used once on the planet and holds no interest to the rest of the world because there are more drawbacks then benefits.

I also introduce to you the third "d" word, dense
Quote

Main Entry:
    dense Listen to the pronunciation of dense
Pronunciation:
    \ˈden(t)s\
Function:
    adjective
Inflected Form(s):
    dens·er; dens·est
Etymology:
    Latin densus; akin to Greek dasys thick with hair or leaves
Date:
    15th century

1 a: marked by compactness or crowding together of parts <dense vegetation> <dense traffic> b: having a high mass per unit volume <carbon dioxide is a dense gas>

2 a: slow to understand : stupid, thickheaded <was too dense to get the joke> b: extreme <dense ignorance>

3: having between any two elements at least one element <the set of rational numbers is dense>

4: demanding concentration to follow or comprehend <dense prose>5: having high or relatively high opacity <a dense fog> <a dense photographic negative>
synonyms see stupid
— dense·ly adverb
— dense·ness Listen to the pronunciation of denseness \ˈden(t)-snəs\ noun

You pick the correct number.


Outside of the dry lakes clique, it’s fuel roadsters and competition coupes that are the peculiar cars.

In the larger world, it’s jet dragsters and Funny Cars that are seen by millions of people each year. It’s jet and rocket land speed cars that get papers written about them published in engineering journals. It’s jet and rocket land speed cars that get in the history books.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Glen on July 22, 2008, 01:38:51 PM
Dean, he doesn't understand, he doesn't have anything else to do except be  a PEST
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Dean Los Angeles on July 22, 2008, 01:44:19 PM
Glen, old buddy, I do get it.

And I am really enjoying the ride. :-D

And isn't the response proof of the theory?
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Ratliff on July 22, 2008, 01:52:14 PM
Glen, old buddy, I do get it.

And I am really enjoying the ride. :-D

And isn't the response proof of the theory?

Sometimes any response is more than is warranted.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on July 22, 2008, 02:05:13 PM
Sorry to have to say it, but please -- No name calling by anyone, please, whether it feels (to you) justified or not.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: desotoman on July 22, 2008, 02:13:42 PM

Sometimes any response is more than is warranted.


Maybe you could apply your statement to some of your posts.

Tom G.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: John Noonan on July 22, 2008, 03:48:12 PM
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Title: Re: ???????
Post by: John Romero on July 22, 2008, 11:30:27 PM
Sometimes any response is more than is warranted.

(http://www.meikathon.net/roflmao/facepalm.jpg)
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on July 23, 2008, 01:13:30 AM
Outside of the dry lakes clique, it’s fuel roadsters and competition coupes that are the peculiar cars.

Franklin,

Yes, they are.  Most LSR cars that compete are peculiar, regardless of their configuration or fuel requirements.  And that's the point.  I can think of nowhere else on earth other than an Elmo meet, or an ECTA meet, or the Texas Mile, or Bonneville, where I can go and see a wider variety of vehicles that have been either meticulously or shoddily put together, using hi-tech or yester-tech components, in unimaginable combinations, stretched, flattened, chopped channeled, narrowed, lowered, yet all built to a predetermined class standard, for the sole pourpose of trying to run as fast as they can within the constraints of the rules established for their class.

You're absolutely right - they ARE peculiar, and most lack the ability to enter the history books or the tech papers.  While some cars are rolling documentation to the long history of LSR, many represent the cutting edge of today's automotive technology.  They seldom have millions of people watching them.  In fact, it is quite likely that more people will see an LSR car on a trailer being towed across Nebraska than will ever see one compete.

But there is something very visceral about each and every one of these vehicles, and each has the dreams of its builder riding on it.  Some started out as a drawing and a pile of cardboard templates, some as a salvage yard wreck, some straight off of the assembly line.  Some have been around for 60 years, and according to what I've read on this forum, a kid in Indiana built a lakester in five months.

There is ego represented on these boards, and much of it is based on the hard work, attention to detail, thousands of dollars of investment, and sheer pigheadedness of those of us who have made the decision to be involved in this sport.

Franklin, here's what you wrote recently -

"In the larger world, it’s jet dragsters and Funny Cars that are seen by millions of people each year. It’s jet and rocket land speed cars that get papers written about them published in engineering journals. It’s jet and rocket land speed cars that get in the history books."

If any of these well made points were critical to this sport, organized LSR would fail.

But we're not in the larger world, and most of us don't really care if anybody but our friends and family see us compete.  If someone is interested in what we did to make our car a bit more competitive, it usually doesn't require a publication - a conversation will do.  And to your last point, I would say that the list of record holders and the cars they drove is pretty well documented for those who want to seek them out.

This is the nature of a grass roots sport.

And Franklin, I invite you to join us.  Pick a project - use one of your designs, or take cues from someone who's design you admire.  Clear out your shop, make a build table, get your buddies over to help, buy a trailer to put the car on, invest your time and talents and make the decision to come racing.
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: dwarner on July 23, 2008, 01:43:51 AM
Well said sir.

DW
Title: Re: ???????
Post by: Glen on July 23, 2008, 09:51:25 AM
RIGHT ON :-D