What's up with PM?

[RarebearFan77]

Re: What's up with PM?

Hmmmmmm I hate to see him leave also. But I had heard he was heading to retirement anyway. BUT.. That still doesn't take away the fact that RARA has raised her heavy hand again. When will she stop being so over bearing? I love Race 38 (don't let my sname fool ya) and Ron is a super nice guy. I believe it was 2002 or 2003 when on my flight home he sat next to me in coach. I didn't recognize him. He asked if I was the for the races and when i asked him if he was he said, " yeah, I kinda race one of them" Imagine my suprise when he answered my question with "Race 38". Poor guy probably was sad he sat next to me cause I was asking all kinda questions. Anyway, I hate to see him leave.
Hey Wayner, no breather for me on this one, I am hitting SEND!!

[BlueOvalRacing]

Re: What's up with PM?

Without knowing or really even caring about "off color" remarks made by Ron, I want to pose a question or two...

Does anyone else feel that by being nervous about racing his aircraft, it might just be a blessing in disguise?

IMO, People that enter into a race (or any dangerous endeavor) when scared/nervous/hesitant, pose a risk to themselves and others by making poor decisions by having a clouded mindset.

It takes a brave soul to climb into a racing vehicle after a crash, whether their own or someone else's, and last weeks tragedies might have changed his opinion about racing aircraft.

If all you can think about is imminent danger, should you take to the skies?

Being cautious is fine, but anything beyond that in racing is dangerous in it's own respect.

If Ron chooses to retire from racing, so be it. I would rather see PM flown for a long time (confidently) rather than see it round the pylons with someone that might be tentative. I am not in any way bashing the gentleman's flying skills, but I will applaud him for knowing when to shelve the racing era of the aircraft for the reasons he stated in the newspaper.

I can say that I am proud and honored to have seen PM take the course under Ron's control, but I would like to see it live long in racing retirement, whether they grace Reno again or not.

Just my $.02, Paul

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: What's up with PM?

Paul,

I think you make a very valid point and before anyone really gets into RARA bashing without all the info, maybe if they *did* ask Ron to leave it was because they felt he'd been psyched out and therefore should not be in the cockpit??

I know Ron, I like Ron, I know he has a loving wife and two darling children.. I suspect strongly that Ron might well have felt relieved that he'd been asked to stand down..

Do all of you think maybe this is yet another thread that we might well let lie for a while?

Is there more to say without hearing from the principals?

Not going to close this one but I'd ask that ya'll think about posting further a lot before hitting "Submit Reply"..

TIA!

[Hawkeye]

Re: What's up with PM?

Dearest Hawkeye,

I've simply a fan of PM and wanted to know why it was DQ'd. There have been conflicting reports throughout this thread and according to your previous post you know something that the rest of us don't in regards to the DQ. If you don't want to share this info then why bring it up in the first place? I was unaware of any "dirty laundry" until you alluded to it.

The speculation as to what happend was starting to go overboard as to what actually transpired. Fingers were being pointed in several directions. That's why I added my two cents to try to quell the speculation. You are asking that I release that info. I feel that the decision on releasing that info. rests with Ron, not with me. Otherwise, it should stay private. If that is not good enough for you, then call Ron and ask him. If he wants to tell you, fine. Otherwise let it be.

[Bigger Al]

Re: What's up with PM?

Without knowing or really even caring about "off color" remarks made by Ron, I want to pose a question or two...

Does anyone else feel that by being nervous about racing his aircraft, it might just be a blessing in disguise?

IMO, People that enter into a race (or any dangerous endeavor) when scared/nervous/hesitant, pose a risk to themselves and others by making poor decisions by having a clouded mindset.

It takes a brave soul to climb into a racing vehicle after a crash, whether their own or someone else's, and last weeks tragedies might have changed his opinion about racing aircraft.

If all you can think about is imminent danger, should you take to the skies?

Being cautious is fine, but anything beyond that in racing is dangerous in it's own respect.

If Ron chooses to retire from racing, so be it. I would rather see PM flown for a long time (confidently) rather than see it round the pylons with someone that might be tentative. I am not in any way bashing the gentleman's flying skills, but I will applaud him for knowing when to shelve the racing era of the aircraft for the reasons he stated in the newspaper.

I can say that I am proud and honored to have seen PM take the course under Ron's control, but I would like to see it live long in racing retirement, whether they grace Reno again or not.

Just my $.02, Paul

Good points, Paul. I roadraced motorcycles for 6 years, and I was always nervous when I overheard someone that I was racing against express fear or doubt about the task. My feeling was that if you were scared of what you were about to do, then it might be best to just sit it out and think it over a bit more. People (even highly trained professionals) can make questionable decisions under duress, and adding fear to the mix doesn't help.
I think that if Buccarelli made the decision to give it up for the sake of his family, then we as fans owe him a great big thank you and our best wishes.

[Bob]

Re: What's up with PM?

I think that if Buccarelli made the decision to give it up for the sake of his family, then we as fans owe him a great big thank you and our best wishes.

Can I have a big HELL YEAH!

[TomL]

Re: What's up with PM?

Yeah, what he said!!!

Ron, Thanks for campaigning PM for the years that you have. I've always liked the look of all the griffon powered racers over the years!
TomL

[Frank C.]

Re: What's up with PM?

Sorry Wayne but I am with Bob on this one. Ron and I are fellow Italianos. He sat down and ate lunch with my Family a few years ago. He is a real gentleman and class act. Italian families always think of their families first, other things secondary. RARA gave Ron a bum deal! He did not lose any confidence. Ron flew F14's and had many traps on carriers for godsakes! God bless and good luck to Ron and his family. Sorry for being so long-winded.

Frank Caruso(full-blooded Sicilian and proud of it)

[Double ugly]

Re: What's up with PM?

There will be another Griffon on an airplane in two years. Can't tell you much but it's in the works. Skip said that the last Griffon powered airplane he flew was the fastest piston engine plane he's ever flown. 500 ++++
John