That is the main reason I joined the Legends class. Last year I was racing in another class. That class was all about winning, but really short on good friendly relations with other racers. This class was purposed designed to keep racing affordable and a fun family event. Stress the fun here. It was like the gentlemen's version of racing. Guys helping the main contender get their car together in time for a race.
If you're good enough, you'll win. We can't all be that good, so the rest of us better learn to handle not winning. Personally I just go to have fun. I'm going to try my best to beat your butt, but I'm still going to just have fun. If I get back to the pit and someone decides they need to have a discussion right after the race... I don't want to talk to them... Not yet. Use your head and go cool off before going to talk to another racer.
A racing teacher here has a great point that he brings across to all his classes. He tells all his students that if you've done something stupid to another racer, as soon as you get back to the pit, go over and apologize. Swallow your pride and go let the other guy know you screwed up. Most often this will gain you respect. Now if the other guy comes charging over to your pit, how can you possibly keep some of your pride by saying sorry? Now you feel cornered, and the first thing you will do is defend yourself.
The only reason you should be going over to another racer's pit is to apologize or socialize. Any other reason is asking for a confrontation.
I got rear ended hard last season while waiting on a yellow flag. The lad that rear ended me, saw us moving forward and thought for some reason that we were green and go, so charged up my butt and slammed me and the next four cars together. Folded his hood too. Now at the end of the race, I got back to the pit full of righteous indignation. I was fuming, I was ranting, but luckily I stayed in my pit while I fumed. After I wound down for a bit, a young lad that I'd noticed on the periphery of my pit came forward to apologize. Admitted to being the idiot that had rear ended me. Said he felt like a schmuck for doing it. He shook my hand and left. Guess who felt like the bigger schmuck? That young lad elevated himself very high in my books, and I felt like a class A-1 jerk for sounding off. He didn't intend to hit me, he just let his mind wander at the wrong time. He was less than half my age and had more maturity than I'll ever have. It happens to all of us. Learn from this, and learn to control your anger. Learn to love racing for the fun of racing, not for the winning. Having fun while winning is easy, so try a challenge and learn to have fun even if you don't win!
That's my opinion at any rate. You're entitled to your own opinion, no matter how wrong!
Mike
