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Topic: IRA Northern Swing and Balog
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Page 1 of 1 of 8 replies
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September 12, 2016 at
08:41:46 AM
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07/03/2013
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136
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Just got back from taking the family to the North Woods of Wisconsin for the IRA races. First off, while car counts were noticibly lower, both mains were full fields and the racing was excellent. While sometimes critical of the series, I feel the last 2 years have been a big jump in the quality of driving compared to other series in past years. While still not WOO caliber, you can see these drivers starting to put up a fight against bigger names.
One thing I will walk away from this year with, is finally some answers on Balog. While you can take nothing away from his ability, you can see he has something in his own equipment, that he does not have when running the Rhine car. He is obviously a favorite in whatever he jumps in, but when in his own car, there is a big differance. Rhine has great equipment and he is a threat... but he is beatable in that car, especially at Wilmot and Angel Park it was somewhat evident. He looked human at those races, was beat and driving the car more like everyone else. Fast forward to this last weekend in his own car again, and he is back to untouchable. He can find grip and traction where there isnt any, top bottom or middle. No one could even really come close, its like he sets in it cruise and just turns it wherever he wants and the motor doesnt seem to drop a bit regardless. Sure would like to find out what it is... but he has something that noone else does and i no longer think its just his right foot.
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September 12, 2016 at
09:16:20 AM
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Joined:
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04/29/2014
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1206
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Reply to:
Posted By: Sprinter44 on September 12 2016 at 08:41:46 AM
Just got back from taking the family to the North Woods of Wisconsin for the IRA races. First off, while car counts were noticibly lower, both mains were full fields and the racing was excellent. While sometimes critical of the series, I feel the last 2 years have been a big jump in the quality of driving compared to other series in past years. While still not WOO caliber, you can see these drivers starting to put up a fight against bigger names.
One thing I will walk away from this year with, is finally some answers on Balog. While you can take nothing away from his ability, you can see he has something in his own equipment, that he does not have when running the Rhine car. He is obviously a favorite in whatever he jumps in, but when in his own car, there is a big differance. Rhine has great equipment and he is a threat... but he is beatable in that car, especially at Wilmot and Angel Park it was somewhat evident. He looked human at those races, was beat and driving the car more like everyone else. Fast forward to this last weekend in his own car again, and he is back to untouchable. He can find grip and traction where there isnt any, top bottom or middle. No one could even really come close, its like he sets in it cruise and just turns it wherever he wants and the motor doesnt seem to drop a bit regardless. Sure would like to find out what it is... but he has something that noone else does and i no longer think its just his right foot.
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I made it up to the last race at Angell Park and thought for sure Balog would win that race. I was pleasantly surprised that he didn't. Like you say he is certainly still the tops but you really couldn't rule out anyone else in the field. I do like Balog but just wanted to see someone else who usually doesnt win get the W. That heat race though that night where Balog got him was pretty awesome though! I'd dare guess that something else Balog has that isn't just his right foot is setup. There are guys in the IRA running motors probably just as good but its about getting the traction to use it on the shorter tracks.
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September 12, 2016 at
12:32:06 PM
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09/14/2010
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Agree with others on this. His car doesnt hop,wiggle,or do anything unwated when he drives it. It took him awhile to get good (for him) results in the Rhine car but I believe he has had alot to do with setup of the car. If he brings his car to Beaver Dam this week he may lap everyone, as he's undefeated there this year.JMO
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September 12, 2016 at
01:30:32 PM
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Joined:
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07/01/2012
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246
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Reply to:
Posted By: Sprinter44 on September 12 2016 at 08:41:46 AM
Just got back from taking the family to the North Woods of Wisconsin for the IRA races. First off, while car counts were noticibly lower, both mains were full fields and the racing was excellent. While sometimes critical of the series, I feel the last 2 years have been a big jump in the quality of driving compared to other series in past years. While still not WOO caliber, you can see these drivers starting to put up a fight against bigger names.
One thing I will walk away from this year with, is finally some answers on Balog. While you can take nothing away from his ability, you can see he has something in his own equipment, that he does not have when running the Rhine car. He is obviously a favorite in whatever he jumps in, but when in his own car, there is a big differance. Rhine has great equipment and he is a threat... but he is beatable in that car, especially at Wilmot and Angel Park it was somewhat evident. He looked human at those races, was beat and driving the car more like everyone else. Fast forward to this last weekend in his own car again, and he is back to untouchable. He can find grip and traction where there isnt any, top bottom or middle. No one could even really come close, its like he sets in it cruise and just turns it wherever he wants and the motor doesnt seem to drop a bit regardless. Sure would like to find out what it is... but he has something that noone else does and i no longer think its just his right foot.
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We he is driving his car he is the driver and Crew Chief. He does the set up and makes all the adjustment. He might be a better Crew Chief then driver. The other cars he drives he pretty much just shows up and does the best he can with what they have for him.
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September 12, 2016 at
03:01:45 PM
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08/05/2015
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1133
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Reply to:
Posted By: sprintfast on September 12 2016 at 01:30:32 PM
We he is driving his car he is the driver and Crew Chief. He does the set up and makes all the adjustment. He might be a better Crew Chief then driver. The other cars he drives he pretty much just shows up and does the best he can with what they have for him.
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+1. Every month or two a thread is started about Balog and its typically how he's not good, etc. Surprises me every time. People just can't enjoy seeing a good race car driver...
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September 12, 2016 at
03:26:31 PM
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02/16/2015
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I cant speak for how things work when he drives the 2b car, but i know when he drives the Rhine Auto Car he does most if not all the setup.
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September 12, 2016 at
09:03:17 PM
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09/14/2006
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Being that Bill is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet another reason could be he's more willing to take chances and be aggressive in his own stuff versus risking tearing up someone elses equipment.
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September 12, 2016 at
11:40:21 PM
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03/30/2016
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Those two cars make a big difference imo I think that's why when he travels out he'll use his own car and if you ask me if balog was put in a ride with a big money team you'll see him win a lot more outside of the Ira because he can doesn't have to worry about junking a car
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September 13, 2016 at
08:51:30 AM
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03/12/2006
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I haven't been following to closely - Ben Schmitt is no longer in the 35 but Balog is for select IRA races, and doesn't run the Lein car this year? Is that close to accurate??
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