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Topic: Robert "MadMan" Ballou's USAC Probation
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Page 1 of 1 of 9 replies
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June 28, 2012 at
11:14:39 PM
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06/28/2012
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I grew up in a race shop, attend the races since I was very young and have worked for several racing series and been on pit crews as well and one thing throughout my life and my experiences is I learned there is always a thing called RESPECT. Those simple words mean that no matter if you like a driver, are a driver, a pit crew member, a crew chief, a car owner, a sponsor or an official- there is a way to conduct yourself in every situation.
This past weekend I had the sincere pleasure to work with Robert & Sacha Ballou and their entire team. I have followed Robert's racing since he raced a winged sprint car in California and have watched his many frustrating moments and moments of joy. My family and I were completly honored to work with his entire team this weekend and more so to be surrounded by the man who lives up to his name the "Madman." Now there are many ways to interput that name but one thing I know is that he takes chances, makes moves and wins and loses races- sounds like a race car driver to me.
I witnessed something that I have not seen in any of the series I have worked for nor am associated with on Saturday nigth at the Wilmot Raceway. A USAC offical came down to the Ballou Motorsports pit area in front of fans that were there to visit with Robert and a potential sponsor when this official in front of the entire crowd told Robert he was going to be set on probation due to a racing incident in the A-main event when Robert attempted a slide job on another car to take a position and the car and Robert touched and both cars were damaged.
I don't want to state who should have done what but I do want to state that the entire way this 6 race probation has been handled is beyond frusting and has shown several children that watch this happen on Saturday night and heard it announced in the drivers meeting on Sunday night- bullying. I believe in being professional, and there is a way to handle situations and the way this situation has been handled and what has been said to Robert, his wife and team is inappropriate and should be appealed and USAC should be ashamed. I know several people that are not in support of this serious now due to the conduct of officals and the "rules made up along the way or the way they see fit"-and now may choose to support a different more professional series.
To Robert & Sacha Ballou and your entire team- as a witness to this spectacle and the entire situation- I want you to know that by no means is this acceptable and should not be tolerated by any of you, your sponsors and fans.The sponsor that walked away after he heard what was said cost not only Robert's team money but USAC money too because no-one knew how much they wanted to spend or in which way and now that moment has passed. I believe in being fair-professional and engaging in policies and procedures and that is exactly what should have been done and going forward should be the top priority.
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June 29, 2012 at
07:09:45 AM
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11/30/2004
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I believe this is why NASCAR calls the drivers to their trailer, so the actual conversation is kept private.
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June 29, 2012 at
07:46:33 AM
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08/05/2010
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Though the photos are a bit fuzzy, all i see is good hard racing. If the statements made by the presenter of this article are correct, usac should be completely embarrassed and not be surprized if the balou team finds other venues to race in the future. What i see from these photos is good hard racing and thats what i go to see.... jmo Thanx....
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June 29, 2012 at
08:36:04 AM
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12/17/2009
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I hope you folks don't seriously believe that anyone at USAC give's a rat's ass?
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June 29, 2012 at
09:53:02 AM
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11/30/2004
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130
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Reply to:
Posted By: flyingryan on June 29 2012 at 07:09:45 AM
I believe this is why NASCAR calls the drivers to their trailer, so the actual conversation is kept private.
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USAC has NO CLASS!!!!!!!!!! They have been that way for many years.
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June 29, 2012 at
10:15:56 AM
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04/27/2009
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Go to 6:12 the video mark to see this incident.
See more racing videos at
http://www.youtube.com/user/dagunner
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June 29, 2012 at
10:18:21 AM
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01/31/2012
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I saw the video that was posted the other day and cringed a little at each one of those sliders those guys were throwing. Any one of them could have ended in disaster and of course that last one did with the other guy getting on his lid. Hard racing folks. That's what it was. Entertaining as hell for anyone watching. Now when they came back after the incident and Robert wasn't in the field I wondered if USAC had parked him because of the incident but now I know that he had sustained damage as well. Probation? For effing what? The other guy trading the sliders on probation too? USAC: You are not missed at Belleville. Hopefully you will become a footnote in racing history when people have finally had enough and throw the dirt on the grave that you have so diligently dug for yourself over the years. I only hope I live long enough to see the day.
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June 29, 2012 at
11:12:23 AM
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I'm sure he could appeal the ruling but hopefully the old farts at USAC won't fall asleep during the hearing like the Steve Butler case of 1993.
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June 29, 2012 at
12:33:59 PM
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11/23/2004
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Found it interesting (watching the excellent video) to hear that Danny Lasoski had won a previous USAC show there at Wilmot, somebody tell the PA fans who think he can't win anywhere but Knoxville, lol.....
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June 29, 2012 at
06:08:52 PM
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02/02/2007
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i didn'T think it was that bad!
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