Ron Fellows sucks as a driver

[MikeGolf]

I'm a NASCAR fan and prejudice. But you put Fellows on a track with Driver's that really want to win and it aren't worried about the "TEAM" car he get's his butt kicked. And a road course which he specializes and teaches on. From '95 to '10 as a "ringer" driver his average finish is 25.8. I know these cars don't have relief drivers, all the push buttons on the steering wheel, and luxcuries that he is used to and are heavy. And the other drivers may not know of his reputation.
I have never heard of any of the drivers that he race with, I don't follow them. The only great driver I have ever know they had was Dale Earnhardt. Even Boris Said has won a race in NASCAR.
Can he out drive me, yes. But for some money I would do some rubbing. He has done a great deal to advance and promote Corvettes that I will give him, but as a driver in Corvettes it has been with co-drivers. But Hall of Fame as a driver? I'll get off my soap box now.

:flag2:

And he is Canadian. (Sorry):angel12:

[Kevin]

24 Hours of Le Mans Record for Mr. Fellows
Year Finish Class Car Co-drivers
2000 4th GTS Corvette C5-R Kneifel, Bell
2001 1st GTS Corvette C5-R O'Connell, Pruett
2002 1st GTS Corvette C5-R O'Connell, Gavin
2003 3rd GTS Corvette C5-R O'Connell, Freon
2004 2nd GTS Corvette C5-R O'Connell, Papis
2005 2nd GT1 Corvette C6.R O'Connell, Papis
2006 7th GT1 Corvette C6.R O'Connell, Papis
2007 2nd GT1 Corvette C6.R O'Connell, Magnussen

seems pretty damn good to me

http://www.corvetteracing.com/drivers/ronfellows/ronfellows.shtml

[MikeGolf]

without co-drivers Sh*#%y

http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/rfellows00/cup/index.html

[Kevin]

don't care about nascar.

[Aurora40]

24 Hours of Le Mans Record
Year Finish Class Car Co-drivers
2000 4th GTS Corvette C5-R Kneifel, Bell
2001 1st GTS Corvette C5-R O'Connell, Pruett
2002 1st GTS Corvette C5-R O'Connell, Gavin
2003 3rd GTS Corvette C5-R O'Connell, Freon
2004 2nd GTS Corvette C5-R O'Connell, Papis
2005 2nd GT1 Corvette C6.R O'Connell, Papis
2006 7th GT1 Corvette C6.R O'Connell, Papis
2007 2nd GT1 Corvette C6.R O'Connell, Magnussen

seems pretty damn good to me
That seems to show that Johnny O'Connell is a great driver, don't see Fellows on that list at all?

On the original topic, I don't know that his finishes in a series where he's an occasional "hired gun" really speak to his driving ability. And I sure wouldn't dismiss endurance driving as a litmus test simply because it involves teammates.

I will say, when Corvette announced a "Ron Fellows" edition Z06, that it seemed fairly inappropriate to me. How many greats have there been in Corvette history? Lots. How many had a factory edition named after them? None. Fellows was not far and away the best thing ever to happen to Corvette, thus warranting that distinction.

[Kevin]

That seems to show that Johnny O'Connell is a great driver, don't see Fellows on that list at all?

On the original topic, I don't know that his finishes in a series where he's an occasional "hired gun" really speak to his driving ability. And I sure wouldn't dismiss endurance driving as a litmus test simply because it involves teammates.

I will say, when Corvette announced a "Ron Fellows" edition Z06, that it seemed fairly inappropriate to me. How many greats have there been in Corvette history? Lots. How many had a factory edition named after them? None. Fellows was not far and away the best thing ever to happen to Corvette, thus warranting that distinction.
the list was Mr. Fellows' lemans wins and his co drivers taken from the corvette racing page

[Aurora40]

But Hall of Fame as a driver? I'll get off my soap box now.

I'll get on mine. :) If you look at the bar that has been set as an inductee, I think Ron clearly exceeds it.

Some of the "Hall of Fame" folks that I find ridiculous are the ones who never did anything to improve the Corvette. They were simply involved with founding the museum:

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/battaglini.shtml

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/bowlin.shtml

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/brookmyer.shtml

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/gale.shtml

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/mcmanmon.shtml

Has Ron Fellows done more to improve Corvette than those guys? I'd say hell yes. He's been instrumental in several LeMans wins, he's been a very down-to-earth face of Corvette Racing, and he's helped establish credibility for Corvette as a performance car in every meaning of the word.

Now, don't get me wrong. It's great these guys went above and beyond to get the museum going. But I don't think that is museum-worthy, almost by definition.

What other HOF's are like that? Does the pro football hall of fame include the guy who secured the museum land grant?? Next to Babe Ruth's jersey in Cooperstown, is there a blazer and khaki pants hanging of the guy who filed for 501(c)(3) tax-deductible status for the museum?? Give me a break...

[VetteMed]

don't we have an off topic section for stuff that isn't ZR-1 related?

[Aurora40]

the list was Mr. Fellows' lemans wins and his co drivers taken from the corvette racing page

Ok, gotcha, it wasn't clear what I was looking at.

[MikeGolf]

don't we have an off topic section for stuff that isn't ZR-1 related?

sorry my mistake

[JThomas]

I'll get on mine. :) If you look at the bar that has been set as an inductee, I think Ron clearly exceeds it.

Some of the "Hall of Fame" folks that I find ridiculous are the ones who never did anything to improve the Corvette. They were simply involved with founding the museum:

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/battaglini.shtml

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/bowlin.shtml

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/brookmyer.shtml

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/gale.shtml

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/library-archives/hof/mcmanmon.shtml

Has Ron Fellows done more to improve Corvette than those guys? I'd say hell yes. He's been instrumental in several LeMans wins, he's been a very down-to-earth face of Corvette Racing, and he's helped establish credibility for Corvette as a performance car in every meaning of the word.

Now, don't get me wrong. It's great these guys went above and beyond to get the museum going. But I don't think that is museum-worthy, almost by definition.

What other HOF's are like that? Does the pro football hall of fame include the guy who secured the museum land grant?? Next to Babe Ruth's jersey in Cooperstown, is there a blazer and khaki pants hanging of the guy who filed for 501(c)(3) tax-deductible status for the museum?? Give me a break...

Bob:

If you have someone you believe is worthy of the Hall of Fame at the National Corvette Museum, nominate them. The process is somewhat lengthy, but not overwhelming. I've actually made a nomination myself of a Corvette Enthusiast. Collecting all of the supporting documents and endorsement letters is the hard part. The form can be obtained by going to the museum's website, www.corvettemuseum.com (http://www.corvettemuseum.com)

[MikeGolf]

Fellows finished 29th after starting 38th so he passed 9 cars, but 8 cars dropped out due to mechanical or wrecks. I will say he did finish on the lead lap. He just proved what I said before the race started. He can't compete aganst real drivers, in cars where you have to drive on a road course where he claims and teaches to be an expert. Now I ask the question...Is O'Connell the one that really did the majority of the real racing to get the wins and is Fellows just the front man?

[Kevin]

Fellows finished 29th after starting 38th so he passed 9 cars, but 8 cars dropped out due to mechanical or wrecks. I will say he did finish on the lead lap. He just proved what I said before the race started. He can't compete aganst real drivers, in cars where you have to drive on a road course where he claims and teaches to be an expert. Now I ask the question...Is O'Connell the one that really did the majority of the real racing to get the wins and is Fellows just the front man?

you're missing the point. you're throwing a guy into a new car with a new team for one race. it's like throwing you into a new office doing the same job and expecting you to rock out with your **** out. I don't know why you insist on basing your opinion of the man off what he does in one race in a series that is mainly turning left. Lemans is seen by everyone as the greatest motor race in history and he's done well there, who cares what he does in nascar. Dale Sr. and Jr are awful drivers because they couldn't win in the C5.R when they raced it.

Ron was instrumental in the c5.r and c6.r programs and they would not have won without him. There's a reason Chevy gave him his own option package for the vette. Without him there wouldn't be a z06

[MikeGolf]

I am basing my opion off of what he does on a road course not an oval. I would expect him to at least to finish in the top 50%. The attendance records prove which series most people see as the greatest motor race in history. The Earnhardt were brought in to bring intrest to the series not to have them compete regularly. Remeber it's not the car, it's the people.

As for the Corvette Fellows has been a great promoter of the car. I didn't see GM choice him to test the ZR! at Nurburgring. I'm glad to know he developed the Z06, though, I didn't know that.

I'm off of my soap box.Kevin we agree on the ZR-1 and that's all that matter's here. For that I'll buy you a beer any day. Jeff

[Aurora40]

Bob:

If you have someone you believe is worthy of the Hall of Fame at the National Corvette Museum, nominate them. The process is somewhat lengthy, but not overwhelming. I've actually made a nomination myself of a Corvette Enthusiast. Collecting all of the supporting documents and endorsement letters is the hard part. The form can be obtained by going to the museum's website, www.corvettemuseum.com (http://www.corvettemuseum.com)
I don't know if you missed the point I was making completely? Or you are just telling me as an aside that it's possible to nominate people?

I am saying I think it's silly that the Corvette Museum's Hall of Fame includes people whose only accomplishment was helping set up the Corvette Museum.

[tomtom72]

Not to be offensive to any one.....this reminds me of that scene in the movie "Days of Thunder" :)

"You're used to driving cars that weigh 1/2 as much, with tires that are twice as wide......"

Gone are the days, and I know you remember them Mike, where cross class racing success was not uncommon. I give you Mario Andretti, F1 & USAC & NASCAR; A. J. Foyt, NASCAR & USAC & FIA endurance ( Ford LeMans program);
and more recently Tony Stewart, NASCAR & IndyCar; Robby Gordon, IndyCar & NASCAR.

I think that the advancements in each class have diverged each class to such a degree that the kinds of success like back in the "day" are not possible any longer on a "one time" basis. Also, as late as the early 90's NASCAR teams almost "wrote off" the two road course events save the real top teams. In more recent times even the second and third tier teams have their drivers go to "school" and even test at road courses because you can't afford to "throw away" those two races any longer.

JMHO, but the NASCAR driver today probably is better at hustling a stock car around a road course than ever before, and I think they are much harder to pass than they used to be on road courses by the "ringers".

I know you listened to Tony speak about the brakes on the McLaren F1 car....he said he never found the limit going into a corner. On a road course mostly it's about chassis and brakes.....motor is important, but not nearly as important as the other two. A road course driver in a NASCAR is like a fish out of water. JMHO.

:cheers:
Tom

[Aurora40]

Fellows finished 29th after starting 38th so he passed 9 cars, but 8 cars dropped out due to mechanical or wrecks. I will say he did finish on the lead lap. He just proved what I said before the race started. He can't compete aganst real drivers, in cars where you have to drive on a road course where he claims and teaches to be an expert. Now I ask the question...Is O'Connell the one that really did the majority of the real racing to get the wins and is Fellows just the front man?

Well, except he has competed against real drivers in cars where you have to drive on a road course. As evidenced by his success in ALMS.

Also, you point out a time he finished poorly. I bet every driver in NASCAR has had a poor finish. Fellows also finished as high as 2nd at Watkins Glen.

It sounds like you are trying to suggest his whole ALMS career was a fluke, any success in NASCAR was a fluke, and the only things that were a real test of his driving skill were the times he finished poorly in NASCAR.

I'd also add, Ron never raced for a team for a season. So it's not like he was familiar with the team, the car, anything. And I would bet most of the time, he's not coming in as a hired gun for a top-running team.

But you say NASCAR must be the pinnacle of motorsport, because it has the highest TV ratings (not worldwide, of course) or whatever. Well, if the pinnacle of motorsport still brings Fellows in as a road course wringer, doesn't that mean he must be a pretty decent driver?

As an aside, it seems like you disapprove of his HoF induction. I think his accomplishments with Corvette Racing carry infinite more weight than his NASCAR record when it comes to the Corvette HoF.

[JThomas]

I don't know if you missed the point I was making completely? Or you are just telling me as an aside that it's possible to nominate people?

I am saying I think it's silly that the Corvette Museum's Hall of Fame includes people whose only accomplishment was helping set up the Corvette Museum.

No I didn't miss your point, and yes I was simply telling you as a side that it is possible to nominate people. I understand that it seems a lot people in the Hall of Fame were instrumental in its beginnings, but you have to understand the museum is 17 years old and of course they are going to recognize those that helped get it started.

As a board member for the last two years, I have seen this process and would agree, it would be nice to see someone outside of the NCM circle awarded this honor.

For the record, honorees to the National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame fall into one of three categories, GM/Chevrolet related, Corvette Racing, Enthusiast.

[Z51JEFF]

I have no idea how Ron Fellows would stack up against a NASCAR driver and frankly I could care less.What Id like to know is how the hell did he get G.M. to name a car after him?I had NEVER heard of Ron Fellows until The RF Z06 came out and I bought my first Corvette 25 years ago and have been reading Corvette magazines at least ever since.Oh,as far as his driving skills go he should at least be able to beat Jr.:-D

[Mystic ZR-1]

There's no distinction in beating Jr!!!
Almost everyone beats him every week!!!
If it wasn't for his late daddy's name (rest his soul), he'd be running and losing at short tracks in the boonies of North Carolina...

[Hog]

I have no idea how Ron Fellows would stack up against a NASCAR driver and frankly I could care less.What Id like to know is how the hell did he get G.M. to name a car after him?I had NEVER heard of Ron Fellows until The RF Z06 came out and I bought my first Corvette 25 years ago and have been reading Corvette magazines at least ever since.Oh,as far as his driving skills go he should at least be able to beat Jr.:-D
If you've never heard of Ron Fellows, your reading the wrong magazines.

peace
Hog

[Kevin]

I have no idea how Ron Fellows would stack up against a NASCAR driver and frankly I could care less.What Id like to know is how the hell did he get G.M. to name a car after him?I had NEVER heard of Ron Fellows until The RF Z06 came out and I bought my first Corvette 25 years ago and have been reading Corvette magazines at least ever since.Oh,as far as his driving skills go he should at least be able to beat Jr.:-D

you didn't hear of him when they were battling the team orca vipers in the early C5.r days?

[Kevin]

the drivers door off the c5.r car that Jr. balled up is up for auction tomorrow

[Z51JEFF]

you didn't hear of him when they were battling the team orca vipers in the early C5.r days?

Nope.

[Kevin]

Nope.

man that was some amazing racing

[cvette98pacecar]

I'm a NASCAR fan and prejudice. But you put Fellows on a track with Driver's that really want to win and it aren't worried about the "TEAM" car he get's his butt kicked. And a road course which he specializes and teaches on. From '95 to '10 as a "ringer" driver his average finish is 25.8. I know these cars don't have relief drivers, all the push buttons on the steering wheel, and luxcuries that he is used to and are heavy. And the other drivers may not know of his reputation.
I have never heard of any of the drivers that he race with, I don't follow them. The only great driver I have ever know they had was Dale Earnhardt. Even Boris Said has won a race in NASCAR.
Can he out drive me, yes. But for some money I would do some rubbing. He has done a great deal to advance and promote Corvettes that I will give him, but as a driver in Corvettes it has been with co-drivers. But Hall of Fame as a driver? I'll get off my soap box now.

:flag2:

And he is Canadian. (Sorry):angel12:

I am going to say this as simple as possible. "He is without a doubt one of the best drivers period. It is a shame that Dale Earnhardt died. Two weeks prior to his death he was making the transition from NASCAR to ALMS, it would have been nice to see what he could have done. As for Dale Jr. he gave Corvette a shot he wrecked the car making a right turn and started on fire.
If you still think Ron Fellows cant drive try to find footage from the 2006 24 hours of Le Mans when Ron Fellows was making up 36 seconds every lap on the DB9 that was leading, The french Officials yellow flagged the last 2 hours of the race so the Corvette that he was driving didn't win.
There is a reason that he was always the anchor driver "He can flat out drive".

Next you are going to tell us that Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Big Daddy Don Garlits, John Force, cant drive for crap. There is a reason that they all won year after year, it is because they were the best drivers of their time.

http://www.racintoday.com/archives/1876