RACE STUFF THREAD

[Cher]

Must be an economy thing; SCCA has completely lost the plot for the small backyard racers as well.  The drastically dwindling numbers of racers/teams can be placed squarely on the leadership.  With the economy so desperate, year after year, the powers that be have trotted out rules that favor the big manufacturers because they're the only ones with even a passing interst in promoting sportscar racing in the U.S.  

From such a proud beginning in 1947 with racers from backwoods USA to Hollywood - stunning racecars cobbled together in barns and back alleys - to the spitshine of mass produced, trash-and-forget "race cars" these days, it's no wonder that people looking for car racing end up with NASCAR.  It's the "default" setting.  

Pardon the interruption; we now continue with our regualrly scheduled programming  

[fastwin]

That's race stuff, ergo the name RACE STUFF THREAD. It belongs on this thread.

[RED]

Funny you mention that Lisa because I just had this very same conversation with an ex-SCCA racer sitting just across the hallway from me. He started racing his Triumph TR3 he worked on to race then drove it work! Because rules changed he had to buy a sports2000 car. He then had to buy an Formula car. After that the cost ran him out of business.

[junior varsity]

That's dumb. Its really no wonder that motocross is so popular here. That's how I grew up, and those events are always full in the Southeast, people travel for the fun of the competition and atmosphere, and there's no shortage of tracks.

While there are fewer road course tracks, there's got to be some sense to this madness. Set up really easy, no shortcuts rulebooks and classes and let 'em go. Would you guys not be more interested into throwing your hat in the ring if the classes looked like:

1000cc I4, 1200cc twin - modifications limited to aftermarket bodywork, removal of emissions regulations device, sidestand, slipon muffler change.

600cc I4, 700cc triple, 850cc twin (i still don't like that twins can play at that big of a displacement) - same modification limitations.

Essentially, go to your closest yamazuki dealership, remove the mirrors, put on track plastics and slipon mufflers, and have a racing league?

That is essentially the old school notion behind stockcar racing (now NASCAR, which isn't at all stock anything)...

[junior varsity]

It would cost under 10 grand to compete - go find last years model, track plastics and slipons, tire warmers, stands and an easy up and get there.

[muskrat]

there's no money without sponsors and a crowded field with "dreamers" in stock anything leads to having too many.  I too think they should have stuck to the original rules and let everyone have their day but money got in the way.

[junior varsity]

People with sponsors will still be able to do well. You need tires, repairs for when you crash out, and qualifying to keep the field limited to X. Charge to qualify (no free trackdays), with auto-entry if you do qualify, and let people win prize money, etc.

[Cher]

I need to more about CMRA and WERA; what's the problem with these two?  Corporate sell-outs?

[Pinocchio]

It's getting to the point that I can't read this thread, because I'm so far behind in watching my DVR'd race recordings -- shame on me... I totally botched recording the AMA Superbike races, because Speed titles every AMA race "AMA Pro Racing", or something equally nebulous. I had my Verizon DVR set to record "First Run Only", so the AMA Superbike races got overwritten by the Daytona Sportbike races. Am I the only one here (other than Fastwin, of course) who is sick of Danny Eslick?

Anyone still have the AMA SBK races recorded? I will bring the beer, just name your poison

[Cher]

Man, I'd say come on over except that I deleted all the moto races right after I watched them this time; had three days of F1 to watch and my recording space was getting low.  It would suck to have all my Project Runway shows over-written.  Then what?!

[Pinocchio]

Man, I'd say come on over except that I deleted all the moto races right after I watched them this time; had three days of F1 to watch and my recording space was getting low.  It would suck to have all my Project Runway shows over-written.  Then what?!

I know what you mean, you have to set your recording priorities. Thanks for the invitation.

[RED]

Speaking with the WERA organization this morning I found that the main differences between WERA and CMRA are that CMRA doesn't want to affiliate nationally! The CMRA board wants to keep the racing here in Texas. Therefore leaving us Texans with no national points affiliation. That is probably why Ty chooses to race AMA. WERA says that they have tried to have reciprocating association with CMRA but that CMRA has resisted. WERA did say that there is two races scheduled this year at Barber in Ga. to reciprocate with CMRA racers in so much that they will recogonize CMRA licenses to race in these two WERA events. They just have to pay the entry fees. CMRA racers will not get points nationally though.

It boils down to this, getting the good-ol-boy NASCAR attitude and ego to subside enough to allow that 'new style' of racing: road racing to co-exist. Until Texans and Americans can get their heads around anything but 'LEFT TURN' nothing is going to progress into the future.

That's my two cents worth

[fastwin]

OK... it's gonna be one of my favorite weekends of the year!! A double header of MotoGP and WSBK!!! Hot damn!!

Practice and qualifying are looking good for both classes. Nicky was 5th fastest in #2 practice. Good for him, hope this year is a hell of a lot better than last year. All those bad things svoloch said about him just messed with his head. Isn't it enough to have Rossi jacking with you without svoloch adding insult and misery??

WSBK looks great. Won't blow the Superpole results but someone is painfully absent from the top 10. Tardozzi is being missed.

[muskrat]

In other news...........support your local CHUMP Louis and his team at the Grand Am.  I know it's already over but if you see repeats look for #28

[Cher]

Is he running the Jag now?  He was a Corvette guy for a long time as I recall... I've got the race tivo'd.  Hadn't watched it yet tho.