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Re: [Fot] Fw: alternatives to the SCCA?

To: Terry Stetler <tlizzard@msn.com>
Subject: Re: [Fot] Fw: alternatives to the SCCA?
From: Ted Schumacher <tedtsimx@bright.net>
Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:32:53 -0400
Terry Stetler wrote:
> Gents,
>
> The SCCA has been in constant flux regarding classes since it's inception.
> There is nothing new here.  When was the last race for B Sedan?. A Sports
> Racer?  C Modified, or one many won't recall, Spec VW Bug?
>
> SCCA has always been about what's current, even though it may not seem so.
> When I first joined 36 years ago, Production cars were the bread and butter of
> the racing program.  Why?  Because there were still a lot of manufacturers
> selling sports cars, and selling them in good numbers as well. That is no
> longer the case.  Without manufacturer support the SCCA would have dried up a
> long time ago.  Just my take on it.
>
> Now, as to the cars we know and love.  Can you really expect to continue
> development on a car that was last produced over 30 year ago?  As much as I
> love my old proper British sports cars, it is just not realistic to be
> competitive against modern designs with equal prep rules.  A brand new MGB
> (for example) street car would be beaten up one side and down the other by a
> new Miata street car.  Why expect different from competetion prepped cars?
> And the Miata will be far less expensive I the long run to keep running, hence
> their (as well as others) ascendance in SCCA racing.
>
> I have a personal friend in a similar fix.  He is a long time SCCA racer in
> the midwest who campaigns a Lotus Elan.   New rules have effectively made the
> car obsolete.  I keep trying to get him to cut the flairs off and go vintage
> racing.  I know he would have a great time, but old habits die hard I guess.
>
> It's a real problem, but not one without choices.
>
> I wish all of you the best.
>
> Terry Stetler
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>   
Terry and list. Everybody is making a good point. But no one has asked 
the real question - "Why did you go racing?"  If the answer is to win, 
then you follow a path to a venue that values winning.  If the answer is 
anything else, camaraderie, conversation at the water cooler or back 
yard barbecue or an inherent desire to spend money, then you find a 
venue that allows you to do that.  Terry is absolutely correct, 
manufacturer's and/or the desire to sell products drive racing.  Witness 
the stock car wars of the '60's all the way to last Sunday's NASCAR 
race, Honda in IRL or Porsche in several professional motorsports 
arena's.  The big vintage sanctioning bodies, SVRA/HSR, are for profit 
groups.  Even though SVRA is the "kinder, gentler" version of HSR's run 
what you brung, the cars we are involved with have been chased out. 
Either by rising costs, less time or ???   Sure there may be an 
exception at 1 event but look at the numbers for the year. 10 years ago 
small bore English, German and Italian cars would run up your leg when 
you walked through the paddock. Now the numbers are no where the same.  
The small cars are almost outnumbered by number of big transporters.  
Not a complaint, just a fact of life. The big rig guys can probably 
afford to spend more dollars per laps run than a Spitfire driver.  The 
answer is the same as it's always been. Decide what and why then go find 
a place to do it.. 

-- 
Ted Schumacher
tedtsimx@bright.net
http://www.tsimportedautomotive.com
108 S. Jefferson St.
Pandora, Ohio, USA 45877
Fax: 419.384.3272 (24 Hrs.)
Phone: 800.543.6648 (US & Canada)
Tech/ Gen. Information/ Worldwide: 419.384.3022
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