Jeff, the $20k reference was for humorous purposes, not stated as a matter
of fact. (In fact, if you've only got $5,700 into it, you might get off
cheaper than 1275 guys forced to build 948s to stay in Group 2 ;) )
I singled you out not because of you being the "worst offender", but for a
number of other reasons. I know you have some legitimate concerns. You've
always been upfront about the mods to your car. You've also stated on
numerous occasions that you've got lots of $ in your car as it stands, and
are attempting to comply. You've also asked for some clarifications. I'm
hoping that the con call can begin (and BEGIN is the definitive word here)
to all get on the same page, air our concerns, offer suggestions, and, yes,
even bitch about all of it.
As far as I know, if you read the rule, as it exists, you're allowed up to a
5 yr update, which would then permit a 3000 block in a 100-6. So, I'm not
sure "ruling" is necessary..as it is already allowed by the rules. As far as
using an aftermarket, recently built aluminum block, I'm not sure that will
fly. How many factory alloy blocks were made. 7? For race or rallye? Ever
available to the public? (Just playing devil's advocate here.). Having the
additional weight to offset the lightness of the alloy block would have to
be considered a performance advantage, as you've taken a huge lump off the
front end, and placed the weight to a handling advantage.
Also, I want it clear that as the Group 2 rep, I bring all concerns, ideas,
complaints, etc. to those that make the decisions. I am not a VSCDA officer,
or a board member. I do not get a vote in this. Anytime my own personal
opinions are voiced, they're stated as such.
So, your situation, as well as many others, deserves a conversation. That's
what I hope to have with these series of con calls.
WST
_____
From: Jeff Johnk [mailto:jeff@auhc.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 2:32 PM
To: Wm. Severin Thompson; BillDentin@aol.com; vintage-race@autox.team.net;
team-thicko@autox.team.net
Cc: rdwismer@mchsi.com; bill@daltonstudios.com; kaye@fourintune.com;
Dredge@sportscarservices.net
Subject: Re: VSCDA Group 2 yahoo conference
Hi All,
I have been since way last fall(as much as I know how to be) open,
honest, discreet, supportive, and respectful about perceived changes (that I
privately feel are being made for all the wrong reasons) because I deeply
care for VSCDA and the fine people running it during these times of heighten
stress. Evidently, I am perceived as the worst of the offenders, and yet my
e-mail and phone has lit up in the last week from other racers giving me an
ear full with the theme "it will be a cold day in Hell if they think I am
going change....", strange that Jeff Johnk(the cheater) finds himself asking
these drivers to take a deep breath and give VSCDA a break (I am doing this
despite my great fear of things to come of adding 20% more weight to 40 year
old race fatigued chassis's and drum brakes to cars that won't stop now with
disc). Some of the Elva's I am told will have to add over 300 pounds as well
as a number of Healeys.
For the record, I did not pay $20,000 for the alum block, I paid
$5,700.00, which is far less that I had in the two iron blocks I spent time
and money on only to find them to be leakiers. The block is a faithful
remanufacture of one of the original factory works alum blocks(the one own
by John Chatham to be specific). IT IS NOT A 3.8 liter as has been falsely
disseminated. One 3.8 and only one 3.8 block was cast at huge cost (really
the 3.8 is a completely different engine)as a favor to the man who bank
rolled the effort and wanted it in his Rally Healey to run the Tasmania
where it would be permitted. The rest are based on the original in every way
except for the oil filter which after much hand wringing they decided to
accommodate a spin on filter. THERE IS NO PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGE TO THE ALUM
BLOCK, in fact it can not accommodate the overboring typical of the iron.
The only advantage is weight savings, which is easily rectified by adding
ballast, WHICH AS WE SPEAK IS BEING DONE. Further, in support of VSCDA I
have already spent $2,000.00 THIS WINTER (NOT NEXT) sleeveing my block down
to not 60 tho over but stock 2912. Funny, while other drivers are rioting
against theses regs, the"cheater" may be the only big Healey meeting weight
and displacement THIS YEAR when he doesn't have to. Sounds like a guy that
wants to win at all cost to me, doesn't it you. You know what, I am
exhausted with all these goings on. Does anyone want to just go racing
anymore in the car that they have? Or are we too busy trying to races
somebody else's car for them? Shit, if me or my car is a bother to anyone,
feel free to put me into the exhibition class as I never want to be accused
of stealing from anyone a finishing position in any race.
On behalf of myself and several other 100-6 drivers, I asked last week
if VSCDA will continue to permit 3000 specs in the 100-6. I await their
ruling. The consensus I am hearing is that few (no NONE)100-6s drivers are
willing to revert. This is not a threat, just fact. I myself could not bring
myself to revert, for several reasons(not one is bull headiness). Put me in
exhibition or tell me you do not want the car and I will sell it and try to
find something else(a rusted out Fiat 850 should be no threat to anyone, no
offense to Fiat intended). PLEASE give me your 100-6 ruling soon.
Respectfully,
Jeff Johnk
jeff@auhc.net
952-985-9995
----- Original Message -----
From: Wm. Severin <mailto:wsthompson@thicko.com> Thompson
To: BillDentin@aol.com ; vintage-race@autox.team.net ;
team-thicko@autox.team.net
Cc: rdwismer@mchsi.com ; bill@daltonstudios.com ; jeff@auhc.net ;
kaye@fourintune.com ; Dredge@sportscarservices.net
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 11:12 AM
Subject: RE: VSCDA Group 2 yahoo conference
Bill,
You can be the official "Wismer stand in".
There are so many misconceptions about all of this, it's almost (but not
quite) funny. In fact, we have not changed our rules, just trying to do a
better job of enforcing them. What we may, or may not do, is bump cars not
complying not only to another class, but perhaps into another group. There
will be weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth over this. Guys like Jeff
Johnk with $20,000 non-original alloy blocks are going to be shittin' blood.
I'd like the opportunity for anyone interested to air their opinions on the
subject, as well as offer potential solutions that might be considered, as
there will always be gray areas that need addressing.
Got a Yahoo id? http://messenger.yahoo.com/
WST
_____
From: BillDentin@aol.com [mailto:BillDentin@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 11:06 AM
To: wsthompson@thicko.com; vintage-race@autox.team.net;
team-thicko@autox.team.net
Cc: rdwismer@mchsi.com; bill@daltonstudios.com; jeff@auhc.net;
kaye@fourintune.com; Dredge@sportscarservices.net
Subject: Re: VSCDA Group 2 yahoo conference
In a message dated 03/16/2006 10:44:19 AM Central Standard Time,
wsthompson@thicko.com writes:
Please indicate if you're interested in participating.
Bill:
While I appreciate the opportunity, I don't really have any serious personal
issues or even questions with VSCDA's current and future efforts to tighten
up era correctness for the cars I race. I think I understand what is
expected, and I plan to detune my cars as necessary to conform in 2007. I
have one engine that needs 87mm pistons vice the 89mm pistons I have been
running when we use that engine. As far as I know, I am era correct in all
other aspects.
If you let me know when you plan to hold the conference, and I am available,
I'd try to log on to show support, and as an active Group TWO racer.
Bill Dentinger
PS
You know Bob Wismer is at SEBRING this week end, so he'll not be available.
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/team-thicko
|