Run groupings is always an issue in SCCA, especially at the regional level.
The run group in Oregon Region is pretty decent, ITE, AS, F-G-H production,
GT4, GT5, Pro7, SPU, SSC, SSB, T1 and T2. The grouping is good as the Times
range from the high 1:27's with most cars in the 1:35 range (+/- a couple
seconds) and the SSC cars rounding out the field in the 1:40's.
I do get nervous when they talk about grouping F with the GT1 and 2 cars as
they weigh 3K lbs and have top speeds of almost 170 on the straight. This run
grouping problem is what led to the roll cage changes for SCCA production cars
in the 90's. We now have to have full width cages, supports and the tubing
sizes grew. Most vintage racing cars don't have the full cage and only employ
a hoop and diagonal brace, that could be a problem with the big cars.
aaron johnson
#38 FP Spit MkIV Oregon Region SCCA
http://www.geocities.com/spitracer9
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Riddle
To: Editorgary@aol.com ; fot@autox.team.net
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: Re Running with VARA
I had thought about trying to see if VARA would let me run my 21 year old
1983 T-83 Red Devil F440/F500 (it is all original except for roll bar/hoop
updates to current GCR spec) with their Open Wheel Group since the car is
woefully uncompetitive with the current crop of SCCA F500 cars which are
faster than most Formula Fords. But if what you are saying is true I find
those policies to be extremely negligent.
While it might be one thing to run a Spitfire along side the ground
pounding Mustangs and Vettes if their lap times are the same the weight
difference and strength of the Chassis would mean that the Spitfire which
could hold it's own in a collision with a Mini, MGB, etc... would certainly
get the short end of a tangle with a "big" car.
And while some sports racers can share the track with production cars not
all can and an Open-wheel car should NEVER share RACE track time with
anything that big. Maybe some PRACTICE sessions but I would refuse to take
myself out on the track with them unless it was just to do a "hardship lap"
to check the car out after making some adjustments.
I have been on track with my car when an old Can-Am car blew past me and I
can assure you that was disconcerting knowing that the driver sitting in
the cockpit of that car was completely unable to see me I was completely
lower than the sides of his car - including the top of my roll bar. Heck
if a car was sitting in an RX7 right next to me and I was on the passenger
side of his car he would have no idea that I was even there as I am lower
than the window opening.
And while I understand that VARA takes a dim view of any contact that would
be bitter consolation for my next of kin.
At 10:03 AM 10/30/2003, you wrote:
>In a message dated 10/30/03 6:01:38 AM, owner-fot-digest@autox.team.net
>writes:
>
><< Going to Las Vegas would have given me a chance to pay closer attention
to
>VARA prep rules, interior requirements, safety needs and such. >>
>
>Had occasion to interview their honchos recently. VARA's attitudes are
pretty
>reasonable. They believe that if a car arrives at the track that is of the
>correct years, entry fee paid, driver's medical up to date, and it meets
all
>safety requirements, a way should be found to allow it to run. They also
>believe
>that gridding and grouping should be done on the basis of performance, not
>artificial or period criteria. If your Spitfire is challenging the lap
>times of
>big-block Mustangs in qualifying, then that's where you'll be placed in
the
>races, which insures that groups are pretty evenly-matched and pretty
>competitive, even though the grids look a bit unusual at times (sometimes
>even places
>open-wheel cars or sports racers in production groups). Nevertheless, they
>are
>pretty emphatic about on-track safety, so they have a good record of cars
and
>drivers returning to the paddock in the same condition they went out on
>the grid.
>Cheers
>Gary
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