Jack:
It's not really an issue of a spec. tire as much as selection of
different tires within a correct size for a given car. i.e. Radials
existed in 62 so why not have a Dunlop L racing tire, a Hoosier radial,
a Goodyear radial, a Goodyear bias ply all available - but what if the
manufacturers don't make the correct size?
Many of SVRA's group 4 vintage sports racers are almost on a spec tire
now as it is - the Dunlop 15" whether hard or soft is just about the
only correct sized tire you can buy for a lot of the Lotus, Elva's and
such. So how far do you go on the pure 'availability' course.
The fact that only one manufacturer actually makes a correct sized tire
for any given car shouldn't really be an issue. IMHO it's letting a tire
manufacturer(s) set rules of convenience.
Fibreglass parts may be cheaper and more readily available than
steel...what's the difference.
Vintage racing isn't about necessarily finding the cheapest way to do
something...my experience being on the Board of VARAC is that it usually
back fires and sets a precedent of which the rule stretchers will always
take advantage, pushing the limits even further.
It's how bugeyes with 150 hp 1275's got created in the first place - it
was easier and a cheaper way to go faster.
As you've probably noticed...I find the philosophical discussions about
vintage racing by far the most interesting...it's all that separates us
from contemporary racing - which our cars are resembling more each
season.
Mike
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