Howard,
I'm not speaking in any official capacity, but in SVRA small bore
production, we've been debating this for years...My opinion (from
someone who routinely builds and brings half a dozen to a dozen cars to
each event in a professional capacity) is that roller rockers should not
be allowed. SVRA has had it in the small bore rules for twenty years a
prohibition against roller rockers except for some fancy American V8's.
In the last five or six years, in order to accomodate other less rigid
VMC member club cars, the scrutineers have been told that the roller
rocker prohibition should not be enforced. It is not currently enforced.
Do I agree? No! But I don't write the rules...or have to enforce them.
The reason why I am so vehemently opposed is because a properly designed
and assembled competition engine, used within it's designed rpm range,
should operate properly without roller rockers. Vintage for me means
building these cars to a specification that WAS, not IS. The other point
is that (all you VMC club rules people listening?) if you have a rule
in print, enforce it! Do NOT continually "make exceptions" to be
friendly, accomodating or because you don't care to make a fuss that
day. This is supposed to be lowest common denominator, not "run what you
brung" unless it's CHR or HSR (and Joe's new rules do better in that
regard, let's hope he enforces them..) Additionally, after roller
rockers and engines well in excess of "as delivered" displacement, what
next? Crank fire, dry sumps? Production means production, pick a cut off
and stick with it. I am firm in my belief that good people will conform
to what is asked of them, what pains me is seeing all organizations
"just let the guy run". In my business, my priority is to have in front
of me rules from a sanctioning body that I can build a customers car to
and believe that it will be reasonably competitive while being totally
faithful to the period specifications. A couple of years ago, I built a
beautiful Datsun 240Z C Production (1972 car and SCCA PCS) for a guy
after a tremendous row about whether we should put in a well built L24
or do what Mike Cammarata and Jay Hughes and Rick Clay were doing and
running an L28 (2.8 liters, legal by 1975). The car came out well and
did well, but it was a constant battle to get the car recognized for
what it was, an icon in time, an accurate representatin of what was...
I apologize to those who think I've gone on too long, but quite
frankly I'm tired of those who say that quibling with their
non-conforming car is taking the fun out of it. The fact is that there
are so many places to race, VMC clubs who give a damn about authenticity
should legislate it, enforce it and stand by the tenets of vintage in
the first place, that the car is what is important, not the driver...
Roller rockers are only the start, what about big-block YB Ford engines
in two-liter sports racers? Formula Ford cams? etc. etc. It's getting
very hard to tell my customers that vintage is not just SCCA Club Racing
with pretty cars, that they can't have the latest Hoosier Radials just
because so-and-so runs them (and the greater issue, was allowed or not
caught), that they can't run big motors, alternate material body
panels,roller rockers. Rules folks, I think you'll find the core group
of your club will support you if you take a stand! Flame On! -Peter
Krause
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