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Jack,
Slow. My Nova is slow? OK, it's slow, but at least it's ugly and
ill-handling!
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: JWoesvra [mailto:JWoesvra@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 11:56 AM
To: David.Laver; lwdent
Cc: JWoesvra; trnut; Gt6steve; fot; vintage-race
Subject: Re: GT6 suspension mods
In a message dated 08/07/2000 10:17:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
David.Laver@msdw.com writes:
<< Interesting debate. We prize above all other cars on the grid those
with
period history running as close to the spec they were at. What if we
now
know they were illegal in period? What if the illegal mod protects
original
components from inevitable breakage?
>>
As technical director for SVRA I have extensive files on period race
cars and
specifications. Our group 6 in particular has a requirement for each
car to
have documented period history. Many of the files contain documentation
on
specifications that were illegal at the time.
We have a 7/8th size Camaro. We have several acid dipped bodies. We
have
fastback Mustangs running B/P as GT350s in period. We have a Chevy Nova
that
ran a 350 engine even though 302 was the limit. The car was still so
slow
that nobody ever checked! We have Ford rear ends that were under GM
bodies
before that was officially allowed. We have an XKE with a Corvette diff.
These are just a few that I remember without looking them up. The point
is,
racers did many things to their cars, and for many reasons. First, a
car had
to be able to finish, and then perhaps you could probe the limits for
speed
and handling.
Remember, this is historic racing. Don't forget the "historic" part of
it. We
are not here to correct the oversights of many long gone tech
inspectors.
Along a similar trail, we should also make it unnecessary to "cheat"
when we
find new solutions to old reliability and safety issues. I would rather
err
on the side of fixing a problem than forcing someone into a predicament
that
requires covert action or going without to satisfy "original"
specifications,
what ever that is in racing.
I have spent the last 25 years debating the value of originality. I
have been
on both sides of nearly every issue. I believe I have directed SVRA to
a
position of stability and sanity concerning rules and regulations. What
we
will let you do we have put in writing and made the documents available
to
anyone who asks for them. Each race organization has reasons for their
position on these issues. I hope they all have arrived at their at
their
conclusions with as much research and dedication as we have.
Race with your conscience. Don't go where you don't agree with what
they are
doing. I hope you choose our way, but I completely understand if you
find
another way that pleases you.
Jack Woehrle
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