S800Racer@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 12/1/00 8:57:47 PM, Ccanepa50@aol.com writes:
>
> << it gets a little unnerving
> on a handling track when a "fast lil' ol' sprite" (substitute
> elva...TR3...Alpha...MG...etc) has to go against a 67 mustang or a 'vette
> coupe type car with marginal rear visibility, the small bore is invisible
> literally driving under the mirrors of a heavy beast >>
>
> It's unnerving because it is unsafe! The size differential is a very
> good reason not to set up run group based on lap times alone.
I always thought that the way the SCCA did it was not perfect, but it was the
best. They classified cars by "performance potential", so generally, similar
cars ran against each other. I've kind of pumped for that here in the midwest
but there seems to be little interest. The one exception has been when Jim
Donato talked organizers into splitting two groups and letting them run with
each other. VARA, the west coast guys, do it better than any other vintage
group I have seen, but there may be other good systems too.
I run in "pre-1963, over 2 liters". That means that in my humble TR4 I race
against early Ferraris and early Chev V8's. I don't care for that, but I
console myself by knowing that when one of those guys passes me going 140, I
have the best seat in the house.
Taken to extreme, some of these schemes could lead to situations where we
would group small formula cars with small sedans (perish the thought!!!)
Although lap times may be similar, the cars are very dissimilar in how they
get those lap times, with small formula cars generally being faster in the
corners and sedans sometimes being faster on the straights. (witness lap times
at Blackhawk Farms, where Corvettes turn similar lap times to Formula Fords).
Also it could be argued that drivers' mentalities are somewhat different, but
I wouldn't want to debate that one very vigorously.
However, I'll race anywhere, anytime, with anybody. And I've met a lot of nice
policemen who bear witness to that.
--
uncle jack
The Attorney General advises that vintage racing may be hazardous to your
wealth.
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