[prt1983]

Being one member out of 80,000 members in which a rule change was a major situation, where I went overboard with one solution and maybe got one fact wrong when I said a new race engine cost $60,000, but Tony is right, one can be picked up for $15,000-$20,000, don’t know if that is a new one or very few miles from a team.

Other then that, as “God” is my witness, I stand behind everything else. I decided instead of updating my chassis, I buy a newer one, found one that had been raced about five times (a bare chassis), so I bought it in 2010 and received it in August. I downloaded the rules and saw that everything was still about the same, included weights, so knowing the chassis had race and it was a little heavier chassis with .125 sq. tubing, that it was around the 2900# range. So I started buying items, cleaning it and thought it was about a year’s project. Then in late winter of 2011 I downloaded the rules, saw the weight change, then thought, what to do now, keep building a chassis that is going to be heavier and outrun went it hits the track or take more time, labor and money to build it similar as a TransAm car, that way it should have more value if it went up for sale.
Decided to go the way of a TransAm car, so tear it down bare, all of the sheet metal and everything, cut off a rear section of the frame, which was about 50#, ordered a custom fuel cell, redid what was left of the frame behind where the rearend would be for the cell and going on from there.
This last fall I looked closer into it and thru FasTrack, finding the switch, the CRB says they never saw any input from me, true but since the rules had been stable and just because SCCA has a website, doesn’t mean 80,000 members are going to look at every little thing every month, with work and such. Then after the 2 ½% rules was drop, I heard GT1 could have been one of those groups, so I’m glad SCCA dropped the rule, I’ve gone thru one major costly change, that’s when I learned the rest. Races cancelled when racers already at the track, I’m going thru this rebuild, which has one major set back, I get the car done, spend money to go to a race and could be cancelled.
I heard this winter about someone in SCCA saying GT1 should accommodate TransAm rules, I thought it was said recently, I’m going what else is going to change that I’m going to have change and cost more, I went overboard with my rule suggestions, stupid, but seeing how they switch the weight rule, it comes down to, I can’t keep changing during the rebuild, I don’t have businesses like some of you, I don’t have full time employees working on the car like some, I’m sitting saying, I’m 56, I didn’t want to take 2 years to rebuild a car and get it out on the track, then maybe get turned back because of a cancelled race at the last minute (no cracks about age, a 73 year old took 3rd place in a TransAm at RA a couple of years ago)(I know some will say get out then, I love muscle cars and road racing, what throw $20,000 out the window).

Some think the “Club” can do no wrong, everything they do is fair, I myself don’t like when I’m paying money for dues and being a member, having info hidden from members, so I say something and I believe in people being treated fairly and fight for that.
Yet I see the CRB and a couple of replies, what, if a member hasn’t raced for a couple of years, they have no right to say anything, they are suppose to shut up or go somewhere else, to me that’s narrow mindedness.
The CRB says I don’t have a idea what went on with the weight rule, true, but it’s right there in print, got member input and didn’t pass the decrease in weights, 2 months later, poof, changed, what a change of heart.
The CRB and others say there are not any business men that have SCCA’s ear, are you kidding me, I know of a non-racer that suggested GT1 should think about a spec. chassis with a Crete engine, SCCA told them they like the idea, but it won’t go anywhere, then again, who knows what could change in a couple of months. Last year at the Runoffs while talking with the President of the Club, the idea of the Runoffs being run like the June Sprints (a great idea), but members can also talk with SCCA at the track, so if you really think that, so be it.
I mentioned about other rules that could come along, not very far fetch, the CRB says the belt rule was changed because some racers store their car outside under a tarp, I don’t agree with the reason for changing, but with that way of thinking, if the car is outside, CRB is concern about the belts, well then 2 years on the fire bottle might be next or 5 years on the fuel cell. When does it stop and yes, I don’t believe in mandating everything in racing or in life, if you believe it’s good and safer for you, do it, but to keep mandating for safety like 2 years on belts is overkill, my opinion.

I know some of you don’t care about the small amateur racer, your able to do it with ease and some have employees work on the car, but some who love the sport and class, try to do what they can to be a part of it. So comes down to one member got caught in the middle of a rule change when he was going thru a rebuild, costly more than what he thought and more time before getting out on the track.
I don’t expect to hear that anyone understands, I do stand behind everything except the over reaction to the weights and maybe the cost of a new engine, so Bob can you relate or I’m still a bomb thrower, how about Racer14, should I get out because of the extra cost that was a concern, that I’m not a big business to pay for it or have employees work on the car. How about the CRB and a couple of others, since I haven’t raced for a couple of years, I’m suppose to shut up. I’ll say it again, here’s my number 608-877-8550 if anyone wants to talk “nicely” that disagree with me and I’ll talk nice in return along with respecting your opinion. I’m not going to spend much time looking thru Fastrack, between work and working on the chassis, will take up a lot of time, I know I take the chance of missing a change, so be it.

Wanted to shed some light on were I was coming from, all racers go thru such situations, even some that want out and can't get rid of their cars, it's costly for everyone. So I have a busy summer ahead and hope to get quite far with the chassis.

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This post has been edited by prt1983: 16 March 2012 - 09:07 AM

[Tim Lyons]

Mitch, I have been reading your posts for some time, and I really can't understand why you are so concerned. In any class in SCCA racing, rules change from time to time. In my opinion, GT-1 rules have been among the most stable - thanks in large part, I believe, to the establishment of the GT1DA which apparently you were part of. Just so you know where I'm coming from, I've been racing since 1973, starting in the original A-Sedan, then moving into GT-1 when the class was established. I have raced almost every year in that period and have owned a total of 4 cars. I currently race an ex-TransAm R&S Mustang (1993 vintage). Lest you think I am one of those wealthy types, let me tell you that I race entirely out of my annual salary which is well under 6 figures! I have never been able to afford GT-1 but have managed to do it for close to 40 years!
Over the years, I, too, have been dismayed by many of the rule changes, including the most recent weight change. As a result of that change, my car became 100 pounds overweight (I run a 310). However - and this is the gist of what I'm trying to say - I race because I love to race. I also know I'm a pretty fair driver, as over the years I have beaten many guys with way more money and better equipment than I have. I don't worry too much about whether I'm 100 pounds overweight, because that isn't going to be the reason I don't win a race or beat another car. I'm sure I would feel differently if I was seriously racing for a national championship, but I know that's not in the cards for me. If I really wanted to do that, I certainly couldn't afford to do it in a class like GT-1.
As far as safety equipment goes, I want every advantage I can get. This is some serious stuff we do on the track. I've never been in a serious accident, but if it happens, I want to make sure I do everything possible to avoid being hurt. If I can't afford to spend $6-700 on a HANS device, how can I think about rebuilding my engine - or even buying a set of tires?
Build your car to the best of your ability, and get out there and race it and have fun! What other reason is there for doing this? (Sure ain't for the glamour!)

Best regards,

Tim

[test driver]

There is no such thing as a 2.5 percent rule. The rule was that a class had to average 2.5 cars per national event or it would go on probation. GT1 has never been even remotely close to that few cars, it has in fact been in the top 8 classes in SCCA national competition for at least the last 7 years. As one of the strongest classes there has never been even the remotest possibility of it going away. Where do you people get this stuff? Dont you think posting such incorrect info destroys any credibility your posts may have? As to 140 race cancellations, which races are you referring to? I know of 2 events cancelled last year, i think. Do you have other info?
BTW, the participation figures for all the classes are found, updated monthly, on the SCCA website. Its no secret.

Tony.

[Joseph Freda]

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story!

[Butch Kummer]

Unless you have at least a $100,000 car and almost that much to spend racing it each year, your chances of finishing on the podium at the Runoffs are EXTREMELY slim. And unless you have the goal of finishing on the podium at the Runoffs, I doubt seriously if you'd notice an extra fifty or even 100 pounds on your car. A realistic goal for most of us is:

"I don't want to get outrun by someone spending less money than I am."

I'd also suggest looking at GTA/TA-2 as an alternative, but I don't need the aggravation...