I've been reading this post for awhile and in my opinion, Chuck has stated it better than anyone else. Or maybe, what he said just applies to me since I ran a full schedule last year and haven't raced at all this year. I'm 35, single, have my own company and my share of financial obligations (probably to a lesser degree than you who are married or have children).
Although I love F500, I took this year off for many of the reasons Chuck listed as well as the whole 494 vs. 493 issue. Although I agree with the weight penalty based on my own observations of cars competing with both engines, my main concern was the cost and maintance of going to the 493. From what I've personally seen & heard, the 493 is far less reliable and costs much more than the 494 to rebuild as it takes a lot more with it when it lets go. Not here to debate it or bring that debate back up - just to note that until I see otherwise I'm holding out b/c I think a 493 will be necessary to be competitive nationally. I think the Runoffs this year will prove it now that there's been some true development time but I admit in advance that I could be wrong. I took a different approach - bought a Spec Miata b/c I'd like to eventually do some endurance racing. So far I've only rented it but can say that it has paid for itself and is about a 1/4 of the cost for me to maintain/race than my F500 and it is competive in a much larger field of cars. Not to mention inbetween sessions, there is mininal maintenance that has to be done to the car (oil, tire pressures, lug nuts). I don't think it's biggest bang for the buck as I'm an open wheel guy and enjoy F500's much more than I think I will like the SM when I finally do drive it. There is a value on the thrill a F500 gives you over a SM which is worth the extra cost - they're apples and oranges. In fact, my goal was to use the Miata rentals to fund my 500 racing. Worst case, I can sell the car for what I've got in it in less than 3 months so it was a pretty risk free decision to make. I'll be back in F500 sometime soon and competing at the Runoff's again. Long story short, I think Chuck hit the nail on the head as many of us are just looking at alternatives to afford to get back in and compete. Sometimes we just have to take a little time off based on other financial matters that unfortunately move to the top of the priority list. Jay Stroud ATL Region F500 - #25 SM - #72 ________________________________ FormulaCar Magazine - A Proud Supporter of Formula 500 The Official Publication of Junior Formula Car Racing Subscribe Today! www.formulacarmag.com or 519-624-2003 _________________________________ _______________________________________________ F500 mailing list - [email protected] To unsubscribe or change options please visit: http://f500.org/mailman/listinfo/f500 *** Please, DO NOT send unsubscribe requests to the mailing list! ***
