C.J.
I couldn't have said it better ! The class is just fine as it is !
For those who want bike engine powered open wheelers - get together and
start lobbying the SCCA to sanction the F-4 Canadian class !
The F-4 class is developed and has been a part of the Canadian Club racing
program for some time. There are new car manufacturers, parts and used
machines available. Maybe a new Trans-Am Series ?
With the exception of a D/SR, I've owned and campaigned - '79, '81, '83,
'85, '93, '00 Red Devil's and a KBS Mark V ( IMHO - the car that made the
class ! Truly innovative and well designed ! Thanks Mike K. ! )
Family obligations and running my own business kept me pretty busy over the
years, the F440/500 class offered me a legitimate opportunity to go Club
Racing on a Regional basis, to have fun, meet new friends, travel and most
importantly, feel the thrill of the pace lap, the flutters in the tummy,
darting my eyes from mirror to mirror and finally smacking down the pedal as
the green flag swept down ! Certainly one of life's great experiences ! This
was a class that did it all for me and probably will do the same for others
if it's basic design and original intent can continue to drive the class !
Now, our "numbers" are low, gas is expensive, the "War" has cast some dark
clouds over us, the "News "is always bad, the future maybe looks a bit grim
and our thoughts are pushing our desire to continue on in racing off to the
side !
And now - to compound our problems there's talk the SCCA wants to crank up
some new open wheeled class with bike engines mounted in some old FF chassis
! I wouldn't worry about this effort - I've seen numerous efforts attempted
by the club to create new classes - my money sez it won't fly ! At least not
now ! If a highly respected manufacturer of D/SR's is taking a look at
making these cars, we won't have to worry, the $$$ will be to tall for most
entry level racers !
Also, I think there are some other reasons our numbers are low and it may
have to do with the class now being dominated by two - shall we say factory
teams - that - at present seem to be invincible ! There's the possibility
that some of us - who at the onset of the season - may have thought they had
a shot at winning a race or two but now - in the waning part of the season
have decided to discontinue their effort - maybe to save some money and/or
pride for next season. How to you beat $$, technical know-how, old age and
treachery ? Call it the Shuey/Ferrari Syndrome !
Other reasons might be a "newbie" taking a gander at all the emails
regarding what we need to change, how the solid axle's old school, 2 cycles
are on the way out, the SCCA's easy and changes rules on a preferential
basis with out ample time to evaluate and then "stiff arms" opposing view
points ! Certainly the latest scuffle regarding the 50 lbs. and the 494/493
engines probably caused a potential newbie or two away ! The class lacks a
firm direction and unfortunately, the inability to put together something
that'll give it any !
We are, however, fortunate to have our website ( Thank you Eric !!) - we're
hundreds of miles a head of where we'd be with out it ! But what's next ?
Another interesting facet about our class ......
There's a posting today concerning an F5 now on EBay, this car was driven by
Aaron Ellis and won the pole in the '00 Runoffs, was then purchased by Jamie
Clark, Clarksville, MD ( he went on to race F Mazda and Fran-Am's), was then
campaigned by my son Neale and then by Andrew Brenkus - who took it to the
Runoffs last year and in his first time there got a 7th !
The last bid for this car I saw was under 2K - if the right driver bought
this car, knew how to swing some wrenches, maybe got an engine rebuild and
some clutches, and some new skids - they'd have a nice regional car that
had the potential to maybe go to the runoffs again !
My .04 worth !
Gil
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom & Renee Edwards" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 6:07 PM
Subject: Re: [F500] The future of F500
Nicely said CJ!
----- Original Message -----
From: "charles mcabee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 10:04 PM
Subject: [F500] The future of F500
I have been reading all the post about what the class should do to make it
better.I really have to be honest trying to make the class better is not
putting bike motors in them and putting shocks and springs and all that
crap on them. That's what they have FF,FC,FA,FV and all those other
classes for that's what makes F500 different.
This class is not for everyone but it is for all ages that want to
race and not go broke doing it.My dad has been saying for years and years
that this class is the best bang for the buck and when I was younger I
really didn't care because I ran circle track on other peoples money. Now
I have rebuilt my Dads old 86 red devil and I have been doing solo with
it.Since I have been spending my money on this I would have to say that
he is right.I would like in the future to get a F500 that I can club race
and run against my ole man.
With that said all this talk I think the class is just fine the way
it is. Let the people that want bike motors they can go to Sports racer
or this F1000.Most people that have cars that race don't want to have to
buy a hole new motor and cut there car all apart to make it legal.I know
we can still get motors that we can buy and people are still building
cars.As people always say if it ain't broke done fix it.The class ain't
broke just needs a new edge to put it on the map.A cool exciting
marketing plan.This is a class that I can afford to race and maintain I
just need to money to get the car to go races and that's what I saving up
for so I can add to the number of cars..
MY .002
CJ McAbee
Kansas Region
# 31 F MOD
---------------------------------
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