Sure, people can outspend you-that can happen no matter what the rules are.
Pucks or shocks.
Even if the parts are free-
100's of hours can be spent in testing them to get it right.
However, that said, I'd be willing in ANY class to take my chances with
competing with those who go to those excessive lengths.
I just don't believe it can make much difference once you get past a certain
point.
Just to have decent control of my own car instead of being slammed around
like a rag doll is good enough for me.
Don't care if someone else spent $6,000 for a set of shocks instead of $600.
It just doesnt matter.
Just limit the shocks to steel bodies like those Alco Dwarf car shocks.
Easy to check with a magnet.
one or 2 external adjustments max and no external reservoirs.
Any spring-but no hydraulic Hyperco platforms or thrust washers.
That saves some more money-about $1200 in the case
of 4 hyperco seats and there is absolutely no way to hide them.
Chuck
From: "Chris Eckles" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: [F500] Joe, it is time to start a new poll
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:15:37 -0400
Well, now, I have no doubt that nearly all of us would like to drive around
on "decent" shocks AND SPRINGS than on various increasingly complicated
forms of rubber dampers. But which shocks shall we choose? Road racing,
smooth? Road racing rough? Autocrossing smooth, rough, wet, dry? And
some
shocks will better suit certain chassis, and certain driving styles. . .
So
this isn't a "one size fits all" proposition. Or is it?
A free shock/spring rule would instantly escalate into multi-thousand
dollar
shocks (even with a claim rule, I will say). But then so is the initial
cost of three inch pucks, IMHO.
Certainly, all trophy winners' shocks would have to be tested on a shock
dyno. And springs. . . I know how quickly clutch springs change force -
what about suspension springs? Shocks can easily be re-valved, pressure
changed, fluid changed, and modified back to look precisely stock. A claim
rule would be absolutely impractical for both road racers and autocrossers.
"Adequate" shocks would be about the same cost for me as 3 inch pucks, and
give a better drive, so I'm rather open. Easier to install on my car, too,
I think. Bellcrank changes would not be a very good way of varying the
shocks (varying motion ratio does not really change dampening
characteristics much, I would think).
As others have said, this will not happen now (for the 2008 season), and I
think not in the next few years, regardless of whether we ALL agree to do
it. Our class is being "held back", for relatively justifiable reasons,
like it or not.
And John just gave me ideas for another three options of puck dampers, so
another grand or so there (internals). . .
Chris Eckles
Atlanta
>> Joe,
I have been reading with great interest all the postings about 3" pucks and
spec coil over shocks for our class. The BOD's decision to turn down the
3" puck may have been a blessing in disguise. Earlier I was in favor of 3"
pucks but as I have learned more about the need for dampening as the main
method of reducing the shock to the chassis I am now in favor of ONE cost
controlled, spec'ed, sealed coil over shock that has a supplier's "promise"
not to discontinue it in the near future. The spec's should be compiled.
A
thorough search of the market must be done to ensure that all possible
candidates have been uncovered and properly considered. A track test of
the
top three or four candidates should then be done to provide a comparative
analysis. Once the choice is made and approved by SCCA we can then
publisize the dickens out of this improvement in hopes of attracting more
drivers.
When can we start to poll the drivers?
Jim <<
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