Dave -- I just read your well thought out epistle and have some comments:
- Interest in closed wheel classes is roughly equivalent to the interest in
open wheel classes.<
You only have the National numbers and not the Regional numbers but given
the current fiasco in the DC region and from what I have observed in the
NARRC series this year I would have to disagree. There are many more IT T-1
GT and yes SM SSM God only knows Miata classes plus all the production cars.
At our races the spectators are walking through the paddock looking at the
cars and I overhear remarks. "Look.. there is a Toyota, BMW, etc (pick em)
just like we drive. I wonder how our car would do at the track"...then a
"whats THAT?" when looking at the F500.
Europe has the F1 2 3 FF & Le Mans and Saloon Racing. We have NASCAR ARCA oh
and yes the IRL and Champ Car.. Note the spectator stands at an IRL or Champ
Car event vs a NASCAR event at the same track.
Americans (at least in the US) seem to have much more interest in sedans. We
have Tuners, Pimp my Ride, the NOPI for the younger kids to see on Speed and
those don't appear to be open wheel......
Let us look at a progression: maybe>FF>FC>F1000>FSCCA>FA>IRL or Champ
Car(if one is really lucky is foreign or has a big sponsor) Those who like
road racing fenders have S2 > C/DSR>ALMS or LITEs series --everything else
is sedans on oval tracks on Fri/Sat nights
In regard to :
F5 is ____________?? <
..........going to wind up like FV.
Ed C.
From: Reply-To: [email protected] To: Subject: Re: [F500] National entries by
class and category for 1983-2006 Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:39:38 -0600
Great catch, Stan.
As is the case of any data analysis, Stan's data must be interpreted,
preferably without the aid of anyone's preferential "spin" being place upon
it.
With that said, it is obvious to the most casual of onlooker that there is
an overall decline in club racing participation. With the exception of SM,
ALL classes have declined (yes, even SR/SRF). If we want to take our case
on an individual basis and say that the F5 numbers are down, the class is
lost, sell your stuff, then, we will get what we deserve: LOTS of surplus
equipment or, at best, a regional only class. We must NOT put a negative
spin on the problem at hand. This data tells me that:
- The price of gasoline (and other petroleum products) has risen
significantly - The price of lodging and associated costs has risen
significantly - Interest in road racing has dropped OR there are other
opportunities for road racers with equipment they currently own -
Discretionary income in general has dropped.
- Spec Miata is extremely affordable given all of the factors (e.g., engine
longevity, sheet metal replacement, required tow vehicle size, and abundant
suppliers).
What can you add to this analysis?
However, before we get "starry eyed" and believe that "it's not our fault.
Everything in our class is great if only we could afford a night's stay in
a hotel." We have work to do
Mull this over:
Do I believe we need the results of a revitalized effort to fortify our
class? Absolutely. With that said, let's not expect miracles. Given
those factors for which we cannot address (e.g., gas prices), let's focus
on improving our class by, say, 20%. For every 4 cars racing, a fifth is
recruited to the ranks. The important aspect is that we must advocate
legislation that will provide a DEFINITE INCREASE in our counts. There are
many classes whose "time has come" the doomsayers may say. Those class's
focus is (in most cases) based upon equipment that has been out of
production for some time. Does this mean that the class is no longer
viable? IMHO, no. Does the class need a change? Again, IMHO, absolutely.
I do not believe the absence of a power package in current production is
necessarily an indication of impending doom. As long as the parts conduit
and support infrastructure (in our case, Tony Murphy, Mike Quadrini, Kenny
Price, Don Clar, & Don Hanley to name the major suppliers) is in place and
our rules remain favorable to their efforts, we have solved the pivotal
part of the equation.
With the change in the weight break ruling, the 493 has instantaneously
become THE power package to have. Up to this point, the weight penalty
kept what is probably the closest parity between power packages this class
has ever experienced. I have been associated with this class long enough
to personally observe this phenomenon. I can remember when I was
navigating the infield section of Texas World Speedway in my AMW powered
Mk5 and racing easily with Cory McLeod in his Rotax 494 powered Red Devil
only to watch him drive away from me on the front straight. The past two
year's finishes in the respective divisions as well as the Runoffs is
testimony to the parity.
However, that parity does not bode well for our engine supplier and to a
lesser extent, our chassis suppliers. "One cannot subsist on gaskets
alone. One must have whole engines." The advent of the reduction in the
weight penalty should stimulate more engine sales. Yes, the 494 is
literally 25 pounds less competitive than last year. As an individual
competitor, I hate it. As a member of the F5 community of enthusiasts who
wish for the best for the class as a whole, it is probably an improvement
in our overall situation. The majority of competitors in both Solo and
Road Racing utilize "pre-owned" equipment. This is where the new folks
should get their stuff. The packages are complete, the setups are close,
and the infrastructure is sufficient to support the answers to those
inevitable questions we have all asked at one time or another. The new
cars should be reserved for the competitors with abundant seat time, the
knowledge of setting up and completion of a new car, and a wealth of
relevant spare parts and special tools. The new cars are as important to
this class as plentiful power packages. These "competitive folks start
right here in this class. They are the ones who have been around for
awhile. They are the ones who (typically) used to buy used equipment. We
must regard them as just as important to the preservation of the class as
the new folks and make equipment available to them as well.
There is no room in our class for secret tricks, obscure setup techniques,
or limited availability parts. That just tells the rest of us that you
need more of an advantage than your driving skill will (in your opinion)
provide. If your secrets promote equipment longevity, shame on you for
withholding. If it merely makes you go faster, how about a break for the
rest of us. You can still outrun us with your consummate driving skill and
knowledge of how your car handles, right? Succinctly stated, give a newbie
a break! You DO want competitors, don't you?
Today's disgruntled F5 racer is tomorrow's SM racer. Do we really need the
"SMCCA?"
FF is getting a new aluminum head approved American Sedan has approved the
late model bodies FM is allowing the Renesis engine in their tube cars
Atlantic is allowing FSCCA and Pro Mazda (check the graphs; it looks
favorable).
Apologies for the rant.
Dave Gill
----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006
9:01 AM Subject: Re: [F500] National entries by class and category for
1983-2006
Thanks. Glad to see someone has a handle on data and is using on such
info.
What does the data prove? Like any consumer driven industry, ex. music,
movies, clothes...tastes change. Yes, it would be a lot easier to cope if
we had a crystal ball but gee how dull life would be.
As always thanks for sharing with the masses.
Do you think we (members) are get enough why "we're gonna do it this way"
data from Headquarters or are we getting too much data?
Louie Schultz Philly Region
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