Ok, at the risk of attracting more of the ire of some of those in the
community I would venture the following.
Your analysis of the lower entry numbers is spot on. I agree 100%. Which
is why I think a long term solution of the m/c engine may be
appropriate.
I would like to target recent college grads as the feeders into F5 over
the next few years. There's a lot of kids coming out of FSAE who have
some disposable income, no kids, not a real clue about racing and a lot
of enthusiasm and spare time. They've seen the m/c powerplant option and
have some idea on how to make it work and its potential. They have no
idea on how to tune a CVT and probably don't think much of a race car
that doesn't shift (or at least that's what we've all heard a million
times. I know I have).
Your take on things basically means the class survival hinges on the
economy rebounding, good luck. I'm hoping we can move the demographic a
bit and possibly market the class (which is also a good builder's class
given the relative complexity of the cars) to accomplish a healthier
sustainable source of participants. I'm not sure it will work.
I am sure you won't market it to karters or anyone serious about making
a career out of racing. And I agree that you probably won't market it to
people with real money since they can afford FCs and other more
attractive cars.
BTW, to others, I somehow don't think a PE or even BSME is required to
build a successful F500. I doubt anyone out there is using a 7 poster or
scaling up wind tunnel results.
As a matter of fact would some of the more knowledgeable people out
there please list some of these development costs? That way we could
actually talk about issues and resolutions instead of scary
indeterminate numbers. The dry sump is one, what else?
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:f500-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Richard Schmidt
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 12:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [F500] Why are F500 Entrys Down
2 cents
I don't think that the lack of new F500 race entries has anything to
do
with
13" wheels, springs, shocks or the lack of anything to keep your right
hand
busy.
I think the number 1 reason is the economy. Many people in this group
have
said it before, "F500 is an low cost open wheel entry level race
class" I
also have seen many in the group saying that they can not road race
because
of cost, and I believe them.
Now lets suppose that you are an average Joe with a life companion and
little ones running around. Lets also suppose that they have the
average
income of the middle class, lets say 70 to 80 grand a year, (if both
work
-
less if only dad works). Lets also suppose that they are in debt up
to
their neck paying for the house, new car(s) and what ever. Please
inform
me
where Joe is going to get $20,000.00 to buy that new F500 and extras
he
knows he will need. But lets say that Joe cuts corners and buys a
"not
top
runner" used car for $10,000.00. But we have seen that most national
level
racers spend $8 to 10 grand a year on expenses. Average Joe just hit
another road block, (pun intended)
I know what your are thinking, "ahah what about the other more
expensive
classes that are having increasing numbers". It is simple math, I
have
already shown that Average Joe can't get into F500 (or any other
class) on
his budget. But not everyone is in Joe's shoes. There are a lot of
people
who have inherited money or made it big in the stock market who do
have
money. Now place yourself in Not so Average Joe's position. You have
money
to spend, you are not budget limited. You could buy a small fleet of
F500's
or spend your money on something more expense and much faster. What
would
you do ?
Also to the guy who was talking up the numbers in SRF. Every race I
have
raced in, there have been at least one SRF rental group there and
sometimes,
more than one. Each one of these rental groups bring 6 to 10 cars to
the
track. The numbers for SRF do not represent owner/drivers, a majority
of
them are rentals, and if you ever had to race with them, you know they
are
rentals buy the way they drive. (to much watching NASCAR)
Richard
P.S. I am posting here because I have looked at the forms and the
Formula
Car site and it really needs an updating. Also I use dial-up and the
graphics at the Formula Car site just load up my machine and every
thing
takes forever to load.
