All,
I posted the following note to the list 5 years ago on this same subject. I
still hold the same opinion; let the FF2000 compete in CM, but require it to
run the Goodyear R430 or Hoosier R60. I believe this idea has more merit than
adding ballast given the current GCR FF2000 minimum weight of 1175. Please note
that, then or now, my idea never went any further than this list. That is, I
never sent a formal request to the SEB on the subject.
I did follow up on my desire to compete in Solo2 with a FF2000 by running a '88
SE3 over the 2000-2002 seasons in BM. It was fun, but I sold the car after
growing tired of the endless problems I kept encountering even after a total
frame up rebuild (carb flooding, rev limiter cutting in at 4000, clutch
hydraulics that needed constant bleeding, front wing repair/replacement...).
When I started shopping for a new Solo2 car, I looked at FF1600, FF2000 and FS
(project) cars. After comparing 6 different cars, I decided on a FF1600 that
was already Solo2 prepared, but I came close of buying another FF2000...
-pru-
'82 Reynard FF1600
SVR/SCCA
Member #179344
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pruett, Christopher (CK)
> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 4:46 PM
> To: 'cm'
> Subject: RE: FF2000 in CM?
> Sensitivity: Confidential
>
> Folks,
>
> From the number of responses (private and public), it seems that I am not the
>only one thinking about a FF2000. The hang up seems to center around what Solo
>II class they should run in. Personally, I would like to have a separate class
>for these cars, but at this time that does not make a lot of sense.
>
> Why not just run in BM? In BM, you could run in full GCR. Granted, you not
>likely to beat a true BM car on most courses. A few made the point that you
>could take advantage of BM rules to make a FF2000 into a "Solo FA", but in the
>long run I think you would end up spending too much money.
>
> I am in total agreement with the group that a GCR FF2000 would clean up in
>CM. To place this car in this class without a handicap would result in the
>quick death of the current CM. That was not the intent of the my original
>post. What I would like to see is a method to showcase the FF2000 to the
>members of CM as a viable alternative to FF1600/S2000 without killing the
>class. If enough interested parties show up with FF2000 cars, you would have a
>case for a separate unrestricted class.
>
> The best CM FF2000 handicap idea was force these cars to run a "hard" spec
>tire such as the Goodyear R430 or R600 (with R120 being the current "soft"
>tire used in Solo II). Running a spec tire is a quick and cost effect method
>way let these car run with CM. Would this be enough to slow FF2000 down? I
>think yes.
>
> Again, I am not in favor of upsetting the CM status quo. CM is currently very
>healthy, but I think you are going to see the average age of the cars in this
>class stagnate around 1985 due to the fact of the small number FF1600/S2000
>cars produced in the "Swift" era.
>
> I once more point to the increasing popularity of FF2000 in regional,
>national, and pro racing. Don't hold me to this, but I would venture to guess
>that roughly twice a many FF2000 cars have been produced over the past 10
>years as opposed to FF1600. Eventually, these cars will be reasonable enough
>to make you think twice about the faster, winged FF2000. Checking SportsCar
>over the past several months, most of the 1988 to 1992 FF2000 cars are being
>advertised in the $10,000 to $15,000 range. Seems reasonable enough.
>
> Enough already! For the moment, I plan on running my FF1600 in CM for at
>least 1999 and maybe 2000, but if a good deal show up, who knows.
>
> Thanks again to those who have commented.
>
> pru
> 85 Reynard FF1600
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