Hi list,
Sorry for the long thread but just a few additional comments about the cars
listed by Bill Schmidt and George Ryan.
Most of the cars you are talking about running in Modified class such as the
Mazda RX-7 all generations; Nissan Z cars 240, 280, 300; TR-7; Fiero;
Porsche 944 and some 914, some Miatas; would compete in E-Mod, NOT D Mod.
At this year's National Solo II's the following non-Loti competed in D
Modified, a Datsun 510, Toyota MR 2, an Opel GT, a Porsche 914 2.0. Most of
these competitors know along with several of us Loti drivers know that we DO
NOT have a chance of winning against someone like Chris O'Donnell but go to
Nationals for the sake of competition. Once again about Chris's car it
weighs around 1376 pounds so making him weigh 1500 will probably not slow
him down.
The comment that E-Mod is a Lotus class is also silly. If you check to see
what has won E-Mod from 1987 you will find that a Pontiac Fiero has won it 5
time 1998, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1992; a Lotus Europa once 1994; various Mazda
powered Triumph Spitfire 1990-1991, and Austin Healy Sprites 1997, 1989,
1987; and a v-8 powered Sprite.
If you want increased participation at events which it is up to each
individual region create a class such as Open Street Prepared where any car
go compete in with DOT legal tires or an Open Street Modified in which the
same cars can compete on slicks.
I have felt that an Open Street Prepared or Open Street Modified class
where anything goes except to have a minimum weight of 2000 pounds would
increase participation.
If you can get enough entrants why not get a petition going and ask SCCA
Solo Events Board to have it as an experimental class at Nationals and if
there is enough participation then have the class for the following year.
Look how the F125 class got started and in Road Racing the Spec RX7 class.
But no matter how many classes there are it is always the mighty $$$$$$$
spent that will normally win as in many sports. You still may not get want
you want because there is always someone will to get the extra edge.
You have made your choice of not choosing a Lotus or fascimle but do not
make us run to your specs either. The rules are clear in the rule book. It
is your choice if your out to have fun or win a National Championship.
Craig Straub
1962 Lotus Super 7
Solo competitor since 1973
However, from your comments and
>I still maintain my original opinion on minimum weights. Consider the
following: You mentioned your excitement about "increased participation."
Raise the minimum weights up to what I mentioned and you will see massive
"increased participation." People with cheaper, everyday sportscars will
feel they have a sporting chance to compete and will come out of the
woodwork to race D or E mod. Consider the following approximate stock
weights which are the starting place for mod class: 1 gen Rx7 2400-2600,
2gen Rx7 2700-2900, 84-89 300zx 2800, Porsche 944 2600, 914 2100, Fiero
2600-2800, MR2 2300-2600, Fiat x1/9 2100, Opel gt 2100, TR-7 2500, Miata
2200, 240-Z 2300, MGBGT 2300, Europa & Elan 1550, Super 7 1000-1250.
>
>Not everyone wants to race a Lotus and not everyone can $afford$ to race
one either. Loti are great cars, I owned a Europa about 20 years ago but
now drive rice-burners. I could start with a $1000 Rx7 and modify from that
point or start with a Lotus 7 at $15000 to $20000 and modify from that
point???$$$ Thats an awful lot of money for an amateur sport with no purses
to speak of. If the rules dont change, then D & E mod will continue to be
"Lotus Mod!"
>
>Bill Schmidt , C stock Rx7, KC region
>
>>>> "The Straub's" <straubc@apci.net> 02/05 6:56 AM >>>
>Hi list,
>
>In a recent response to the GT6 in CSP or DM Bill Schmidt mad the following
>comment:
>
>The Solo 2 Rules should be changed. A good weight minimum for D-Mod would
>be 1500 lbs. and E Mod should be 1,800 or 1,900 lbs. D & E mod ought to be
>able to be built using any 2 seat sports car. If the Lotuses are to light,
>let them use balllast weights. You would play hell ever getting an RX7 to
>1500 lbs for E mod let alone a 1,000 for D mod.
>
>I would like to repsond to his comments.
>
>1. The rules should be left alone. If there is any weight increase in D
>Mod it should be to 1,100 or 1,200 pounds. In 1998 it was the first year
>of increase participation in D Mod since the Formula Vees and F440/500 were
>moved to their own class (F mod).
>
>2. If you own a Lotus or a 7 of other manufacturers it does not mean that
>you weigh a 1,000 pounds. I have competed in a Lotus 7 since 1976 and the
>lowest weight I have ever gotten down to is 1,064 pounds. The current setup
>of my 7 is 1,130 pounds. I know that I can get the weight down some what
>but at what expense.
>
>3. The offical weights of Lotus 7's with full street equipment are:
> 960 pounds for a BMC powered
> 1064 for a Ford 109E powered 1340cc
> 1240 for a Ford 1500cc powered
> 1260 for a Ford twin cam
> 1106 for a Ford 1600cc crossflow
>
>4. Lotuses weighing a 1,000 pounds. Sports Car, May 1993, had a technical
>article on Chris O'Donnell's Lotus Elan, and it weighed 1,376 pounds. Some
>376 pounds more than the 1,000 minimum. I do not think the car has changed
>during the last 5 years that much. Chris is an excellent driver with a very
>well maintained car.
>
>5. If you want to go modified you are going to have to spend some money
>especially if you want to get to minimum weight. Take off those steel
>doors, hood, fenders, replace them with fiberglass. Replace the heavy glass
>with lexan. Strip the interior down and the sound proofing off. Other
>drivers have entered modified classes wanting everyone else to weigh what
>they do without doing such preparation.
>
>6. If you are serious about competiting in D or E Mod by modifying your RX7
>then I would sell the thing, talk to Del Long and buy a Westfield from him.
>You will be talking about the same kind of money and have a car that will be
>close to minimum weight either in D mod form or E Mod form.
>
>Craig Straub
>Lotus Super 7 owner since 1976
>Southern Illinois Region
>
>
>
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