One of the issues overlooked in the "Neons should be able to use
non-stock motor mounts for durability reasons" argument is the fact that
a more solid motor mount can translate into a performance advantage, and
if you do not require an OEM part number on the motor mount then it is
going to be almost impossible to reasonably determine how much of an
advantage is gained by the motor mount being used. If you allow just
Neons to use motor mounts that enhance their performance, then you run
the risk of upsetting the balance of competition in the class (plus you
de facto require Nationally competitive Neon pilots to install the most
competitive motor mounts whether they need to be replaced or not). If you
don't limit the allowance to just the Neons then you run the risk of
upsetting all the classes and requiring everyone to spend the extra money
for more solid aftermarket motor mounts.
These are not insurmountable issues, but once you take a step back from
the details, it makes sense to leave drivers to make their own decision
if they want to buy a car for autocrossing that requires frequent
replacement of the motor mounts or if they want to buy some other car
that does not.
IMHO, FWIW...
-Brett
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