<< Can you guys clue me in to the attraction of stock classes. To
> the best of my knowledge, A-Mod has not ever had a protest at nationals,
> even if some of the cars are pushing some of the rules >>
Well Andy there are several reasons to run stock class. Mostly it's a matter
of racing competitively inexpensively. I can drive my race car to the event
and don't need a tow vehicle. Going to and from events getting 32+mpg saves
a lot of money compared to the guys using tow vehicles. It's cheap to run
and set up. Have you talked to the guys who run A-mod or C-mod? Do you
realize how much they actually spend on a tow vehicle, trailer, car, set up,
tires, shocks, etc. I think if you really take a strong look at the cheapest
yet most competitive mod class guys and compare expenses to the cheapest most
competitive stock class guys you'll see that there's a huge barrier to entry
between them. What I mean is that the relative expenses to be Nationally
competitive in a stock class car is tremendously less expensive than in any
mod class. Given time and changes over the long term there might be some
savings to staying in mod-class than in stock class but that's got a lot to
do with the fact that the changes to stock classes are much more frequent and
dramatic than in the mod classes.
Could you imagine what would happen to the mod classes if they combined C and
A-mod? You probably won't see many C-mod cars around for very long and the
owners probably won't be in Nationally competitive A-mod cars right away
either. Then make dramatic changes occur annually and you'll see a lot of
bitchin' and moanin' from mod guys to make changes that are expensive just to
remain competitive.
Already there has been a lot of talk about having to buy an M3 to run in ESP
since Bob T won Nats again. CP is having some talk about full tube frame
cars. It's getting expensive to compete in a lot more than stock class if
you take a good look around.
I know my friend Pete spent a bunch of cash on a new header for his C-mod car
along with some very pricey parts for brake components and a few other
pieces. I remember him saying he's writing some big checks this year for his
car and he's had it for a number of years. He's probably spent much more
than I have in the past 5 years.
So before you ponder reasons why people race in stock class, take a look at
what other people are doing too and listen to some more bitchin' and moanin'.
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