Out of lurk mode that I've been in for the past few years, as autocrossing
has taken a back seat to other needs. Apologies for my late contribution.
Some comments as I've looked at various postings on this topic:
1) What the SS/Corvette community wasn't happy about was having the Viper
adopted for SS during the second quarter of the year. Remember the context
that back then SS was one of most highly subscribed classes at Nationals,
and the effect could be obsoleting the entire class. One can always debate
in hindsight about the validity of that opinion.
Also, for the record, the ZR-1 Corvette - similar in price and rated
horsepower to the Viper - was on the exclusion list for a number of years -
far longer than the Viper, and kept on the exclusion list after the Viper
was allowed to play in SS.
All credit to the SEB and SAC - it seems that there is more discussion and
better timing as far as classing of vehicles during the competition year
(the timing of the Integra Type-R classification and the subsequent
discussion is also relevant here).
2) For all of those who have discussed that it seems that each model of
Corvette have had their own class - may it be politely suggested that other
vehicles be looked at? From a historical basis (early to mid-90s, same time
frame as this Viper discussion, it always amazed me how many classes that
Honda Civics ran in, with all of their Si/Dx/Hf/CRX variants (1300 cc and
1500 cc).
3) It's true that each generation of Corvette is specifically classed in the
SCCA rulebook - but that doesn't guarantee its competitiveness. It should
also be noted many other vehicles also have each one of their generations or
platforms listed as well.
Also, to all the Corvette cynics, please note that SCCA hasn't given class
breaks to models within a generation of Corvettes (unlike the Honda Civic
example listed above). C4s of all model years, whether a 405 HP ZR-1, a 250
HP tuned port, or a 205 HP cross-fire, all play in A-Stock.
4) While some people may not like that both the C4 and C5 Corvettes have
performed well at the highest levels, it should be noted that with such a
large enthusiast and club following, it only accelerates the development of
the vehicle for solo/autocross use. The C4 was such a popular vehicle that
many of the tire companies specifically used Corvettes for the development
of their competition tires - a nice advantage to have. I would speculate
that if the Mitsu Evo has such a wide following and different competitors on
the west/east/midwest all developing their vehicles, it should trounce the
C4 in future years.
5) Finally, for the record, both Bill Rietow and myself recognized that Jim
Harnish put in a great second day/third run drive, and congratulated him
appropriately.
Back to lurk mode. It is certainly a nice diversion at work.
Regards,
Al Chan
SS/Corvette participant at Nationals - '93 through '95
(hopefully will be able to return to Nationals in 2004 after a layoff of
several years - in a Corvette)
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