Hear, hear.
I think the most impractical part of some of the rules is that they make
driving the cars less fun. Somehow anything that makes the cars safer is
okay--but if we were really going to be real, we shouldn't have all that
stuff. Drawing lines is always arbitrary, and mostly has to do with someone
saying "I'm right, you should all do what I say". But we're all in this to
have fun, and I can live with almost any set of rules. The best ones are
gentlemen's agreements. Truth is, if I didn't have competition in the race
groups I run with, I'd move to another group. No point in running around the
track by yourself. I'm not looking for fair, I'm looking for a close race.
But it's a lot more fun in a car that behaves.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-fot@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-fot@autox.team.net] On Behalf
Of Jack W. Drews
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 5:35 PM
To: Joe Boruch; fot@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: TR 3 Steering
At 04:53 PM 7/29/2005, you wrote:
>I just made the switch to R&P over the winter and I have not seen it
>translate into faster lap times yet. Over all the car steers much
>nicer and since I adjusted the bump steer at the same time it behaves
>much better. The R&P even makes it easier to move in the garage or
>paddock. Turn the wheel with one hand and the wheels turn, even with 9
>inch slicks. With the worm & peg it took some doing. Joe
>B..............snip
I think Joe is onto the crux of the matter. We're in this hobby for
enjoyment, after all. If you can make a change to a car that makes it feel
better, or is easier to operate, it's more fun and it's got to be good. And,
no, I'm not talking about stratospheric horsepower or obscene weight
reductions or juiced-up fuel. I'm talking about a good form-fitting seat.
I'm talking about a harness that makes your anatomy one with the chassis.
How about linear brake response? How about gear ratios that really work
right - like close ratios in a TR gearbox that eliminates that awful chasm
between second and third? Or some nifty gauge like an EGT that lets you know
which two cylinders aren't doing their share? Maybe that stuff translates
into world-beater times for other guys, but for me, it primarily makes it
more fun.
It's too bad that these things are so hard to regulate. I wouldn't know how
to set up such rules. But, if I can do stuff to my car that enhances the fun
of driving it, without being a big horsepower or weight cheater, I think
it's great. And if the guy next to me on the grid has improved his steering
so it makes him feel better, I say that's okay.
uncle jack
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