Over the years, there have been a number of efforts made to control the
cost of racing by creating a subclass of cars within a SCCA race group (Spec
Miatas, RX7s) and even vintage racing with (Porsche 2.0 liters). FOT certainly
has the expertise to go about creating a set of similar specifications of
various categories of types of Triumphs. In fact, Glen's adhoc comments address
many of the key issues (although he did not address the all important minimum
weight for car and driver).
FOT could in fact help control the spiraling costs of vintage racing as
well as even the playing field (per Suzy observations) by having standard
specs. Frankly, I also think this may be in our own financial interests as it
would
help buyers differentiate well prepared cars which have been recently
constructed.
However, there is a need for FOT and vintage race organizations to start
examining cars that are newer than 1972. Some pretty interesting Triumph
racing occurred after 1972. Is it preserving history by changing those cars
from
post 1972 by changing them back to 1972 specifications? My prediction is that
as the era of current vintage racer gets more ancient that sanctioning bodies
will get more pressure to allow newer cars that the younger generation of
vintage saw raced.
Racing with the Porsche Club is an immediate lesson in cubic dollars. It
forces one to ask the question, how do I measure my own performance amongst
such a wide variation in cubic dollar investment. The answer for me was a
personal quest for lower lap times with the same car with minimial new
investment in
speed enhancements. However, I really never knew how well a more experienced
person could have driven my car around the track.
If there is a common level of preparation, we could mantain benchmarks of
performance at various tracks. I suppose we might have that already by the
performance of the Drew, Jackson, and Snook. (However, us big guys are giving
them 5 - 10 horsepower advantage in personal weight.) Perhaps, as part of the
specification, we need to encourage these guys to put on a little weight over
the holidays :).
Seasons Greeting, Cary
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