Richard... I think he was speaking of the next generation... What interests
them.
Let's face it, there aren't a hell of a lot of young folk, say born in the
80's or 90's, attending Triumph car club meetings... And I don't know about
other parts of the country... But driving a TR4A in the late 70's and 80's
drew interest wherever I went... Now I could be filling up at a gas station
and two buses of teens going on an outing, stopping to raid the convenience
store and hit the restrooms, wouldn't even give my car a second look, yet
alone ask me about it.
They're not interested.
Now let's talk about vintage versus newish... There aren't machine shops
everywhere you look anymore and the prices for work have gone up
astronomically... Simple supply and demand theory! Just like the supply and
demand issues hitting the used parts stream, as discussed. Young folk want to
bolt performance onto a motor and tinker with mix and timing with a computer,
etc. They're not into blowing through old motors, experimenting through trial
and error with clearances, gasket materials, etc. etc. They'd rather hit a
Pick-A-Part and spend $40 for a used quarter panel than even begin to consider
the options facing TR enthusiasts!
That's not to say there aren't a few kids out there brought up right and with
proper vintage car taste, : ), but they are few and far between.
Most people here are racing cars from their youth; is it any surprise that
today's late teens and 20 to 30 somethings want to race cars from their time!
--Justin
> On Jul 5, 2014, at 11:49 AM, "Richard Taylor" <tarch@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
> Terry,
>
> Very nicely thought-out analysis.
>
> Reality so unvarnished is greatly appreciated and should never be
> denigrated. And your argument is unassailable until it gets to the
> conclusion of choice of vehicle.
>
> I submit that for many of us, it's still quite agreeable to enjoy the
> nostalgia-coated vintage-myth of old sports car racing.
>
> I also question the premise that most of us would trade our hoary
Limey-iron
> for a faster, more dependable, cheaper, rice burners that can't even mark
> their own damn parking spot. If it's all about speed and derring-do,
> skydiving is still a cheaper alternative.
>
> Richard Taylor
> TR-4 #196
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Fot [mailto:fot-bounces@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Terry Stetler
> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2014 10:56 AM
> To: FOT
> Subject: Re: [Fot] Small Bore Racers
>
> As has been said, the Miata is what's needed to win in SCCA, and that is
the
> way SCCA wants it.
>
>
>
> The Club cannot make money from companies that no longer exist. (Standard
> Triumph, BMC, BLMC, JRT).
>
>
>
> Like all automotive competition endeavours, new, young, competitors are
> needed to keep the membership roles full and also the grids.
>
> Younger members want to drive modern, lower cost/maintenance cars.
Fiddling
> with grenade motor Frog Eye Sprites and Spitfires is not in their play
book.
>
> They want a car they can flog all season and concentrate on driving it, not
> rebuilding it every other race to be competitive at the National level.
>
>
>
> Which bring us to the other issue with the cars that we like. Spares.
>
>
>
> There is not an infinite number of usable engine blocks out there for any
of
> the cars we love. Ask anyone competing with a an FWB Climax engined car.
>
> While certainly there are many more Spits, Sprites, MGBs and TRs, the
number
> of parts gets smaller every year. This makes them more expensive.
>
>
>
> There is no magic to this equation.
>
>
>
> Also look at it from the vintage racer's perspective. To build a front of
> the grid Spitfire will cost every bit as much as a TR3 through 6 car.
>
> Most guys will choose the faster car.
>
>
>
> It's human nature.
>
>
>
>
>
> Terry Stetler
> _______________________________________________
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>
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