>From time to time Eric posts updates about his racing experiences with his
B, and I have always found it interesting, but puzzling, that he races his
"daily driver" B, and that he gets away with modifications that I know would
be disallowed in the US (rear discs, for instance). An article in the
January issue of Classic Motorsports magazine goes a long way to explain the
differences between Australian and US vintage racing. Talking about "big
Healeys", it points out that the "down under" cars have complete interiors,
dashes, accessories, lights, etc. as they might be used in road rallies one
week, and track racing on another. But brakes are considered a "safety
item", and are upgraded to the latest hi-tech systems, and tires are modern
high-performance radials. In contrast, US vintage racers usually have
completely stripped interiors, and therefore weigh considerably less, but
are limited to "stock" type braking systems, and vintage reproduction racing
tires.
The conclusion I draw from this is that the Australian rules produce a car
that is improved in safety and performance both on the track and on the
street, while the American rules tend to produce a single-purpose weekend
toy. Any American vintage racers want to respond?
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires
(not a weekend toy; safety and performance arguable)
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