Reply to: RE>>Vintage Race Dilemas...
On: 10/23/96 James A. Isbell wrote:
> I have a problem with my car in that it is not vintage. My car is a 1979
> Lola T540 that was orriginaly a FF was then configured as SuperV and then
> as Atlantic. It is a car that is no longer competitive but not yet
> vintage.
> I bought it two years ago with the prospect of it becoming vintage in just
> 5 years (CVAR was calling 1974 the cut off then) If one year was added
> each year it would be vintage in 1999. But they changed the rules so now
> 1972 is the cut off date! At this rate it will never be vintage!!
But most (if not all) vintage organizations have kept a constant year cutoff
for eligibility (enlighten me if I am wrong, but that's my understanding) so
while it may have been a logical assumption to conclude that the rules would
change, evidence from other vintage organizations doesn't seem to support
that. I think 1974 is the cut off for production cars in CVAR rather than for
formula cars.
> The only class I can run in is called a non race class and includes huge V8
> powered Mustangs and Corvettes. Since it is non race that means I cannot
> maintain my VMC license!
CVAR does presently include a 'non-vintage' race group. A number of SCCA cars
show up and use it as a test and tune weekend. I would think the Lola could
race in that group. But, given that the Lola is not a vintage car why the
need for a vintage competition license?
> Its not safe for me to be in with the Corvets and Mustangs and other closed
> wheel monsters. I dont have the protection that they have and they cant
> see me into the bargain.
I haven't noticed very many monster cars in the non-vintage group at CVAR, it
seems to be mostly sports racers, Formula Fords, Spec Racers and a few IT cars
on occasion. Granted, running in a group in which the speed differentials are
great is disconcerting at least, I wouldn't think the 540 would be at such a
disadvantage. Of course, I'm not riding in it so my perspective may be
flawed.
> So where do I race? Well, Im outa here....Im off to the AutoX where its
> safe until they find a place for me.
Of course, one option would be to sell the 540 and acquire a vintage-eligible
car. That may not be an even trade, although it might depend on what you
wanted to get as a replacement. If you're fond of the Lola 540 however, you
have to accept it's limitations. Those include it's non-vintage status and
it's non-competitive status with SCCA.
> So did vintage racing lose another member? Why? There are alot of
> inexpensive open wheel race cars such as the FF and FA laying around out
> there. They are not competative in modern SCCA and they are not defined as
> Vintage, but there should be a class for them.
It would be nice to have a class for these cars, but who's responsibility is
it to provide one?
--
Dave Lapham
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