Dear Pat,
I recieved an e-mail initiated by my friend, and fellow Triumph racer,
Russ Moore pertaining to SVRA. I wanted to respond to let you know my
feelings regarding SVRA vs. the other racing organizations. I race a
Triumph TR3A throughout the Midwest and Southeast, 9 to 10 weekends a
year, with SVRA, HSR and VSCDA.
SVRA has always been my favorite organization since I started vintage
racing 4 years ago. I hope my input will be of some help. Here is a
listing of the things I like, the things I feel should be changed, and
the things I hear from some of my fellow production car racers about
what they don't like about SVRA.
Things I like about SVRA:
1) The Venues. I can make it to most of the tracks in a days travel.
The tracks are, for the most part, those historic tracks I want to
drive. The tracks with a history, like Watkins Glen, Sebring, Elkhart
Lake, Mid Ohio.
2) Groupings. The vintage production cars that raced together in the
"old days" are still racing together today, with the SVRA groupings.
The other two organizations I race with mix up the groups too much.
Sometimes I'm out with Sports Racers!
3) Vintage Rules. I want my car to be as true to period as possible.
I think it's important that some sort of car preparation rules are
enforced to keep vintage from becoming SCCA crazy. I enjoy running with
bias ply tires and headlights installed. It's what these cars looked
like when they were racing in the 50's and 60's.
4) The People. Every staff person I have ever had contact with at SVRA
has been helpful, friendly, and tried to make me feel welcome, even
though I only brought one, lowly Triumph, to race.
5) The Parties. SVRA always does the best parties. I especially like
the ones away from the track like the one at Homestead a few weeks ago.
Like the one where you had some of your cars displayed. I also like the
group parties and get-togethers that are starting to happen.
6) Safety. I have been involved in a few incidents and have always
been treated fairly by the Drivers Committee and or Safety Stewart. The
fact that SVRA has these positions puts them a step above some of the
other organizations. I don't want to be on the track with unsafe
drivers and/or cars.
7) Communication. Whether at the track, or with written and mailed
information, SVRA provides timely, accurate, and up-to-date
information. This makes it easier to plan your weekends, and the days
while at the track.
The things I don't like about what I see in vintage racing, not
necessarily unique to SVRA:
1) The Cars. Vintage racing should be for vintage and historic cars,
not slightly used race cars with no other place to go. You can call it
selfish, but the wider the range, the more groups needed, and the less
track time we get. The stock cars just seem out of place at a "Vintage"
event. I know there are organizations for the stockers to race in, so
let them stay there. Same for the newer Indy cars and Formula cars, I
just don't see them as "Vintage".
2) Track Time. Related to the above is the dwindling amount of track
time you get in a weekend. It seems now that all you end up with are
two, twenty minute sessions a day on the track. Sometimes even less if
something major is going on. I spend a considerable amount of time,
effort and money to attend a weekend race event and feel more track time
is needed.
The things I hear from others who don't race with SVRA:
1) The Rules. There seems to be a lot of people pissed off about the
tire and headlight requirements in group 3. They don't want to change
tires because they think they will be uncompetitive running with other
organizations who don't mandate bias ply tires. I try to tell them my
times got faster when I changed, but it still doesn't set well. They
don't want to spend the money to put their headlights back in and don't
feel it is worth the effort to look more vintage.
2) The People. I hear about how "snooty" the SVRA people are. Again,
I try to dispell this opinion whenever I can, but it's hard to break
down some of these preconcieved ideas.
Well Pat, I hope this input is helpful to you. I'm not sure how you fit
into the picture, but I'm sure you can help keep the organization
together. Personally, I think a survey should be sent out addressing
some of the above mentioned areas to see how the membership feels. I
don't know how I can help, but I am always willing to put forth some
effort to support my favorite race organization. I will be at Savannah
next weekend and would be glad to meet with any other interested members
to brainstorm ways to make improvements.
BTW, I like Jack Wohrle and have always found him helpful when I had
questions concerning technical issues with my car. I was surprised to
hear he was no longer Technical Director (or Chief of Tech) or whatever
his title used to be.
Best regards,
Jeff Snook
Battle of Britain Racing
Bowling Green, OH
419/352-9484, ext. 302
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