Jeff Snook wrote:
>
> 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
Jeff,
Well put. What he said!
Wm. Severin Thompson
Team Thicko
"Low in the food chain of vintage racing"
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