Andy....
The normal procedure amongst Historic promoters here in Australia is to =
run engine capacity classes within groups Sa and Sb, although the CAMS =
Manual does not specify these sub-classes (whereas it does for Group N =
saloons, with differing capacity breakpoints within Na, Nb and Nc - note =
that due to entry numbers capacity classes are sometimes combined).
Thus, dependent on the number of entries you could expect to see the =
following capacity classes:
Sa: Under 1500cc 1501 to 2000cc Over 2000cc
Sb: Under 1300cc 1301 to 1600cc 1601 to 2000cc Over =
2000cc
Sc: No capacity classes at this stage due to only a couple of =
cars logbooked at present
However, capacity classes are combined at smaller race meetings so you =
do have some apparent mismatches - another good reason for having either =
trophy-free meetings, or, trophies for all finishers. Maybe, if your =
grids are very small at this stage you should look at running handicaps =
where, if all goes to plan, all the cars reach the flag at the same time =
having had a staggered start. This is good and works in many categories =
- I have reached the line in a Group N handicap race in a gaggle of 12 =
cars (mind you the timekeepers hate this massed finish).
A quick review of the programme for the last HSRCA all-Historic Race =
Meeting at Eastern Creek shows that the field in capacity class terms =
was as follows:
Sa: Under 1500: Alfa Spyder / 2 x AH Sprite / Turner =
Ford / 2 x Lotus Elite Super 95
Sa: 1501 to 2000: Morgan +4 / Porsche 356a / 2 x =
Sunbeam Alpine / 5 x MGA 1600
Sa: Over 2000: 2 x Triumph TR3A / Jaguar XK150 / AH 100
Sb: Under 1300: Lancia Fulvia / 3 x MG Midget
Sb: 1301 to 1600: Tornado Talisman / 2 x Lotus Europa / =
Ginetta G4 / Lancia Fulvia HF / Lotus Elan S4
Sb: 1601 to 2000: 13 x MGB / Marcos GT / 2 x Alfa GTV =
/ 2 x Datsun 2000 / Sunbeam Alpine / Alfa Guilia GT / Porsche =
911E
Sb: Over 2000: Ferrari Dino 246 / Triumph TR6 / Iso =
Rivolta GT / AH 3000 / 2 x Morgan +4 / Motgan +8
Then, to totally confuse you there was Divisional racing, whereby the =
complete Group S field was split in two based purely on lap times set in =
official qualifying! The main thing was the grids looked good and the =
drivers, generally, had a great time - so maybe this structure works, =
but, we do have enough Group S cars here in Australia to justify running =
the capacity classes, even within Divisional racing. Group N saloon car =
Divisional racing tends to be all Group Na in the slow field, all Group =
Nc in the quick field and then Nb split based on known and likely =
performance, and, putting similar cars together (ie - all push rod =
Cortinas in the slower field, unless some of them are quick car/driver =
combination).
In contrast, last Sunday's race meeting at Wakefield Park was a combined =
Group S field covering Sa and Sb and with no classes or sub-groups. =
There were 25 cars in the original field and despite the disparity in =
terms of capacity and handling most people seemed to find somebody to =
have a good dice with and it looked good for the spectators.
Hope this is of some help - if you have any other queries please email =
Jeremy or me.
BTW - ask Jeremy if he enjoys having the commentator perform extra =
duties by going out to collect front sway bar bolts that Jeremy's Jaguar =
Special deposits on the track.
....regards...Andrew "Axeman" Pursey....1955 Morris Oxford (racing in =
Group Na pre'58 Classic Saloons), 1956 Morris Isis (almost a daily =
driver) and 1996 Saab 900S Coupe (quality worse than most LBCs and Saab =
attitude to customers worse than BL ever was back in the 70s - don't buy =
a Saab)....alternate email saabsux@hotmail.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Andres Sta. Maria [SMTP:atocha@globe.com.ph]
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 1997 9:53 PM
To: Jeremy Braithwaite
Cc: VINTAGE RACE LIST
Subject: Re: Vintage Racing Groups
Jeremy,
If there are no subclasses, would an MGB, for instance, compete against =
a
427 Cobra, since both are in Sb? We were following the FIA
displacement-based system last year, but this didn't factor in age,
handling, etc., and led to some mismatches. We have a very small but =
very
varied field - Austin Healey Sprite to 327 Stingrays. We are now are =
using
a combination of VARA and SVRA groupings, with some success, but wonder =
how
you do it. Your historic program is reputed to be quite successful.
Sorry about the very basic questions, Jeremy, but you are talking to a
complete novice! Many thanks, and we really appreciate the guidance.
Reagrds
Andy
MSCC, Manila
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