Mark Palmer wrote:
"Besides, who really knows what the "original intent of vintage racing" was?
Who ever wrote it down? And if they did write it down, did everyone agree
at the time? Was it VSCCA in 1959? Or SVRA, when they started? Or VSCC in
England, when they began (which was well before all the North American
groups)?"
You guys really are in a mess over there. And it seems it has all been going
on too long, with too many clubs, promoters and vested interests throughout
the country all looking after themselves for it to ever get resolved into
one harmonized group. It must make it complicated when you want to buy a car
or sort out where you want to race.
Perhaps you should all emigrate.
Australia (acknowledged as having the most authentic historic racing in the
world) has one controlling body that establishes all the rules, regulations
and eligibility for everybody. If you have a legal car with an approved log
book, you can race it at any historic meeting anywhere in the Nation. No
club or promoter can introduce a new category, accept "marginal" cars or
stick you in with an unsuitable group to suit their thinking or profit
requirements. See http://www.hsrca.org.au/cars.htm for a brief breakdown of
the categories.
That means we all work from the same rule book and race with the same groups
across the country (It doesn't mean we all agree with every rule, but they
are the same for everybody - and we have input into those rules). The basic
philosophy is "as it was, so it shall be", which is one of the reasons
historic racing here has attained its high level of stability, growth and
vehicle authenticity (That also means it is possible an overseas car may not
be eligible - even with FIA papers, because many of them have been
"developed" beyond how they were in the period).
It makes our racing life relatively uncomplicated and we continue to look on
in amazement at the convolutions of your sport.
Just remember amongst all the confusion to try and enjoy it.
Brian Caldersmith
Lotus Elite - Group Sa
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