I really don't agree with the shock issues going around in stock lately.
But I've never ran stock and don't plan on it so I guess its not really my
buisness. But if you start limiting shocks to major companies aren't you
just helping to shut down the newer, smaller companies? Especially if you
start trying to spread those rules beyond stock. We aren't the only form
of motorsports but I'm sure that we do make up a signifigant portion of
the market that these companies build for. If you limited specialty shocks
to prepared/modified you'd probably hurt alot of the upcoming technology
and probably lose alot of potential new autocrossers. Running in STS
(supposedly the next step from stock) we have alot of discussions about
newcomers already exceeding the rules with their daily drivers. Not too
many people own prep/mod cars but theres a pretty good number who own
street driven cars in various classes with custom built shocks.
Ian
STS 99
shocks $ = 1/2 current blue book $
> Hi Anthony
>
> Your version is definitely much easier to read and understand. The price
> limit thing is questionable though. I hope that your kind of thinking
could
> be applied to the Street Prepared classes too. How can I compete with
cars
> that have $1500 a corner shocks and struts and have 350rwhp as well as
have
> 315 or 335 tires sticking out of the wheel wells. Those type of race
parts
> should be left in the Prepared and Modified classes really. People might
> complain that it really only makes a small difference in track time. Add
> all those small changes up and the rich guys have much faster cars. My
two
> cents.
>
> Kirk
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Anthony Tabacco
> Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2002 9:30 AM
> To: ba-autox@autox.team.net
> Subject: Stock Shock Chalk Talk
>
>
> The SEB is all over the map on trying to write a revised rule for stock
> shocks. You probably read the distilled draft of the rule in Fast-track
last
> issue. While I appreciate the effort, after mighty debate, it has brought
> forth a rule that says that shocks for stock class cars cannot have
remote
> reservoirs. This isn't even close to good enough. The debate for all
> practical purposes is dominated and limited to those very few
stakeholders
> with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, which means more
money
> than everyone else would even consider spending, or that they make their
> living at servicing them. It is not healthy for the sport, but I think
they
> were surprised to hear from an "ordinary" member. The response was
> interesting. Someone on the SEB asked me (I think sincerely) for specific
> language. I am proceeding on the premise that a Koni 2800 or a Penske on
a
> Stock car is as stupid as R Compounds and that a workable shock rule can
be
> centered around restrictions on cost. If you don't agree with that, you
need
> to write your own letter because thats where I'm coming from, and here is
> what I have:
>
> "It is the intent of this rule that Stock Class serve as the entry class
to
> the sport and that cost containment is of primary importance to that
goal.
> Shock absorbers costs are best controlled by limiting shocks to units
> economical enough that outright replacement of a unit is the mandatory
> alternative in lieu of rebuilding.
>
> 1) Shocks shall be limited to one external adjustment, except when OEM.
> 2) Shocks are limited to "off the shelf" units available for general
> distribution street use to the public typically including, but not
limited
> to: OEM, Koni single adjustable, Bilstein, Tokiko, KYB, or
available "house
> brands", or other such units that meet the criteria and intent of the
rule.
> 3) The use of Koni 2800, Olin, Penske, Fox, DMS, or other such units
> specifically manufactured for the specialty racing market are
specifically
> disallowed.
> 4) Shocks shall be installed "as manufactured" and shall not be purchased
> from a third party in a modified condition or opened up for any reason
by an
> entrant or a third party. Revalving, machining, or modifying a shock
> absorber for any reason is specifically disallowed. Except as supplied as
> OEM, the use of remote reservoirs, alloy bodies, adjustable perches, or
> welded off coil-overs is prohibited.
> 5) Cost of each unit is limited to $250 per unit or 125% of OEM,
whichever
> is greater."
>
> So, how close did I came? This gets added to the usual other stuff there.
> Also, if anyone can tell me if the cost item #5 does not work for them
(like
> what does a 996 shock cost anyway?) or you can add to the list of
> allowed/dis-allowed, I would appreciate it. The other smoke and mirror
thing
> you hear a lot of is enforceability (as though anyone who can get past a
> dipstick couldn't find tons of legal horsepower and tons more of
> undetectable horsepower) so they are worried that the guy in the next
pit is
> going to cheat. its just a screen to not change a situation that has
evolved
> to the ridiculous.
>
> Be good,
> Tony
>
Ian Green
2003 Team Coleader
UC Davis Formula SAE
http://mae.ucdavis.edu/~fsae
97 Honda Civic CX
http://www.geocities.com/stscxr
|