Some amateur racing organizations whole reason for being is to make a
buck for the owner. Others are clubs and every member has the
opportunity to make as much noise as s/he wants to set policy. Sure
there may be cliques that steer things their way and even non-driver
martinets who find a club the perfect venue for their control fantasies,
but generally these groups are run by and for the members.
I believe VSCDA is like that and has struggled for years to create race
groups that make some sense within the spirit of vintage racing. I guess
that "spirit" is open to interpretation. Although I race a square-body
1275 prepared very much like the Works race cars of the 60's, I have
never felt "cheated" by the presence of 1275 Bugeyes on the track with
me.
But I think this issue has more to do with some of the other race
groups, where people are spending big money and investing big egos in
the outcome of a heat. Shee-it! It's all theater and we're all just
playing at it.
Most sanctioning bodies (VSCDA included) need entries to stay in
business and they want a field of cars that look good and put on a good
competitive show. If "big bore Sprites" do that, and the members make
their wishes known, then I believe the cars will run.
Although this may be of minimal interest to most on the list, I'd be
curious about WST's comments on the politics behind this in VSCDA.
JohnD
P.S. And I believe VSCDA is proposing a phase-in of proposed changes
over several years.
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 10:28:43 -0500
From: "Larry Daniels" <ladaniels@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: Distributor Choice
I think some of these amateur racing organizations need to remember that
their whole reason for being is to support the racers -- not the other
way
around. Some of these dictators are so overwhelmed with their authority
that they try never to miss a chance to exercise it. If the
overwhelming
majority of Bugeye racers want to run 1275s in their cars, then change
the
rules to allow it.
It seems that some of the rules as to what modifications are to be
allowed
and which are not are based purely on whim, anyhow. Not being able to
use a
1275 in a Bugeye while it is permissable in a Mark II because of the
Mark
II's body style is a little silly since the difference is much more in
appearance than in substance.
I recall my whole class being tossed out of a race by the SCCA because
NOBODY ran a thermostat in their car and the rules didn't say we could
remove them. Everybody, including the scrutineers, knew that nobody had
used a thermostat for years. Then these beady-headed little twits
decided
to spring this without warning. That was an asinine decision made by a
bunch of self-important asses.
All that being said, I can understand making everybody conform to the
same
rules makes sense -- as long as the rules make sense, as well. And the
guys
who are doing the racing ought to have more say in the rules concerning
themselves.
Rant over. I feel better now.
LD
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