Sorry for the long post, but there has evidently been some misunderstanding of
what I was describing.
<< I counter that it is better in YOUR specific case for the sole reason that
subframe connectors don't impose a huge penalty in most clubs.>>
Perhaps you misunderstood my intent. I mentioned subframe connectors because
it was an example I know something about. Certainly there are others. The
point was that instead of a list of legal mods, the MC system lets the owner
decide what he wants or what will make his car faster and take the points as
appropriate.
<< The bucket system is simple. Car modifications, regardless of make,
determine the perparation level: S, SP, P, & M in SCCA's case. Car make/model
determines class within the preparation level.>>
Ditto for MC. Again the real difference is that there is no "list" of approved
modifications. The points per mod are regardless of make/model, but different
makes/models tend to respond differently to various modifications. So you may
not find that all competitive cars in a given class/prep have the same
modifications. You also don't tend to see anyone get kicked into the trailered
racecar class because they made one particular mod.
<< Someone else already mentioned a problem with an SCCA Stock-legal vehicle
being bounced absurdly high for having only R-
compound tires >>
It's true, an otherwise stock vehicle with "R" tires will be in Prepared at MC,
but you have to understand that MC Prepared is very different from SCCA
Prepared. MC preperation levels, in order are Stock, Prepared, Modified.
There is also Race, but that shuffles things up based on weight and
displacement and aspiration method. MC Prepared is a very mildly modified
category and lots of Prepared cars have only "R" tires and are very
competitive. MC Stock is really a drive it off the showroom type category.
On a national level there would certainly have to be more preperation
categories, but that could certainly be done. For someone building a
competition car it means choosing mods carefully based on your car and driving
style, and of course, running at or near the point limit. For people like me
(I think the majority of autocrossers) who are there to pump some adrenalin but
enjoy at least the illusion of being close to winning I still believe the MC
system is better at keeping us grouped with like performing cars.
I'm not an expert on either system, and I don't claim to be, but my experience
is that with MC I can do whatever I like to my cars, show up and have a
reasonable expectation of running mid-pack or better. Isn't that the spirit of
SCCA's SP category? With SCCA there is a very real risk of getting put in with
the $ERIOU$ racers because I've made one mod not on the approved list for a
lower category.
Tom Gentry
Life is too short to drive boring cars!
'96 Ford SVT Cobra, Mystic #1345/2000 (mostly stock)
'72 Triumph TR-6 OD (mostly modified)
'59 Triumph Model 10 Sedan (mostly in boxes)
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