Steven N. Burkett wrote:
>
> On Wed, 6 Oct 1999, Paul Foster wrote:
>
> > Maybe you don't like having 15 or so cars in your class which would
> > provide good competition and a ladder to get better.
>
> I don't know about the original poster, but I would LOVE to have 15 cars
> in my class. But if you take the Corvettes out, it'll just be me and one
> Supra guy in my region. Whee, fun.
>
> Seriously, removing the Vette's will KILL SS in our region. I imagine
> others are similar.
What if I can offer an alternative? How about in-class handicaps? Give
the Supra guy a second a run. Give the C4 guys .75 seconds. Or whatever,
you get the idea.
>
> I can understand the frustration with owning an "underdog" car. But it's
> craziness to argue that Corvette owners are staying away from autocross in
> droves due to the unfair classing of their car.
Really? take a look at SS Nationals attendance over time and that is
exactly what you will see.
>
> If you do happen to have a national caliber RX-7 or C5 driver in your
> region, then yes, some Corvette owners will get tired of getting smoked
> and leave. But the same applies to other RX-7 and C5 drivers. Should we
> ban hot shoes from participating in regional competition because they
> limit participation?
The regional issues are different. But yes, I believe the word gets out
that car x is an underdog and people stop coming out. It has certainly
happened with most PCA and NCCC guys I know even though most will never
will go to Nationals.
> If we need to make changes, I'm all for that. But more classes will
> undoubtably mean fewer cars in each class, and juggling cars is unlikely
> to increase participation in any meaningful way.
I'm not at all convinced how having fair competition will drive people
away. I think just the opposite is happening. Currently, if someone is
truly interested in winning then they will be buying a new car nearly
every year or two and the rest either quit or find some other place to
play. But I believe that autocrossing should be more grassroots. It
should be a venue where any car has an opportunity to do well.
Paul Foster
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