Picking a semantics war with an English major why don't you...
Pro technically means that it is what you do for a living. I would bet that
very few Trans-Am drivers are true professionals by that definition.
However it should be noted that I earned more money autocrossing than
working in 2000 (I was in college for most of it).
Where the idea that pro racing in SCCA does not belong I do not know. There
are several "pro" series within club racing (Atlanta Region has a highly
successful PRO-IT series, the Valvoline Pro Vee series, etc). The Runoffs
pride themselves on the biggest amateur road racing event, but there is big
time contingency money up for grabs there. The majority of the money to be
won at a pro is not event for m SCCA. A pro win is only slightly more
lucrative that a Tour win, depending on what products you use.
In the case of "pro" solo I think pro *should* signify the next level. It
is less about the camaraderie of a solo 2, and more about winning. This is
both a asset and a liability. It in not a level to be graduated to, it is
not inherently better. It is simply more competitive.
Call it whatever you want to, call in Drag Cross (say that in a crowded bar
in Alabama and see how many teeth you leave with) or autocross twins, or
whatever you like. The question still remains, when you have the best
drivers (at least in stock classes) running a series, why does it get less
attention in a major magazine that a 100 participant street autocross in
North Carolina (admittedly, the latter did have an excellent photo).
hKw
----- Original Message -----
From: Eric Linnhoff <eric10mm@qni.com>
To: <autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2000 7:26 PM
Subject: Re: Does anyone care about Pro Solo
> >>Why is it that the Pro Solo series gets no respect compared
> >>to the "national championship?"
> >
> >Bad marketing???
> >
> >To answer the question in the subject line, the submarine was
> >purchased specifically for ProSolo. I look at every local
> >autocross or Solo-II as just practice for ProSolo.....
> =============================
> Okay, I know I'm gonna get flamed for this but...........
>
> What exactly makes it "Pro"Solo? If it's the payout money then by
> definition it is no longer amateur racing and has absolutely no place in
the
> SCCA which is by definition an organization for amateur racing. (Yes I
also
> want to see the SCCA get the hell out of any money-losing Trans-Am type
> series' too. And I actually like Paul Gentilozzi.)
>
> As far as I know all "pro" racing venues get television coverage from the
> likes of Speedvision, ESPN or TNN and the last time I checked, ProSolo
> didn't.
>
> So, exactly what makes it "Pro"Solo?
>
> Eric Linnhoff in KC
> #69 STS TLS #13
> '98 Neon R/T (4 door)
> <eric10mm@qni.com>
>
> "When you have to kill a man it costs nothing to be polite."
> Winston Churchill, Sir (1874-1965), on formal declaration of war
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