[Fot] alternatives to the SCCA?

[Bill Babcock]

Actually, I think Jack is being brutally honest for good reasons. I've  
organized a few races myself, and been involved to a degree in the  
inner politics of several vintage organizations. There are good  
reasons why these organizations resist the pressure of sliding the  
requirements of vintage racing to later years so that various SCCA  
refugees can race.

The cars that people come to see race--even the other vintage racers-- 
are cars from the fifties and sixties. Around 1970 wings and slicks  
came in and racing changed forever. Even production cars had lots of  
ground effects and aero tricks. Vintage racing has already changed a  
great deal. The grand old cars don't show up as often anymore--they  
are worth too much and cost too much to fix for their owners to have  
them t-boned by some guy who is risking 20K in a corner VS. their  
couple of million. Vintage organizations are getting tougher on their  
rules, not easier. And it's for good reason. I argued the other side  
long and hard--and I was wrong. It doesn't help vintage racing to  
slide into the 70's, it kills it.

Vintage means Vintage. Adding cars to a group that will circulate out  
front and lap every vintage car, even if they aren't scored against  
them, will change the game and keep even more true vintage cars at  
home. Already saw it happen. If there's enough interest and money in  
it then you can certainly organize racing events that suit these  
cars.  The SCCA isn't making these moves in spite of the vast amounts  
of money being made in running club events that include obsolete or  
low-interest cars. Here in the Northwest, Team Continental and the  
ICSCC run races with over 40 racing classes. Of course you're on the  
track with some of the most misbegotten iron you ever saw, but it's a  
fun group.

The SCCA's move is nothing new by the way. I heard people complaining  
about the exact same stuff twenty years ago.

On Jun 1, 2008, at 3:22 PM, Jay Creel wrote:

> hmm. you must be made of money.
> I didn't build my car to have it collect
> dust.  It is too bad that politics is what put cars to the pasture,  
> sounds no
> different with SVRA.  I built a car to the rules, and the rules  
> changed. I
> could build a SVRA compliant car and then the rules could change  
> because you
> are the MAN and since I am your b****, I will have to change.  
> "that's racing"
> is something the "pros" have to live with, that is why they are pro's.
> Doesn't
> look like I will be running SVRA anytime soon.  Thanks for the  
> input, I am
> sure I will find some place to run the car, just have to look.
> A simple NO,
> your car is not eligible would have been fine and we could all go  
> about our
> day.
> Sorry FOT, I don't typically respond in this fashion but the  
> reference to
> "the MAN" was a little much for me to ignore.
> I am done with this.  Thanks
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: "JWoesvra at aol.com" <JWoesvra at aol.com>
> To:
> jaxonracing at yahoo.com; REK46 at aol.com; fpspitfire at comcast.net;
> fot at autox.team.net
> Sent: Sunday, June 1, 2008 5:51:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [Fot]
> alternatives to the SCCA?
>
> In a message dated 6/1/2008 3:24:53 P.M. Eastern
> Daylight Time, jaxonracing at yahoo.com writes:
> because of rules issues in the
> SCCA and the limitations of some vintage groups,
> Not to beat a dead horse,
> but "that's racin'".
>
> You do what the MAN says or you put it away.
>
> When you
> ARE THE MAN, you can make the rules. Otherwise you pays your money  
> and takes
> your chances.
>
> What do they say about big dogs and porches?
>
> Never changes.
> Just the faces change.
>
> Jack Woehrle...since 1963!
>
>
> ________________________________
> Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch
> "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.team.net/donate.html
>
> Fot mailing list
> Fot at autox.team.net
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/fot
>
> You are subscribed as billb at bnj.com

Bill Babcock
Babcock & Jenkins
Billb at bnj.com
503.936.7660
www.bnj.com