[Fot] Fw: alternatives to the SCCA?

[Terry Stetler]

Gents,

The SCCA has been in constant flux regarding classes since it's inception.
There is nothing new here.  When was the last race for B Sedan?. A Sports
Racer?  C Modified, or one many won't recall, Spec VW Bug?

SCCA has always been about what's current, even though it may not seem so.
When I first joined 36 years ago, Production cars were the bread and butter of
the racing program.  Why?  Because there were still a lot of manufacturers
selling sports cars, and selling them in good numbers as well. That is no
longer the case.  Without manufacturer support the SCCA would have dried up a
long time ago.  Just my take on it.

Now, as to the cars we know and love.  Can you really expect to continue
development on a car that was last produced over 30 year ago?  As much as I
love my old proper British sports cars, it is just not realistic to be
competitive against modern designs with equal prep rules.  A brand new MGB
(for example) street car would be beaten up one side and down the other by a
new Miata street car.  Why expect different from competetion prepped cars?
And the Miata will be far less expensive I the long run to keep running, hence
their (as well as others) ascendance in SCCA racing.

I have a personal friend in a similar fix.  He is a long time SCCA racer in
the midwest who campaigns a Lotus Elan.   New rules have effectively made the
car obsolete.  I keep trying to get him to cut the flairs off and go vintage
racing.  I know he would have a great time, but old habits die hard I guess.

It's a real problem, but not one without choices.

I wish all of you the best.

Terry Stetler