[QUOTE=Surf2k,Jul 13 2004, 04:38 PM]I thought the whole point of stock class autoX was to provide an affordable means to test driver skill. But instead the SCCA has created an arena in which DOT race tires and the resulting suspension mods are a necessity (as well as trailers). In doing so, they've effectively shifted the focus off the driver to the car, while simultaneously eliminating the possibility of "affordable racing".

 

you forget the $800-1000/set for hooisers, etc, etc, etc....

 

A set of Hoosier A3S04s in S2000 sizes is $740, versus $706 for a set of Bridgestone S-03s in same sizes -- that's a difference of gas, lunch, and entry fee for one event. And it really makes no sense to run anything other than Kumho Victoracers ($590 a set) at the local level, anyway.

Likewise, the "etc., etc., etc." doesn't matter at the local level, and isn't absolutely required at the national level either -- witness PilotSH's and Joe Goeke's success in payneinthe's stock-shocked car.

What this discussion has to do with asking Honda to issue a TSB on A-arm bracket repair is beyond me.

Steve

 

It does indeed count at the local level once you consider a hitch ($450) swaybar ($575) and trailer ($$$) that all become mandatory once you mount R rubber ($$$).

 

My costs to prepare my car:

$180 swaybar
$80 alignment
$800 Tires
$300 Trailer Rental (1 yr)
$70 exhaust
$300 spare rims
$1000 Rollbar+harness (absolutely not necessary and probably a detriment)

That's it. About $1700 in prep. Results? 2 2nd place NT and 1 Pro win.

 

Given that your argument is true (which its not - you can easily drive to and from events on Victoracers and as payneinthe pointed out, the Saner is an affordable and effective front bar) we're back to the traditional argument:

"The level of preparation that is allowed costs more than I can afford (am willing to spend?) so its not fair."

If you can't have fun with what you've got, stay home and quit bitching about not liking the workings and rules of a club that you're not wasting your time, money and energy supporting. You've got nothing invested so why are you whining? If you are supporting the club with time, money and energy, you know how to effect change... write to the SEB. Being argumentative here doesn't get the rules changed.

How about we get back to the topic at hand and quit chattering about this pointless thread hijack?

A-arm brackets. What are we going to do about A-arm brackets. I sent a letter to the SEB for clarification of the spirit of the rules. Its doubtful that we'll get a TSB from Honda before Nationals, so this seemed like the best route to take.

Andy H.

 

I alerted my Honda contact about this thread. It sounds like several people have contacts, so I wouldn't give up too quickly.

Btw, Andy, your argument has very sound reasoning. It does seem like this is much more analogous to the frame repair you cited than replacement of a ball joint like Faulkner is suggesting.

 

It's doubtful you'll get any kind of official clarification prior to Nationals. The best bet, and probably the proper one in any rules clarification, would be for someone to protest (at a National event) ahead of time and get a ruling that would set a precedent before Topeka.


-Andy

 

Wait - does it need to be at a Tour event? Wouldn't a Divisional Championship event count, as they are 'qualifiers' for Topeka? If so - has Windscreen's car been welded? Does someone have a welded car they want to take to the CenDiv championship the end of July? I'll drive someone else's car, then everyone can protest me - mine hasn't needed the repair yet. I'll even pitch in the protest fee.

 

It is my understanding that there are no precedents, when it comes to the Solo protest system. Each event protest committee is free to render their judgement and penalty, and has no binding to consider the decisions of a previous PC. When you get into gray areas of the rules, I can certainly see two PC's rendering different decisions.

It seems to me that both sides feel strongly enough that if the decision didn't go their way, they'd just file another protest at Nationals. I know I would. Either way, I can easily imagine this issue getting appealed up to the SEB.

Steve