DavidNJ

Mixed class racing: multiple classes on the track at the same time because no one class has enough entries? Most racing comes down to money. For classes that rely on production car chassis, the rules also play a factor.

If you are loyal to a marque, people used to be Chevy guys or Ford guys, you have fun with that marque. If you just 'want to go racing', you pick the car that easiest and usually least expensive to be turned into a winner. One marque classes, like the Porsche GT3 Cup or Ferrari F488 Challenge, provide away to enjoy marque racing and have a car that is competitive whether or not the driver is.

NASCAR and Indycar are effectively single chassis/engine classes. Indycar literally uses the same chassis with just a little Honda vs. Chevy differentiators. The rules are such that those make no difference in who wins, as the results show. In NASCAR, the chassis have a been pretty much unchanged for a long time; most of the engines are leased and NASCAR makes sure they all are pretty much the same...ditto for the aero...as the results show. Next year it will be Camaros vs Mustangs vs Supras and the cars will look and perform just as they did when it was Impalas vs Fusions vs. Camry's.

Most road races turn into time trials after the first lap. Beating 5 random people who put a random amount of effort into their cars and have varying racing skills may or may not be satisfying to you. It is to many. Others like to come to the track were they know there car will be close to the leaders in preparation. Where maybe 5 or more cars start the season to win a championship contested by maybe 20-30 cars. Where during the race you have a high probability of one or more competitors in near identical cars turning similar lap times...an opportunity to improve your skills in driving and preparation.

For a production-based car that can be driven to a track day, handles well, and has proven reliable, it is a great choice (if you fit in with a seat and safety equipment, not everyone does.

That was a one off that hasn't raced in years in a not that competitive unlimited WTAC class. When they started racing it the S2000 was still in production. In a few years the oldest S2000s will qualify for vintage racing. Its aero is way behind the current WTAC leaders, some of which also have billet engines and electronically controlled shocks.

The NASA STU/1/2/3 classes have similar rules to WTAC...but competition is even weaker. At their national championships, each class typically had 4 or 5 cars. One had 8, 5 of them BMW M3s. 8 cars showed up for the NP01 race in the west. That is a spec closed sports racer that sells as a kit for about $80k. It also qualifies as an ST2. In the east 10 cars showed up for American Iron, non in the west. NASA didn't publish the margin of victory, but the top 4 cars turned fastest laps with 3/10ths of second on a 2:24 lap. that 0.25%...close. 9 of the 10 cars were Mustangs. AJ Hartman who makes the aero pieces and had the analyses done that I've posted at times finished 4th.

Net: racing is dying. That is nearly all forms. Oval, drag, road racing. Track days are increasing. Maybe drifting is increasing. Can't quite tell on off-road, but get the feeling it is also having problems.

Singh_snisen

Bullwings

False...

Hardly an LMP car. NSX built on what started as a street-legal factory chassis. 1:37.xxx

Singh_snisen

Chibo

And he posts here, too