I'm funny about stuff sometimes but it's annoying in the extreme that a complete reshuffle of B is being considered - primarily to accommodate the Volvos - when it's the shenanigans of past Volvo racers that's put them into their present pickle.
A part of me thinks it's elegant justice if they discover they are stuck with an uphill battle now because of past indiscretions. Drivers of those cars who are still active, who were around back when they were kicking ass and taking names, should be embarrassed and be glad they have the option of moving to ITC where they actually fit.
But remember, this is SCCA and the old saying applies: "The needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many."
Oh, wait...
K
X a billion. Right on, Kirk.
And, further, see below \/
As a
relatively new Volvo driver, and a
really new ITAC member...
For starters, if we were to seriously consider a base power/weight ratio shift in ITB, my vote would be a resounding "no". We have enough issues without
completely reinventing the ITB wheel. Further, as I have stated on these pages multiple times, I don't see the 140 series Volvo as being that far out of whack anyway. Yes, there are other Volvo drivers that have called me out on this, and in no uncertain terms. That's too bad... the car is in my opinion, pretty damned close to where it should be (weight wise) in ITB. And it sure as Hell does NOT belong in ITC. I'm carrying ballast now, in the form of extra fuel and a spare tire, not to mention there is still a fair amount of undercoating left on the car, it has a stock radiator, etc. Why would I want to move to (a less-subscribed) ITC, while screwing the car up by adding another 10 or 12% to the as-raced weight? Illogical, Captain.
The 240 series is another story altogether, and the ITAC is working that problem as we speak. Yes - at least some of the 240's clearly belong in "C", IMHO. Maybe the whole damned bunch of them... they have (in some cases, significantly) less horsepower potential than the 140 and they all have significantly heavier curb weights. Unlike my car, many of the 240's (particularly with the 2.1 engine) will absolutely
never make ITB weight legally; we're talking about missing the target by hundreds of pounds here, not dozens.
I agree. I've heard the same cries of "we can't compete, and frankly after looking at the efforts and prep level of those complaining, I would BET that if those cars were given to top prep shops, and driven by shoes, they'd be pissing off the leaders.....they just don't strike me as also rans.
I think your reasoning is very valid. Glad to hear your thoughts.
What does it really matter if it's 17:1 or 10,000:1 if applied equally, fairly, and the vast majority of cars can reach min weight? I don't get why this is even being considered.
Well, it matters alot, and the ratio was chose in concert with the others, to render the greatest amount of cars possible to be competitive.
Changing it now might mean that many cars will need to add or subtract ballast. Changing the majority of the class, for the 'possible' failings on ONE car strikes me as a folly.
The ITAC, should they pursue this concept, needs to know, for each car affected, whether or not the car is able to meet minimum, and what possible outcasts they will be creating. In other words, if they take the Borgward that is currently racing at a just achievable 2500 pounds, and they adjust the class so that it now needs to be 2350 to meet Process, it might just be impossible, (or very $$$) to make weight. Or, put another way, THAT car has now been rendered uncompetitive.
Since IT didn't come to the party based on bogus hp ratings, it shouldn't suffer.
On the other hand, if the weights of the entire class INCREASE by the same amount (effectively giving the Volvo a 150 weight break), then they have just increased the costs for EVERY ITB competitor. And lap records will need an asterisk, etc. Again, penalizing the whole class for the actions of one.
But I feel the Volvo, when prepped to the top level, and driven by an Eric Curran, CAN be competitive, and isn't that what this is all about anyway?