The ITA guys that got weight added aren't screaming. I think some of the ones that got weight added should be pretty upset.
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Andy,
Four different makes in the top eight positions - seems balanced to me. [/b]
Andy, slowly put down the keyboard and step away. Slowly, slowly, slowly...very good...go visit your kids, kiss your wife, etc...
OK, everyone else, move along please, there's nothing to see here...! [/b]
dj, have you been living under a rock for the last 3-4 years? What part of "there was no 'process' or 'formula' for spec'ing cars before this iteration of the ITAC developed one" did you miss? And I guess you missed the part where the CRB (CB at the time) changed the weight of the car from 2850# to 2950#, and the E36 guys screamed "illegal comp. adj." and the CB capitulated and reset the weight to 2850#. I guess you also missed the part where this ITAC asked for weight on the car last year, and for some reason the CRB threw a flat-plat restrictor at it.
Bill, I just a started racing ITS last year! I sold my ITE Porsche in 2000 and just got back in racing. I've never had to deal with shit like this before so this mess is new to me. To answer your question, I suppose I have been under a rock, sorry. I know nothing about this stuff before last year.
To me 2950# was not impractical IMO.
dj
My opinion is give the E36 the weight the process says it should have and be done with it. It's the same process that gave weight or took away weight from all the other cars. I think the mistake was giving the CRB a choice.
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even the SCCA PRO understands that if you penalize a car you do it in smaller increments. To hit us all at once then make us put all this weight in 3 or 4 sq. ft. to me is not good common sense. If you want to hit us 1st with a 100# then see if what does, then add weight as required, to me this is a common sense approach.
dj
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their rage.
Lastly, if you are going to put 300 lbs in 3-4 sq ft on your floorboard you really need to do more homework. How about a cool suit, accusump, spare tire, "tow hooks", full tank, big stainless exhaust? Do I need to keep going?
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As I mentioned about 20 posts ago, putting 300lbs of tungsten in the car is about 6"x6"x11" of space - plently left for all the things you mention. And it isn't a rare super expensive material either, it is fairly cheap.
If people spent as much time figured out how to put weight in their car as they did plumbing all the other things, making it faster, getting more out of the engine then adding weight wouldn't be a problem. Instead they like to say how it CAN'T be done, instead of figuring out how it can be done. But, there again, it is weight and something they don't want, so barriers pop up immediately.
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DJ
The "rewards weight " is an entirely different thing and cannot be included in this debate.
Secondly, adding 100 lbs on three different occasions will further make the e36 guys feel (and rightfully so) targeted and will undoubtedly further fuel their rage.
Lastly, if you are going to put 300 lbs in 3-4 sq ft on your floorboard you really need to do more homework. How about a cool suit, accusump, spare tire, "tow hooks", full tank, big stainless exhaust? Do I need to keep going?
Is the sky falling or is it just me??????
R
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Just another example as to why you can't use results. Selective use to support your cause.
Rob, you quote close racing in the NE in 2004. That was with UNRESTRICTED E36's. That year at the ARRC, the car you ran neck and neck with (RX-7) in your E36 was 2 seconds off the pace at RA to the unrestricted Bimmers - and was the top non-Bmw at the race.
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Part of the reason some folks are having a hard time getting their heads around this issue, is they just can't give up the idea that race results should drive the specification process.
PLEASE - those of you who DO understand this: Do NOT get sucked into playing that game, stooping to using one set of selectively chosen results to argue points being argued with other selectively chosen results. To engage in this kind of strategy is NOT HELPFUL to the cause.
ITAC members particularly - you've worked WAY too hard and accomplished more in the last two years than anyone has in the last 20, making the PCA process a reality. Every time you get conned into playing the results rationale card, you put all of that at risk. SIRs are evidence of how fragile your recent success is.
K
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Kirk,
I agree w/ you, but how do you play that w/ a rule that pretty much says you have to look at results before you can implement a restrictor?
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I don't know if that clause was actually invoked, Bill. The PCA realignment was happening - without evident "careful review of actual racing performance" of all of the make/models involved - and the same process should have been applied to the e36. This could all have been done (hell, MUST have been done) under "Alternatively or additionally, if the Club deems that an upward or downward revision in the minimum allowable weight is warranted, such a 'performance compensation adjustment' shall be made."
K
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Kirk,
Do I understand you correctly in that you're saying that you can use a restrictor w/o reviewing actual racing performance (i.e. results)? If that's the case, I'm interested in the analysis of the rule that allows it.
Joe,
I have no problem w/ that. But the rule needs to be changed before you deviate from it. Otherwise, you've set aside the rule. BTW, your change would mean that the Supra would have gotten a restrictor (and a corresponding reduction in weight). I'd have much less problem w/ the SIR had that been the case.
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