Class Spec discussion

I'll be honest, I still have a VERY sour taste in my mouth regarding the rules changes that were put in place in AI over the last couple of years without notice other than to "improve the series" which has been found to do absolutely NOTHING but alienate the veteran racers in the series. It also appears that our series (AI) is being bumped up because the less modified series of CMC is creeping forward "just to get new cars in the series" and to further distinquish AI and CMC either by looks or lap times.

bottom line, the rules being implemented in BOTH series are driving up the costs instead of keeping them low like the series originally intended, and what got 90% of the folks here. It's more of the "making changes to include the minority at the cost of the majority" issue. Maybe that is just what REAL racing is like...? If so, oh well, I don't have the money to stay at the top.

I can't imagine how PO'd those that are building new cars right now are.

Basic premise, I and apparently several others not just in TX, feel the rules in both series are going in the wrong direction given the fact that event weekend costs are rising so fast, and now we have to go back to the drawing board and rebuild/upgrade our cars, or be left behind.

MM, I still think the rules were perfect as they were...slightly flawed maybe, but they worked great...so leave them alone. 2009 and 2010 are looking pretty BLEAK for grassroots racing as the economy slows to a grind...probably not the best time to start increasing the costs to run in the series! I would rather see all that "hard effort" to be put into MARKETING the series and getting TV time and sponsors interested so we aren't footing the bills...then you can make all the rules changes you want! Sort of learn to walk before you run or you will fall flat on your face because you ran off the end of the bridge you haven't finished building yet! :shock:

I would really like to get out of the AI "rat race" and hop into a CMC car to see what all the hubbub is about! It's looks fun as hell! But I ain't jumpin' in the deep end with my thinner wallet till things get sorted out or returned to what it was! :D

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Originally Posted by Alien

I'm confuse now...

Is the proposed 17" rule for 2010 to go up to a 275?

MFW says -2 allows the 275s right now but...

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Originally Posted by Current 2008 rules

8.34. Wheels/Tires
8.34.2. Maximum wheel size is 16”x8” for CMC and 17”x9.5” for CMC-2.
8.34.3. Maximum tire size is 255/50R16 for CMC and 255/40R17 for CMC-2. The only tire brand
and model allowed is the Toyo Proxes RA-1.

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Sorry, I've not been keeping up wik -2 rules until now.

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Sorry....2009...I am looking at next year already! :oops: Nature of the business I am in having to plan and think 12 months out! :lol:

Ok, but you're still right about CMC being a 275 class :evil:

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Originally Posted by Alien

Ok, but you're still right about CMC being a 275 class :evil:

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well, one positive would be that if Toyo can cut the number of sizes to make to just one, maybe the cost of the tires can go down with 4 or 5 classes running them....just as long as they can supply enough! If that could happen, then I would be ok with it all for sure! It would be much better than $315/tire to run 18's in AI!!! :shock:

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Originally Posted by AI#97

well, one positive would be that if Toyo can cut the number of sizes to make to just one

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It's one thing to make a 275/17 optional, it's comletely different to make it mandatory.

Back when there was talk about the 888 not being made in a 16 and the response was, ok, everyone just has to step up to 17s, that ticked the livin crap outta me. That's the point where you go shopping for another spec tire. Glad it didn't turn out that way for the 888.

TV time????????
WTF?
NASA makes money from participants.
One look at Nat's entries will give you some clues.
CMC participation is very low.
Why?
Poor Boys.
They don't care about poor boys.
They want to cater to more cake eaters with money.
They wanna make CMC desirable for SCCA guys who are looking around.
Like Dave Shotz for example who built 2 cars and runs them in 3 or 4 classes per w'end.

jb

I certainly understand most people's thoughts on this issue, especially the guys who will have to make changes to make the number. Though I have a few questions about the past.
When CMC was started wasn't it just 3rd gens and 5.0 Mustangs? What did everyone do when they started to allow 4th gens and later model mustangs? How did it affect the series over the long term?
From my vantage point it has brought more cars into the fields and has been good for the series nationwide as a whole?
I can see how having one class is ultimately easier. And why Toyo would want only one class so they don't have to pay out as much.

Thanks for some of the explanations Al. I pretty much agree with the points. I think it could be great for one big class that has the same rules set running for many years to come. I am afraid that the only other option would be to try and run in some Vintage Circuit which would be terrible compared to the racing we have.

I'm with you MM. The directors put in so much more time than the rest of us I think we are lucky to have guys in there that are trying to do their best for the nation as a whole.

JB-agree on the TV. Figured you would take a shot and say how the CMC2 guys are slow. Though if I lose 160 pounds I'm coming for you. I may even have to get a fancy smancy wing like yours.

Bryan CMC Champion 2010 :D

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Originally Posted by BryanL

I think it could be great for one big class that has the same rules set running for many years to come.

Bryan CMC Champion 2010 :D

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I just hope the changes stop here. But there is always the inevitable "what happens when a 05 mustang wants to join or the new camaro" Up go the hp levels again and teh fox guys will be even further behind on suspension. There's gonna be a time when you just can't have new cars, cars older than me and car older than Mitch all running in the same class without costing someone big money.

Gary R.
2008 Rookie of the Year

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Originally Posted by Alien

Back when there was talk about the 888 not being made in a 16 and the response was, ok, everyone just has to step up to 17s, that ticked the livin crap outta me. That's the point where you go shopping for another spec tire. Glad it didn't turn out that way for the 888.

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Yeah, don't know if you saw the Hoosier contingency for AIX and other classes but essentially, you could win a new set of tires every weekend if you had 4 cars entered... Sort of made toyo bucks a little lacking.

It would be nice if they would up the payout in AI with a set of tires going up $450-500 a set though if you were to go to 18's... :?

S197 = 05 Mustang

DD