SHELBYFEST to class or not to class

[stephen low]

You're wrong there acecob, mine's a stock 5L and I'm guessing there'd be quite a few others stock, but time does modify these cars.

There was a time the venerable 5L produced 600 HP, and as much as I'd like a supercar engine, the 5% or less of the time I'll spend on the track makes that a waste and realistically a danger in my hands on the public roads.

But there needs to be some levelling mechanism so that it does come down to skill more than raw power. I get great satisfaction haring my crappy corolla through bends leaving much bigger capacity cars flat footed, to see them eventually straighten up and blast past finally on the straight. Anyone can go fast straight, it's those curvy bits at the ends of the tracks that are the testing bit.

To me its like those days of the mini's versus muscle, the same as the XU1 vs Ford V8's particularly in the wet. Great car handling and level-ish competition in vastly different machines - and it was the best racing you could hope to see!!

I know we'll all have fun whatever happens, but it is even better when it is all neck and neck stuff due only to driver skill.

Jason, you know you are not going to please us all, so just make the best arrangements that you can to suit the outcome you are chasing!

[400TT]

More power helps, but it's not everything, not even close.

If you look closely at the Nationals results you will see plenty of fairly low power cars running near the top of the overall results for each event. Some events in last few years have been won by such cars. A lot of it comes down to driver skill, vehicle refinement, practice, how committed you are(brave) etc.

My brother even won King Cobra a few years back with a stock 4lt Lexus engine putting out 220rwhp. Believe it or not...

Tyres make the biggest difference, why not just classify it this way:

Class 1: Standard Street Rubber
Class 2: Race Compound Street Rubber
(unregistered & cars on slicks not allowed in the above classes so maye a 3rd class for them)

Simple, yet effective.

[Cameron Parsons]

Craig,

you have have hit on a brilliant idea.

USUALLY

Standard Street Rubber = Standard Road Car Setup
Road Legal Race Rubber = Modified for performance
Slicks = All out race car

I agree that capacity does not really count too much, if you start to look at power, then you have to start to look at Power to Weight, as that is the true measure. The results of all comps prove that theory as you have pointed out.

This is a simplistic view, but that is the way you are going to nail this. Simple and broad. There will always be discussions and disagreement if you get into capacity and configuration etc..

And BEFORE I get flamed from all sides, I am not suggesting that a 289 stock on street race rubber is a true match for a BB on the same. BUT a huge amount still comes down to driver, car and practice.

I for one know that I can drive my car on the edge (that's my definition of the edge) with the power I have. If I have 200RWHP more, it would be much harder to drive and probably slower for me around a circuit, particularly Winton.

As it has been said, Jason, good for you to even try to sort this out. No matter what, the competition will be hot and the beer cold... As it should be.

Cameron
Making the advance request for 88 again, cause I'm too lazy to change the stickers from last year

[REPTYL]

Looking over some of the previous year’s results from Shelby and the Nats. I must agree tyres seem to play a bigger part in the laptimes than any other factor.

I wonder if someone could come up with a table of tyre types/specifications.
We need to be able to draw a solid line between street and street/track.

We would need to take in to account not only the size and specs but price as well. For example Yok A008 and P-Zeros were street tyres but cost 5 times more than the rags I run and have a huge advantage on the track.

We also need to make it quick and easy for the scrutineers to classify the cars by this method by having a full list of tyres from all manufacturers.

I'm feeling quit confident that a few of the ideas listed in this thread will make there way in to this year event. Keep ’em coming.

[Cameron Parsons]

Ahhh Rim Size.... Make em all run 15's -

But seriously, I think you're getting back in the problem zone to start defining 'cheap' vs 'expensive' rubber.

I run 15's, my choice, I could change and possibly gain some, but I choose not to for the look of the car. I think that type of thinking would go for many owners.

Some run 17's and other sizes, and many run very slick street 'R' class compounds. That's life.....

I think I have an idea for a source of tyre brands that are 'acceptable' that comes from an FIA sanctioned event that includes classics. Let me dig it up and send to you Jason by email.

Cameron

[400TT]

Jason, how about just using the same tyre specification cut-off that the Nationals use. I expect NSW club can give you a list.

[REPTYL]

I will be passing this by Tony in the morning before making it official.
Classification by car specification will not be happening at Shelby 08.

I think we have something for everyone.

Fastest overall, Most regular, DYO time, and thanks to Phil fastest grouped by lap times.
(The group times were set using past years results)

Event One: 3km Super Sprints
Timed runs over 3km, with the winner recording the lowest time.
Event Two: Regularity trailTimed runs over 3km, with the winner recording the lowest time difference between their fastest lap and the average of their fastest 15 laps for the day. (No lap timers allowed)
Event Three: DYO (Dial in Your Own time)There will be timed runs over 3km, with the winner recording a lap time closest to their pre selected lap time with out breaking that time. (No lap timers allowed)
Event Four: Bracket Sprints
There will be timed runs over 3km, with the winner recording the fastest lap time within their nominated group without breaking the minimum lap time for the group.
A: 1:35.000 -1:44.999
B 1:45.000 -1:54.999
C 1:55.000 -2:14.999