Classing at the Nationals

[dadndave]

Thanks Roda for not missing the point,
I have a measly but modified 289 class 2 which I know is no match against the big end of the scale, money and power. My, and my son's only aim at the Nationals , and hopefully again at Shelbyfest 2009, is to have better times and definitely as much fun , if not more at these great events.
If entrants are only worried about being beaten or outclassed by a mere name why bother coming.

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by dadndave

Thanks Roda for not missing the point,

Originally Posted by Philm

HI Rod,
I think you have missed the point

[Beejay]

Clearly there has to be rules that satisfy both types of entrants.

I can understand those that just want to have a go, but there are others that are there to race. Let's face it, it is a competition, so people should be able to compete!

Ben

[400TT]

Yeah I agree, don't break up class 3.

Actually I think class 3 & 4(Huffer & Puffer guys) should be merged together for sprints, actually merged together for everything but the drags.

We only need to have separate classes based on engine type for the drags.

I'm with Mike, HP is not THE determining factor for sprints & hill climb. Just look at the past results, look at how competitive and successfull the top class 2 cars are and they have relatively low HP. My brother actually won overall at the Nationals from class 2, now that's the ultimate proof.

So what makes the top class 2 guys so competitive. They are the lowest class that can use race tyres and they have lots of track experience and setup time with their vehicles.

HP makes a difference in the drags, so leave engine size classes for the drags.

Just have a look at the spread of times in each class and how they overlap for sprints, hill climb & go-to-whoa, this to me indicates that we are missing the mark.

As a result I think the classes for Sprints and Hill Climb should be determined by tyres and experience. Maybe you could also throw vehicle factors in like adjustable suspension, HP, brakes, shift lights, race seats etc. Everything is allocated points and the amount of points you have determines what class you are in.

I can't see why we need so many classes for Go-To-Whoa either.

But lets not reduce the trophies, lets have trophies allocated for consistancy and even for greatest improvement from previous year. I think there are some great ideas from Shelby Fest, we could even have the dial your own time for all events: sprints & hill climb, go-to-whoa & drags. I'm sure Jason, Tony & Co wouldn't mind the Nationals adopting some of their great ideas. I'm sure others here can come up with even better ideas for trophies.

Classing by engine size/type has worked well in the past, but times have changed.

[David Hodgson]

Everyone goes out there to have fun and 'better' their own times, you can do that at any club or open trackday. The Nationals is about competion, always has been. If you are out there to better your own times, you are competing against yourself, so why not against a bunch of other guys or their machines as well?

It's all fun, just 'less' fun going out there knowing your competition has been taken away!

As the club has evolved and with it the cars and technology, the organisers have always looking for ways to accomodate everyones needs. Sometimes you gotta wonder what they're thinking.

This thread started with the concern about class 3. Rather than start a new thread, I'm gonna hijack and have a whinge about Class 1. As I said earlier, its all fun, but a lot less fun when you run 15" street tyres, low tech gear, but when you freshen up your 60's 289 or 302 you tickle the ports or install a cam, that you get penalized and get bumped up to a class that runs sticky tyres and has unlimited brake and engine mods. Isn't that what Tickford did? They qualify for Class 1. It just came out of a factory, not my garage. Kinda takes the thrill away when your grouped with cars that have way more advantage than what your little bump stick gives.

Now I'm started, might as well have a say about the show n shine. Each states president will select 5 cars to represent that state. How's he going to know what's out in the country areas. It'll be capital city cars selected every time. Is your club Cobra Car Club of Vic, NSW QLD or Cobra Car Club of Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast? Can't see this one working. There's a couple of nice cars in Queanbeyan and Grenfell, that I'll bet aren't in the NSW pres sights.

[Philm]

David,
I agree with you 100% on the show and shine.

NSW about 50 entants.. 5 cars nominated 10% of the field
SA about 3 entrants 5 cars nominated 170% of the field.

This will never work, actually makes me angry that this was put forward without consultation of the supporters or members, disgraceful.

You have to remember that the show and shine is probably the premier event for 50% of the field.

Phil