30 replies to this topic

[Charlie Hayes]

http://www.nasaprora...ampions-ch.html

http://www.nasaprora...onships-to.html

Pretty interesting.

[Jim Drago]

Here is the NASA link

http://www.nasaprora...onships-to.html


I think it may be a good move to split it up, this year at Miller seemed like the attendance was down, atleast in SM. Moving it around like SCCA is now doing may be better for particpation. A case can be made that is lessens the "championship" event having two. Personally, I feel SCCA has had tougher competition since it left Mid Ohio in 08, when I thought they were pretty close.

As far as SM, Anytime you run at Road Atlanta for a big event, you will get very good SM competitors. With the Runoffs moving west, maybe some of the SE guys will try and stay home ad try to win a National Championship, I think we are headed west. Not much interest in doing both on different tires etc, but we have the year to think about it. Which will be more highly regarded? ARRC win or NASA win next year?

Jim

[Todd Tagget]

gonna be an exciting fall on the west coast!!

[LarryKing]

Interesting. The pro opportunity is a SCCA series.

[Brian Ghidinelli]

Well Sonoma is about a 15 minute drive... going to be spoiled next year for opportunities.  I wonder what the contingency will look like with 2x the payouts?  

[john mueller]

I'm pretty excited about this sort of move, NASA is more of a regional series anyway...

 

I plan on attending the 'East' RA championship, may just be working at that one (2300 miles from my home), but I'll be driving the 'West" at Sonoma.

[Ron Alan]

Saw Craig's other Thread first...no comments after 12hrs surprised me...glad to see comments here.

 

My first reaction as a track junkie is "cool"...but after a little thought, I wonder how this will play out? Pretty sure there were a few local "NASA" drivers who were going to give SCCA a go for a chance to run with some of the best at Laguna. This announcement clearly will force some to make a decision on which to do...probably not in the budget to do both. There are some out West that will clearly choose SCCA next year...and not attend NASA. But with SCCA going back east in 2015, a NASA championship back(2015) at Sonoma or TH may be highly subscribed and not diluted of the best in the West.

 

But the wheels are spinning in Drago's head I'm sure..."Hmmm, 1st East Coast NASA Champ, Hat Trick SCCA Champ, 1st West Coast NASA Champ", who can store our cars for a month???

[Jason J Ball]

I'm curious to see if this will bring more SM's to NASA-SE. SCCA SE has huge turnouts, but we only see single digits in NASA. If we had more, we could push Jim P. for our own run group and get away from those $#$@ Thunder Roadsters. 

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Jball you will be seeing more of me next year at NASA SE!  made that decision as I rolled out of bed today...  Gives me an excuse to race a track that brought me to my knees every time i have been there.  

[Jim Drago]

But the wheels are spinning in Drago's head I'm sure..."Hmmm, 1st East Coast NASA Champ, Hat Trick SCCA Champ, 1st West Coast NASA Champ", who can store our cars for a month???

My chances are better at Road Atlanta and I'm sure that event will be calling my name all year, I may even decide to do it. But it will not be our main focus, we are doing Laguuna.

The tires are a real issue for us. For me to do the event, it will be $5000-7500 in tires easily ( testing and qualifying), lots of mounting and dismounting, other race weekends to learn the tires and to qualify for the event. So doing both becomes easily another 20-25k expense easily. Not sure that is something I want to do.
I love the idea that the Road Atlanta race is in August, definitely leaves time to do both events with a full effort. I have to admit, bringing the spare car is definitely something I will be thinking about

[Ron Alan]

Well, i cant imagine a bigger year for amateur racing at world class tracks!! For the dedicated it will be a big budget year!

[Charlie Hayes]

What happens if someone wins all three....

Champagne showers?

[Jim Drago]

What happens if someone wins all three....

Champagne showers?

NEVER HAPPEN!!! ( unless Red Bull and Vettel take up SM next year)

[Todd Green]

The tires are a real issue for us.

Hmm...I seem to remember somewhere people complaining about the two orgs being on different tires and how it really hurts attendance for those who want to run both. Hopefully the SCCA is listening and will move to Toyos when the Hoho contract is up.

[Jim Drago]

Hmm...I seem to remember somewhere people complaining about the two orgs being on different tires and how it really hurts attendance for those who want to run both. Hopefully the SCCA is listening and will move to Toyos when the Hoho contract is up.

Again, NASA could have gone to Hoosier as well.

SCCA will send out a survey like we did last time and make the best decision for its' members. Crossing over to NASA will likely be pretty low on the priority list For me personally, I would prefer the best tire for the class, if that means I have to spend more to cross over, than so be it. I have no idea what that tire is. IMO pick the best tire first. I think both SCCA and NASA could improve on tire longevity.

[john mueller]

Again, NASA could have gone to Hoosier as well.

SCCA will send out a survey like we did last time and make the best decision for its' members. Crossing over to NASA will likely be pretty low on the priority list For me personally, I would prefer the best tire for the class, if that means I have to spend more to cross over, than so be it. I have no idea what that tire is. IMO pick the best tire first. I think both SCCA and NASA could improve on tire longevity.

 

 

NASA STAYED with Toyo based on what was perceived as the best option for NASA's customers (over multiple classes).  Hoosier was an option and was pretty far down the discussion road but when Toyo decided to develop with a tire with NASA specifically for SM, SpecE30 and Honda Challenge and then offered up all that contingency money it was a no brain'er to stay with them. 

 

 

As an aside (mini hijack):  I fail to understand how BEST = "faster tire that wears out sooner"...  How is that superior to one that is almost as fast but lasts longer and from what I'm told is cheaper? 

• I'd guess the problem is that BEST is an subjective term.
• To me BEST is cheapest price for longest life, performance is not even important to me since all competitors are on the same tire thus is dealing with the same issues.

I don't need or want opinions from anyone within this thread, but I just don't understand the logic that universally deems one tire better than another.

[john mueller]

I'm curious to see if this will bring more SM's to NASA-SE. SCCA SE has huge turnouts, but we only see single digits in NASA. If we had more, we could push Jim P. for our own run group and get away from those $#$@ Thunder Roadsters. 

 

 

Jason;

IM me your contact info, I'm sure we could but something together to present to Jim....

[Caveman-kwebb99]

 

I don't need or want opinions from anyone within this thread, but I just don't understand the logic that universally deems one tire better than another.

 

 

Its like jeans johnboy... I go with the abercrombie jeans at 5x the cost, becasue my butt looks better that makes the jeans better, then my wife wants to check out my butt! btw my abercrombie jeans dont take as many HC's as my levis.

[Jim Drago]

As an aside (mini hijack):  I fail to understand how BEST = "faster tire that wears out sooner"...  How is that superior to one that is almost as fast but lasts longer and from what I'm told is cheaper?

• I'd guess the problem is that BEST is an subjective term.
• To me BEST is cheapest price for longest life, performance is not even important to me since all competitors are on the same tire thus is dealing with the same issues.

I don't need or want opinions from anyone within this thread, but I just don't understand the logic that universally deems one tire better than another.

I think you misunderstood my quote.. Best ( atleast IMO has little or nothing to do with Speed) I also have ZERO to do with SCCA tire decision,( that is a BOD decision) no more or less than every other member who will fill out a survey. I also think there are some opinions on Toyo durability in your post, while I don't know for a certainity, I am hearing similar wearissues with the Toyos as I am hearing with the Hoosiers.

If tires were open, there is no contest in which is faster ( better) by this definition. But with all on the same tire.. The definition of Best or Better for a a spec class is not the same as "best tire"( IMO)

Best for spec tire (IMO)

8-12 USUABLE cycles( meaning I would race a 10 cycle tire without questions)
reasonable priced tires
trackside support
a tire that does not benefit from shaving
reasonable amount of grip ( not a complete rock)

IMO neither of the current Spec tires are "best" for SM and both could and should address some of these concerns for the benefit of the class.

[Jason J Ball]

Jball you will be seeing more of me next year at NASA SE!  made that decision as I rolled out of bed today...  Gives me an excuse to race a track that brought me to my knees every time i have been there.  

 

We'd love to have you here in the SE. I'm sure Nash would love having someone who might be able to keep up. Me, I'm just trying to get consistent. Ran my fastest lap ever at CMP 1:54.8 on 15 HC RR's. I think I've finally figured out how to drive them. But I don't think they have much left in them.

 

As for Road Atlanta, I don't pretend to think I have a shot a winning in August seeing as I haven't broke 1:50 there. But I've been wanting to run the Champs as soon as it was close enough. Here's my opportunity.