70 replies to this topic

[Michael Novak]

Way too early to normally talk about these events but given the current (Replace head with stock head  OR Some unknown weight penalty that will be SEVERE) I am close to skipping it. Getting machine work done past the 15th(Supposedly the new date for rules?) and reassembled in time to get everything to Florida over the Christmas break is looking unlikely.... I was looking for to some ROVAL practice at Homestead....

 

 

What's the general consciences?   

 

 

 

 

[Jim Drago]

As of right now, we are the fence. 

The more I think of it, the more reasons I come up with to stay home and the less I think of to load up and come down. 

[Danica Davison]

Myself and all the Autotechnik boys should be there

[Jim Creighton]

OK, assuming that the world does not end between today and January 7th, how would the SM guys feel about a parking area reserved for them at Homestead? I've been asked to help with the paddock parking at Homestead and could reserve an area for SM. And if you think it is a good idea, I could suggest this to the paddock chief at Sebring. And if it does happen and you like it, we could do the same for Road Atlanta.

 

On another note, for those of you in Divisions that have a spread out schedule with miles to drive, you have the option of joining SEDiv and racing out of the SEDiv Conference in 2015. With the Double at Sebring & Homestead, you would only need to enter, Atlanta, VIR, Summit Point or Nola to be eligible for the Runoffs provided you get the minimum required points. Once the requirements are announced, check this as an option to towing extra miles. Plus, we run our races in the cooler parts of the year. All you need to do is change your SCCA region of record to any SEDiv Region such as Atlanta, Central Florida, Florida, North Carolina, etc.

[wheel]

You don't need to change your Region to race for the SE Majors Championship and to use those races to qualify for the Runoffs.  You only need to change your region if you intend on getting your invitation through a Divisional system, not through the Majors Conference.

[Jim Creighton]

Right! My bad. But to be conference Champion, only races in the Conference count. Many in SW and MW could take advantage of the two Florida Majors, the NOLA and Road Atlanta to get 4 races toward the Conference Championship. However, I'm not sure a conference championship carried much in 2014. We give jackets, plaques, etc for Divisional Champions in SEDiv. I'm not sure what National did for the conference champions. Gold ring would have been nice.

 

We have not seen the approval of our Divisional plan yet, but it does include races at all tracks including Daytona. That plan does not require Majors races. And that series would require SEDiv membership. Those series races do not get started until March so their would be time to switch.

 

While I'm at it, if you want to come run Daytona for the two Regional weekends scheduled there, you can go to sedivracing.org and apply for a permanent number. That way, you can reserve your number for all the Division races including Daytona and the Majors. The numbers form is on the main page along with number that were assigned in 2014. Try to reserve one not used in 2014. I expect some of the fields at Daytona to be full. Pain in the neck to change numbers even if it is the leading (1). We do reserve leading 1 numbers such as 100.

[Mike Collins]

Jim, I'm thinking abut running my T4 in the SE and my other car in the NE.  Our Spec Miata's are staying parked until the rules get worked out...

[wheel]

Majors conference championship results in a very nice trophy.  No jacket and no patch, either of which would be welcome. 

[Waterboy]

Our Spec Miata's are staying parked until the rules get worked out...

And maybe even after

[Blake Clements]

Undecided.

[Craig Berry]

Really sad, not looking good for Sebring. This is my favorite event of the year, always lots of cars, starting a new year, and Sebring is my favorite track for one reason.....you can pass or get passed in all 17 turns, not just a couple of passing zones. Truly a thinking mans track.
Even if we got a decision today it would be hard to get all of our cars prepped and ready. My thoughts also go to if its going to be hard for us to get ready it would be difficult for everyone else, unless they say F IT, I am running what I am running.
Overall just a sad situation. Maybe by March this will all be worked out so all the "cheaters" who ran so close in the Majors last year can have some fun again.

[Ron Alan]

Maybe something has changed Craig...but on Nov 6th Jim wrote this...

 

http://mazdaracers.c...-the-positives/

 

 

Worst case is you ad a little weight to the car.  Either way you will miss your favorite event of the year? 

 

Hopefully things shake out sooner than later but in the meantime I hope all dont stay home because of(worst case)a little weight. Hell, the holidays are right around the corner...EAT up and enjoy! No changes necessary

[James York]

 

 

Worst case is you ad a little weight to the car.  Either way you will miss your favorite event of the year? 

 

 

Add a little weight???  I don't think so.  The SCCA release basically said you would be saddled with enough penalty weight to "encourage" a prompt swap to stock heads.  Meaning, you will be penalized with so much weight to not be competitive at an event with the talent Sebring draws. 

[Craig Berry]

Ron, yes Jim and all of the team agree that when we show up we will be 100%, just like he stated....adding wt. to the car that will later not be Runoff compliant is Not 100% in our eyes. Also, the stigma would still exist that you could not have won any other way.... really just not worth it when you know how much time is put on driving practice, good set ups, tire pressures, and studying tracks and the competitors at the tracks. Bottom line, who knows what everyone will show up with, but I will be miss this one more than the rest.

[Michael Novak]

Maybe something has changed Craig...but on Nov 6th Jim wrote this...

 

http://mazdaracers.c...-the-positives/

 

 

Worst case is you ad a little weight to the car.  Either way you will miss your favorite event of the year? 

 

Hopefully things shake out sooner than later but in the meantime I hope all dont stay home because of(worst case)a little weight. Hell, the holidays are right around the corner...EAT up and enjoy! No changes necessary

Ron--I think things have changed as it all has had time to sink in...   What has been proposed just doesn't make sense---at least to me and I think many others are not spending any more money until it really gets sorted out too. I have 3 engines--2 cars and a spare engine.  $6000 or so to change over to a completely new rule that was planned out in a matter of days.....The old rule---which appears to have worked fine as they DQed people for it, was based on all of the years SM racing. Rash decisions are many times BAD....

 

 

ALSO------- They have made it clear---It will not be a little weight! 

 

Homestead-Sebring is a $5000-6000 cost between entry-fuel-flights-etc....    Too much money to drive around in circles carrying a passenger worth of weight...

[Ron Alan]

Well James, since we dont know yet maybe its better to expect the worst and hope for the best? It has been said many times, the beauty of SM is no matter where you are, you always have someone to race. But for the record, I dont see the top guys dropping back 20 spots(after weigh penalty) over a guy with a junkyard motor and mediocre setup. Wont many be in the same position anyways...asuming all in the top 20 at least have plunge cuts?

 

If a no show is really because you(I'm speaking to all east coast guys here) are giving the finger to SCCA,NASA and Mazda for a "RASH" decision then just say so. They will hear you.

 

If your decision is because you dont want to finish lower than where you normally do or feel you should finish...is this not an indication of sorts of why we are at where we are at??

 

 

Listen...my comment to Craig was an attempt to be encouraging. If everyone cries chicken little it might in the end have a worse effect on the class than what the current decision has done(hopefully a temporary feeling). I like what Jim wrote and hoping at least him and his team adhere to their goal. If they show up, my guess is others will follow. All we can do right now is race what we have! 

 

Danny has posted a few times with this same sentiment...lets just get out there!

[Johnny D]

https://www.youtube....h?v=WO4tIrjBDkk

J~

[Craig Berry]

LOL, Johnny that is awesome. After watching that, and since we do not know the rules, I am ready to add 500lbs, find a 1.6 in a junk yard, put a cage a seat in it, and drive my A off at every Majors event this year! SM and T4!

[James York]

 

 

.... If everyone cries chicken little it might in the end have a worse effect on the class than what the current decision has done(hopefully a temporary feeling). I like what Jim wrote and hoping at least him and his team adhere to their goal. If they show up, my guess is others will follow. All we can do right now is race what we have! 

 

 

Ron,

 

The damage is done.  You have seen the posts, spec camber ideas, lets take the class back 10 years, etc...... a lot of horn blowing and sky is falling....

 

Right now I imagine a lot of people are sitting waiting until something definite comes out.  I for one would be very upset if I spent the time and effort to get a stock head then to only have the actually rule come out to something similar to 2014.  So I will just sit on my hands for now.

 

Yes, I realize I could run my 2014 head with penalty weight if it was non-compliant in 2015, but I don't race Majors to just run laps (waste more money in addition to having to get a factory head).  But that is just me, everyone needs to do what is best for them.  But with 6 weeks to go and no set rules, that is pretty tough on competitors.

[Ron Alan]

Are we going to LIVE or DIE...I say LIVE!!!

 

Pretty good one for a Donkey