2012 FCRA Car Configuration Rules

Thanks John, at least we know how to prepare.

I'm still baffled by the fear of aftermarket shocks on 430s, but it's not that big a deal.

Looking forward to 2012. I'll make as many races as possible.

Has a calendar been published?

Mark

 

Whoops, I may have written too soon. What does this mean^ ?

 

+1 Great job and thank you listening, even when we (OK, I) became annoying.

For weight, Rob has a point. I suspect most of the car are under the original spec right now, expecially since lightening was an option in 2011. I'm sure the intent is not to have 90% of the cars add ballast, so maybe some others can post their weight to provide the BOD some guidance?

Drivers, we need to help the Board if they are to help us. Please provide some feedback to help them set the right weight.

 

Did you forget the steel brake conversion, or is that not permitted on the 430s?

As I read it, only aero mods can be done without a penalty, right?

Thanks John, helps to have the rules finalized as early as possible. I support what you're doing.

Now we need as much of that schedule as you can release!

PS Can we revise min weight to be the weight of a stock challenge car plus wing and splitter plus, say, um, 200 pounds?

 

John, as the owner of a car with now outlawed mods like the shocks, I'm not sure I think an exhibition class is a great idea, for one reason: for the show. It would be nice for the overall winner to be in the points class. It may end up that way in any event, but obviously with sufficiently ambitious mods that becomes unlikely. I don't know how others with mods feel, but as long as your engine and gearbox are stock, why not run for points?

 

Great job BOD! Thanks for all your hard work, time and consideration. I really feel that this will make for really great competition, fun and good controlled evolution for these older cars. Can't wait for March!

 

It would be nice if the minimum weights or weight penalties took into account the weight of the driver since some of our pilots are over 200lbs and some are 150 lbs. However, I'm not overly worried about this and I also applaud the work of the BOD. I'm happy and looking forward to 2012.

 

Nonsense! In Challenge it is the car without driver, and it's all about being consistent with Challenge, right???

Just kidding. Either way is fine, just let us know what the final weights, and adjustments, are going to be.

Mark

 

I think we should only count car's weight. If we really care about each other and our friendships we should promote physical fitness and provide extra incentive to hit the gym. And I assure you this is completely unrelated to me being short, thin, and balding (I go all out to save weight!)

After accounting for my bad gas gauge, I now estimate my car's current weight to be 2,850 lbs without driver, fuel, or cool box. I am adding a front splitter, so that probably puts me back to 2,870 or so.

I think this comfortably puts me at the bottom of the weight range. If we assume 180 lbs for the average driver, I'll have to ballast for that gap also.

Please don't abuse me with too high a weight. My car is too pretty to muck up with ugly lead weights and all of Paul's hard work adding carbon panels will be for naught.

 

Finally an incentive to attract 2000calory burgers to our tracks! I believe the Challenge manual spec was 2983 w/o driver. When I asked SCCA why they were so hot on weight as a tech pass/fail requirement with a driver their answer was purely practical. It's difficult to get as many as 20 cars across the scales and tech'd in impound withing the typical 40 mins allotted if the drivers have to get out of the cars. They mill around and get social and there is always the risk of a helmet being in or not being in the car.

But it's clearly unfair on those with a robust frame. Of course to some extent they are precluded from driving these cars as too much bulk makes entry and exit a potentially long term event !

 

More 355 weights from the other thread, all with no driver and no fuel:

Colin 2956

Greg 2850 (and he has a front spoiler already so the lightweight belt belongs to Greg)


BTW, for those who have not lightened there cars at all, there is a noticable difference (savings) with regards to tire wear and brake pads.

 

I also have no passenger seat but that weight is with a full cool suit box which I always use.

Rob you were about 2940 with the same fuel?

 

John: one of the rules that you may want to clarify at some point is that of lights. The rules are silent about the availability of headlights but in the 355 class most of us have removed the motors, the cans and the lamps and these are NLA. You mentioned to us at some point that a partial night race might be in our future! So the need for these should be notified when you have that information.

 

Running summary, to keep things in one place

Rob Cohen 2870 (included expected addition of splitter)
Rob Lay 2950 (estimated, please verify if possible)
Colin 2950
Greg 2850
Original Spec 2981

 

John, Colin brings up an interesting point when he mentions SCCA's policy on weight - How do you intend to manage tech inspections to verify weights?

PCA and NASA both calculate weight with driver, and they do tech inspections IMMEDIATELY after quali and a race. We go straight from the track over to the tech area and get in line to roll across the scales. We do not get out of the car and we do not go to the garage first.

It sounds like SCCA's process allows for a car to be brought to tech by the crew instead of the driver.

So for FCRA, the Board must decide if they want the drivers in the car bringing the cars to tech themselves (immediately after a race) or if they want a process and rule set to allow the crew to do it. Weighing with drivers is the most 'fair' and offers the closest competition while weighing without drivers is an easier process and allows the responsibility to shift from the driver to the crew.

The Board should decide based on these factors.