2012 FCRA Minimum Vehicle Weights

It appears this new controversey is because Rob forgot the weight of his own car. The figure actually ended up being 61 lbs lighter than the original challenge weight, as published in the 1997 Challenge Manual, not Rob's car.

The rule came in only 20 lbs lower than Rob's car. Here is Rob's quote describing his own car in the previous thread on this topic:

"2960 1/8 fuel, oil, splitter/wing, passenger seat, no seat windows, weld cage, fire system, no driver cooling (*******!) "

Take away his fuel and he is at 2940. Take away his front splitter, passenger seat, and welded-in cage and he would need to add ballast.

Why is the weight 61 lbs lower than the original weight? Dealer converted cars arrived in the US with full EPA/Safety equipment installed. They had the same doors as street cars with operating glass windows and support structure. They had catalytic converters. They had working, motorized headlight buckets. I even think the air bags may have been in place. None of these things belong on a race car. (Maybe headlights, but not for the series we run and not motorized units)

Every car in this series will be in shouting distance of 2920. Heavy cars can drop if they decide to and light cars can add ballast without too much hardship. It's called a compromise.

 

Rob:

No, I do not prefer rules developed with less input.

My comment was based upon the suggestion of something I believe you should realize: public internet forums are sometimes influenced by a lack of decorum and become pissing matches . Points like here (were I agree on your principles get lost and the posts instead can be influenced by the tone).

I asked you to help me to join a sub committee to research 355 weights and give me advice. If you pass on that, maybe you can take it easy on me if the board decides in a way you don't like.

I'm sorry you didn't take my invitation to heart or request for assistance. I've relied upOn your teams resources to help determine weights.

 

Actually There are quite a few 355 running the whole series this year. It's going to be an exciting class.

I have new information about a new organization body. That will start handling the rapid growth of the series.

For all of the constructive advice and those that have helpped me in good faith with a very difficult job, I thank you.

 

+1,000!

 

I am planning on being at the races that are scheduled so far. But when is the schedule going to be final?!?

 

I'm good for the 3 confirmed dates - Sebring, Homestead, and NOLA. If Round 2 is Daytona in April, I will miss that one with a work conflict. Round 3 TBD once the schedule is out.

Rob, which ones do you think you will do? I was hoping to chase you around at least a couple of times next year. Bummer that Onofrio won't be out, hopefully he still makes a couple when he has an open date.

Outside of the FCRA, I will also race my 996 in Houston at the end of January with NASA and proabably one PCA race somewhere. I'd also like to get one in at TWS as well. The NASA and PCA races at Cresson both conflict with an FCRA race. Two chances to literally race in my backyard and I will miss them both!

 

I don't think Melissa ever got any direction from John and simply sent out the same language from 2011. I replied to her, pointing out the discrepency, and she referred the note back to John for clarification. I assume Melissa will send out a correction after she speaks with John.

 

Why would I need a second guy?

 

That's easy because we all know your car is so heavy and those numbers you posted are to psych us out

 

If you guys start adding weight to peoples cars, Its not a good idea.

As I stated before, the 355 class was very evenly matched last year. The drivers made the difference not the cars, IMO.

When drivers start politicking about the rules. It puts are real damper on the series. It's not really worth it at this level. I have enough drama in my day job. I do this for fun. I have stated before in my past post it's not a good idea to go down the SCCA, NASA,ALMS or Grand-am path.

FCRA was in my opinion an alternative to the track days. Instead of going to a track day with random cars, you could drive in a gentlemen's Ferrari racing series for about the same money.

I think John has done an excellent job so far, playing the balancing act, but the stakes are getting higher, the drivers are spending more money/time, and ego's are growing. I hope the fun factor still remains alive in the series.

 

Just got the numbers back from the scaling of #23......

I am in at 2944 with 1/4 tank of fuel. Add me in and I am right in the ball park.

Seal replacements and a bad exhaust valve have eaten my budget for the shocks, but I will accept donations to my PayPal account. Let me know if anyone is interested.

 

You are right on the number. Congrats. I have taken some weight out by dumping as much of the remaining interior as possible but without fabricating a new dash, my options are limited. The biggest loss was by removing all the door internals except the locks.

 

I don't have number yet but we weighed 35 lbs of door and interior trim. And there was another 5 lbs of hood seals and headlining with the trim pieces. In theory that drops me to 3155 with 5 gallons. As a pilot I have a real problem with low fuel levels. Always thinking about the pilots most useless resources:
The fuel in the bowser
The runway behind you, and
The airspace above

 

Colin, I think you are overestimating your car's weight or still including things like the cool box and air blower, which are certainly optional. I had your car at 2950, with no gas, no cool box, and no driver. Subtracting the 40 lbs you just took out I bet you are at the class minimum with an empty tank plus driver before adding back in your creature comforts.

There is absolutely no reason to finish with 5 gallons, we need to knock the good sense of a pilot out of you. We should be able to accurately calculate fuel burn in practice and plan to finish with 1-2 gallons above the fuel pick-up min. That is still a healthy margin considering that 1 gallon is 2-3 laps in a 355 and our races are only 12-15 laps long. Thats still a huge margin of error!

Let's get you on my scales again this weekend with an empty tank and no box. We'll put you in the driver's seat with full gear and if you are more than 10 lbs over 3100 the next visit to the Lodge is on me.

 

Ron's car is being rebuilt yet again! Scary to think it might be even quicker. ST2 should be a VERY competitive class this year, a few of the fast GTS4 guys are defecting in that direction and they also continue to develop their cars with no budget in site.

ST2 will be the new GTS4. If you don't come with a better car than the one you had at the last event you will be left behind.

 

I put my car on a diet these last few weeks - new year resolution and all that ! Actually its not so difficult. It was prompted by the fact that I needed a new windscreen. I had a bunch of nicks in mine which from experience and the uninhibited budget perspective of Universal, I was encouraged to replace it. Turns out that a Lexan screeen is about 40% of the cost of a replacement, and 20% of a FNA cost. So that went in and saved 10 lbs. Then I removed every interior piece that could be pried out except the carbon door panels and the central console and dash. The latter 2 are too expensive to rewire even though the weight saving could be 30 lbs. I also replaced my wing with a lighter one, saving 5 lbs.

The result is that I have shed 50 lbs. I was 3160 dry (nil fuel, all other fluids, driver and ice) and now I am 3087, or 13 under with zero fuel. Since I am unlikely to finish with LESS than 2 gallons (being an ex pilot and all that) I am right were I need to be. For tougher types, I have a 27 lb reserve in there for the ice box. So the fact is guys anyone can make weight for this series because other than doing some obvious things, the car still looks just like it did last year and I did not even begin to approach the sort of investment that Scott and probably others have made. Based on what they have done, without ice, they could be as low as 2970.