Perspective from a potential new driver in the class.
I have always been a fan of F1600 and I am actively looking into getting it. I'd would mainly do regional, majors, and if become decently fast, would venture in a couple FRP races a year. I don't own an FC yet.
As someone coming from Miata and endurance racing, Champcar, It is just silly how often the engine has to be open (head refresh, bottom rebuild) and the money that needs to be spent just to keep the engine running. That is money that could be used for more races or developing the chassis.
I always wondered why there isn't more people racing F1600 or FF at least in the East Coast. Touring classes and Spec Ford have huge grids but F1600 is waaaay more fun to drive.
My perception is that most people coming from those classes will not put up the cost and amount of work to keep those engine running. Most of the season cost comes from consumables and logistics. Engine and transmission work are done in very long intervals. Modern engines are just better and people are used to it. Also, chassis part cost is high in case of upgrades and or crashes.
What is not to love about an engine that you have an extremely low running cost and low maintenance effort?
There is a reason all pro level and runoff cars are Honda. It is not just performance, cost is the main driver! Once the engine is build, you don't have to rely on the engine builder so much. And I am not adding all the other auxiliary failures. There is no discussion about that.
It appears to me that the gripe behind the Honda vs Kent are:
- For those with Kent chassis, conversion cost is still high for most grassroots/regional level guys. Also, It is a pretty involved conversion.
- Complete Honda cars don't come by for sale often and when it is available prices are high for regional level. Maybe when more older cars start to trickle down to the used marked, regional racers could adopt more Hondas.
- Engine builders may not like this engine so much it is reduces their market, but there is plenty historic folks out there.
- Honda situation may have spooked a few people from making the conversion.
To me a Honda package still makes way more sense.
Happy holidays.