Only 8 Cars in FF 2023 SCCA Runoffs-What's Up

[rickd]

Only 8 Cars in FF 2023 SCCA Runoffs-What's Up

I know it was while ago, but I caught 2023 SCCA Runoffs on YouTube tonite, and I was shock to see only 8 Cars in the FF final. What's Up, why have runoff #'s fallen off so much. I would expect 15-20 mln., where is everyone?

[Richard Hybels]

Pretty long haul to Virginia from the West Coast. But the class seems to be fading whereas the vintage FF fields are 25-35 out here in the San Francisco region.
Indy would draw more for sure.

[problemchild]

Other threads have been discussing this. Some vintage grids have 30+ cars. FRP has 25+ car fields. The Canadian fields are decent. Between SCCA management and multi-class racing, FF people are not interested in spending their time with SCCA. Similar situation with FA and FV (which is much stronger in regional areas with non-SCCA organization). The proverbial barn door is open and the time on the outside is being enjoyed. This is also happening in other closed top classes where there are Pro options. People would rather run 40th position at a TA2 event than be on the podium at the Runoffs in GT1.

Decisions for the class that were made in the 80s and 90s have left us with $100K FFs for the last 2 decades. It is not the fault of Ford, Honda, Goodyear, Hoosier, OZ, Panasport, Ivy, Loyning, Quicksilver, Penske, Ohlin, Aim, Citation, Piper, Mygale, prepshops, etc. I can assure you that people racing at these other Series love the class and the racing. They are celebrating the experience. It is the outsiders, former participants, and current FF racers without access to the other options, who are crying in their corn flakes. Spec tires and engine parity has made the racing better, and stabilized the costs, but I don't see other achievable improvements or corrections in our future. All we can do is go racing where we want to go, and enjoy the experience for as long as we can!

[E1pix]

Sometimes it sucks to read and know the truth.

Sometimes truth makes us feel lucky for what we had.

Here’s to rebuilding what we had, even if it’s different.


Edit: We spectated at VIR, and it was sad to think back to the ‘70s into the ‘80s. But the cars there were all quick, and next year at a more-central track will look better — but healthy field issue likely unsolved

[rickd]

Decisions for the class that were made in the 80s and 90s have left us with $100K FFs for the last 2 decades.

This is what I imagined the issue was. In early 70's a competitive used FF was $1200-1500, $3500 new ($8500 & $24,500
inflation adjusted). Those were the days of 40-50 car grids...it was also peak baby boom. It seems those cars of the 70's are still pulling big grids.