Class Discussion

I think the answer to this thread, as you also pointed out, is a real lack of rational thought behind peoples reasons for picking a class.

Also, I was looking to get into FM at one point. Then I became aware of FE. For me that was a no brainer for three reasons.
1. Fuel injected. No thanks to messing around with a carb :(
2. Proven engine/gear box reliability. No thanks to Rotory power.
3. Although there are other more technical reasons, number 3 has to be looks. Put the two side by side..... no comparison. :D

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Originally Posted by dsmithwc04

I think the answer to this thread, as you also pointed out, is a real lack of rational thought behind peoples reasons for picking a class.

Also, I was looking to get into FM at one point. Then I became aware of FE. For me that was a no brainer for three reasons.
1. Fuel injected. No thanks to messing around with a carb :(
2. Proven engine/gear box reliability. No thanks to Rotory power.
3. Although there are other more technical reasons, number 3 has to be looks. Put the two side by side..... no comparison. :D

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Amen on #3. A car dealer once told me that almost everyone researches their purchase to death until they get to the showroom, then buy with their eyes.

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Originally Posted by DanW

Amen on #3. A car dealer once told me that almost everyone researches their purchase to death until they get to the showroom, then buy with their eyes.

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My dad was a salesman for a big dealer. He said the same exact thing. The car people would pick had more to do with the salesman and the weather outside at the time of purchase than it ever did on what the customers thought they needed.

Here is my $0.02 as someone who as been a participant in the FE class since before it had national status.

SCCA hasn't exactly been all it could for the class. I am not referencing Enterprise as they have always done all they are capable of with the budget they have to work with. And all things considered, they do a nice job on behalf of the FE participants. I am talking about the club legislators. While the class was still in its somewhat infancy stage and growing in popularity, along comes the FB concept and they are immediately granted a class and national status without having to do the preliminary groundwork in the regional arena like the FE was required to do. So now this new, very attractive entry FE class (and a perfect transition for young kart racers to move up to) had competition. And in my opinion (and I am probably going to get some feedback about it), the FB platform is much like a DSR with less body work. So I am not sure what void SCCA was trying to fill by setting up a FB program. The car counts in the FB class have never been very strong (at least here in the Midwest) and if there is some dissatisfaction brewing because of cost and other objections, the car count doesn't look like it is going to get better any time soon, if ever.

So in spite of the distraction, FE forges on in popularity and participation, albeit slowly. And now again, SCCA establishes another formula car class (this time a pro format that is yet to be tested here in the USA) for FE to compete with. And the target for participation is? Again, the entry level people, particularly the younger ones.

The FE class owes most of its success here in the Midwest to Steve Stadel and One Formula Racing. Steve has taken the lead in promoting the class and his first season promoting an FE season within the SCCA Majors schedule in 2015 was a major success in attracting interest and participation. In my opinion, we all owe Steve our gratitude.

As far as the cost of a car is concerned, I disagree with the sentiment that a competitive car cannot be had for less than $45,000. If the reference was to a car, trailer, and a full array of spares including wings, nose cones etc., then I could agree with that. But for the car alone, a good one can be had for much less, unless something has recently changed in a big way.

One other thing that I belief hurts our FE class a bit is a dislike among many for a spec racer format. Let's face it; there are plenty of people who just can't be satisfied with knowing they did their best and gave their car a good drive. They want to win from the get-go even if it means paying a fortune to win a class with few entries. And even our FE class has suffered a bit from new, young drivers who have left the class after a year or two because they couldn't dominate. I don't think there is much anyone or any organization can do about this though. It's just seems to be the way things are going.

All in all, the FE class is in my opinion is the fastest, best racing, most fun formula car class for the money and the time required to participate. The car itself is a brute by formula car standards and capable of lots of track time between major work requirements. A great car, good participants, and people like One Formula Racing who help the new people get orientated and up to speed makes for a nice program.

Well said, Carl.

Any chance of getting you back in this year? I think you'd really like the racing with the car counts we've been seeing........:thumbsup:


....and I promise not to drop any more oil when you're around!:meatball:

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Originally Posted by dsmithwc04

I think the answer to this thread, as you also pointed out, is a real lack of rational thought behind peoples reasons for picking a class. :D

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So basically, in your opinion, a lot of us are irrational? You're not the first to decide this. I am surprised you continue to engage such people.

We road race open wheeled formula cars so I suppose you are correct.

Jim

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Originally Posted by Jim Nash

So basically, in your opinion, a lot of us are irrational? You're not the first to decide this. I am surprised you continue to engage such people.

We road race open wheeled formula cars so I suppose you are correct.

Jim

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Jim, prior to your post I wasn't even aware of you personally. However, I am miffed at how you could take a generalized statement, of which I am most certainly not alone in having such an opinion, and then take it as an attack on you personally. Surely, in this world we live in, you have grown thicker skin than that?

Let me clear the air right now. I have met more friendly and helpful people at the race track than anywhere else I've ever spent much time around with large groups of people. However, we are all human and we all have a great amount of potential to make some bonehead decisions. I am not an exception to this fact.

Yes, I believe there have been many irrational decisions made by folks when deciding to take up racing and choosing which car to run.

No, I had no intentional of personally attacking you in that statement I made that you quoted and labeling you as irrational... However, is it not little irrational to take offense to a statement made by some guy on the internet that had no reference to you at all?

Hello Marshall. I am planning to be back to the class after running only one event last year, that being Blackhawk. I am not sure to what extent yet. That will have to depend on a car being available for me at the events I can make. We'll see.

Looking back on it, I now wish I would have been a little more patient before backing away for a bit. Steve Stadel did such a nice job promoting the class and series. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and there is no question that the car counts per event in Cen-Div were much higher than in past years. I sure missed being a part of it. I also missed attending the season wrap up get-together at the One Formula Racing facility. I found the invite in my laptop's spam folder two weeks after the event.

As far as the oil drop is concerned, what do you mean by "when you are around"? Just asking.

All the best for a nice 2016 to you and the entire FE crowd!

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Originally Posted by dsmithwc04

Jim, prior to your post I wasn't even aware of you personally. However, I am miffed at how you could take a generalized statement, of which I am most certainly not alone in having such an opinion, and then take it as an attack on you personally. Surely, in this world we live in, you have grown thicker skin than that?

Let me clear the air right now. I have met more friendly and helpful people at the race track than anywhere else I've ever spent much time around with large groups of people. However, we are all human and we all have a great amount of potential to make some bonehead decisions. I am not an exception to this fact.

Yes, I believe there have been many irrational decisions made by folks when deciding to take up racing and choosing which car to run.

No, I had no intentional of personally attacking you in that statement I made that you quoted and labeling you as irrational... However, is it not little irrational to take offense to a statement made by some guy on the internet that had no reference to you at all?

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I did not take it personally. I actually agreed with you. Once again, sorry I miffed you. It is not hard to do.

Jim

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Originally Posted by Carl Przyborowski

Hello Marshall. I am planning to be back to the class after running only one event last year, that being Blackhawk. I am not sure to what extent yet. That will have to depend on a car being available for me at the events I can make. We'll see.

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If you need a car for an event I'm not going to run, we could absolutely put you in mine.

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As far as the oil drop is concerned, what do you mean by "when you are around"? Just asking.

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OK. Maybe just Turn 5 at Road America when we're running close together. Just crazy dumb luck, I guess. I feel like I still owe you one after spraying transmission oil in your face at the Runoffs a few years ago.....

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All the best for a nice 2016 to you and the entire FE crowd!

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Same to you - see you at the track!

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Originally Posted by Jim Nash

I did not take it personally. I actually agreed with you. Once again, sorry I miffed you. It is not hard to do.

Jim

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Some folks just can't take a joke. I chuckled at your 1st post.

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Originally Posted by Drew 13

Some folks just can't take a joke. I chuckled at your 1st post.

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Sarcasm doesnt always come through very well and can easily be taken out of context when written and not spoken.. Im just glad this thread wasnt derailed by folks who dont even compete in FE.... oh wait...