FC/F2000 Ad Hoc Committee
The CRB is seeking persons who would be interested in serving on an Ad Hoc Committee to address issues concerning the future and growth of the FC class. It would be anticipated that the group will conduct its business once a month via conference call. If you are interested please send a brief note with pertinent background information via the SCCA letter system - crb@scca.com
Thanks,
John
Fc ad-hoc
All,
The CRB has received notes from several people who are interested in joining the FC ad-hoc committee, thank you! Honestly however we could use a few more. The primary focus of the committee will be directed at the health and both short and long term growth (future) of the class. I think we can all agree that FC/F2000 is at a cross roads and unless participation improves the existence of the class, in a form as we currently know it, is doubtful.
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
FRP has done an excellent job of running pro races however their success and other circumstances has led to a significant decline in FC participation within SCCA. SCCA needs FRP and FRP needs SCCA, it is a symbiotic relationship.
Unless the FC exhibits enough participants to warrant a "place at the table", it can easily be pushed aside in favor of another class which will produce the numbers. To be viable in the long term FC needs to continue to exist as a recognized SCCA Runoffs class. This not only provides a place for new participants who do not want to jump into the deep end of pro competition, but it also provides a nationally recognized rule set and differentiates the class from other "one-off" pro classes that come and go at the whim of the promoter. It also provides the opportunity to crown a National Champion, which remains a significant achievement. There are a multitude of other reasons, but the last one I will mention relates to your pocketbook. While no race car of the type we are dealing with can be considered much of an investment, the fact the car is recognized as SCCA Runoffs eligible helps to stabilize its value to some extent. Perhaps some day these cars will prove to be more valuable as vintage slugs, but for now it seems this attribute is worth consideration.
HOW CAN THIS COMMITTEE HELP?
While attending the recent SCCA National Convention I was able to speak with a gentleman who helped the B-Spec class with their participation numbers. For point of reference B-Spec was recently slated for elimination due to lack of participation. A few interested persons stepped forward and began efforts to grow the class. In 2018 B-Spec ranked 16th in participation at Runoffs; in 2019 the class jumped to 6th. They tout that every month over 2 new B-Spec cars are being built! There was nothing groundbreaking about what was done by their group to grow the class; it is pure common sense communication and community building. This is something that FC has, in my opinion been devoid of since Mike Rand and Mike (Purple Frog) Eakin took a leave of absence. And while B-Spec is a far cry from FC/F2000 I have no reason to think that these same efforts won't (again) be successful if properly employed. This time however it is going to take us all; no longer do we have, or can we count on one or two persons to publicize and motivate the troops.
SO HOW DO WE DO THIS?
Frank Schwartz, one of the architects of the B-Spec growth project, has tentatively agreed to be a part of the committee. Frank's day job is running a company that specializes in customer engagement, event management and business development for many automotive based companies. Once Frank explains these simple concepts of engagement, each of us can take the reins and begin to make things happen. This is really cool, simple stuff!
One of the things that was mentioned in Frank's presentation was social media postings. Each of the members of the B-Spec group was tasked with posting about their race weekends or car related projects. Those posts drew interest and helped to promote the class to others. It started small, but quickly grew. They also heavily promoted mentoring new participants. It goes without saying that we need to be welcoming to others and embrace the people who are looking at FC as a possible class. We (the old guard) need to provide assistance whenever possible. With the diminished FC fields in SCCA no longer can a "newbie" go find one of the veterans to help them solve a problem at the track. Setting up these informal mentoring programs through social media will help to ease entry for new participants and hopefully grow the field.
WHAT DO WE NEED?
We need FC/F2000 participants from across the country to join the committee and become a "cheerleader" for the class and contribute by participating rather than acting as snipers. No, FC isn't perfect, neither is SCCA. This is all volunteer "for the love of the sport" stuff. I'd much rather be working on my car, kart or doing something else than to be on calls, but I have done what I think is best for the class and SCCA and will continue to do so. I hope you will join in, this is your opportunity. Your opportunity to have a voice in the future of the class and to help to re-establish FC as one of the best open wheel classes in the world.
WHAT WILL THIS ENTAIL?
I expect that the committee will meet via teleconference once a month. I would expect the calls to be 90 minutes or less in time; normally on a weekday evening. What time you contribute outside of the calls to advancing the program will be up to you.
Thanks for taking the time to read and consider this opportunity. If you are interested please drop a note into the letter system: https://www.crbscca.com/
Best Regards,
John
Last edited by John LaRue; 02.19.20 at 9:47 AM.
Hi John, I have tried to send a note to that address, What pray tell, is the scca letter system?? Don't they use regular email?
Skip Weld
Skip, go toOriginally Posted by Skip Weld
www.crbscca.com
Thanks ... Jay Novak
313-445-4047
On my 54th year as an SCCA member
with a special thanks to every SCCA worker (NONE OF US WOULD RACE WITHOUT THE WORKERS)
It should actually be submitted to the letter system here:
https://www.crbscca.com/
"vintage slugs" Thanks John.
No disrespect intended...I resemble that...
I try to post photos on Instagram every week, greatlakeschampionship, I do get less frequent during the winter. If anyone wants to send me racing photos I'll post them. I also post my race videos on YouTube. Perhaps we need to create a series of YouTube videos that shows new racers how to work on these cars? Topics could include chassis maintenance, setup, gear changes, etc? People are intimidated by these cars, they look complicated, if we show them how easy they are to deal with, it might motivate people to buy cars and actually come out and race them? A separate issue is how do we get guys who own cars to get them out to race.
On GRM Forum:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo.../164771/page1/
Everything in that article is true, I have big love for the GLC and the Southern Formula Car series. The only problem is that to be considered an SCCA Majors class and be runoff eligible we need cars running at the Majors level to be counted. Unfortunately the GLC and the Southern Formula Car Series only run Divisional races and while they get great car counts it does not help the class as John indicates is needed.
Is there a reason why the GLC and the SFC don't run Majors? is it cost, travel, competition? Just looking for a reason.
Brian
Is there a reason why the GLC and the SFC don't run Majors? is it cost, travel, competition?
Yes, Yes, and Yes.
If your talking entry fee as cost then ok I agree. The cost to run a major weekend as far as entry is pretty ridiculous when a divisional is half the cost. But travel cost is Pretty much the same for everyone in the area when your talking about local SCCA races. As for competition then I guess if we are kicked out of majors then we’ll be running in regionals with them anyways, so that’s not the best reason to not run majors. I hope it doesn’t come to that.
Brian
Brian,
My last few years I entered every Major I could. I figured it was good for the national car count. I was driving a clapped out old Reynard against the best of the best. A victory was to not get lapped. I really liked Majors because so many of my friends were in Majors..
But, it wasn't as much fun as racing against a field more matched to my car's ability. Not being willing to pay what it took to move up to a decent car, I just retired. Maybe if Baytos had started his series a few years sooner I'd still be playing. Unfortunately, even so, as you said, that wouldn't help national numbers.
The guys in GLC and Baytos are saving in terms of entry fees, staying close to home, and running hard spec tyres. And most of their programs can't get within 3 seconds of the likes of Minor, Moran, etc. Even those front runners are doing minimum races per year.
I know the reasons the numbers are down, but i have no idea how to increase them. Still believe it is the best class in club racing.
If the NWFC in the NW is doing fine the GLC in the NE is doing well and the boys down south have a good series maybe the class isn't the issue and the majors need a committee to find out whats wrong with them?
https://www.facebook.com/NorthwestFo...3663732848257/
The class has never been the problem.
FF2000 worldwide has always been a great and logical class above FF in power and aero.
The problem with FF2000 world wide and FC in America is the rules makers that do not know what is important and club management people who will take 5 years worth of manufacturers financial commitment and sacrifice the long term health of a good class to get the money.
I could turn this class around and start a noticeable entry increase this year with no increase in cost to the racers without any problem.
It just occurs to me I may regret saying that, but it is true.
Skip Weld
Have you proposed your solution to the CRB?
Peter Olivola
(polivola@gmail.com)
May I inquire how this could be achieved?
Steve Bamford
I'm pretty curious also.
Me too!
Thanks ... Jay Novak
313-445-4047
On my 54th year as an SCCA member
with a special thanks to every SCCA worker (NONE OF US WOULD RACE WITHOUT THE WORKERS)
My two cents.
One major issue is scca doesn't seem to count regional participation toward the health of a class.
I fully understand that a minimum number is needed to be eligible for the runoffs...but since there is supposed to be a path to the runoffs via regionals, regional participation should be considered before lumping a bunch of existing classes together like has now been done with FX.
At regionals and majors, all the cars now grouped in FX ran in the same run group. Combining them all in one class doesn't save any track time.
All it saves is a few cheap trophies.....
and the classes that can't win in the new class will look for somewhere else to race.
The result is regional participation will dry up and the regions will suffer.
Trying to reduce the number of classes may be a worthwhile goal..... At the unoffs at least....but if they all run in the same run group you gain nothing by eliminating or combining classes.
Given that I still think it's important for the FC guys to get together and encourage more participation.
If there's a majors in your neighborhood, run there instead of or an addition to the r regional in your neighborhood.
I am aware that regionals are now considered divisionals...but that's a whole different discussion.
Jerry Hodges
Or www.crbsca
Both work on my computer. Emails do not work!
Thanks ... Jay Novak
313-445-4047
On my 54th year as an SCCA member
with a special thanks to every SCCA worker (NONE OF US WOULD RACE WITHOUT THE WORKERS)
This hits the nail right on the head.
Last edited by Thomas Copeland; 02.25.20 at 1:04 PM.
Firman F1000
Regions can control their classes and groupings though their supps.
Brian
Not a valid domain. You must be putting that in a search.
But pointless when discussing national/runoffs classes.
The main issue like Jerry and Thomas point out, is making regional car counts recognized at the national level.
When regions go off book (GCR) it doesn't count. What we need regions to do is stay within the GCR and get every car to count at the national level. (eg S2s run as P2s and count in P2 numbers)
Its been 3 years. Who was on the committee, and what came out of it? Spec Hoosier?
9.1.1. Formula Car (FC/FF) Category Specifications GCR
g. FC shall be limited to the following tires (front tires may not be used as rears): Dry: Front – Hoosier 20.5 x 7.0 – 13 R60A compound - 43164R60A Rear – Hoosier 22.0 x 8.0 – 13 R60A compound – 43285R60A Wet: Front – Hoosier 21.0 x 6.5 – 13 W3- 44185W3 Rear – Hoosier 22.0 x 8.0 – 13 W3 – 44196W3
h. FC shall be permitted a maximum of four (4) dry tires and four (4) wet tires for all Regional, Major, and Super Tour events; eight (8) dry tires and eight (8) wet tires are permitted for the Runoffs. This rule shall be effective beginning with the first (1st) qualifying session of the event. Marked tires are not required for testing or practice. It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure that the tires are declared, marked, and logged by Tech in advance of the tire(s) being used in a qualifying session or race.
1. Use of an undeclared tire shall automatically result in all times being disallowed in that session or finishing position in that race.
2. If a tire is damaged during a qualifying session or a race the competitor may replace the damaged tire with a used tire upon approval by the Chief Steward without loss of time or finishing position. Second or subsequent damaged tires may similarly be replaced upon approval by the Chief Steward, however such shall result in the loss of grid position in the subsequent race or session; the competitor shall start at the back of the grid.
who was on the committee?
Secret Car Club of America
Stonebridge Sports & Classics ltd
15 Great Pasture Rd Danbury, CT. 06810 (203) 744-1120
www.cryosciencetechnologies.com
Cryogenic Processing · REM-ISF Processing · Race Prep & Driver Development
obviously....Secret Car Club of America
What is the big deal all of a sudden. The Spec tire rule went into effect 2+ years ago??
Rick's question was what came out of the committee. He knew the spec tire, but was there anything else ?
I think there is an allowance for a sequential box. Anything else?
yeah, I did a search on something and this thread popped up, and I wondered if the committee was still working, and what came out of it besides the spec tire.
That's classified. I could tell you, but then I'd have to....
I can say it started with the intention to increase participation, then devolved into a rules making committee and somewhat fizzled out. Most realized there was a better way to spend their Tuesday nights than listening to a bunch of grown men arguing with each other on zoom.
I think the most important accomplishment was the return of Purple Frog. We don't hear much about a certain VW Bug anymore. He was even this close to buying another FC for the 35th after all those Throwbacks he wrote.
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