Scca eliminated classes

[caracal25]

Word has it that FF, FV AND F600 are no longer Suoer Tour eligible.

[John Nesbitt]

See: https://www.scca.com/articles/201899...-group-changes

Scroll down to run groups for various events.

[Steve Davis]

Seems that my decisions of what events I might attend next year has pretty much been decided ... by SCCA. NONE is the likely answer. The largest open wheel class in SCCA has been eliminated from HST competition. What does that tell us about SCCA and OPEN WHEEL CLASSES? I DO believe that SCCA was formed as a national PRODUCTION BASED RACING organization back in the late 40's or early 50's. FV was the FIRST Open Wheel class allowed in 1963. Seems SCCA has had enough of us.

Steve, FV80

[Bob Wright]

It has started....Let's also begin the process of dumping one of the most iconic open wheel classes since the late sixties in FF.

FRP will welcome all FFs and I'm sure Challenge Cup will welcome all FVs

[John Nesbitt]

And yet FV is still a Runoffs class for 2025. I wonder how the National Office (and this is surely a National Office initiative since they 'own' HST) squares this with eliminating the class from all but west coast HST events.

It seems very much like SCCA is starting to trip over the contradictions inherent in the shortened Runoffs plan. The entire concept needed a lot more baking, much like the hurried implementation of Flagtronics.

[rockbeau25]

Good thing we have two Spec Miata groups though...

[Arbitrary]

Our arms at Driverz Cup and Challenge Cup are open wide for FV drivers that want to come somewhere that they are appreciated.

Driverz Cup is in new hands and has an exciting things on the horizon!

[E1pix]

Thank Christ we sold our car.

So sorry reading this, to Stevan and Brian and everyone else here and those we’ve met, and couldn’t wait to race with.

With all the mindless “developments” these past few years, I *just knew* something like this was coming.

Not even a respectful “Dear Loyal Members, by 2026 or 2027 we’re implementing changes.”

Rather instead, “To Hell with all you chumps, you just spent a ton of money for nothing.”

Pathetic. Irresponsible. Heartless. Inexcusable. CLASSIC.

My 61 years of support has just stopped. We’ll go support other racing instead.

[brian styczynski]

The runoffs and Super Tour changes were forced without real consideration from members just like rain light, flagtronics, etc. The changes are not to increase participation, like most reasonably assume. They are clearly to remove participation and increase costs. This is very sad and disappointing. I really don't know why they are trying to destroy the club. 10 years from now scca will just be a parking lot event and track day organization, which is maybe the plan. I wish they would be more honest and transparent.

I believe the June Sprints is not entirely controlled by Topeka like all the other super tours, so might still be saved.

The writing is on the wall folks, consider FF, FA and FC kicked out for 2026.

SCCA has a problem with FV though, FV is the 7th most subscribed class for the 2 years ending 2024 runoffs. There are only 9 classes that have a 5.0+ car average that would make them eligible for 2026 runoffs.

I heard rumors scca had approached challenge cup to take fv off their hands before the runoffs this year.

What a shame and disgrace.

[J Weida]

It seems that the current powers in the SCCA want to eliminate most , if not all open wheel classes. Maybe they will figure out it was a bad decision when they loose the membership and license money from the classes they have eliminated. Some current members of the CRB have been trying the political route to save some classes they have a vested interest in. This will not work, wake up

[Steve Demeter]

What a crock!!!!

[Dave Gomberg]

The runoffs and Super Tour changes were forced without real consideration from members just like rain light, flagtronics, etc. The changes are not to increase participation, like most reasonably assume. They are clearly to remove participation and increase costs. This is very sad and disappointing. I really don't know why they are trying to destroy the club. 10 years from now scca will just be a parking lot event and track day organization, which is maybe the plan. I wish they would be more honest and transparent...

I agree completely, but I think your 10 year window is too long. I have been telling people for the last two years that I give it 8-10, so now I would put it at 6-8.

For those of you who might wonder why I think this, it is not because of one thing - it is a combination of several factors, most of which are pretty well known to anyone paying attention. And, this was before this latest ill-considered nonsense. So, maybe even 6-8 is too long.

Dave

[brian styczynski]

This latest move seems carefully orchestrated and cowardly. They did not bother to mention this in the videos about the runoffs classes, in fact they said all runoffs classes would be invited to super tours.

[TimH]

? I DO believe that SCCA was formed as a national PRODUCTION BASED RACING organization back in the late 40's or early 50's.

Also rallys (TSD and gimmick) and gymkhanas for what Stroker Ace called "Sporty Cars." Road racing was just a small part of club activity well into the 80s in New England.

[MilesCrabbe]

The SCCA remains the only organization that I know of that will look a card carrying member with entry fee in hand in the eyes and say: "We don't want your kind here."

[FVRacer21]

I am confused.

FF, FV, and F600 (the latter out for 2025 anyway) put on some of the best racing of the Runoffs.

With the end of the Regional path to the Runoffs, now there might be some special regional races?

paraphrased from Grand Prix - You confuse me. And I don't like men who confuse me…….

ChrisZ

[BLS]

Our arms at Driverz Cup and Challenge Cup are open wide for FV drivers that want to come somewhere that they are appreciated.

Driverz Cup is in new hands and has an exciting things on the horizon!

Could you elaborate a bit?

[924RACR]

Utterly shameless, and yet entirely expected by a number of us.

And at the same time, P2, my class, which isn't going to the Runoffs next year, keeps a spot out of convenience?

Just more uncovering of the incompetence and hypocrisy up top.

[Brian Graham]

I am in the midst of planning our winter racing and it just got wiped out. They may as well drop those classes from Homestead as absolutely no one will make the trip for just that event. Ok, so we won't start until March at Road Atlanta,,,,, oops can't go there either, or VIR. Absolutely shocking move. My team ran at 2 regional events, 1 super tour, and 5 majors and then the run offs. Not sure how to support the club anymore than that. Our return to the run offs this year is now in jeopardy, which by the sounds of things is exactly what SCCA wants. I now have no doubt that IF there is actually a FF race at the run offs this year it will be the last. Disgraceful.

Brian.

[Arbitrary]

Could you elaborate a bit?

Greg Bruns started Driverz Cup and had been running it. He built a great group of people that have a lot of fun both on and off the track. He decided it was time for him to free up some of his time by stepping away from leading the series on his own and enjoy the weekends as just a competitor going forward. Mike Lawrence and Maggie Tally are the ones who will be running it now.

On the surface, the series will remain mostly the same. However, there are some visions for the series.

One thing on the table is putting together a committee or something to that effect so that decisions aren't made unilaterally and that the work load is spread over multiple people.

Another thing that is likely is the beginning of a radial tire FV national championship, if you will, that will be a combination of Challenge Cup, Driverz Cup, NEFV, and anyone else who wants to throw a set of the Yokohama tires on their car and come race with an impressive number of Vees. Mike and Ray have been working on putting this together.

I'm doing my darnedest to try to learn how the heck marketing works and have kind of taken the lead on that for the series. I have plans to live stream the races next year with a broadcast on YouTube. I have learned it's a lot more complicated and expensive to put on a broadcast like you see the SCCA or Gridlife doing than I imagined, so I will be taking baby steps with it. However, I think it is that has the opportunity to elevate the series once I figure out what the heck I'm doing.

[racingflyboy]

I knew the SCCA was in trouble when their "solution" to the low entry numbers during the Recession (2008-2012 or so) was to change the names of National & Regional events to.......whatever it is they call them today. Like that would help. Idiots. Call me crazy, but I always thought people losing jobs and businesses might have had more to do with the low counts.

I did race with SCCA through about '14, kept my membership until about '15 or '16 and gave up. I sure do enjoy the Vintage organizations I've run with! And, I've met a lot of really great people in both SCCA racing and vintage.

[B Farnham]

If you're supportive of FV, FF and F6 at the runoffs write a letter to the CRB. Cutting us from Super Tour events limits the amount of events we can attend, that in turn you would think would lower car counts and starts the decline to not getting invited. Even if you don't race anymore and you're a member please write a letter. This is a move to kill off entry level open wheel. FV and FF have some of the largest followings of current and past drivers, let them hear and sort through our displeasure. https://crbscca.com/

[Fred Michael]

If you're supportive of FV, FF and F6 at the runoffs write a letter to the CRB. Cutting us from Super Tour events limits the amount of events we can attend, that in turn you would think would lower car counts and starts the decline to not getting invited. Even if you don't race anymore and you're a member please write a letter. This is a move to kill off entry level open wheel. FV and FF have some of the largest followings of current and past drivers, let them hear and sort through our displeasure. https://crbscca.com/

Just judging by VERY recent history, they do not give a crap about what the competitors think. Not even a little bit. Screw SCCA

[Mike B]

If you read the November Fastrack minutes it's painfully clear that writing letters doesn't mean anything to the current CRB and BoD. As long as a few SM drivers are in favor, it's as good as done.
Some BoD elections are taking place now:
https://www.scca.com/articles/201897...about-to-begin

I feel that we need to clean house and vote out every single BoD member that has been in favor of these ridiculous changes. And they can take their CRB members with them. No incumbents.

[J Weida]

As an open wheel driver all members of the BOD must change. It's full of guys that don't have the racers best interest in mind,don't follow club rules and clearly do what best suits them.There is a GT 1 driver on the BOD a class with a pathetic 4 car race at the runoffs and I am sure he protects his class.

[rcarmody]

The runoffs and Super Tour changes were forced without real consideration from members just like rain light, flagtronics, etc. The changes are not to increase participation, like most reasonably assume. They are clearly to remove participation and increase costs. This is very sad and disappointing. I really don't know why they are trying to destroy the club. 10 years from now scca will just be a parking lot event and track day organization, which is maybe the plan. I wish they would be more honest and transparent.

I believe the June Sprints is not entirely controlled by Topeka like all the other super tours, so might still be saved.

The writing is on the wall folks, consider FF, FA and FC kicked out for 2026.

SCCA has a problem with FV though, FV is the 7th most subscribed class for the 2 years ending 2024 runoffs. There are only 9 classes that have a 5.0+ car average that would make them eligible for 2026 runoffs.

I heard rumors scca had approached challenge cup to take fv off their hands before the runoffs this year.


What a shame and disgrace.

Brian SCCA has not approached the Challenge Cup bad rumor, But anyone who would like to come and race with us are welcome

[RideMore]

If you read the November Fastrack minutes it's painfully clear that writing letters doesn't mean anything to the current CRB and BoD. As long as a few SM drivers are in favor, it's as good as done.
Some BoD elections are taking place now:
https://www.scca.com/articles/201897...about-to-begin

I feel that we need to clean house and vote out every single BoD member that has been in favor of these ridiculous changes. And they can take their CRB members with them. No incumbents.

Team (meaning all Formula car racers), we simply have four choices:
1. Start a new club
2. Work with a different existing club to add our classes
3. Take over the SCCA enough to preserve our interests
4. Do nothing and hope it works out

Of these, I hope we choose number 3 for the following simple reason: First, our classes are still alive in the SCCA and the class rules are not perfect but they are decent and editable. Second, its completely feasible for enough of us to get elected onto board positions in time to save ourselves. Third, the other options are a LOT harder than number 3.

Lastly and very importantly - if you have most of a car in your garage or shop - find a way to get it to at least one major next year! Put your self in the car, or invite a young guy who runs SRF or SM to try your car for weekend. Or find a Karter or motocross kid and out them in the car for a school and a couple weekends. Yes, money is a tool that will have to be used for this effort (yours, or shared expense the the driver), but the classes can not exist without competitors and competitors will need to spend money.

Some motivations:
- Do something or nothing will happen
- Kent engines crossed the line first at the last TWO Runoffs (yes I know about the non-engine related DQ this year, but the Kent's are competitive.
- The car on the pole this year was built in 1997
- The car that crossed the line in first (DB6) was built around the same time if not earlier (I simply don't know the year)
- The car that inherited the win is ten years old (my son BTW in a 2014 Spectrum)
- We did 10 weekends (16 races) this year on $22K including all travel and food, tires, brakes, everything single expense including some nice to haves that we didn't need to do. Also including test days that averages to $956 per day. If you take out the Runoffs, it was $900 per day to run the car, all in. Yes its a lot, but not crazy for the fun we had.
- You don't have to win to have fun. You just need someone to dice with. Or better yet, enjoy driving a cool fun car around a fun race track.
- Participate, or watch it evaporate.

Worth noting: The spec tire is fast for 8 sessions, and decent up to 12. This helps the budget a lot compared to 2 sessions on R25's.

[rockbeau25]

Team (meaning all Formula car racers), we simply have four choices:
1. Start a new club
2. Work with a different existing club to add our classes
3. Take over the SCCA enough to preserve our interests
4. Do nothing and hope it works out

Of these, I hope we choose number 3 for the following simple reason: First, our classes are still alive in the SCCA and the class rules are not perfect but they are decent and editable. Second, its completely feasible for enough of us to get elected onto board positions in time to save ourselves. Third, the other options are a LOT harder than number 3.

Personally, I think these are ranked 1-4 in terms of preference, but 4-1 in terms of realism.

For option 3, keep in mind that SM, SRF, et al members all can vote the same as we can. They're 90% of the way to getting rid of us for good, and already have one hand on a formula car-less future. That is to say, I wouldn't hold my breath on us getting enough people in a position of power to undo all the damage that has already been done. The letter writing process has proven time and time again to be a fool's errand. The SCCA structure is just too far gone.

What I would LOVE to see is FRP become more geographically and economically accessible to the average club racer. I know Bob reads these posts and sees the potential for a lot of disgruntled racers to come his way. Maybe FRP keeps their current 7 premier events every year, but adds a similar number of lesser events run more like an SCCA regional or Majors at places like Blackhawk, Gingerman, or other tracks of that ilk, across a bigger geographic area. I'd have to imagine less popular tracks like these would come with a lower track rental, and if they could pull ~100 or more cars across FA, FB, FC, FF, FV, F6, and P2, that the economics would be more favorable. Then again, I'm sure sharing the events with Trans Am and SVRA as they currently do saves a lot of money too, so maybe the economics would come out a wash.

Other organizations that come to mind: SVRA, HSR, Gridlife.

SVRA has hosted formula-only events in the past and has the national reach the SCCA does. A lot of SCCA members and their cars have already jumped ship there in the last 10 years or so. It would probably be the most seamless transition if the SCCA were to drop us for good.

HSR is mostly east coast and minimally involved with formula cars. This could be growth potential for them, and they're under IMSA/NASCAR sanction which is as strong as any.

Gridlife is definitely a different cup of tea compared to anything any of us are used to, but they're an organization on the up and up, with growing national reach, and I'd bet they would love to stick it to the SCCA if the opportunity presented itself. They also have a much younger clientele which could bring some new blood into our classes.

[Hardingfv32]

Read the SCCA post.

A) It seems the goal is two day events, which is reasonable. That being the case not all low participation classes can be accommodated.

B) There are all kinds of exceptions.

C) Simply cannot tell the Regions how to run their events. They are the ones making the financial decisions, taking the risk. What is the real upside to having a Super Tour event? The Regions will just forgo the HST events if they do not suit their needs.

Am I missing something?

Brian

[brian styczynski]

Brian SCCA has not approached the Challenge Cup bad rumor, But anyone who would like to come and race with us are welcome

Thanks for the clarification. Just something I had been told that did not make any sense until yesterday.

[Lotus7]

I've been crewing in scca open-wheel continuously since 1989, so I do not say this lightly:

With apologies to those few drivers who show up regularly, the rest of you brought this on yourselves with the single-digit-car-count entries of the past decade.

Endless posts about "how do we save Formula (fill in the blank)" never increased car counts meaningfully, and there's no point in debating why not any more, that ship sailed.
SM + SRF3 grids typically equal or outnumber all other classes combined at all but the premium events now, so you can't blame scca one bit for this move. There's 8 hours of track time per day, they're going to allocate it to those who show up the most.

Believe me, it makes me sad, but in clear conscience I can't fault their decision.

[Steve Davis]

...What I would LOVE to see is FRP become more geographically and economically accessible to the average club racer. I know Bob reads these posts and sees the potential for a lot of disgruntled racers to come his way. Maybe FRP keeps their current 7 premier events every year...

The biggest thing that FRP has going for it is the LACK of having 28 classes available in each race weekend. Keeping just a few classes makes it POSSIBLE to provide SINGLE CLASS racing and a respectable amount of track time. Trying to spread more events geographically would add a tremendous LOAD to the series that works quite well as it is. I think it might be possible to add ONE more class, but anything after that would start watering down the concept. I know that CCS has run a few times with FRP, but everyone needs to keep in mind that no group should try to be ALL THINGS TO ALL DRIVERS.

That is the problem with SCCA - they just cannot be that all things organization and they seem to be realizing that now.. and taking action to pare it down... and guess who has hit the chopping block first?

Steve, FV80

[RideMore]

Personally, I think these are ranked 1-4 in terms of preference, but 4-1 in terms of realism.

For option 3, keep in mind that SM, SRF, et al members all can vote the same as we can. They're 90% of the way to getting rid of us for good, and already have one hand on a formula car-less future. That is to say, I wouldn't hold my breath on us getting enough people in a position of power to undo all the damage that has already been done. The letter writing process has proven time and time again to be a fool's errand. The SCCA structure is just too far gone.

What I would LOVE to see is FRP become more geographically and economically accessible to the average club racer. I know Bob reads these posts and sees the potential for a lot of disgruntled racers to come his way. Maybe FRP keeps their current 7 premier events every year, but adds a similar number of lesser events run more like an SCCA regional or Majors at places like Blackhawk, Gingerman, or other tracks of that ilk, across a bigger geographic area. I'd have to imagine less popular tracks like these would come with a lower track rental, and if they could pull ~100 or more cars across FA, FB, FC, FF, FV, F6, and P2, that the economics would be more favorable. Then again, I'm sure sharing the events with Trans Am and SVRA as they currently do saves a lot of money too, so maybe the economics would come out a wash.

Other organizations that come to mind: SVRA, HSR, Gridlife.

SVRA has hosted formula-only events in the past and has the national reach the SCCA does. A lot of SCCA members and their cars have already jumped ship there in the last 10 years or so. It would probably be the most seamless transition if the SCCA were to drop us for good.

HSR is mostly east coast and minimally involved with formula cars. This could be growth potential for them, and they're under IMSA/NASCAR sanction which is as strong as any.

Gridlife is definitely a different cup of tea compared to anything any of us are used to, but they're an organization on the up and up, with growing national reach, and I'd bet they would love to stick it to the SCCA if the opportunity presented itself. They also have a much younger clientele which could bring some new blood into our classes.

Rock, first of all it's heartwarming to see a young guy such as yourself who can think and write - I'm a fan!

Secondly, you make a lot of good points and have a lot of good ideas. Having said that, since board members are only allowed two, three year terms, there is turnover possibility. Next, if you look at the elections happening right now, only one position has more than one candidate running - so there are not many who want to be BOD members which means its an fairly easy opportunity for us to win if only we were to run. Note, there are 13 BOD spots, and 5 will turn over in the next two weeks - imagine if they are all Formula car supporters. I seriously believe that if we (the formula drivers) have just a bit more energy, and grit, and common sense ideas that we communicate with the few people who bother to vote that we can get at least 1/3 or more of the board positions in the next couple of years and have a real influence on the direction of the club.

BTW, the area 5 candidate for the Cen-div area is Joe Helser. He's a former FV and FF driver. I'm going to make an effort to talk to him this week to see where he is on this specific topic. But I sense as well as hope he'll be someone who wants to grow the SCCA participation by creating new opportunities for people to race rather than shrink the opportunities.

Having read the bio's on the six candidates: Most say nothing useful on the participation topic. But Clay Turner from Colorado is clearly in the wrong camp on this topic. its really a shame one of us isn't running against him. My fault as much as anyone's.

Big picture - we need big picture BOD members who are thinking about the growth of the club rather than how to narrow it to only selling cars and collecting checks from Mazda and Hoosier (not bad companies or products, but the world is a lot bigger than just those two companies). Those big picture thinkers exist in the Formula car ranks - we just need to put our helmets on and do it.

https://www.scca.com/articles/201897...about-to-begin

[RideMore]

I've been crewing in scca open-wheel continuously since 1989, so I do not say this lightly:

With apologies to those few drivers who show up regularly, the rest of you brought this on yourselves with the single-digit-car-count entries of the past decade.

Endless posts about "how do we save Formula (fill in the blank)" never increased car counts meaningfully, and there's no point in debating why not any more, that ship sailed.
SM + SRF3 grids typically equal or outnumber all other classes combined at all but the premium events now, so you can't blame scca one bit for this move. There's 8 hours of track time per day, they're going to allocate it to those who show up the most.

Believe me, it makes me sad, but in clear conscience I can't fault their decision.

Just an FYI, when you do the math on the major entries, 70% are NOT SRF or SM or FE. Most organizations would not put all their energy into 30% of their customers.

Having said that, no doubt the root cause is cars in garages instead of on race tracks.

[RideMore]

The biggest thing that FRP has going for it is the LACK of having 28 classes available in each race weekend. Keeping just a few classes makes it POSSIBLE to provide SINGLE CLASS racing and a respectable amount of track time. Trying to spread more events geographically would add a tremendous LOAD to the series that works quite well as it is. I think it might be possible to add ONE more class, but anything after that would start watering down the concept. I know that CCS has run a few times with FRP, but everyone needs to keep in mind that no group should try to be ALL THINGS TO ALL DRIVERS.

That is the problem with SCCA - they just cannot be that all things organization and they seem to be realizing that now.. and taking action to pare it down... and guess who has hit the chopping block first?

Steve, FV80

Steve, I'm almost there with you based on your correct observations. But since the 80's I've thought the SCCA should have more races, focused on specific category concepts. Back then and still today I thought:
1. Vintage focused weekends
2. production focused weekends
3. Open wheel/prototype focused weekends

So, a couple more races per division per year rather than the same number of races but less classes.

But we are all dealing with the self inflicted wounds of past decisions that watered down healthy sized classes into more classes with less people. From the late 60's through the mid 90's we have fairly stable classes of FV, FF, FC, and FA. The mistake was adding FM, F1000, FE, Spec Renault, F440/500/600, Shelby Can-am, FX, and others I can't recall. Those divided the ranks and lowered car counts in the existing classes. So, we purposely divided the car counts and then act surprised when the car counts are lower. Silly. For those who think SRF car counts are big, I recall 120 FV's showing up for the springs along with 60 FF and 72 FC (I won that one). Those numbers are waaay higher than about 40 SRF's.

[FVRacer21]

When we had Nationals and Regionals, I normally did 1-2 Nationals a year. The entry was usually no more than 10% over a regional.

Since I came back in 2013, I have run one Major, and that was the Thompson Last Chance. The price was not far off the Regionals and of course is in state (CT).

I would bet there are a lot of Super Tour drivers who are arrive and drive. To be able to fly into a race is a great way to go and with rental shops, probably cheaper than trailering your own car. Of course this does not fit for FV and probably not great for FF, but for Spec Miata and SRF….

ChrisZ

[mmi16]

Topeka is not monolithic - there has to be a single dizbang that is pushing this agenda! What does this dizbang intend to accomplish with this play - the destruction of SCCA as a club that accepts people who are less than millionaires?

SCCA was formed as a club for the ultra wealthy who owned fancy cars. I guess SCCA is returning to its exclusionary roots. I m sorry that I have invested over 30 years racing with the club and now it doesn't want me.

[BLS]

Are the regions "forced" to hold a HST event? What happens if the NE and SE regions just say no to the HST designation?

And what the H is up with the West Coast gets to keep the FV/FF?F600 class group? How does that make any sense?

Something is seriously wrong with the representation of the club.

[Craig71188]

But we are all dealing with the self inflicted wounds of past decisions that watered down healthy sized classes into more classes with less people. From the late 60's through the mid 90's we have fairly stable classes of FV, FF, FC, and FA. The mistake was adding FM, F1000, FE, Spec Renault, F440/500/600, Shelby Can-am, FX, and others I can't recall. Those divided the ranks and lowered car counts in the existing classes. So, we purposely divided the car counts and then act surprised when the car counts are lower. Silly. For those who think SRF car counts are big, I recall 120 FV's showing up for the springs along with 60 FF and 72 FC (I won that one). Those numbers are waaay higher than about 40 SRF's.

This! The constant addition of new classes, many when SCCA wanted to be in the race car business, has been diluting track time and entries for years. Now the big "M" has been funneling money into SCCA as a marketing channel for their brand, and when it tells them to "Zoom-Zoom", they ask "how fast" (much like Honda). Since VW and Ford have little interest in an outdated powerplants that don't sell cars - these open wheel classes are on their own. As I approach 50 years as a member, I know change is inevitable, but perhaps that change needs to be admitting past mistakes and consolidating classes and keeping the club's heritage alive. As had been said, this also means car owners need to SHOW UP in enough numbers to make this feasible, but the "logic" for the current path is (not just open wheel) is confusing at best.

[reidhazelton]

Having said that, no doubt the root cause is cars in garages instead of on race tracks.

That's a symptom, not the root cause. You need to ask "why" multiple times until you get to a root. Why are cars parked in garages? Because it became too expensive.

Why is it too expensive? Run away rules in the early 2000s and 20-teens that failed to contain $20k shocks, trick gearboxes, Honda (say what you will, the inclusion of the Honda made car prices double, if not triple, for a top-level car, and they have yet to come back down), etc, which inturn pushed numbers down as the "back of the pack" entries left. Fewer entries, made higher costs which then pushed out the mid pack entries.

Why were there runaway rules - SCCA is always a day late and a dollar short. SCCA is reactive, and not proactive.

Why is SCCA reactive and not proactive like FRP? Large BoDs and governing bodies cannot pivot and move quickly. While there are diverse opinions that help bring fresh ideas forward, it also can be a roadblock when you get someone with a personal-interest agenda.

Simply blaming people who parked their cars is pointing the finger at the wrong people. It's on SCCA to incentivize and entice those owners back out - not shame them into it. Each parked their cars for certain reasons - often a multitude of reasons that made entering a race no longer worth the cost.

Further, the cost to enter one race a year when you factor in all the fixed costs is pretty astronomical. If you've been out for a few years you will need, at a minimum, new belts, helmet, flagtronics, rain light, fire system, HANS recert, physical, membership and club dues, maybe even a truck and trailer if you sold them. At a minimum, you're looking $3-$5,000 just to get the car current. Add in the entry fees that are nearly double the of of what it was when those who parked their cars did so 10 years ago. So telling people to "just go run one race a year" is financially nonsensical.

I have no solution, and as SCCA is constituted today I don't see a solution. Other than the spec tire in FF, I have seen no SCCA effort to contain costs. When I was on the CRB I cannot count the number of times someone said "what's $500 in the grand scheme of things and an annual racing budget?" One, it's $500. That's a day's take home pay for a lot of people who used to make up SCCA. Second, just because your racing budget is $80k/yr doesn't mean others are not scrimping by on $5,000/yr. Third, say "what's five hundred bucks" ten times and you just doubled to cost of a the person running the H prod car or the 84 Van Diemen.

Reducing the opportunities for cars to run (FF, FV, F6) will only further reduce numbers. Sometimes you have to make an investment in a class for it to grow or re-build. How much track time did SCCA give FE/STU/STL/etc. when they first brought those classes out at the expense of other classes and look at what happened. SCCA is putting a ton of eggs in the SM basket and I worry that because those cars so easily cross over to literally any other racing organization, sooner or latter SCCA SM drivers will notice there are some really neat things happening at new orgs like GridLife and the various endurance racing groups. Then, what will SCCA be left with? FE?

In total, SCCA is toast.

(RideMore - this is more a general post, not a post targeting you. Your post just got me thinking.)