Yuku free message boards

Letter to the SCCA Comp. Bd for Proposed rule change to S2000

I am writing this letter as I did (2) years ago to request a rule change to Sports 2000; I am also copying our President Steve Johnson with my request. The reason being is how it was handled last time, I was very disappointed to say the least. As before I am writing 2 weeks after my return from competing at the Run-Offs; I heard nothing for months, emails & phone calls not returned, not even to let me know that it was received. I then read in fast track that it was declined. I finally did get ahold of someone only to find out it really wasn't discussed. I feel that after you read this letter and the reasoning behind it there is no reason for not making the change and as I will discuss there really needs to be a change of some sort regardless. The request I am making is to allow Aluminum Alloy calipers; on any or all cars as people so choose, old and new. I'd ask you to please read through my letter (and please feel free to call me to discuss further as I know sometimes it can be confusing to convey an idea in writing) and give serious consideration, "In the Spirit of the Sport"

Just a brief note on my personal background. I am a Design Engineer by trade, I started racing 16 years ago in Go Karts. (promoting 125cc Shifter Karts in the North East) Joined SCCA over 10 years ago, I am currently on the Competition Bd for the Fingerlakes Region. Served on the Board of Directors and chaired a race at Watkins Glen with the theme of giving THANKS to the workers. I raced FV for 4 years, then went into CSR, doing what I could to help the class make the "numbers". Then 3 years ago switched to Sports 2000 where I compete at a national level in the N.E. With my budget I can only afford to campaign an older car, but have every intention of competing in the top half of the field; as I have in every other form of racing. I can only afford to do this by doing everything myself, so cost factor is very important.

I have tried to structure this proposal, by first listing the Pros & Cons, then followed by my responses to some of the reasons I have heard it was turned down in the past. My personal feelings and those of many competitors I've talked to is that this rule makes no sense in this day and age where everywhere you look there are Caliper manufactures making aluminum calipers for less than the old vintage cast iron calipers. One competitor put it quite well by saying; "if it costs less than a set of tires it's a non-issue" (ie new set of tires $650-$700; consumable; Aluminum calipers can be as low as $75 ea / $300 per set)

Pros/Benefits

Availability: Aluminum calipers and/or rebuild parts are readily available from many manufactures; i.e. Wilwood, Outlaw, Aerospace just to name a few and they all seem to have models that cover the same form factor. (more than one source)

Weight: lighter weight of Aluminum caliper is one of the most cost effective ways of taking weight from an overweight car. (many of the older cars weigh more than there newer counterparts)

Price: A complete set of new Aluminum Calipers can be purchased for $300-$400; less than the cost of (1) cast iron "VINTAGE" caliper such as Girling, AP, or Lockhead, which are sometimes only available used.

Servicing: Having run both Cast Iron & Aluminum calipers I can say that Aluminum calipers require less maintenance, probably due to better compatible material selection, tighter tolerances (not using a caliper that may be 20-30 years old). When it comes time for a rebuild, the parts are readily available and lower cost. If you so choose, you could put a brand new caliper on for nearly the cost of say, a piston for an older Girling caliper. Sometimes you can't even find them.

Pads: With these newer calipers there is a much greater selection of newer compounds than was available for let's say the older Girling caliper. Again at somewhat of a lower cost and readily available through numerous parts supply houses.

Cons/Drawbacks

I really can't think of any draw backs to allowing Aluminum Calipers (as are used in other classes, DSR, CSR, etc) other than that "it is a rule change". I liken this class very much to FV which is a thriving, stable class and they occasionally make changes to their rules to allow newer/modern parts.

Previously stated reasons (addressed):

It was stated that if such a rule change were to take place that everyone would incur a new expense based on the feeling that everyone would feel they would need to go out and get the "Latest & Greatest" so as to not lose that "Competitive Advantage".

Response: Situation currently exists with ICP replacement cast iron caliper; relatively new, lighter weight than the old calipers, but still costs $200 per caliper plus in some cases additional cost for an adapter bracket. (i.e. ICP replacement calipers for my Girlings would cost me $250ea/$1000 set compared to a Wilwood caliper $75ea/$300 set) I don't see everybody running out and converting to the ICP caliper based on the "Competitive Advantage"

The only real competitive advantage is total weight reduction of the car, in which case many people with newer cars need to add weight to make minimum weight, my case which is common; older Tiga, I weigh 190lbs and my car is still 60-70lbs over weight even after numerous weight reduction changes.

The other advantage is reduced un-sprung weight; in which I would point out in older cars like mine, the rear brakes are in-board. So the perceived advantage is already there. I would also refer you back to the new ICP caliper mentioned previous; people can be running out right now to replace all their calipers to gain that "advantage" (at a higher cost) those that can afford will or have, those that can't won't.

At this point I would like to refer back to that fellow competitors comment about costing less than a set of tires, which some do on a weekly basis while others are stretching to 3-4 events or even using others "take-offs"

It was also stated that in some cases there are no direct replacement Aluminum calipers from current manufactures.

Response: There is no replacement caliper from anybody that will fit my car without an adapter or modification and I know my car is not the only one. So whether I make the changes myself or have someone else do it is a personal choice and/or ability and $$.

It was also mentioned that we (club) must also look out for & respect it's partners, i.e. part suppliers, prep shops, etc.

Response: To some extent I agree with that; if they are members; they are not sole source and they are looking out for us as well; not price gouging. If this is perceived as a legitimate reason, then I say; ICP has had a 2-year head start to market with their caliper, but they are also the only alternative source. Why not also try to invite new partners??

It was stated by some, that such calipers ($75 Aluminum) would not work or be sufficient on our cars. This was the only opinion I could not confidently argue against even though the brake experts from these companies assured me that they would work.

Response: I have done my own testing over the last 2 years and can now confidently tell you that, "YES $75 Aluminum Calipers do work"

As the Rule stands currently

It is legal to run $700 Titanium rotors and there are those individuals that are spending that kind of money to do so.

It would also be legal to take one of these $75 caliper designs machined from billet Aluminum and machine it out of Titanium at God knows what cost, but there are always those that can afford something like that and will do so. (The rule states that only Aluminum alloy is prohibited)

Summation

I did some looking to see if the club has a "Mission Statement" of some sort; I wasn't able to find one, but in my opinion it would say something to the effect of: To further the club and the sport by offering to it's members, Safe, Fun, Affordable competitive racing… obviously there would need to be much more than this, but the main focus here is cost. (I think I have read something to that effect from Steve Johnson in one of his columns.)

Realizing that the club is made up of people from all walks of life and professions and not everyone can afford to buy new or have their car professionally preped and transported to the track. So where possible we should take care not to penalize those with less money and make them pay higher prices.

I ask that you seriously review this request and PLEASE contact me for further conversation or clarification or if there is something else I could do to help. I know you all have very busy schedules and have lives too. But based on the info I have laid out here I would think that some form of rule change is required. (Titanium Rotors & Calipers??) So why not change it in a way that helps cut cost, maybe help those of us w/o big $$ and older cars be more competitive. I want to see our class grow. 20 cars at this years Run-Offs is not what it could be. In my mind there is no reason S2 shouldn't be able to have car counts like FV or FF. I'm trying to prove that those individuals with older cars can be competitive. I'm not kidding myself that I will ever win a Nation championship, but I have confidence that I could eventually run in the top ten.

As you read this, the SRCC event at VIR will have taken place, with over 30 cars from the East Coast. Let's try and attract some of them back to our class and club.

Please consider; "In the Spirit of the Sport"

Best Regards,

Vince LaManna