I have a dream.

[Blatman]

Couldn't agree more, with one exception. Stop rolling your eyes!

What if the experts don't *want* to move out of the SS? It must surely be encumbent on the Club to support those who demonstrate a desire to stay with the SS, and make some accommodations for them too?

[Turbo Tommo]

I never quite understood your beef with the SS Guy. Is it the creation of the E & F classes, or the fact that the SS regs were not all in line with the "outside" championships. FWIW I agree with what you've just said, & I for one will be competing O/S the SS aswell next year as I can no longer put up with the SS scoring system

[Guest]

Why can Mark Smith run with solid tonneau and Ash Mason with altered front suspension pick-up points, when the BB prohibits both, and there is no dispensation in the SS regs.

But why stop there Tommo.  

Mark and Ash are not the only ones who might be bending the rules a little - just walk around any paddock and look at tyre tread depth.  Is it fair to be competing against a semi slick tyre in the roadgong class? (by the way - I don't think these "mods" have had any effect of Marks and Ash's performance this year - they are just great drivers who have put a couple of years worth of development into their cars)

I think we need to realise there is never going to be a level playing field unless we all agree to "sealed" cars - like the Cateringvan Acadamy for example (I don't want the WSCC to come to that personally - pain in the A***).  I suppose you could argue that my car is "illegal" with the CAT widetrack front suspension.

I like Guy Gibson's comments - get back to basics - help those that are new to the sport - stop farting around with the car (move into a "super" leagues if you must fart around) - and drive the nuts off the thing to get better times.

I am aware that a couple of Group C boys have a "gentlemens agreement" over development and farting around - they ain't gonna do no more - so that they can better compare thier ability on the track.  Perhaps we can strike the same bargian in whatever 2B "expert" ends up being next year?

For me - the fun this year has been the close competition with the likes of Terry Everall and Uncle Fester - with the occasional worried glances from Mr Westy.  Just hope I can find someone like this in whatever class I end up in next year - cos I cant hold a candle to Ash's times.

I too think you were harshly treated at Lys-y-Fran.

[Turbo Tommo]

I'm with you Paul, and I agree with Guy. I'm just playing the devil's advocate. Good competition is what it's all about & I really missed you & Terry last year. Thanks for the kind comment, but I was wrong, I forgot to fit it, and I was illegal. It's just a shame the same consideration isn't given to others

JT

[Mark Stanton]

Wiper motors, suspension pickup points, road legal tyres, etc.and if these areas are being abused, then the offenders need to be approached and penalised.

Gotta agree with you 100% on that one Thommo - The SS eligibility and team can only best address these points if an official complaint is registered in the proper manner - Problem is being able to inspect eveyones car at every event - in some ways we must rely on the event scrutineers noting these matters and trust that folks enter in the true sportsmanlike and correct fashion

but I was wrong, I forgot to fit it, and I was illegal

and Thommo the correct procedures were put into place and you took the judgement in a very proper manner - job done, case closed, move on - we all make mistrakes

[Turbo Tommo]

and trust that folks enter in the true sportsmanlike and correct fashion

Got it in one

[windy]

Interesting thread. My opinions:

1) Mick's original point is a valid one. If Westfield decide to build a turn key car with sequential box then whoever decides to exclude them from roadgoing will be brave. There are many other types of transmission (CVT, DSG & powershift). Will these be banned in the future too?

2) No-one should legislate against innovation. If there are ways to improve the original product then people should be allowed to. That's what building a kit car is all about. Do what you want & engineer your own bits for the car from a clean sheet of paper if necessary.

3) Choice of road tyres is the biggest factor in governing how fast you can go in a road class. Chassis mods, weight, sequential boxes, brakes, diffusers are largely irrelevant and play an insignificant part.

4) Too many rules + too many scoring rounds dilute the challenge of competing. As Guy pointed out when we started the SS there were few rules & few rounds. This was a recipe for enjoyable & close fought competition that was well supported at every event.

5) MSA defined classes vs SS defined classes. Why is the capacity split different?  It's 1700 cc with MSA, 1800 cc with SS. The original reason for SS ruling was to encourage road going 1800 zetec cars from the factory into the lower capacity class. Didn't happen! Good reason to rethink & go back in line with MSA regs.

Just my opinions of course

         

[Terry Everall]

I have competed in many sports including Dinghy racing ,windsurfing racing and cross  horse jumping including cross country. In these sports there is always an issue that money makes life easier if yoy want to win - You just buy the best, latest, lightest and stretch the rules as far as you can.

Only my 2nd decent season in speeed series and I love it and the crowd.

Great support ,banter and a lot of quick drivers enjoying themselves. I think my car is reasonably compliant with the rules and has a powerful engine but no LSD and is bl**** heavy (specially with me in it )In 2B this year we are having a great battle with Paul Edden and Keith Anderson always close. At Ty Croes Stuart Graham, Barry Slingsby etc made up a great class and we were all within 1-2secs. Next year I am in experts and certainly stand no chance against Ash (but who does?) or Guys with more powerful ,lighter cars so I will try The Hayabusa in F or Slick class when the "rules are decided and I know who is going into what class. Not cos i need to win but I like the competition which makes you go faster.

Terry

[mhc]

Let me try to throw a bucket of cold water onto the flames.Firstly, let me explain my reasons for my original topic starter.This year due to DIY commitments i have taken a break from the speed series, but i did register, just to get the teeshirt.I am currently collecting bits to build a westfield to compete in the road going 2litre class for the speed series next year .It will be built from a basic Westfield kit complete with components ,that can be purchased from the main speed series sponsers so no unfair advantage there.The engine is standard (apart from the same modifications as Mark Stantons vauxall )removed from a crashed car, so no unfair advantage there.Now the bone of contention, the gearbox.I have used in previous cars ,syncro boxes straight cut and dog boxes i have even used a sequental .Yes dog boxes and sequentials do have a quicker shift, so there is an advantage over standard boxes.But i do not believe that you can in all fairness legislate against a single component because of its perceived advantage. Not even because of cost.I like to spend my money on car technology , not motor homes and box trailers ,so why should i be penalised for spending it on a gearbox. I have always built legal road going Westfields, tyres with treads. wipers with motors,standard pickups etc.Therefore i take exception ,when people tell me to go and play with the mod prods, what they omit to mention is that i will have to spend  upwards of £2000 for two sets of wheels plus a set each of slicks and wets.And finally, if WESTFIELD gets round to producing a car with a sequential box does that not set a precident,best regards .

[smithy]

TOMMO,  NEXT TIME YOUR NEAR MY CAR STOP AND CHECK THE TONNEAU, YOU WILL FIND ITS MADE FROM A FLEXIBLE SINGLE LAYER CARBON SHEET! THEREFORE IT IS FLEXIBLE AND NOT SOLID,

FLEXIBLE GET IT

FLEXIBLE

[scott beeland]

Folk who are short of both will take a *very* long time to get good, unless they are blessed with a load of talent...

That's me b*******ed then  

[scott beeland]

MHC....Will be great to see you back in the SS

[welsh wizard]

The garage is 'under' the house. I guess we could knock through to the hall...

 

You think so??? We buying another house for us to live in then?

Luned

[scott beeland]

I guess you can scrub that one off the "to do" list then Andy

[welsh wizard]

I guess you can scrub that one off the "to do" list then Andy

And you think Andy would know how to knock through into the hall?

He'd probably ask someone on here to help him do it and pay them in Stella!!!!

Luned