Convertibles revisited

#21

Ummmm. It’s already been written. :huh:

10. Appendix C. – E30 Convertible eligibility
The convertible model has been removed from the list of eligible cars. However, any E30 convertible with an existing logbook, and any convertible that is issued a logbook prior to November 1, 2011, will be eligible for competition. After November 1, 2011, no logbooks will be issued for convertible models.

Looks like the value of that car went up when the rules were revised this year. If the racers only knew about it… :woohoo:

#22

He meant adding a rule in the future that would say no convertibles period regardless of logbook date.

#23

[quote=“Gilles” post=68525]Highly incendiary straw man proposal for rulebook:
verts +25 lbs
tourings -15 lbs
Diving boards -5 lbs
And of course, all current verts still grandfathered.
(subject to change at any time based on findings of commissioned engineering teams)[/quote]
I’m pretty sure this proposal was in jest.

IMHO, the best thing SE30 has going for it is the people.

A close second is the absolute parity we have in place by limiting the cars to “one spec line” with differences between diving boards/plastic bumpers or 2-door/4-door cars being immaterial. We have one 'vert in the mix. I hope it is around forever and ever and ever, amen. I’d feel sorry for someone who snagged a championship in that. Everyone would dismiss it saying “Musta been the lower C/G.”

Coming from Spec Miata, I can tell you that avoiding parity wars is a good thing for the stability of the class.

The 3rd best thing about SE? Much better engine note than them damn Meeotters.

#24

[quote=“Steve D” post=68548]
I’m pretty sure this proposal was in jest.[/quote]

Maybe some jest, but only to point out the ridiculousness of not accommodating verts. I think we could and should allow verts, and with a bit of additional weight, why would anyone complain unless they just like to complain, and in that case they will now have more lifetime fodder.

I just bought a vert at a wrecker auction last weekend for $450. Her golden glossy body is far too pretty to turn into a race car (for now), but e30 prices are rising, and there are lots of nice vert shells in low rust regions. Touring bodies from overseas are becoming easier and more economical to import now that they are hitting 25yr old “classic” status.

With minor weight rule differentiation, all body styles can and should be accommodated (including verts and tourings). Allowing these diverse body styles will likely encourage more participation and interest in the series. A few verts and an occasional station wagon or two would make the grid more interesting. It is my opinion that the increase in fun factor far outweighs the minor variations in competitiveness.

#25

One of the best things about this class is that the cars are truly identical. Want to slip down a slippery slope, start allowing other chassis and then try to chase the weight “penalty”. Ever run SM? Every year its the same thing–how do we adjust wt and RP to make the cars equal–and nobody ends up happy. Every year the other car is the overdog. It’s a mess.

If there’s an ACTUAL difference in chassis, there will always be a PERCEIVED difference in performance, and you’ll never catch up with the competition adjustments.

#26

…and will definitely engender tremendous amounts of bitching about parity.

I can’t emphasize enough what an asset Spec E30 has in its current parity. Nobody with a straight face could say 2 door vs 4 door matters.

Just take a gander at the volume of threads in the Spec Miata world about parity, guys who bring 2 versions of SM’s to the track and qualify both to see which one is better, guys with the underdog car who don’t even bring it out of the garage because they know they start at a disadvantage (perceived or real).

According to wikipedia, “total production from 1982 to 1994 was 2,339,520 units”.

Take away 17k M3’s, 85k 'verts, 30k ix’s, and 100k tourings and you still have OVER 2.1 million E30 sedan/coupe shells!!! Hell, approximately 1% of those are/were owned by Patton.:laugh:

There are plenty of shells. Don’t kid yourselves.

But since they are rare, I have a small bumper shell stripped and ready for cage and drivetrain (and hood and front bumper) that I would let go for $2,000. :evil:

#27

PS - If 'verts were re-legalized, I’d build one and loan it to Eric Palacio so I could finally pass him at the end of the back straight at Road Atlanta again. #aeropenalty

PPS - Then I’d use it for its lower CG at CMP. #centerofgravitywin

#28

Steve D., Long time, hope you are doing well & still riding & running. You know what’s funny? I purchased “The Vert” last week & will campaign it next season & you will see it at Miller. Now, it is my assessment that I will be slower at the end of the very long front straight by 1-2mph. So lets really see what kind of perceived UNFAIR ADVANTAGE exists with the vert…

Let the bitching begin…

#29

[quote=“Steve Ferrario” post=69151]Steve D., Long time, hope you are doing well & still riding & running. You know what’s funny? I purchased “The Vert” last week & will campaign it next season & you will see it at Miller. Now, it is my assessment that I will be slower at the end of the very long front straight by 1-2mph. So lets really see what kind of perceived UNFAIR ADVANTAGE exists with the vert…

Let the bitching begin…[/quote]
It’s about time we figured out how to handicap you!! Now it’s a fair fight.

PS - If you didn’t have 3 mph better exit speed the corner before, the aero penalty would be even greater. Of course, the air is thin at Miller so let’s see how she does near sea level. :woohoo:

#30

We are building the 'vert for my daughters (Pink Panther II*) - they usually only drive in HPDE and that will be it’s focus for now. But I guess we’ll race it in GTS when we want to race…

*We are transferring the cage, drivetrain and usable safety gear to the 'vert so it is essentially 75-80% original Pink Panther which was logbooked 8 yrs ago - does that qualify as a 'vert that was logbooked before the 'vert rule? :stuck_out_tongue: