A few points to keep in mind:
- The IRL does not race with formula Vees. The Nextel Cup is not run in limited late models. Speed World Challenge doesn't run showroom stock cars. ALMS doesn't race in D-sports cars.
- There seems to be some misconception out there that open or Grn cars are pathetically easy to drive. While obviously it would be easier to obtain a .90 SF (for example) in a WRX than in a GTI, that doesn't necessarily mean that running that WRX at it's limit is easy. Things happen much quicker, and limits are pushed farther. The handling is more complicated. There is nothing easy about driving an awd car at 10/10.
- I don't see a bunch of open or Grn drivers out there thumping their chests because they beat up some p class cars. No matter how many people they beat, most still end up grumbling because Pat smoked em. In other words, we don't like to get beat either.
- Hardly any 2wd cars run the entire championship currently, most contenders are in awd, which leads me to believe if we changed the championship class it would still be the same guys racing for the trophy. In other words, if someone can't afford to run the championship in awd, but they can in 2wd, why aren't they doing it already?
- With the new restrictor rules in open, look for Gr5 overall win next season, most likely at Pikes Peak. At some point you can trump the awd advantage.
Jake, I understand your frustration. You've got the talent, you've got the desire, but you don't have the resources. But dropping the championship car spec still isn't going to change the fact that you can't afford to enter 9 rallies, tow to both coasts, and burn up 75 tires a year. A more sensible approach is to build up the series so that it has exposure and sponsorship. Then use their money to run your championship in whatever you sponsor tells you to drive.
John, if you ever actually SHOWED UP at a rally, maybe you could comment intelligently on the level of driving currently being displayed. But until then your opinions are relegated to the level of the internet/playstation jockeys. Please stop wasting our time with your uninformed blather. While you talk endlessly about utopian rally nirvana, the rest of us (like Jake, and DCH, and Mad Mike for example) are actually going to events, giving it our all, and trying to make a difference in the real world. It's time you started walking the walk instead of just talking the talk. If you can do it better, enter a race and show us. No, no, no, don't give any crap about your wife being pregnant, or you did this 20 years ago, that's #####. The rest of us have extenuating circumstances as well, yet we still get to the races. Put up or shut up, John.
Dennis Martin
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920-432-4845