rule changes?
Ok, I'll bite, what rule changes are restricting entries?
The only changes that were more restrictive were #16 requiring the SFI/FIA roll cage padding, and #18 which requires roll cages be built to an existing specification.
All other bulletins pertaining to equipment were made in an effort to be more inclusive.
Frequent bulletins are used in other major racing series, typically on a weekly basis , to clarify and address issues as they appear.
Our roll cage rules will change for next year, the change will be to align our rules with NASA CARS, and somewhat to the FIA, again, we are trying to be more inclusive, and align our regulations with the rest of North America. All existing currently legal (2004 SCCA/2005 R-A rules) cages will continue to be legal.
RULES BULLETINS
Rules Bulletin #1 ProRally and ClubRally Referneces in the rule book
Rules Bulletin #2 2005 Rally America Championship Points
Rules Bulletin #3 2005 Rally America Driver and Co-Driver License Fees
Rules Bulletin #4 Group N in Regional Championship
Rules Bulletin #5 2005 Rally America Regional Championships
Rules Bulletin #6 SCCA license acceptance for RA Championships.
Rules Bulletin #7a Stage Notes for Novice Drivers
Rules Bulletin #8 Engine Controllers in PGT...more inclusive.
Rules Bulletin #9a Claims against legality of a competition vehicle.
Rules Bulletin #10 Open Class under 2,750cc adj. now 2,600lbs.
Rules Bulletin #11 Stage Start Interval.
Rules Bulletin #12 Annual Vehicle Inspections no longer required.
Rules Bulletin #13 alternate PGT inlet ducts allowed.
Rules Bulletin #14 Rally America accepts NASA Rally Sport® logbooks
Rules Bulletin #15 Use of Roll Cage ID Numbers discontinued
Rules Bulletin #16 SFI or FIA Roll Bar padding required
Rules Bulletin #17 NASA Rally Sport® Super Stock 1 Class entries allowed at STPR and MFR
Rules Bulletin #18 Roll Cage Clarifications, no more "alternate designs"
Rules Bulletin #19 Sockets for jack stands on Production and PGT vehicles now OK
Rules Bulletin #20 Speed Factors, Seeded Draw, and Start Intervals.
Other items, like firesuits,(Jens?) and restricors,(Aaron?), we're stuck with because requiring them is "generally accepted practice" in the rest of the rally world. Deviating from "generally accepted practice" leaves us open to liability...and remember 2003 wasn't that long ago.
High entry fees and $3/gal gas and too much time spent on other things kept me from entering some (brandX) rallies that I really wanted to do this year.
For me, saying it was politics or rules would have been an excuse, lack of discretionary cash and time would be the reason.