Looking at last weekend's autocross, seems we tend to have several classes in both SS and CC where there are 6-8 participants, plus several classes where we have between 1 and 3. Other than getting home a few minutes early, I guess I don't see the value in having classes with 12-15 participants, where all but 3 are not acknowledged in some way. I'm guessing that about twice as many people would just run their last run, check their time on their phone, pack up and head home... I think the after-parties are fun so that would kinda suck
The challenge with competition clubs like ours is that we always need a steady stream of new recruits... without that, the top folks keep winning, getting all the glory, and eventually they look around and only see themselves. No new volunteers, no new instructors, and eventually, as the older folks quit or move on... nobody left.
I like the SS classes because, presumably, someone can get a stock car, either new or used, come out and compete more or less competitively with others in reasonably similar vehicles... no dealing with points, or competing head-to-head with folks who are closet racing engineers. If we do it right, they get seriously addicted, and either buy hotter cars, or start down that slippery slope of modifying their cars because they want to be more competitive, either in their class or over-all. With the SS vs CC class structure, other than buying the stickiest stock size rubber when they wear out their first set, and getting an autocross alignment, there's not a lot they can do before they have to jump into a CC class... and then we got 'em! Pretty soon they are instructing, doing TTs at big tracks, and becoming corner-working chairmen
I do think folks who compete exclusively in SS classes year after year, and keep tweaking their settings to gain an advantage within their SS class need to take a good look in the mirror and decide if they are really competing within the spirit of the SS class structure... but I don't think we can legislate that decision for them. Just make the requirements for SS class really strict... Same size wheels and tires as stock, only options that were available on the car from the factory, and alignments that maximize the handling potential of the unmodified suspension. Then let the best drivers win!
Also, WRT to us trying to decide what treadwear competition tires *really* have, vs what the manufacturers rate them at... that's just silly.
My $.02 worth,
Charles
