Okay, so let's get back on track here, hmmmm?
Reviewing 3 pages of comments, a couple of points might be considered:
1) The BRI was developed in fun to
attempt to "even the playing field" for those drivers who might use excuses in the pits, or "on the bench" about why they're getting beaten by other drivers. Examples: "Well Dan A. gave me a whuppin,' but with a lightened car and a tuned 3.2/Motronic managed engine in a car with after-market suspension and brakes, I could never have a change to catch him in my stock-class 944S2." Thus, the BRI was developed to more-closely even these cars out with appropriate multiplyers that adjust their finish times to be more competitive with each other. Where did the multiplyers come from? Careful consideration of a car based on class (AS to AR). Were (are) the multiplyer for the different classes perfect? Well, no. With all due respect to Carl Scragg and the tens or hundreds of hours he's volunteered to develope this BRI system, it has further to go before it's perfect. AND, the BRI was developed before the new changes which took affect in 2005, further pushing the mark away from perfection of the BRI indices. Compound that with the fact that someone with, say 8 points in a 7-20 point class is lumped with a car that has all 20-points in upgrades, and you are further pushed off the mark of BRI competition with your own class bretheren. Developing a car that will push you to the highest possible mark on the BRI may not be the bench-mark for modifications you want to make on your car. Since the BRI is not a perfect gauge of driver-skills or a perfect reflection of a driver's skills, concerning yourself with the results may only benefit the makers of high blood pressure medication, since the system is not currently perfect. Building a car based on BRI stats would be tough on your wallet, and a real boost to the local P-car specialty shops. I'm sure Steve G. would use the extra cash to put his daughters through college and grad-school based on drivers building their cars to BRI standards.
2) Change is inevitable. As we have seen in 2005, the rules are subject to change. The variablility and effect of those changes are an unknown every year. A perfect example are all those drivers who were in SS or S class in 2004 who now find themselves in "P" class
. How do you jump from Street Stock one year (with 4 points) to Prepared class the next (with 7 points)? Simply make
one mod, and watch
all the new points tacked on to your old (SS classs) car with the
new points system.
Are changes going to happen again? Hmmm, I should ask if the sun will rise tomorrow. Of course it is, and of course, changes in classes are due to happen again.... soon. So, the next question should most likely be:
What's in your wallet?
I'm going to have to agree with the sage Mr. Gagen with repect to the notion of building the car you want vs. the car that best meets the class you want to compete in. He's driven enough events, in many different car clubs, over the years, to know that car classification and rules are as predictable and accurate as earth-quake prediction. So, build the car you want and like to drive, and let the competitive cards fall where they may. This year's FI class loser may just be next year's AM smokin' winner, depending on the rules changes. Regardless of the class, or the changes in rules, the owner will always be smiling because he's driving the car he wants, and having fun doing so.
Getting to the point, the car classes are an ettempt to make things fair and more even. As better mod's are developed, changes are bound to happen in car classes. It's a living classification system, with limitations. The BRI is nothing more than a "braggin' rights" system that comes close to evening the playing field. As the class rules change, the BRI may be thrown to the wind until adjustments are made. This year, with all the changes made in classes, the BRI is a bit further off the mark than it was when originally developed. I don't take too much stock in it this year. It's jut too early.
Final word: Have fun, enjoy the events, don't invest too much time, money, or high blood-pressure in a competitive program that awards $1.39 ribbons, and remember we're all P-car brothers and sisters here.
Just my 2-cents.
Dan C.