Originally Posted by
Andy Bettencourt
Quoted to make sure we didn't miss it. 100% true.
...and the only way you can make a small fortune in racing, is if you start with a big one.
If a $100K Wombat fit into ITA, it would get classed. If a $1K Stinger fit into ITR, it would get classed. As long as it doesn't upset the balance of the class, it is a matter of personal preference.
As far as what wouldn't get classed - anything outside the performance parameters of ITR. A recent example would be the 350Z. At 270hp, it would be a 3800lb car. Doesn't make sense.
I too appreciate the 10,000 foot vision and effort David has made here, but its important to understand why some people spend money on their cars. Most of our clients require us to do restoration-quality builds for them. Bare chassis on a rotisserie, fresh paint inside and out, new parts all throughout like trannys and crate engines, high end data acq, $1K head-restraing seats, top-of-the-line cages...these cares aren't neccessarily FASTER, they are just very pretty, very reliable and a known quantity. It really doesn't take all that much to spend $40k on a spec Miata at this desired build level - when you pay someone else to do it. I often think people don't quite get the numbers when they think, "oh, I built my Wombat for $12K and he spent $45K on his, there is no way I can win". Again, you have to understand what the big money is going to at the prep shops...it's a lot of labor money for new EVERYTHING, paint and body and some high end safety and data gear.
Add to this kind of build the dedication to data and test days (anyone can have this and it is NOT managable in the ITCS - and probably is the single biggest reason fast guys are fast) and you have some VERY fast and reliable cars that lead to the perception that you have to spend a gazillion dollars to win. It just takes a moment to understand why something DOES costs something, not why it SHOULDN'T.