ITB - what a bunch of crap

[Andy Bettencourt]

OK, just wanted to get your attention.

I had resisted the assertion that ITB was the 'new ITA' - but heck, this class is really redifining itself into something special. Accords, Civic's, CRX's, Volvo's, Golfs, 924's, BMW's, Audi's, Preludes, a freakin' gorgeous Alfa...

Awesome guys. Awesome. Add in Scott, The Canadians, the Blethens, Beren, Boo-hee - and oh-snap is that a showdown.

ITS seems to be the class that is static now...only 12 starters at the ARRC? Diverse yes (top 6 were all different models), but is it quality over quantity? Thoughts?

[RacerBowie]

I think ITS growth is a year or two out, and will be followed by the beginning surge of ITR. ITA and ITB are both VERY strong, ITC seems to be hanging in there.

[joeg]

ITS may be too expensive...

[JeffYoung]

I've raced in several 25 car plus ITS fields this year. CMP, Roebling and Daytona have drawn good, solid fields. Not sure why the ARRC was so down this year. Of course, I didn't go so I'm part of the problem......

There are a lot more S cars out there now racing than when I started in 04. Fixing the BMW problem really brought a lot of folks back.

[lateapex911]

Yes, and if it hadn't been for the lap 5 schlmazzle at turn 7, the race looked like it would be a barn burner, with lots of position swapping in the top 5, which could have been covered by a blanket.. I was really digging it up to that point. At the end, Vaughan did his best to hang on for 2nd, but Aaron pressed by, so we got some dicing on the last lap.

That Alfa LOOKED cool, but, it was reliable in it's unreliability.

And yes, (coughs throat) the Blethens should have been there. I talked to Beran in impound in Jersey, and could have sworn he was going...

ITA of course, was lacking a certain FOM Miata.........:mad:

[robits325is]

ITS seems to be the class that is static now...only 12 starters at the ARRC? Diverse yes (top 6 were all different models), but is it quality over quantity? Thoughts?

ITS might turn into spec RX7 once the VIN rule takes affect Maybe ITS needs a bailout....

[JeffYoung]

I don't see that, at least in the SEDiv. We have very competitive RX7s, E46 323, E30 325s, 240z, 260z, 280z, 280zx, Porsche 944s, Mazda Miata, TR8, 190E, Integra GSR, hell even an Alfa Milano and a 924s.......

[Ron Earp]

ITS might turn into spec RX7 once the VIN rule takes affect Maybe ITS needs a bailout....

ITS seems to be well attended and diverse in the SE. More Z cars than I've ever seen before (only attending tracks for three years), Miatas, Porsches, BMWs (not just 325s like it used to be), Integra, etc. - and more importantly, the cars upfront seem to be swapping around quite a bit.

Did see a LOT of RX7s at Daytona, but there are a lot of old Speedsource cars down that way and location helps.

Ron

[seckerich]

With the economy in the tank it seemed all year that drivers were just picking the races that offered the most fun and track time. Very few were actually chasing points. ITS can be very expensive and I spoke to a lot of drivers that usually run the ARRC that just decided to sit this year out. Judging by the number of orders for parts and cars I would not count on a drop in ITS. If we all still have jobs (or get a racing bailout) look for some big fields next year. In the Southeast we have scheduled more doubles than ever before to help cut cost. I will be surprised to see ITR move much in the next few years. Racing with yourself is not a big draw to build $40,000 cars.

[bamfp]

There will be a 914 next year.

[gran racing]

Oh come on Andy, ITB sucks. Your list includes a bunch of old cars except the Golf. Dave, whose hoping that a $10K car can still have a shot of winning races and is totally fine with it not being the "cool" class.

If I had money, I'd still build / buy an ITA car. Although I did find myself checking out the prices of an ITB potential Mini in my dream land. They ain't cheap.

[Jeremy Billiel]

ITS might turn into spec RX7 once the VIN rule takes affect Maybe ITS needs a bailout....

LOL Rob Good one... Up here in the North East the only real diversity is a lonely GSR and a couple of BMW's. Otherwise it is the RX7 show.

On that note, we have got the new integra shell home and will be beginning the rebuild soon.

[924Guy]

LOL! Cheers, Andy! Yeah, we were bound and determined to give the Honduh boys fits, till things went all pear-shaped on lap 4... rest assured that when we're back, all will be at our mercy!!!

Porsches Rock!

(write that down)

PS - I think the reason ITS was weak was everyone heard Kip was returning, only with his 944, and collectively said "Aw, F@*#!"

[Andy Bettencourt]

ITS might turn into spec RX7 once the VIN rule takes affect Maybe ITS needs a bailout....

What does the VIN rule have to do with an ITS RX-7? You can UD/BD now...

[JeffYoung]

David Spillman went faster (lap time wise) in a 240z.........

LOL! Cheers, Andy! Yeah, we were bound and determined to give the Honduh boys fits, till things went all pear-shaped on lap 4... rest assured that when we're back, all will be at our mercy!!!

Porsches Rock!

(write that down)

PS - I think the reason ITS was weak was everyone heard Kip was returning, only with his 944, and collectively said "Aw, F@*#!"

[Z3_GoCar]

OK, just wanted to get your attention.

I had resisted the assertion that ITB was the 'new ITA' - but heck, this class is really redifining itself into something special. Accords, Civic's, CRX's, Volvo's, Golfs, 924's, BMW's, Audi's, Preludes, a freakin' gorgeous Alfa...

Awesome guys. Awesome. Add in Scott, The Canadians, the Blethens, Beren, Boo-hee - and oh-snap is that a showdown.

ITS seems to be the class that is static now...only 12 starters at the ARRC? Diverse yes (top 6 were all different models), but is it quality over quantity? Thoughts?

You mean there are classes where winning a trophy isn't a given?? Maybe it's the nature of the economy and how hard we were hit, but the last couple of years has seen some major shrinkage in the paddock. If you want to run aginst more than 2 others in your class, your options are limited to: SRF, SP (because of all the American Stockcar Racers), Pro7, SM, and by extension ITA. Even classes like Pro7, which has it's own run group, is at like 5-7 regular cars. Imagine flagging for a five car run group, we got two minute worker breaks every lap.

[Andy Bettencourt]

You mean there are classes where winning a trophy isn't a given?? Maybe it's the nature of the economy and how hard we were hit, but the last couple of years has seen some major shrinkage in the paddock. If you want to run aginst more than 2 others in your class, your options are limited to: SRF, SP (because of all the American Stockcar Racers), Pro7, SM, and by extension ITA. Even classes like Pro7, which has it's own run group, is at like 5-7 regular cars. Imagine flagging for a five car run group, we got two minute worker breaks every lap.

Wow. Where are you racing? That's a dang shame. 15-20 car ITS and ITA fields in New England wer the norm for 2008. ITB grew this year. ITR sees 3-5 cars and ITC 1-2.

[Z3_GoCar]

Wow. Where are you racing? That's a dang shame. 15-20 car ITS and ITA fields in New England wer the norm for 2008. ITB grew this year. ITR sees 3-5 cars and ITC 1-2.

Southern California, heart of the mortgage meltdown. I'm even concerned, and haven't been racing while I spend to rebuild.

[dspillrat]

Congrads to Kip on his ITS win. Bout time..Smile.....

I think he really MIGHT not have shown his hand completely with his silver bullet..... Plus he did set the ARRC record for most oil changes in a single weekend.

I truly hope to see more cars out next year, during the the year as well as the 09 ARRC. Great show in my opinion,Weekend Registration on Thursday morning brilliant idea......Was one of the highlights of my weekend!!
Great weekend,great workers, good crew,helpful competitors, tremendous track.

David Spillman

[shwah]

hoping that a $10K car can still have a shot of winning races.

I keep hoping that mine can too.