TeamDI.com Pro IT Race - Lime Rock - May 15

[Greg Amy]

Maybe we should change it to the Pro Spec Miata Series and us IT guys get to fill in. LOL.

Andy! Cut it out with the Miata-hating/bashing...!!!!

[Andy Bettencourt]

Andy! Cut it out with the Miata-hating/bashing...!!!!

Except I am serious! The organizers have to follow the money, right? We have 5 IT classes and they bring more cars? Embarrassing.

[Greg Amy]

Except I am serious! The organizers have to follow the money, right? We have 5 IT classes and they bring more cars? Embarrassing.

I just think it's funny as hell: you're finally starting to see the trend that the rest of us have been pointing out for the last several years... We were laughing at the NHMS National that Jerry Rigoli in his '01 SSB Miata could have run five groups that weekend.

On the one hand, Miatas are finally getting to the point where they can prove to the world that they are the saviors of Club Racing; after all, take away Pro-IT, the "all Miata" group, and STU, and how many entries would there be for the LRP National? Twelve? How much would each entry have to cost to make it financially "even"? A ridiculous amount, I'd suggest.

On the other hand, it's getting to the point that Miatae are quickly becoming a barrier to entry for other classes. People like Tim above are having to scramble simply in order to get entry into the events! When you add in low-cost groups to get the entries up, well, you're gonna get the entries up; since Miatae are probably the most profligate make/model in Club Racing today, they're going to fill those low-cost fields pretty quickly.

It's a double-edged sword, good for the region(s), bad for Non-Miatae competitors. But, in the end, as long as the supply of M1s doesn't run out and we're all able to compete, is it so bad that we all get "assimilated"?

[Andy Bettencourt]

I don't have any idea what you are talking about. I can see and have seen everything you see. The difference is that I don't (and never did) see it as a bad thing. You guys are the ones who are coming around from 'damn Miata's' to 'wow, without them we have no event'. My only dissappointment is that we don't have MORE IT participation in a series that was designed for them.

I think YOU are finally coming to grips with the fact that the Miata's are the savior they HAVE BEEN for the past 2-3 years. Right? This event just happens to be obvious.

Miata's aren't the barrier to entry, the rules are. I have said this over and over, from the very FIRST Pro IT race at a National, the organizers needed to have a plan in place for when National SM drivers used that race for extra track time and limit entries for the types of cars that the series was intended for.

Suggestions:

1. First come first served for ITx, SM and SSM.
2. Wait-list any SM that is also registered for the National (of which there are 8 right now) and fill them in on a first come basis if IT can't pull it's weight

If you want to go full-on first-come first-served...change the name! Maybe the Series has morphed given who actually enters and I have ZERO problems with that. The Pro IT website doesn't really tell what the series is all about, just who is eligible so this may all be moot!

[gran racing]

i think they should combine more of the national groups and give us even more qual. time. we're bringing more cars just for one group the way it stands now!

As long the national entry fee were reduced and regional fee increased, have at it! Cause that one 22.5 minute qualifying session on Friday is so appealing to me. LOL If the same people race SSC in the national and regional event (a whooping 0 thus far), I'd rather do the regional all things considered.

Interesting dilemma with all of the Miata cars mixed in the "IT group".

[benspeed]

Tell you what - I'm looking forward to seeing a nice battle with some top ITA cars - Greg, you got to get something to drive and keep yer buttt oughta tech :-)

Rob T and Rob N - way to get the cars put back together - Autotechnic needs to thank you by providing trackside catering and message services.

Marc - keen to see what you got for ITR? Who's car? I'm guessing another S2000...

Is there a IT legal Miata catcher I can weld on ?

[Doc Bro]

Is there a IT legal Miata catcher I can weld on ?

Thant's hilarious!!
R

[ulfelder]

Marc - keen to see what you got for ITR? Who's car? I'm guessing another S2000...

Speaking of which ... I registered for ITS as a place-holder, but if all goes well, we'll unveil my S2000 at this race. Fingers crossed.

Steve

[benspeed]

Go Steve U! Hope you can unveil that badass race car.

[ulfelder]

Speaking of which ... I registered for ITS as a place-holder, but if all goes well, we'll unveil my S2000 at this race. Fingers crossed.

Steve

I'm out, gang. Not gonna make it. Somebody on the wait list just got lucky ...

Steve