New Racers in ITS?

[R2 Racing]

I was about 95% certain I had my ITS Prelude Si sold to a guy in the Atlanta area last month. He was looking to make the jump from HPDE/PDX's to racing. He sold the HPDE car, bought the truck, but then ran into some cash flow problems. Might not be dead in the water, but looking bleak. I was really excited about the idea of that car heading to the SEDiv where a "smaller than me" guy could race it at minimum weight against good fields. I still think it's hands-down one of the best cars to have in ITS.

[JeffYoung]

With the power and torque numbers I heard for it, I agree.

Hope it works out and we see that car out next year.

Corrado and that car are the two high power FWD cars that, while it may take dollars to get them competitive, sure seem like they could be winners.

[seckerich]

We have had a few really fast Preludes in the southeast, just not after lap 10. By then the front tires are toast.

[JeffYoung]

Didn't Lucho drive one?

[seckerich]

He had Tom Fowlers old OPM Prelude. Very fast.

[RedMisted]

We are seeing ITS shrinkage and ITR growth in the Northeast.

I've noticed the ITR growth in that division. Which is why I don't race in Ohio anymore, unless it's the IT Fest.

[Jeremy Billiel]

We are seeing ITS shrinkage and ITR growth in the Northeast.

I am not sure I would have said that Andy. ITS has fallen off the earth with like 3 cars entered per weekend in the Northeast...

[R2 Racing]

He had Tom Fowlers old OPM Prelude. Very fast.

That was the H22 powered "Prelude VTEC", which has to weigh ~400lbs more than my H23 powered "Prelude Si". It's actually lighter than my ITA Integra, so tires aren't a problem on it at all. The biggest problem with the Prelude Si is that the driver can only be about 170lbs in order to make weight. Compared to my ITA car, which has done 1:42 flats at Road Atlanta, it's 40lbs lighter, has +25whp, and +50wtq. Sub 1:40's, all day.

[tade]

I was about 95% certain I had my ITS Prelude Si sold to a guy in the Atlanta area last month. He was looking to make the jump from HPDE/PDX's to racing. He sold the HPDE car, bought the truck, but then ran into some cash flow problems. Might not be dead in the water, but looking bleak. I was really excited about the idea of that car heading to the SEDiv where a "smaller than me" guy could race it at minimum weight against good fields. I still think it's hands-down one of the best cars to have in ITS.

I still can't believe I couldn't make it There's still some hope, but I may end up with an ITA or ITC car what I know I would regret. We'll see...

[timo944]

hmmm...is it brown or white?

red!!!

[lawtonglenn]

I am not sure I would have said that Andy. ITS has fallen off the earth with like 3 cars entered per weekend in the Northeast...

You know Jeremy, my mother told me a million times not to exaggerate....

25 Jul 10 WGI(p)ITS = 11 entries
25 Jul 10 WGI(r)ITS = 10
24 Jul 10 WGI(r)ITS = 10
11 Jul 10 NHMS, ITS = 6
11 Jul 10 NHMS, ITS = 6
10 Jul 10 NHMS, ITS = 7
19 Jun 10 LRP, ITS = 7
06 Jun 10 NHMS, ITS = 6
05 Jun 10 NHMS, ITS = 6
02 May 10 NHMS, ITS = 6
10 Apr 10 NHMS, ITS = 7

Look, I am not saying 6 or 7 is adequate, it is not...I long for the
good old days with 10, 12, 14 or more ITS entries....however, your
erroneous exaggeration doesn't help... not one bit.



From what I can see, there are two related pressures on this:


1. Competing schedules...just yesterday there were races at WGI, NJMP, and NHMS


2. The very existence of the Pro-IT series.

While it is a good formula, and a fun time, my comments about its parasitic
nature are still true, and the parasite is continuing to strengthen
at the expense of the host...

In the upcoming WGI races in two weeks, 9 of the 21 Drivers registered in
ITR and ITS the Pro-IT race are not registered for the regional ...

This is just not consistent with the economics of the relationship
between the regionals and the Pro-IT series. I don't blame the drivers, they
are playing the game within the rules...I think the rules need fixing

It is my understanding that because the Pro-IT entrants are "extra" the
regions justify only taking half of the normal entry fee, leaving the
other half for the Pro-IT prize pool.

While that is certainly the case when a Pro-IT is married with a National race,
or with another Pro race, I suggest that when a Pro-IT race is run with a
Regional race, the region should only agree to take half when in fact the driver
is also registered for the regional race (ie truly an extra)...if not
they should insist on taking the full fee. In the upcoming WGI case that
would make my suggested fee structure:

$300 for regional
$450 for Pro-IT ($300 to region, $150 to prize fund)
$600 for both ($450 to region, $150 to prize fund)


Where now the current fee structure is:

$300 for regional
$300 for Pro-IT ($150 to region, $150 to prize fund)
$600 for both ($450 to region, $150 to prize fund)

Essentially, the people ONLY running the Pro-IT series are racing
for HALF PRICE, since the prize money comes back to them...
and if they only do the Pro-IT series all year, their entry budget is
reduced by half...50%....4/8....4 slices. Wow!

The way it is currently structured, the regions are not only supporting
the Pro-IT series by doing all the work, they are subsidizing the effort,
and as a result we have almost half of the ITR and ITS drivers ONLY running
the Pro-IT series, leading to reduced car counts in the regionals.


Kudos to those drivers for recognizing the bargain...
Shame on us for creating the bargain while simultaneously reducing
car counts, regional income, and racing fun


Glenn


PS Jeremy...instead of complaining about the low ITS car count, why don't
you get out of the Laz-Z-Boy and get your ass to the track, you
do have an ITS car, remember?


.

[Charles Perry]

I still have a Si Prelude, I could not keep a motor in it for some reason. Probably jumped time 4 different times!! But when it ran it was quick and easy to drive. So I went to the old reliable ZX!!

[Ron Earp]

Kudos to those drivers for recognizing the bargain...
Shame on us for creating the bargain while simultaneously reducing
car counts, regional income, and racing fun.

On the surface it does sort of seem that way. I don't know enough about it to form an intelligent opinion, however, I am sort of glad ProIT doesn't exist in the Southeast so I don't have to worry about it. ITS counts down here are strong and seem to be getting stronger. As of now, at least in the SE, ITS is a great place to race and seemingly as large as, or larger, than the ITA, ITB, or ITC fields.

[spawpoet]

As of now, at least in the SE, ITS is a great place to race and seemingly as large as, or larger, than the ITA, ITB, or ITC fields.

Echoing what you are saying, we have 8 ITS cars entered in the Sebring drivers school alone this weekend. More than any other class including SM.

[racingralph]

Yes I am now the proud owner of an ITS Mazda RX7........

I still have a few things to get sorted out before it hits the track but
hopefully it will be soon......

Now here's the deal........My 1984 Nissan 300ZX is for sale.......it is a factory
hardtop......serial number 20.......it came off the assembly line the first day
of production.......

pass the word.......it will make someone an awesome car if they can get it built
and finished out.......

hope bryan will let me know when he's ready to go racing. i'll try to help him learn these cars faster. i'll share almost everything i had learned 'bout these cars ....still got to outrun him if/when we come back racing. ralph

[Bryan88]

hope bryan will let me know when he's ready to go racing. i'll try to help him learn these cars faster. i'll share almost everything i had learned 'bout these cars ....still got to outrun him if/when we come back racing. ralph

Hey Ralph......I'll give you a call this week......Hopefully I'll be shooting for the double Carolina cup races at Kershaw.......Those should be my first time out on the track with the new car.....