Originally Posted by
James Michael
The costs are for a Pro-shift system (1995 for system, 595 for paddle, 595 for auto-blip downshifter) in british pounds or about $5100 plus 5.5lbs of weight.
I get you. And I also bought a complete, brand new,Pro-shift with the titanium paddles system, ECU, actuator, harness and blipper for a quarter of that price. A brand new Flatshifter Expert with paddles is for sale right now (never used - brand new) on the DSR forum for a Grand. If you don't want the weight (which in itself, as you indicate, is a weight penalty!?) don't install the system.
Regarding your other stuff there is a balance - why don't we get rid of the stock motors and see how much an engine costs then?
What is your point? I thought your complaint was that shifter systems were a requirement and too expensive. Now you are advocating more expensive engines? I don't understand your point. If your point is that the class should be seriously constrained against any development or evolution, please read my remarks below.
In any case, thanks for the info on the no-lift system - probably worth looking around to see what is available besides the pro-shift.
If you are serious there are deals to be found. If you were serious you would know that. So again, do you feel you cannot compete without a no-lift shifter with auto-blip? Or are you advocating a spec class?
I want to race and have a good strong class with a good showing and part of that is making it reasonable to race. It's not all car, the driver counts too I know. I think having a discussion is a good thing. Innovation is good but at what cost? If you just keep ratching it up and up, it's not that healthy either for the class.
I do not agree. The reason FB exists and continues to grow is the reasonable costs of building a really quick, competitive car. The reason there are a number of manufacturers building in this class because innovation and development is rewarded rather than penalized.
Engines can become expensive if allowed high modifications. As well, you just don't buy one of those...when they get spun harder they don't last as long. With a shifter system, nothing wears out....you only need to make that purchase once.
The reason that there are so many new FB entrants, a new pro series and new cars being developed is specifically because you can be a designer, innovator and competitive racer in FB...which is unlike spec class racing. Again this costs money. If you personally don't like it, then go race FV, or FF, or FE, or FM. How many "spec" classes do there need to be? You are not limited to your choices at all. If you want to go racing at a lower budget, make a choice and race one of the other, lower-priced classes!
FB is the class with the "cool factor". Take away the innovation and you have another of the classes I mentioned above. If one of them is not for you, why make the class into one of them?
Enough said - seems like there are alternatives to the pro-shift that are less expensive.
I agree. But please have your facts straight before you try to redirect the whole class rules structure....or be absolutely clear about what you wish to achieve. And be very careful what you ask for: you might just get it!
So let me be perfectly plain about my perspective. The class is moving in absolutely the right direction. When all SCCA classes have been negatively affected by the economy and many have shown a significant drop in participation, FB continues to show strength and growth (albeit slow, steady growth). That, to me, shows that I am not alone in my opinion.
Another point of participation. The high percentage of FB entrants coming from other classes shows that this class offers something that the other classes do not. Otherwise all these entrants would not have made the expensive shift in participation.