If I was thinking about running an "F1000" would I still do it?
Its hard to say... with all of the recent posts forcasting the demise of home-built cars, poorly written rules, name calling, and super-expensive manfactured rides I would be having second thoughts.
Then I pulled up the thread that started it all... (kinda) it had nearly 18,000 views and 200+ posts... one of the most popular in Apex history. http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11034
Why was this thread so popular?
I have to believe it was because the original intent of F1000 was so very exciting! Put a 1000cc bike motor in an FC. Simple! Run as fast, or faster, for less money. Great!
For me, a 1996 VD is no longer a car that can be nationally competitive- so I had to buy a new car or realize that no matter how much time I've got in development, a 98+ VD will have an advantage I might not be able to overcome.
You can convert a current FC to F1000 for less than $9,000 if someone else does the work. If you feel like doing it cut the cost WAY down. Here is my post detailing my costs: http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/show...&postcount=184
I'll bet you could convert one for $4000 w/ in-house fab work and its really not all that hard. (you will have to sell the Pinto & LD)
If you were planning on rebuilding the Pinto doesn't that become a wash?
I don't think we are after the current successful FC, FA, FM, FSCCA, ect drivers but rather the frustrated CFC, and FC owners who's cars sit in the garage most of the time. We may attract some new guys who have seen this formula work in Europe, Canada, etc. We may also get some folks who like open wheel but are afraid of the expense.
What about manifacturer support/ participation? I think those guys need to figure out how to build a car for less than $25k if they want to play in the sandbox. The whole thing starts getting fuzzy when the guys like me who are converting cars (for free) are now racing against $50,000 new cars.