In a meeting with all the known current FC chassis manufacturers there was a lengthy discussion about the lack of available LD200 gearboxes needed to supply new FC chassis, or broken existing cases. Hewland seems not interested in building anymore, and the new ones available are being hoarded by those that have them (can't blame them). Thus if you aren't building a car for USF2000 it is basically impossible to get a new LD200.
FC guys are now actively encouraging their friends to convert to FB, just so they can buy the freed up LD200.
Others are shopping for used boxes in Europe.
Some chassis builders are already investigating the available Hewland sequential box for fit (it fits with a new hub), and pickup point placement (the pickup points are different).
What was interesting was while chassis builders can be pretty protective of rules governing their chassis, it was like a 60s lovefest with the idea of letting sequential boxes in.
One of the main arguments for was that they are already in other SCCA classes,
they are in street cars,
the Hewland sequential box is stiffer,
they have a wiz factor for new blood,
etc., etc.
If proposed in the future, it would probably carry a 25# weight penalty (as in FA).
Many say there is really no big advantage. Because getting from 5th to 1st coming into Canada is a time consuming process, as the driver has to row through each gear, while with an H box he/she could go straight from 4th to 1st. (ed note: Oh did i write 5th to 1st? i meant to write 6th to 1st )
That argument was all well and good, until this morning I read that the FB guys are now spending upwards of $6,000 for sequential shifters.
What i found ironic, was some seemed dug in to prevent possible chassis cost escalation, but seemed to care less if gearboxes started costing a ton.
OBTW, i must say that while the majority of the constructors like the sequential idea, everybody realizes there will be a massive scream coming out of the membership if proposed... except those members that need a new case, and can't buy one.