The has been a fairly interesting thread over on the GT1DA.com website recently. In the forum section an individual posted that, in essence, it was time for the SCCA’s GT1 class to be returned to the amateurs. That the class had been hijacked by the Trans-Am racers and had become so skewed that no amateur had a chance of winning. In the article he, to my surprise, named Tony Ave and Jim Derhaag as being the main perpetrators of this theft.
While I found it a little difficult to follow, it appears that he had three main complaints with the rules. One. The weight breaks were such that you had to have a 358 engine to compete. Two. The cost and complexity, of adjustable sway bars. Thirdly. The cost of a three link rear suspension, where the upper link extends up into the driver compartment.
Then, in a move that I really dont understand, he complained about the cost of a HANS device and the requirement that it be made mandantory. These were all items which he suggested should be rescinded for the good of the sport and the financial well being of the competitors.
Now I have no idea how you feel about this matter, or if you even care. To me however it appears to be so same old argument. “Racing is too expensive for the average competitor, and something needs to be done about it”. And you know that is correct. However, there is no turning back, once the technology is out there you cant do a Vulcan mind meld and force people to unlearn it. Short of that its probably a thing where if you cant afford it, you need to look for an alternative.
I do think that the SCCA and similar groups should examine ways to reduce the costs to the competitors. At the same time we dont want GT racing to become a spec series. If you really want to see out of control costs look no further than Nascar. There with basically a spec car series, teams are spending increasing amounts for really small returns. Why? because in a spec class it only takes a small advantage to seperate the winners from the losers.
In GT road racing, we are fortunate to have vintage racing. There the older cars can still be competitive with their peers long after their time of glory has passed them by. Maybe instead of trying to keep the times from changing, those who would advocate that, should give vintage a try.
But to quote Dennis Miller: “thats only my opinion. I could be wrong”.
Roadracepartsmans Blog 
And yet buying old Trans Am equipment is much cheaper than building a car from the ground up. GT-1 isn’t meant to be cheap racing ! It’s the highest level in club GT racing. As for the whining on HANS devices , it makes me think of the guys at short tracks with the thin proban suits , single layer gloves and street shoes , that say ” I can’t afford more exspensive safety gear” My response is “Can you afford to not be at work on monday? Better gloves and proper racing shoes are a great aid in getting out of a flaming car , and a better suit can prevent time in a burn unit , which is an extremely uncomfy place to be. Find “Remember Charlie” on U tube or abother web page , and this guys story will get your mind at attention. I saw the full legnth vidieos and not just entertaining as presented , but VERY powerful message on short cuts.
Mike
So true about the safety equipment, and we both can recall examples of people, I think this is more true of oval racing, who would spend crazy amounts of money for a engine, legal or otherwise, and shortcut the safety.
As far as GT1, it hasn’t ever been cheap, and never will be. I think that people need to realize that there is always somebody with the latest and greatest, deep pocketbooks, etc. and they are hard to beat. Most of us arent pros and need to realize that. There is nothing wrong with vintage racing you know.
Thanks for the input. Lets hear some more.
Russ
I agree with MIke Donohue’s assessment of people who will climb into a car without the proper safety gear regardless of thier excuse. I live in a world where our safety gear is second only to the training we get and both are the “prime concern”
None of my people would dare to attempt thier job without thier “complete” gear. I) Becasue they know the risk of not using it, and 2) The penalty is far to great both financially and personally. That said there should be no argument from any driver on the use of safety equipment, whether its a multi layer suit requirement, shoes, gloves or head and neck restraints.
Lastly if you remember back to the early days of head and neck restraints the great Dale Earnhart once remarked that he would not wear one becasue it would hang you, Well we see that not only does it not hang you but quite the opposite it presents a hangmans fracture that did indeed kill him.
While safety gear is the last to be purchased durig the build process it should get the highest attention to quality and detail and each drive should purchase the absolute best they can before getting into that car.
Valid points. I suppose I have my feet firmly planted on both sides of this issue.
As far as getting in any vehicle, and not using the best safety equipment available, only a fool wouldn’t do it.
In racing, which is by all means voluntary, it certainly seems to me that the sanctioning organization has the right to require that you use certain equipment. No argument from me on that.
On the street, which ISN’T what we are talking about, I feel differently. If the insurance company says that for me to be covered I have to wear a seat belt, OK. Its my choice and I leave by my actions. But for the government to say I have to, because it will cost everybody if I get in an accident – No, I dont agree, because you can use that argument for everything.
Back to racing, use the best you can get. Its a dangerous sport and it may save your life.