New Sportsman Rules for 2017...

[Phil Jacques]

These rules were sent to me earlier today so I thought I would post them up and get the discussion started...






After reading through these I have only one question... Why try to fix a division that isn't broken? On one side of this, I completely understand what is trying to be done... However, this is going to cost many substantial amounts of money for what reason exactly? This was one of, if not the strongest division in the state in the 2015 and 2016 season from what I have seen (obviously from afar). NSS and other tracks had very strong counts and competitive fields on a weekly basis. So why? With car counts in the 20s to near 30 at times in 2015 and similar in 2016 I just don't get why you would cost so many people, so much money to make so many changes for no apparent reason. Take one of the existing sets of rules, and making all tracks align that way would cost much less... Just my opinion but I feel like this is going to severely hurt the division...

[B-dub]

Bs

Looks like I might have 2 cars for sale, just clipped one that I now have to change and almost done with another that these body rules will make me redo at the tune of roughly 1k , rules to save money never do

Aaron Williamson

[souk45]

I hope NSS backs out of those rules we already have a pro late class. We have seen way to many changes as it is!!!!! Keep sportsman cheap less motor, lower shock claim to 75$ or 100$ increase weight (stock sportsman can't go down to 2900) stock clutches ect.! I feel the race shops who influence the rule changes are the number 1 reason budget classes loose their car counts.

[shorttrackcar1]

Wow it's Nice that only a few select are able to view the rules before the people who actually race at these track can't even get a copy. unbelievable great job .

[Phil Jacques]

Wow it's Nice that only a few select are able to view the rules before the people who actually race at these track can't even get a copy. unbelievable great job .

These rules were actually handed out at the DASS race in the drivers meeting to all attending drivers.

It should also be noted that everything highlighted in yellow is a rule change.

[morton]

why change the body rules, it does not cost any more money to add rake to your body and dont say its because you cant see the guy behind you, you shouldnt be looking in your mirror plus most cars have a spotter. i can see using a tube clip because of trying to find a stock clip that is 40 yrs old.

[OldSchool+]

I think most will be able to meet the rules with a minimum of modification.

Cost--apparently will not be prohibitive, in light of what it costs just to competitively make a race, to get a car legal. If a Team wants to make changes to a car to potentially take advantage of the rule changes, well, them folks are spending money already...

The very good news is that they will be consistent across several tracks.

[OldSchool+]

Phil,

Please note if you are coming down--

Body Rule #6: "Forward Rutters" are not allowed!

[shorttrackcar1]

This is not the first time they have banned tracks together or tried too . let see how long it last this time not being negative just telling the truth . it is great . The only thing they need to do for sure is seal the deal SEALED CRATE MOTOR ONLY and if you're caught cheating one up harsh penalties no exceptions !!!! And don't change the rules anymore ever Leave it alone no reason too.

[Phil Jacques]

I think most will be able to meet the rules with a minimum of modification.

Cost--apparently will not be prohibitive, in light of what it costs just to competitively make a race, to get a car legal. If a Team wants to make changes to a car to potentially take advantage of the rule changes, well, them folks are spending money already...

The very good news is that they will be consistent across several tracks.

You have clearly never owned a race car or had to dish out the money. For your idea of minimum modification, let's take the body for example. Aero matters at tracks like NSS in these cars, otherwise there wouldn't be wedge bodies at all. So that said, if you adjust the nose, the fenders have to move/change so does the hood and possibly even the radiator depending on how everything is set for heights. Then your roof placement is off so it needs to move which affects the doors and even some of the interior panels. The quarters then have to be adjusted as does the decklid and then you have to think about all the frame work and support structure under that. There is nothing "minimum" about that. And how about the crossmember. If you have to move the engine, then the driveshaft angle changes, may even change the length depending, also the transmission crossmember, exhaust mounting and routing (which is also affected by body changes because of where exhausts exit) so on and so fourth. There is nothing "simple" here. It goes on and on.

[Phil Jacques]

This is not the first time they have banned tracks together or tried too . let see how long it last this time not being negative just telling the truth . it is great . The only thing they need to do for sure is seal the deal SEALED CRATE MOTOR ONLY and if you're caught cheating one up harsh penalties no exceptions !!!! And don't change the rules anymore ever Leave it alone no reason too.

As I said to someone yesterday... We all know within one year, every track will be running different variances of these rules, and we will be right back to where we are now except for the fact that people had to waste a ton of money to conform to fixing something that wasn't broken to begin with. It's happened before, and will happen again. Just can't leave well enough alone.

[OldSchool+]

As you know, I am around people that are spending money with no rules changes and the investment is already significant.

Crash damage also requires significant $$. As do improvements for "competitive advantage".

I get that, and am impressed on a weekly basis by the heroic efforts made by folks throughout the pits just to get to the track.

My point was that these rules changes are kind of more of the same.

The changes you outline in post #10 are mostly involving time, and again, even at my limited level of involvement, that is already at significant levels.

[Phil Jacques]

As you know, I am around people that are spending money with no rules changes and the investment is already significant.

Crash damage also requires significant $$. As do improvements for "competitive advantage".

I get that, and am impressed on a weekly basis by the heroic efforts made by folks throughout the pits just to get to the track.

My point was that these rules changes are kind of more of the same.

The changes you outline in post #10 are mostly involving time, and again, even at my limited level of involvement, that is already at significant levels.

You really just have no clue. So this isn't going to cost anyone any money? What about those who can't do the work themselves? They have others do the work on their cars. This stuff doesn't just magically get done for free. That about the parts required, or the materials? Not everybody does their cars themselves. What about those like Aaron above, who just had his car re clipped, only to now have that clip have to be changed/modified because it was for the old rules, or the body he just put on his other car that now has to come completely back off, re configured, and re constructed. When you move panels, they don't always just fit back into place. Things are made to fit perfect, and when you have to move things, others don't fit and then you have to replace them to make it right again.

Another thing is the shock rule change. Don't think for one second everyone won't be going to buy the best they can get that the claim rule and specs allow now. Every rule change costs money. You're an absolute FOOL if you believe it doesn't. This is BAD for the racer. The division was working well, strong and competitive. There was no reason to change it.

[OldSchool+]

Upon further examination there are details in the new rules that very well may put the crate motor at a disadvantage, and that is not a good thing at all, nor a cheap thing.

It ain't the first time I been a fool, fool!

[Phil Jacques]

Upon further examination there are details in the new rules that very well may put the crate motor at a disadvantage, and that is not a good thing at all, nor a cheap thing.

It ain't the first time I been a fool, fool!

That's just the tip of the iceberg... These rules make this division just another richboy's playground. Whoever spends the most, will win. It's just a bad thing for the little guy grassroots racer who truly is the basis of this division.