I think most of the charm of the A/C category is the fact that they are the original cars. If the body shell isn't the car then what actually does make it the car?
If you pulled the car into pieces and asked anybody to identify which bit makes it a particular vehicle then surely everyone would point at the shell and not a diff centre, steering wheel, or shock absorber.
There is a new code of conduct that's recently been released based on the principles of historic racing which are designed to both provide entertainment and protect the vehicles. That's not always going to be 100% achievable and although its tragic some cars will surely suffer some damage from time to time.
Its funny?? how everyone thinks guys that own these cars are either investors, elitist, or incredibly wealthy and therefore ignorant of the historic value of the cars. Being successful doesn't necessarily mean you are a cockhead and after spending a reasonable amount of time with these guys I can assure you that most (if not all) of them that own these cars do so because they love them and their history.
We are just lucky that they will put them on the track and drive in controlled anger so we can continue to enjoy a golden period in Australian motorsport. I'd call them generous.
The replica series sounds like a good idea but the Biante series works well enough to fill the void for a truly competitive series using older cars. The XB and SLR5000 are being added to these ranks in 2011 and as time moves on you would think even 'newer' models would also be included.
New race Car or a Total?
Started by
_rorym_
, Feb 28 2011 06:06 PM
58 replies to this topic
#52
_rorym_
_rorym_
-
- Guests
Posted 14 March 2011 - 08:10 PM
My 2c........
EVERY component of a race car is a "wear item" including the shell.
ALL components should at one time or another need replacement.
The rules of a historic category such as group C/A need to be sympathetic to this.
The competitiors who race these cars have to accept that there is a real chance of damage to their CAR/INVESTMENT during an event and to say that a fellow competitor in a lower valued car (replica or not) would be less prepared to yeild a corner based on the worth of their car vs the worth of a higher spec car is just purely an elitist attitude.
A simple franchise based system of replicas would stop all this. The racing would be better, the investment potential of the original car would be protected and the elitist attitude of the wealthy folk that congregate in the class could still be respected....
For those who say that replicas will be the end of the road for their investment in the original cars................
Most historic racing cars that are actively competing in Europe are REPLICAS... the originals are safely tucked away in museums.. This doesn't seem to have diminished their worth any.
Cheers Greg..
You dont say a lot...but when you do it makes sense.
Craig,
I also agree but Frank and crew need to drop the.."If you didnt spend as much as me to buy the original car , you cant race " attitude.
I found them very confronting and stand offish when I asked questions at Speed on Tweed in 08...was very muched looked down the nose at because my car was a replica..might not be the real case but thats how it was portrayed.
R
#53
_CraigA_
_CraigA_
-
- Guests
Posted 14 March 2011 - 08:42 PM
Yep Rory I agree and have seen that attitude on their forum.
It's understandable to a point that they don't want replicas amongst the genuine cars. As I said the category is very special as those who didn't get to see these cars when they raced in their first life can experience the pleasure of seeing them albeit in controlled circumstances 20 to 30 years later.
To put them away and replace them with copies would be unsatisfactory.
Good discussion over a few cold ones :-) look forward to having that opportunity one day soon.
It's understandable to a point that they don't want replicas amongst the genuine cars. As I said the category is very special as those who didn't get to see these cars when they raced in their first life can experience the pleasure of seeing them albeit in controlled circumstances 20 to 30 years later.
To put them away and replace them with copies would be unsatisfactory.
Good discussion over a few cold ones :-) look forward to having that opportunity one day soon.
#54
_yellowa9xs_
_yellowa9xs_
-
- Guests
Posted 16 March 2011 - 02:48 PM
From what I know you can replace the shell if it is damaged at a meeting, but I know I would do everything possible to repair the shell. Replacing it would put a lot of doubt over the cars history and repairing is a matter of time & money. What panel beaters can do with a wreck is amazing and spending money on keeping it original is what should be done. Saying that, if the current owner can't afford the repair (looking at the car I would say $60,000 plus to repair) then selling the car is probably the answer.
CAMS will inspect the car several times during the repairs, making sure it is repaired and not reshelled. The owner should take lots of photographs & videos of the repair process to prove to doubters that it was repaired. When the chassis is on the rack being streched back in to shape would be the critical time to take videos. And don't hide all the repairs - anyone who wants to buy this car later will know about this accident and the scars will help prove it is the original chassis.
Either way, motor racing is not for the faint hearted or the poor. Owning a Group A car is cheap COMPARED to most types of motor sport (you can get into Group A for $50,000 - try buying another type of QUICK race car for that) - running one and repairing one isn't cheap - you would spend $10,000 a meeting on average to run a car (some meetings will cost $4 - 5,000 and others $20,000), with wear & tear on brakes, suspension, engine, gearbox, diff and tyres plus entry fees, accommodation, transporting the car & some panel beating.
you go motor racing hoping you wont have a big one, but knowing it is possible. What the Mustang doesn't cost the owner in running costs for the next 1 or 2 years if he runs 4 or 5 meetings a year, is what he will spend on a damn good panel beater.
Go to Phillip Island this weekend and everyone in Group C & A hopes they don't have a big accident, but all will admit that they know it's possible. Some that have a bad weekend will be back on the track in 3 months, and others wont be back for up to 2 years - or more.
CAMS will inspect the car several times during the repairs, making sure it is repaired and not reshelled. The owner should take lots of photographs & videos of the repair process to prove to doubters that it was repaired. When the chassis is on the rack being streched back in to shape would be the critical time to take videos. And don't hide all the repairs - anyone who wants to buy this car later will know about this accident and the scars will help prove it is the original chassis.
Either way, motor racing is not for the faint hearted or the poor. Owning a Group A car is cheap COMPARED to most types of motor sport (you can get into Group A for $50,000 - try buying another type of QUICK race car for that) - running one and repairing one isn't cheap - you would spend $10,000 a meeting on average to run a car (some meetings will cost $4 - 5,000 and others $20,000), with wear & tear on brakes, suspension, engine, gearbox, diff and tyres plus entry fees, accommodation, transporting the car & some panel beating.
you go motor racing hoping you wont have a big one, but knowing it is possible. What the Mustang doesn't cost the owner in running costs for the next 1 or 2 years if he runs 4 or 5 meetings a year, is what he will spend on a damn good panel beater.
Go to Phillip Island this weekend and everyone in Group C & A hopes they don't have a big accident, but all will admit that they know it's possible. Some that have a bad weekend will be back on the track in 3 months, and others wont be back for up to 2 years - or more.
Edited by yellowa9xs, 16 March 2011 - 02:54 PM.
#55
Neils LX
-
- Members
-
- 2,074 posts
Forum Fixture
- Name:a
- Location:North west NSW
- Joined: 18-March 07
Posted 30 August 2011 - 08:05 PM
Any word on whats happening to it?
#56
_grimy_
_grimy_
-
- Guests
Posted 29 October 2011 - 07:18 PM
Hi guys,
Car has been rebuilt back in NZ by the original builder (as in from the 80's) and has completed a very successful shakedown at pukekohe. Not sure what the repair entailed but regardless, looks fantastic back on track! I know the owner is very excited to get his baby back.
Car has been rebuilt back in NZ by the original builder (as in from the 80's) and has completed a very successful shakedown at pukekohe. Not sure what the repair entailed but regardless, looks fantastic back on track! I know the owner is very excited to get his baby back.
#57
_CraigA_
_CraigA_
-
- Guests
Posted 29 October 2011 - 10:05 PM
Well done to all concerned. Good to see it back on track.
#58
Potta
-
- Members
-
- 6,026 posts
Oh My, Don't you post alot
- Name:Craig
- Location:Gozzy, WA
- Car:LC GTR, LC 4 door
- Joined: 01-May 09
Posted 31 October 2011 - 11:47 AM
Don't do it again! 
Good to see it back out there, I had my doubts we would see it again.
Good to see it back out there, I had my doubts we would see it again.
#59
_grimy_
_grimy_
-
- Guests
Posted 31 October 2011 - 01:05 PM
It's also been confirmed it wasn't a reshell, was repaired.
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
