1LikesU.S. Vintage Trans-Am Racing
07-18-2008, 09:51 AM
#1636
I agree with many who have posted that all tracks running this class should strictly adhere to the rules. However, let's not be too harsh on any track that is trying to build back some local interest. If bending the rules a bit is getting more people to show up at a specific location, that is good for the hobby.
I would suggest though that you need someone at any track running this type of class to be the rules czar. It is their responsibility to guide, prod, push, or otherwise be a pain until all cars are running the rules of the USVTA class. At my local track I've taken on that role. I haven't turned any racers away because their car wasn't exactly in compliance. However, I will remind/bug/annoy any regular who isn't running per the rules - for example using a wing on a Mustang body.
If budgets are a concern at your local track, I can see cutting some guys a little slack for a few races until they can save their pennies. Get 'em hooked and then get them to stay in it the right way. But if your tracks doesn't abide by some form of rules this class you will lose racers because eventually someone is going to be faster who isn't legal and those who are will stop running.
As far as bodies goes, I have been taking the approach of could I have seen this paint scheme on this car in the 60's/70's? If it isn't a copy of a race team, could a privateer have taken his street car to the track and raced it? The point is to give this class a vintage feel as well as seeing cars that look like the are ready to race on an actual track. This is a big draw for a lot of the racers in this class. I can only speak for myself, but I've never been a big fan of a lot of the touring car/off-road paint schemes that you see.
I'll end by saying if it works locally and the racers at your track are having fun, that's great. But if you aren't following the rules as spelled out on the USVTA website, then you really aren't running the same thing as everyone else.
I would suggest though that you need someone at any track running this type of class to be the rules czar. It is their responsibility to guide, prod, push, or otherwise be a pain until all cars are running the rules of the USVTA class. At my local track I've taken on that role. I haven't turned any racers away because their car wasn't exactly in compliance. However, I will remind/bug/annoy any regular who isn't running per the rules - for example using a wing on a Mustang body.
If budgets are a concern at your local track, I can see cutting some guys a little slack for a few races until they can save their pennies. Get 'em hooked and then get them to stay in it the right way. But if your tracks doesn't abide by some form of rules this class you will lose racers because eventually someone is going to be faster who isn't legal and those who are will stop running.
As far as bodies goes, I have been taking the approach of could I have seen this paint scheme on this car in the 60's/70's? If it isn't a copy of a race team, could a privateer have taken his street car to the track and raced it? The point is to give this class a vintage feel as well as seeing cars that look like the are ready to race on an actual track. This is a big draw for a lot of the racers in this class. I can only speak for myself, but I've never been a big fan of a lot of the touring car/off-road paint schemes that you see.
I'll end by saying if it works locally and the racers at your track are having fun, that's great. But if you aren't following the rules as spelled out on the USVTA website, then you really aren't running the same thing as everyone else.
07-18-2008, 10:32 AM
#1638
if I didn't paint it up like that I wouldn't know what car is mine. getting old now and I'm not as fast to pick out my car in a crowd on the straight unless it's painted up that way. we had one qualifer with 3 white with blue strips mustang talk about keeping your car straight
BTW........I'm going to run a white Mustang with blue stripes!
07-18-2008, 10:34 AM
#1639
See? It's ok because his other cars are really ugly, too! 
This is called Trans Am peer pressure and harassment. All future spray bombs and no-detail paint jobs are subjected to same or worse treatment. Public humiliation is likely and enjoyed by all. Stonings are optional. All rights reserved.
This is called Trans Am peer pressure and harassment. All future spray bombs and no-detail paint jobs are subjected to same or worse treatment. Public humiliation is likely and enjoyed by all. Stonings are optional. All rights reserved.
07-18-2008, 10:40 AM
#1640
Tech Champion
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To each his own....but man what a waste of good lexan.....
07-18-2008, 10:42 AM
#1641
Tech Adept
wow. some of you are so lame ganging up on a guy for not putting decals.
07-18-2008, 10:55 AM
#1643
Tech Champion
iTrader: (32)
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It’s not so much the lack of decals as it is the lack of taste.
Besides Nash knows how awesome his paint job is and he never has to worry about someone stealing it from him too....we are just having fun with the Blue/Yellow/White Monstrosity that he calls a race car.
Besides Nash knows how awesome his paint job is and he never has to worry about someone stealing it from him too....we are just having fun with the Blue/Yellow/White Monstrosity that he calls a race car.
07-18-2008, 11:09 AM
#1646
I like the rules of the TA....but some tracks dont have a 12th scale or pan car following...most of our racers are new to the game...and our race director thought it would be best to not even touch the 4 cell rule...when you are trying to cut cost....batteries and chargers are top...we compared 3200 lipo and charger compared to 3-5 four cell packs and charger and tray and soldering and storage..ect and the 340+ dollars these newbies would have spent..would have ran them off....the big overall pic is that in order to get really good turn-outs "I" think you have to have a little bending on the rules...I have plenty of 6 cell packs...but if I had to go buy all that stuff "AGAIN"...I wouldnt race TA....I would contiue to race dirt...but I gave that up to do this....and I wouldnt change a thing....
if you keep the cost down...you will have more "FUN"...every week the class grows..we started around 15...now we have over 40 involed...no we didnt go by the book, but we did make adjustments for the class to grow..and we will start bitting down on the rules...just remember if it isnt FUN...its TC
if you keep the cost down...you will have more "FUN"...every week the class grows..we started around 15...now we have over 40 involed...no we didnt go by the book, but we did make adjustments for the class to grow..and we will start bitting down on the rules...just remember if it isnt FUN...its TC
07-18-2008, 11:13 AM
#1647
Roberts too old to teach him any new tricks/paint... I feel bad now for all the flaming he's getting about his paint...I figured he'd throw his old scheme on it knowing robert but was hopeful he'd get into the TA sprint and try something else more vintage style... lol.
I must say we are getting bigger and bigger turns out, part of it (IMO) being a little loose on the rules just to get new racers into it. so do what pulls in newbies for your track...then once you get enough turn out force the official rules and /or have a loose rule novice class AND a true TA/4cell/no cheater wing class. ..and I think we are getting enough turn out or are pretty close to have a novice and true TA class.
I must say we are getting bigger and bigger turns out, part of it (IMO) being a little loose on the rules just to get new racers into it. so do what pulls in newbies for your track...then once you get enough turn out force the official rules and /or have a loose rule novice class AND a true TA/4cell/no cheater wing class. ..and I think we are getting enough turn out or are pretty close to have a novice and true TA class.
07-18-2008, 11:24 AM
#1648
It seems to me that the whole point of Vintage T/A is to have a class of scale appearing vintage livery Trans-Am style cars. A big reason that the people who like it like it is because the cars look "real". Frankly, I don't know why else you would want to run this class. "I want to race touring cars, but I wish they were slower with horrible aerodynamics and marginal grip." I want to run it because the cars look bitchin'. Period.
07-18-2008, 11:26 AM
#1649
aint it nice to be back on the same page TQ...lol...come get some
btw...i think you should do whats best for the class and racers....to each its own...well maybe..but Ive helped 3 other tracks go from 6-10 racers to 20 racers in a couple of weeks...not to hurt the OG rules but to help get ppl racing again
you do what you want...but we are having a ball and I honestly dont see it slowing down anytime soon...our indoor season is around the corner and we are running right on track to come inside and bring even bigger and better turn-outs
hopefully..lol..good luck and happy racing...TA all the way?
btw...i think you should do whats best for the class and racers....to each its own...well maybe..but Ive helped 3 other tracks go from 6-10 racers to 20 racers in a couple of weeks...not to hurt the OG rules but to help get ppl racing again
you do what you want...but we are having a ball and I honestly dont see it slowing down anytime soon...our indoor season is around the corner and we are running right on track to come inside and bring even bigger and better turn-outs
hopefully..lol..good luck and happy racing...TA all the way?
Last edited by DARKSIDE; 07-18-2008 at 11:35 AM. Reason: yummy
07-18-2008, 11:38 AM
#1650
[QUOTE=DARKSIDE;4650390]....
if you keep the cost down...you will have more "FUN"...every week the class grows..we started around 15...now we have over 40 involed...no we didnt go by the book, but we did make adjustments for the class to grow..and we will start bitting down on the rules...just remember if it isnt FUN...its TC...QUOTE]
Where are you running, 40 seems like a lot.
if you keep the cost down...you will have more "FUN"...every week the class grows..we started around 15...now we have over 40 involed...no we didnt go by the book, but we did make adjustments for the class to grow..and we will start bitting down on the rules...just remember if it isnt FUN...its TC...QUOTE]
Where are you running, 40 seems like a lot.