New RallyCross regs and classes!

[edrach]

Finally the regs are out and being published now. This is preliminary and you can read all about it here (you'll be ahead of me since I'm not sure I can "read" Power Point).

 

NORPAC Rally Crossers:

 

As you may know, your voice was loud and strong in the creation of the

NEW 2006 SCCA Rally Cross Rules. While Divisional Stewards from across

the Country contributed and participated in the formulation of these

rules, your participation and support over the many years carried much

weight that was brought to bear at that National level. While some

things have changed, I feel the traditional history and spirit of Rally

Cross was successfully retained and supported.

 

I am happy to announce that the new 2006 Rules are being PRINTED this

week and rule books should be available starting at the National

Convention in Kansas City February 2nd.

 

While there were some minor language and grammatical changes still being

ironed out regarding the rest of the Rule Book regarding operations,

safety and other topics, we made it our Priority to solidify the Class

Structure and Rules so that competitors can be prepared to start the

season off on the right foot.

 

What I have done is prepared a Rally Cross Class Rules overview in Power

Point that you can go to on-line and browse.

 

I will take a quick second to BRIEFLY review the Class Structure now and

you can click the link below for the specifics on Prep Level and class

clarifications.

 

There are now THREE basic Class Prep Levels...

1 - Stock (implies STOCK vehicles with minimal mods)

2 - Prepared (bolted on mods)

3 - Modified (fabricated mods)

 

Within each Class Prep Level there are further configurations as follows:

 

1 - Stock

......Two Wheel Drive FRONT

......Two Wheel Drive REAR

......FOUR/ALL Wheel Drive

 

2 - Prepared

......Two Wheel Drive FRONT

......Two Wheel Drive REAR

......FOUR/ALL Wheel Drive

 

3 - Modified

......Two Wheel Drive

......Four Wheel Drive

 

As I said, there are further clarifications in the attached link but I

think you get the idea. Gone are the old and familiar Stage Rally Class

names that we have grown to know and love. While I'm disappointed in

seeing this particular change, I understand it. In case you are still

wondering "WHY?, the reason lies in the fact that Stage Rally was sold

to Rally America and the class names were sold WITH stage rally. So, it

is now a trademark of Rally America and the SCCA is no longer authorized

to use them.

 

However, on closer inspection you will see that the new class names

reflect what we had been doing already with the exception of some

additional breakdowns in the Stock and Modified Classes. Production is

Stock. G2, G5 and PGT is Prepared. Open Class is now Modified.

Different names, same game.

 

Again, for more information and specifics, write your Regional Rally

Cross Director or myself or you can follow the link to the new rules

presentation.

 

That link is: http://www.pregrid.com/RX/RX_Rules_06.ppt

 

Here is the basic narrative by slide

 

1 - Intro

2 - Traditional Rally Cross Descriptions, but is it more?

3 - Since Rally Cross is indeed more, understanding our history and

future is key to Competitors and the Rules Set

4 - How we find ourselves needing a new Rule Set

5 - Who Rally Cross Competitors REALLY are effects the design of the

Rules Set

6 - Beyond the easily identified competitors, there are NEW markets to

explore. Creating a unified Rule Set allows us to tap these new markets

wherever they are

7 - The unfinished 2005 rules promoted disassociation while the new 2006

rules promote unity and growth

8 - Mandated rules provide Unity and Reduce Liability while still being

flexible at the Regional Level. So what ARE these rules?

9 - Basic Vehicle Eligibility

10 - Three Prep Level Overview and Basic underlying descriptions/reasoning

11 - Stock Classes and Prep

12 - Stock Classes and Prep cont.

13 - Prepared Classes and Prep

14 - Prepared Classes and Prep cont

15 - Prepared Classes and Prep cont

16 - Modified Classes and Prep

17 - Modified Classes and Prep cont

18 - Now that classes are identified and unified, how are they

implemented? SIDE NOTE - What classes CAN'T we use and why?

19 - A note about changes to Penalties

20 - What is a DNF and how is it worth?

21 - Claims and Protests... We're SERIOUS this year

22 - Don't forget our purpose... these rules REFLECT it and so should

our Organizers

23 - Final Thoughts about our Future

24 - Q & A

 

If you cannot read a Power Point presentation, you can email me for a

WORD version of the file that I can send to you individually.

 

Personally, I am very excited about the Rally Cross program for 2006.

It's going to be good for the sport to have a comprehensive NATIONAL

program to back our local efforts. With that kind of support, we can

more effectively advertise, seek and acquire new venues and places to

race, grow our event budget, buy more cones and better equipment, etc.

LOTS of good things will come about because we now have a cohesive

program Nation Wide.

 

I can't wait to see what the new year holds.

 

I also want to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to April

Smith, who will be filling my shoes locally as the Oregon Region Rally

Cross Director and Manager. She joins a respectable group of dedicated

Rally Crossers throughout the Northern Pacific Division of the SCCA that

continues to lead the United States in our Rally Cross program. There

are some big efforts developing in Alaska, Montana and Northern

California that I think will give our long standing presence as the "big

boys of Rally Cross" a run for our money.

 

I have been your NORPAC Rally Cross Steward for the past two years and

this year I am taking a more aggressive role in growing the Rally Cross

programs in other Regions within our Division. The seeds planted last

year are taking hold and there are new programs developing and a greater

interest in our attempt to provide a Divisional Championship this year.

Last year it was nearly impossible to get the Regions to agree on a rule

structure that made a Divisional possible. This year, we have a

cohesive program that will bind us all together and make that Divisional

Title available to a lucky few in each class. Our Division has grown to

NINE Regions this year. That's NINE Regional Rally Cross Championships

and 72 Regional Championship Titles, 216 Invitations to the Divisional

Championships but only 8 Divisional Championship Titles up for grabs.

That's not including the shot at a National Rally Cross Championship

Title at the end of the year!

 

Like Solo, we have planned for a National Marketing program that will

attract Sponsors and other exposure to the Rally Cross Program and it is

my supreme hope that this kind of support will filter its way down

through the Divisional events into the Regional events and be a direct

benefit to each and every one of you.

 

Here's to a great 2006!!!

 

Scott Kovalik

YOUR NORPAC Rally Cross Steward

scott@pregrid.com

dkov@pacifier.com

[edrach]

Cool, I can do powerpoint. I still don't know much more. We'll see how it works, but the most obvious thing appears to be that the low cost "beater" is pretty much relegated to being non-competitive. My Brat which would be considered Prep 4WD class could be running against a prepped WRX. I don't want to criticize before seeing the event structure but I would think SCCA has managed to exclude the "low budget" weekend warrior from fielding a competitive vehicle since there is no differentiation between a 80 HP vehicle and 200 HP vehicle within classes.

[GLCraig]

Cool, I can do powerpoint. I still don't know much more. We'll see how it works, but the most obvious thing appears to be that the low cost "beater" is pretty much relegated to being non-competitive. My Brat which would be considered Prep 4WD class could be running against a prepped WRX. I don't want to criticize before seeing the event structure but I would think SCCA has managed to exclude the "low budget" weekend warrior from fielding a competitive vehicle since there is no differentiation between a 80 HP vehicle and 200 HP vehicle within classes.

 

Hey Ed, I managed to do okay Last season with my STOCK GL wagon and lack of driving skills, in the open class.

[edrach]

It'll be interesting I'm sure. I'll see how I manage. Makes me think I want to convince my wife to let me bring her Impreza instead and run stock. But I'll likely run a full season with the Brat since I do it for fun anyway.

Hey Ed, I managed to do okay Last season with my STOCK GL wagon and lack of driving skills, in the open class.

[Dr. RX]

So, since all the stuff on my Impreza is bolted on, no fabricated mods, does that make me Prepared AWD?

[edrach]

No, you might even be considered Stock since your car exists somewhere in stock form (I think); this rule change will require almost everyone to list their car and parts for a ruling on which class it should be running in. SCCA strikes again; a bunch of "suits" who structure events around insurance requirements and convenience with no clue as to whether the rules are practical, fair, or good for the growth of the sport.

So, since all the stuff on my Impreza is bolted on, no fabricated mods, does that make me Prepared AWD?

[Qman]

Oh h_ll no! Anyone there that knows Subaru will protest that car. Even with the ballast disadvantage. I think you'll find that it needs to be USDM to be stock. If you want to play, play with the right people.

[Dr. RX]

Oh h_ll no! Anyone there that knows Subaru will protest that car. Even with the ballast disadvantage. I think you'll find that it needs to be USDM to be stock. If you want to play, play with the right people.

Oh Oh, looks like I hit a nerve. Just trying to point out the stupidity of the rules.

[edrach]

Oh Oh, looks like I hit a nerve. Just trying to point out the stupidity of the rules.

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks these rules are unmanageable. But I'm just out there for fun. The interesting thing is that under the old class structure, cars with a similar range of times would run the course so two or three cars could be on the course at the same time. Now a stock Brat could be running against a stock WRX which likely will result in longer times for the event since one can't always load the course with more than one car. Also, it will discourage new comers who own older cars since they become even more uncompetitive in their Stock class.

[Qman]

Naw, just pokin' at you Corky. But, I am right on that point. It will become very competitive and there will be many protests. It will require a mods list and someone with knowledge will have to do spec to verify such things.

 

 

These new rules and classes will run into many snags as written. First time will require a few rewrites and revisions. Hopefully, any and all critizism will be seen for what it is and the powers that be will see the points rather than thinking it is an attack on them.