There are two important issues here. First, if the rules established at the beginning of the year alway allowed equitable and even competition, there would not be a reason to change. Unfortunately, we are not always correct in defining that, particularly when the class rules allow many different types of power adders. And second, new equipment is released by manufacturers during the year that is basically the same as earlier "approved" equipment. The Trick Flow Track Heat intake comes to mind. I don't consider these up-dated lists to be changes to the class rules. Some may. This is a high tech class. We want the racers to be able to add new epuipment as it is available (and so do our sponsors), as long as it does not offer a competitive advantage over the existing equipment. I'm sure that companies that sell computer up-grades are always refining and expanding the capabilities of their products. Truth is, we wouldn't even know if they did.
In looking over the 1999 S/R rules and the so called changes printed in the 5.0 Tire Tracks newsletters, this is what I see.
ADD: Dual inlet T/B dimension (Mod Motor only).
CHANGE: Multi stage nitrous systems permitted (to try and permit nitrous cars to be competitive with the blower cars, and so far they are still not)
CHANGE: Edelbrock Victor RPM to Performer RPM (misprint correction, not a change)
ADD: Trick Flow Track Heat intake (a fairly inexpensive replacement for the GT-40)
ADD: ATI D1 supercharger (this may have been a mistake but it's too late now)
ADD: Vortech T-Trim (To keep up with the D1 and the NOVI) The jury is still out on this one.
The purpose to these additions or corrections or changes is to KEEP COMPETITION EVEN. This is a new class, not even 2 years old. Like any class rules, they take a little time to dial in. If you don't fine tune it, only 1 combination will ever win, and there goes the class. Our rules "changes" in S/R have been minimal. Compare this with the full pages of NHRA Rules changes printed everyweek in National Dragster. In fact, their Competition Eliminator classes have a change virtually EVERYWEEK (index adjustments). It's all done for the same reason, to try and keep competition even. Let's get off this "rule changes in S/R per week" stuff. It just hasn't happened. The racers who actually participate in S/R have mostly been in favor of these changes and certanly have not been complaining to me about them. Nobody who is presently running a blower has complained to me about the new nitrous rules. Nobody who is running either a NOVI or a D1 has complained to me about the T-Trim (yet). I have seen complaints, however they all come from people who are not racing in the class. These people must have a different adjenda. If "change" to them is that threatning, there are always the bracket classes. ( I know, I know, I'm just an a**hole. My purpose in life is to just be a needler, but it's my nature)
One other thing that has been on my mind. Racing orginazations such as FFW, NMRA, WFC, etc. are a venue for enthusiasts to race their cars or sell their products. But it's a 2-way street. If all you want to do is race your car and try to win som $$, that's fine. If all you want to do is to promote your products at these events for your own gain, that's fine too. But remember, you have to give something back and I don't mean the entrance fee at the gate. If racers and/or suppliers have critisism or ideas that can make for a better organization and present them in a constructive manner, you will find that organizations listen. If all you do is yell and complain, most adults will turn off. If all you ever do is "take", you become known as a "taker". Try giving some support instead of complaints. Most of the racers who travel to the events, pay their $$ at the gate, race their cars, win or lose, are winners, to me. They rarely complain. Even if it's too hot, even if it rains, they are not complaining. They came to race. They want to race. These racers are "givers" not "takers" and my hat is off to them.
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