chuck34
8th June 2009, 19:18
I had this idea over in the Texas race thread, but maybe it deserves it's own thread.
Is it cheaper to field a competitive car (mid-pack) now with all the spec restrictions than it was in the late '90s when the formula was "relatively" open?
Why is it common knowlege that spec racing is cheaper racing when evidence seems to be contrary to that? Look at all the "small" teams that were in the IRL in the late '90s/early 2000s that are no longer around. Hemelgarn, Kelly, PDM, etc. They all ran well (at least at times). Now they are no longer around.
I tend to blame this on the expense of the engine leases. Engine leases seem to be MORE expensive than back in the day when all the guys could build their own. Honda has a monopoly and can charge whatever they want, and do.
I may be (and probably am) way off base, but I don't know any numbers. So maybe someone out there knows and can tell me why I'm out to lunch.
Is it cheaper to field a competitive car (mid-pack) now with all the spec restrictions than it was in the late '90s when the formula was "relatively" open?
Why is it common knowlege that spec racing is cheaper racing when evidence seems to be contrary to that? Look at all the "small" teams that were in the IRL in the late '90s/early 2000s that are no longer around. Hemelgarn, Kelly, PDM, etc. They all ran well (at least at times). Now they are no longer around.
I tend to blame this on the expense of the engine leases. Engine leases seem to be MORE expensive than back in the day when all the guys could build their own. Honda has a monopoly and can charge whatever they want, and do.
I may be (and probably am) way off base, but I don't know any numbers. So maybe someone out there knows and can tell me why I'm out to lunch.