Big Dog wrote:

12 lbs of unsprung mass is a huge diifference.
with my formula car there are guys who spend a lot of $ to eliminate unsprung mass in small amounts because it makes a big difference in handleing.

12 lbs (of UNSPRUNG mass)on a car is a big advantage from what i have learned vs a car that doesnt have the weight reduction.
I would think that since cars like the later models that cannot use the cookie cutters should have something to offset this difference. maybe having the older cars being 12 -25 lbs heavier to offset this advantage would be something to consider?

(how) can the later model cars be modified to allow for the use of the cookie cutters?

I can't see allowing Fuchs. Unsprung, rotating mass is not the same as adding weight the chassis even if it is more. I don't see how it could be made equal.

No new rules!!!!

Want to see a class die? Start making a bunch of new rules.

RULES CREEP = DEAD CLASS

Spec Miata has had very little rule changes. It is what keeps it strong.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

blah blah blah

Charlie Buzzetti

Hey Charlie...From your other post...I get you feeling you don't want any new rules

I'm with you..

Steve

Any changes would have to be for a good reason otherwise less change is better.

I have stayed silent on alot of these rules since I wanted to allow some open discussion. In this case I want to add in why the rules are as they are.

Back in 2002 fuchs wheels were considered desireable. Desirable for both looks and on track performance mostly by 911 guys. Cookie cutters were trash can garbage wheel of the day. Nobody wanted them and you could not give them away. So they made the ideal 944 spec wheel. However they don't fit the late offset cars properly so we had to allow phone dial. Phone dials were another unloved wheel so that was fine. Of course once you allow late offset phone dials there is not reason to not allow early offset phone dials.


As such the rule was set. Now on specifics on the fuchs that made the no wanted in the class.

1) Desirable for 911 and 944 for appearance - drives up used costs.
2) considered the lightest and strongest wheel for track use makes them instantly the "wheels to have" and drives up cost.
3) Even stock there was no "clean set". Stock they were optional at 15x7 23.3mm offset and 15x8 in 10.6 mm offset. So you would still need to sell of the 8's or if allowed then everyone would want the 8's instead of the 7's. Yeah that just drove up costs even more.


So we said no to fuchs in 2002.

So my take is no to fuchs in 2010 and beyond. I can only see bad things with fuchs.
Cons
1) More cost to get "competitive" wheels due to real weight and percieved advantage. Remember even your car had them stock you would still need to buy wheels as I can't see allowing the 8's ever.
2) Greater gap between early and late offset cars. Late offset guys already feel hosed with phone dials so why make it worse.
3) More challenge in tech to spot the 15x8's vs the 15x7's.

Pro's
1) 4-5 guys can use a few 15x7 fuchs they have stored up.

Seems like a loser in most areas.