Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
Scott, May I ask why? I mean I[m a full proponent of getting rid of the overlapping classes. But I see 410 racing on it's death bed.
We are at a point we're going to have to have motors that last two or three years. The idea model is like USAC is doing and have a D2 and 360 class and then They plug in a Toyota or 410.
But the facts are while those classes grow, Less are moving up than leaving. and you actually have a few moving to the less expensive class, then you get the track or two willing to put on the 5-10k 360 race, further removing incentive to move up
Charles, I am nothing against a low cost entry level class, but 360s are anything but that anymore. The days of buying a $%#@ box 360 and running it forever are long gone. Top of the line 360s are not much cheaper than a 410 anymore and are not much cheaper to maintain. You will get some people who would normally be running for 410s dropping down. And many new drivers who would have gotten into a 410in bygone days, now may opt for easier competition in a 360.
Not sure how many years ago USAC introduced the West Coast 360 class out here, but I told an older well-known gentleman in racing, who was much wiser than me, that it would be a feeder series for USAC/CRA. He laughed at me and told me it would do anything but help. I disagreed, but if he was still here, I would now tell him he was 100% right.
A look at the top 10 in USAC/CRA points today. At most - and I am not 100% sure of them - two raced the West Coast Series before graduating to USAC/CRA.
Do not get me wrong, the racing is good and there are some very good drivers in the West Coast Series. I would prefer seeing them run 410 so we could have larger car counts. But, to each their own. For those who prefer to run 360s or 410s, more power to them on their choices.