Seems like you would be a bit late to make the suggestion?
Tom Lavalette and I are the people who "created" the CPR class, my father and I were the the first to be on the track in the class.
How do you monitor a racers budget?
I don't know why people think I am trying to "control spending". That is not the point. As I said before, I like the roar and power of the BP class, I like watching the skill of building and driving a strong FX.
What I am trying to get people to realize is as promoters of our sport, we need to have a draw for the beginner racer, or family racing team that is affordable. How we have been promoting our CPR class is, Build It, Learn it, Race It. There are two reasons Tom and I went with the CP style frame.
1. Safety
2. ease of conversion to another class, when time and budget permit.
We don't have to assume that budget racers won't travel, they have shown us that already.
I have had conversations with many drivers that would travel to nationals if they knew they would not get beat on the track because of another drivers engine. They are fine with being out driven by someones setup, or experience, but if the engines were all on the same page, everyone has a chance.
OK, maybe they would not all travel to the National Championship Weekend or the All American, but they may be more inclined to go to a national points race in their home state, or a neighbor state. I'm not talking running a full schedule either, just supporting the racing that is closer. Also I understand that things happen, emergencies, job loss, short week, these things can be expected in the current economic state. But I think that a class like this would have a following on the national level. Look at the IMOW class at this years USLMRA finals. It was one of the largest classes. Unfortunately, I think this class would take numbers away from the IMOW class, along with other classes, but if it were to bring in more members I think its a plus. Let me also say that it would not have to be called the CPR class. The rules would also not have to be the same, as long as we have class that would attract a new racer that does not have the money or resources to build a full blown v-twin.
but me...and everyone in my club...have alot against governors!
I have heard alot of complaints about teching gear regulated and rpm regulated classes. Teching plates is easy and gets rid of all the problems! Which is why the rest of the racing world uses plates instead of governors or gear rules!
The IMOW class is a technical nightmare as far as tech inspections are concerned. The class is fun to watch when there is more than one racer that has the "formula" figured out. The rules make it so everyone has the same mower, but the drivers that have it figured out are running right on the edge. Many times have I seen results where someone pushed to far and was DQ'd at the end of a race. There are some that love that part of it, and to those I say go for it, thats not for me and many others. I like the idea of being able to change pulleys, and gears to try and beat the next guy. I also use tire pressure as a set up tool, in the IMOW class you are limited to what you can do.
As far as the plates, they do not keep people from modifying the engine. You can still have your engine ported, and polished, and make adjustments to make it run better even while running a plate. A plate restricts fuel flow, not RPM. The engine may not spin up as fast with plates, but can still be modified to get a higher RPM than stock. This is why most of the local dirt tracks have gone to a crate motor. Crate motors are racing motors, I will give you that, but they are racing for money, we are not. Crate motors are sealed and opened only by the engine builder and the track officials. I personally do not want that headache in my tech line. Hold a tach against the spark plug wire is much faster. Also, most of our races are expected to be ran in a certain amount of time, we don't have a home track, yet. We try to get our racers to understand that when they show up at the track the mowers should be race ready. Having our chapter hand out and collect plates at every race would be time consuming for the officials and racers. I can't say that I have seen problems with the governors. At factory RPM, and no modifications, I don't see them as being a problem.
Which is why the rest of the racing world uses plates instead of governors or gear rules!
Why does lawn mower racing have to be like the rest of the racing world? Which has also declined in numbers!
Dean Jr.
Smokin Joe brings a good point. I guess I shouldn't call it a budget class anymore. Yes you can build any class mower on a budget, and one persons budget will differ from another. It really doesn't matter what you call the class, pocket friendly, cost efficient, stock engine, doesn't matter.
Is there room for a class that runs a stock engine on prepared frame, maybe not everywhere, but certainly somewhere. I am glad to see that the PA Lawn Mower Racing Assoc. has created the class, and I sincerely hope that it works in the Tristate chapter of ARMA. I can tell you that the CPR class is being looked at by USLMRA officials. It may not be a touring points chasing class, but could be a support class for national points races. I do believe, if promoted properly could be a huge draw to new members, and a possible stepping stone to the other classes.
Dean Jr.
