Pirelli World Challenge: Mustang Parity Debate

[Grip]

If any of you have been wondering how a Mustang stacks up against the competition, look no further than Pirelli World Challenge, where they're being completely de-balled. I posted this in Corner-Cavers, and as I'm trying to get the word out here goes...

Originally, as the series evolved for the 2011 season, the new-at-the-time Boss 302S was set to be the baseline car for the series. What has happened since, is that the Boss 302S teams have been hit with handicap, after handicap, under the guise of an attempt to level the playing field. Some believe this, while others believe the lengths WC has gone to are absurd and excessive. The height of this stir, was triggered by the Boss teams having to run a restrictor that was another 20% tighter than the one they'd already been laden with at the recent Mid-Ohio round, sponsored by Acura. As a result, both Acuras won, to include the one driven by Peter Cunningham (Co-Owner of WC Vision, which owns the series). It should also be mentioned that the Acuras are permitted to run sequential transmissions. Below is a bit more information:

Press Release by the WC Boss 302S Teams

Statement by One of the Drivers

 

[stkjock]

That sucks, I follow the TC series as a friend is running in it for Mazda, leads the points too.

 

[kevinatfms]

such bullshit. acura needs to produce a better car, if not they need to give the reigns over and STFU.
im tired of leveling the playing field. the hell with cutting costs in a series that doesnt need it.

 

[mot250]

What a bunch of BS in the rules!!!

Earlier this year at Road America June Sprints I saw an SCCA normally aspirated v-6 Mustang saddled at a minimum a 300 lb weight penalty for its class. Meanwhile, the class leader in some sort of otherwise low buck import (maybe Honda?? But I may be wrong) was allowed run with a crazy amount of boost. That import had been winning every race by big spreads back to the 2nd and 3rd place finishers. Where is the parity in that?

And we're is the parity in performance penalties that cause catostrophic engine failure??

I wish these Boss mustang teams the best of luck getting the Mustang penalties reduced.

 

[Grip]

If any of you have SPEED Channel, it'll be discussed to night on Wind Tunnel by Dave Despain.

 

[TW1NTRB0]

Been noticing this over the past 2 years with not only WC but Grand Am as well. You look at who is paying the bills and it's a sure bet that they will be in the winners circle in a couple of weeks. I mean seriously who the heck are they trying to fool when a Kia Optima is 1-2 in a field full of Mustangs and Camaros? Kia is a major sponsor so you can bet their car will be at the front and remember how slow the Kia Forte Koop was when it started in ST and now all of a sudden it's a front runner with no other development than rear gears. Chevy did it with the Camaro as well in Grand Am, that POS was always a field filler until they started popping up on the ad spots and all of a sudden they have this fantasy spoiler and less intake restriction yada yada yada. Ford isn't dumping money into either troubled series and that's why they are at the back of the pack. Ford has built a Mustang to fit within multiple class rules and be a top competitor for years and I have never heard of Ford being given anything in either series. It's always take take take and then when it's not competitive just ride it out until the next season. Heaven forbid a BMW doesn't make the podium and by the next round it will have some sort of adjustment to put it back on top. Instead of trying to make parity between all these cars how about they just take a body in white run a minimum weight with stock engine and suspension modifications. Add weight to the top 3 finishers and remove it as it evens out. This way the driver parity is equaled out as well. Until then I just delete the events from my dvr as soon as they pop up and catch the results on StangTV.

 

[DTL]

I watched Wind Tunnel tonight but didn't see this story. Did it not make the show??

 

[foolio2k4]

lol at front wheel drive beating rwd m3s, camaros, and boss 302s.

this series is so broken.

 

[jymontoya]

Fuck the SCCA. They have lost THE WAY.

 

[Red06GT]

It's a shame the teams have to sit out a race in protest to try to wake up the SCCA. I agree with Foolio2k4 and jymontoya. The series is borken and SCCA has lost their way...

 

[stkjock]

my buddy in the TC series just texted me that the Boss cars boycotted the Sunday race due to the fairness issues and the restrictors they have to run

 

[martin_nj]

it is featured on jalopnik's site today also - big news, let us hope the SCCA wakes up

 

[stkjock]

it is featured on jalopnik's site today also - big news, let us hope the SCCA wakes up

thanks just read the article

 

[Mike K]

 

[TheKurgan]

This is exactly what was happening to Ford in NASCAR back in the late 80's/early 90's...it's also the reason I stopped going to races or even watching it on TV.

 

[captdistraction]

I love the internet commentary on jalopnik/autoblog about how there's no way a restrictor could cause overheating.

Armchair racing engineers.

That aside, it still blows my mind that PWC/SCCA imposes and enforces so strongly against the Mustang, to the point where they're obsolete (as Justin rightfully put), and breaking parts that otherwise last Grand Am teams a year or more (and are also restricted, but to a much more minor extent). Weight the cars if you have to but when a team loses 2 motors in 2 days, and at least 7 more report cooling issues, then at least admit that you've goofed.

Lots of commentary on the press release calling out the performance of the mustangs at mid-ohio, but I think it was right on to point those details out. Fast laps within a 10th of each other, and the top 6 cars being over 1/s lap faster dictates that the limit is now the platform as enforced by the parity rules.

Otherwise they're sending one of two messages: Either the car is no longer welcome at SCCA/PWC, or the teams and drivers are not.

 

[bradleyem]

This is exactly what was happening to Ford in NASCAR back in the late 80's/early 90's...it's also the reason I stopped going to races or even watching it on TV.

THIS^

NASCAR was actually fun to watch when it really was the National Association for STOCK Car Racing. But then came the same types of parity leveling tactics that ended up going apeshit out of control. That and the fact that not one component of any current race car in the series is from a factory car (again, because they are purpose built to comply with the ever changing rules). The name should have been changed long ago to not include the words "STOCK Car" And don't get me started on Hendrix Motorsports....

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[DILYSI Dave]

Before we sharpen the pitchforks too much, keep in mind that SCCA is only the sanctioning body. They have nothing to do with rules, competition adjustments, etc. All of that is handled by WC Vision.

 

[Grip]

Before we sharpen the pitchforks too much, keep in mind that SCCA is only the sanctioning body. They have nothing to do with rules, competition adjustments, etc. All of that is handled by WC Vision.

This is correct, and as such, most of my gripe is with them (and specifically with Peter Cunningham, Acura driver and CO-OWNER OF WC Vision). Having said that, this isn't the beginning of shenanigans in WC, and the SCCA has watched and let it happen.

 

[foolio2k4]

This is correct, and as such, most of my gripe is with them (and specifically with Peter Cunningham, Acura driver and CO-OWNER OF WC Vision). Having said that, this isn't the beginning of shenanigans in WC, and the SCCA has watched and let it happen.

conflict of interest much?