I got my Novice Permit a couple months ago in preperation for school at my home track last month, but was sick and couldn't make it. So now I'm heading to Topeka for Comp school in 2 weeks and also went ahead and got my Annual Tech and Logbook this weekend for the car. I also met some friendly SCCA folks that were there for the Regional/National event that will be running things at the Topeka school (it's nice to *know* people, heh).

I'm basically all ready to go, but here's my problem (maybe it's not?): I've been racing on 15" wheels in my local RR series, and haven't secured any 14" wheels yet. I will of course need to have 14" wheels to be legal for ITA. I understand that the school is no problem running the 15's, but I would like to do the Regional race that weekend as well. I'd hate to get protested (even as a rookie who might place dead last) for having the wrong wheel size for ITA on my first event. I'm not even sure what all consequences of that happening might be, but I'd of course want to avoid it.

So what do I do if I can't come up with some 14" wheels/tires in 2 weeks? Can I run in something other than ITA? Can I move up a class?

Oh, and anyone who wants to sell me some lightweight 14x7 wheels with tires, please speak up

 

The school is no problem with the non-compliant wheels.

If you are planning to run a real Regional race then you takes your chances on being illegal and getting protested. No 14 x 6's available?

Is this your first school? If it is... remember you need two to fulfill your requirements (unless you get it waived) so the race may not be an issue.

(My wife will be in the same school at HPT in our SSC Neon)

 

screw it, jsut use the 15", no one is going to care. i guarantee. youre not going to be on anyones bad side or anything the first few weekends staying in the back.

 

I agree with Tyson. In a first race, the goal is the experience and a finish. If someone has an issue with it, say "You are right they are the wrong size, no contest there". Protests are so rare at Regionals that if someone has a problem with it, they will likely come to you first especially if you aree obviously a new guy.

Been a while since I needed to read the protest rules but the last time I dealt with a mechanical protest, it had to be filed a short time before the race itself started. If that happens, tell the steward, etc. that you are driving for seat time and a finish and that if some really wants to protest you, you will happily accept the last finishing position that gets an official finish (over half the laps). Extremely rare that this might ever occur but I can't see any steward having an issue with that.

 

Jan in Omaha: I'll be looking for you and say hi!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">screw it, jsut use the 15", no one is going to care. i guarantee. youre not going to be on anyones bad side or anything the first few weekends staying in the back.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Cool. And if I put the beats down on a more experienced racer with an ego problem? Should I just stay in the back just to be safe? I'm trying to get waived so I don't have to do the second school (was told it wouldn't be a prob) and I don't
want that to be hurt by being dead last just because I didn't want to **** someone off.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I agree with Tyson. In a first race, the goal is the experience and a finish. If someone has an issue with it, say "You are right they are the wrong size, no contest there". Protests are so rare at Regionals that if someone has a problem with it, they will likely come to you first especially if you aree obviously a new guy.</TD></TR></TABLE>

good info as well - what do you think about my previous comment?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by uncleben &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Jan in Omaha: I'll be looking for you and say hi!

good info as well - what do you think about my previous comment?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Drive like you mean to and can drive. If you beat someone on the track, they can always change the results sheet later. No reason to sandbag for others as this is your race too. You aren't doing anyone any favors by putting around at the back of the pack trying not to step on people's toes. mybet is that no one is going to say anything officially anyway. On the otherhand, I would make sure that the next time the car sees the track in a normal weekend that is does have the right 14s for anybody who cares to see them. Good luck, have fun, smile big.

 

Just run the 15's. You are going to get owned anyway and not a threat to anyone.

 

If you're really worried about beating out someone who's legal and in a points race, I understand that you can pre-disqualify yourself and just run for the fun of it. Check with the Stewards before the event.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Drive like you mean to and can drive. If you beat someone on the track, they can always change the results sheet later. No reason to sandbag for others as this is your race too. You aren't doing anyone any favors by putting around at the back of the pack trying not to step on people's toes. </TD></TR></TABLE>

as usual, thanks for the great advice!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On the otherhand, I would make sure that the next time the car sees the track in a normal weekend that is does have the right 14s for anybody who cares to see them. Good luck, have fun, smile big.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks and will do

 

Though I had decided to run on 15" wheels, I started looking for some Panasports in a 14x7 last week. Many thanks to Tyson who sold me a set of 4 with some used Toyos for a couple hundred less than I would have had to pay for new Panasports *without* tires. Now I'll be able to run the school with no worries of being outside of ITA requirements.

Thanks Tyson! (and thanks for the months of good advice via IM's!)