Got it, but, its the newly deleted file

Craig

 

Here's Jeff Stracco's reply to "why the change in the contingency program?".

Got your e-mail forwarded from Susan Lee concerning the required number of competitors in order to qualify for contingency. The purpose of our program is to encourage MINI racing and competition and as such we've had to re-focus the program.

Last year, we saw many contingency submissions particularly at the divisional level where there were few competitors. So in order to encourage people to "kick it up a notch" we have chosen this year to concentrate on Topeka and not on the divisionals as far as solo goes.

I noticed in the thread you forwarded that there has been some concern about the number of competitors allowed. As has been pointed out, the number of competitors has been upped in order to qualify, primarily because of last years results. They currently are:

1. 5 for 1st
2. 8 for 1st and 2nd
3. 10 for 1,2,and 3.
This was noted in the 2006 contingency program. However, it has also been pointed out that there was a mistake on page 5 where last year's footnotes were carried over. I apologize for the mistake.

Sincerely,
Jeff Stracco
MINI Product Manager
P: 201-307-4139
F: 201-307-9825
Read "Hey Stracco" every month....or else!!!!


I guess the program was working so well they decided to eliminate it without eliminating it. I mean we've bought their cars and put their web address all over them, like they ask us to. Then it was like pulling teeth to get paid. I'm going to co-drive something else and when I do drive my MINI, it will not have MINIUSA.COM anywhere on it. I have been planning the season since the day the schedule came out. It was their mistake, not ours. MINI should honor last years program rules and make their changes as soon as the season ends, not in February.

 

The PDF I downloaded last month was created 12 Jan 06 @ 1:26:44 PM

 

Keith

Far from it. I picked my car up AFTER the contingency plan was unveiled. I was going with a Lotus Elise if they made any major changes and I was just going to race locally as well as a couple National Events close to me, but NOTHING like the 15 National Event tour that I already have planned/booked/paid for.

AFTER the contingency was released and it CLEARLY showed the contingency from last year on page 4/5, I instructed my dealer to install the JCW kit and put together an STX/DSP sponsored car with Webb Motorsports. $45K later, Mini decided to change the plans. I also recruited 3 other drivers for STX/DSP, booked numerous plane tickets and priceline hotels, turned my 2006 JCW MCS into an un-streetable autocross dedicated solo II car with the intentions of competing for contingency.

I'm sure glad Mini "cleared" things up for us on page 5 by deleting what was last years pay format. I don't think its over yet though, I seriously feel like they realize they can't just make this change after it was posted. I guess we shall see what kind of company Mini really is in the end. This isn't over for us yet though I don't think.

For me in STX/DSP, I have virtually NO chance of winning anything significant now since DSP will rarely field more than 5-6 cars. Most of them being $50K BMW monsters. STX might be OK, I'll have to wait and see.

 

What a shame. Anyone else have a problem with this last second change?

I've heard from a couple guys and one actually just cancelled his order on Friday and another plans to Monday.

The others are altering their plans for the 2006 season.

Are you guys going to go on as planned or alter your racing schedule as well due to the change on the contingency?

I'm afraid I'm going to have to scale back a real good bit on the National Scene if they really do follow through with this sudden last second change. It seems that it would have affected 50% of the Prosolo's as well as just under 50% of the NT's for STX/DSP. I feel especially sorry for anyone who just bought an HS car or any ladies planning on competing. There is virtually no support for them now through Mini.

I truley hope that Mini re-evaluates this last second change and realizes that we are helping promote and sell their cars for them. Seeing results when I first began autocrossing caused me to buy a Mini. 3 Mini's later, I have a sick feeling in my stomach after going all out for this season only to find out that Mini is retracting their Contingency plan that was released.

Anyway, hopefully they reconsider now that they realize how badly this affects everyone that already purchased Mini's and planned for the season accordingly. If they do not, I really hope my dealer will take a return, I called them Friday with no response as of yet. Unfortunately, I have $15K in mods already on the car or nearly on the car.

What now?

 

Craig, I posted this on SCCAForums, and it warrants some suggestion here too.

The JCW is still specifically classed in ASP and has not been changed to DSP. It's not in the '06 rulebook nor is it in any Fastracks.

Looking at your sig, and other various posts you have made on some forums, DSP isn't a legal class for any JCW for the '06 competition year.

I post it here as this might have some bearing on not only your course of action for '06, but others as well that may think it's legal for DSP, when it is not.

-kC

 

The JCW Kit is a line item option on the regular MCS for 2006. Unlike in the past when it was a completely seperate model. Therefore, if an 06 MCS is listed in DSP, that includes any and all 2006 MCS's. Right? I wrote in for a clarification on this. Thanks for the heads up on this, I could see some serious confusion here since the rules are contradicting since an 06 MCS includes the JCW as a line item.
Craig

 

I planned on doing the Westcoast events, and my plans haven't changed. But it definitely effects codrive options. NT's for ladies class are pretty pointless. Pro's will still work out for the ladies, but L1 and L2 are the toughest classes at a Pro.

 

Interesting take on it. I would argue since it's a specific trim of an existing model, (of which the existing model isn't specifically classed in DSP, it's a catchall) it falls under the ASP classing still because it is considered the 'works' package. Add onto that there's nothing in the rules stating that the ASP listing only applies to '05 and earlier.

A name was attached to the package on a Mini. That name is 'works'. The 'works' package is ASP according to the rules, until the rules separate the difference in years that the ASP classing only applies to.

Even in the preface to SP it states:

"However, the distinction between different years/models used in Stock Category does not apply in Street Prepared Category. Example: Porsche 911 models that are listed on the same line are considered the same."

Interchange 'Porsche 911' with 'Mini Works Package' above and you'll see where I'm coming from and why there needs to be an update in Fastrack.

 

I have my letter in to the SEB for a classification for the 06+ Mini Cooper S since it is a seperate entity/model entirely with the Factory kit compared to the previous 02-05 that was clearly an aftermarket Kit.

thanks for the heads up on this, I hope to get this classification real soon, the season is days away.

This is one of the major issue with the SCCA breaking its own rules and allowing aftermarket kits for some manufactures and not others. It clearly creates a problem as seen with the JCW in STX as well as in SP trim.

 

Eggzactly. As you say, part of the problem is from the 'dealer installed' kits. They were handled properly and they weren't allowed in stock, and then put in the highest SP class.... just like most of the other 'special' cars that don't have a place in stock either.

The biggest issue is no one one the **** has done anything about the JCW being in the right class. Why? No one asked them to.

What it comes down to is this: I poured though some of the old fastracks and can't find any reference to anyone writing in and proposing it to be classed properly in any class other than ASP. (There would be a record of it in FasTrack) Just one entry for inclusion in ST (which was denied) until it was added to the then new STU class. That's where it all starts. Someone needs to let the **** know that they should move it, so it doesn't rest squarely on ***** shoulders because it looks like no one wrote in to actually do anything about it.

--kC

 

RX8's are slow. Go play with your topedo thingamabob.

 

They may be slow, but faster than minis with time penalties!

 

Green cones are pointers. That orange cone isn't down yet in the photo. It actually stood back up in the box. Well, at least you can't prove that it didn't

 

Good point. I acquiesce to your superb skillz, yo.

 

Things are looking up for San Diego in GS. 10 drivers are signed up and I know at least one more will be going. 9 Mini drivers, a Celica and a MX6.