Not since the 1950's has the amateur racer been able to

drive to, race in, and drive away from an event in the same

car. However,'tins year SCCA sanctioned and encouraged a

sedan class, the Showroom Stocks, which put.regionalsports

car racing back into the hands of the kind of drivers who

built SCCA into the national organisation .it" is today. For too

many years the “prpdified” version of production classes has

be.en stricken by soaring competition costs, with phenomenal

outlays of cash required to treat amachine to exotic engine,

suspension and body work. An average low.-cost sedan, run-

ning in the production category and costing around $2000

new, could easily top $5000 when fully-prepared, the ex-

pense of operating and maintaining this type car was also

comparatively high and the tight-budgeted weekend sports-

man found little encouragement from SCCA or regional clubs

to,justify the expenditure. Consequently, he had either lost

interest or turned his competitive spirit toward slalom meets

to keep from investing so heavily in a semi-pro type of racing.

, Showroom Stock, however, has changed all this and is

gaining a hardy following of people who believe that racing is

racing, no matter how fast you go. For now,. Showroom

Stock is only sanctioned on a regional basis but several

enthusiastic racers travel from one region to another, often

driving the car they will race. A good estimate would put the

howroom Stock class entries at slightly over 100, across the

nation. This is enough interest, though, to encourage SCCA

to make it a national class in 1973.

Some drivers who formerly drove more expensive pro-

duction and modified machinery will undoubtedly move into

the SS class when it becomes a national point class, allowing

them to pick up a few sponsors (regional races aren’t too

appealing to sponsors due to the lack of publicity by the

clubs). Until that time, the contestants have to foot their

own bills for everything, including mechanical work, tools

and parts, travel expenses, etc. The racer who gets help in

these areas while racing on a regional license is very fortunate

indeed!

How much does it cost to race in the SS class? The pur-

chase of the car is the greatest investment. The SCCA rules

obviate these “competitive requirements” and keep the cars

under close scrutiny to assure their stock condition.

There are a number of cars to consider in the SS class, and

the initial cost is relatively small. These models are currently

accepted in the class:

Chevy Vega

Ford Pinto

Opel 1900

Austin-Morris Marina

Datsun 510 Sedan

Dodge Colt

Fiat 1 24-S

Renault R-12

VW Beetle

Super Beetle

Toyota Corona

While many cars qualify for the class, there are some

which are obviously more popular than others. In such a

small displacement category of competition, car choice is

determined by a horsepower and handling compromise. In

the case of VW, there are few demands due to the low (60

hp) power output and the ungainly handling qualities under

competition strains. Weight is an important item to consider

during the choice of a car as horsepower gained from buying

a larger sedan could well prove to be a disadvantage in the

long run.

Initially, the Opel 1900 coupe seems most suited for the

class, because of weight, handling characteristics and a hefty

horsepower rating near the top of the class (75 horses). The

clean aerodynamic design lends itself quite naturally to high

speed, though the Toyota and Datsun will out-accelerate the

Opel in the 0-60 mph range. Opel has been able to stay far

ahead of competition for the first year and as a result, SCCA

is going to disallow the 1900 coupe in the 1973 rules, making

the class more evenly competitive. As happens often, a car

which should be comparative to the rest in the class will

show extremely different handling characteristics and out-

perform the field. When this difference becomes obvious

SCCA must re-classify the car, so don’t plan to run out and

buy an Opel 1900 super coupe, but look forward to the

two-door sedan model to come into its own in 1973.

Aside from the initial investment in the car, racing ex-

noncoc will dpnp.nd nnnn the number of races run each year...