NASCAR, Politics and Over Regulations
I've watched NASCAR since the late 80's. As the sport has become more and more regulated with the intent to keep costs of inventory, R&D, car building down, the costs have continued to increase and the competitiveness of the races have decreased. First they add more and more templates to keep the bodies "equal" so a smaller team doesn't have to spend as much on R&D for for aerodynamics.
The "better" or should I say better financed and better organized teams,have just spent their R&D budget elsewhere. So NASCAR then mandates shock packages, tire pressures, spring rubbers, differential ratios, transmission gearing. With every new regulation, costs continue to rise, and the level of competition continues to suffer.
Today w have "The Car of Tomorrow" which really blows. Every team is driving the exact same car with either a Chevy, Ford, Dodge, or Toyota motor. Bodies are all the same, suspensions are all the same, Trannies same and teams are STILL crying about costs. It's to the point that some of the lesser teams, THE LOSERS, are starting to talk about "franchises".
Basically, these these guys don't want to compete to get into the race. They want to be secured a position in a race because they own a "franchise" in NASCAR. These races suck too much already, we don't want to see Petty Enterprises and other welfare cases putting worse crap out there just because they cannot compete.
All NASCAR is doing by creating more and more regulations to limit the better teams is creating a welfare state out of the lesser teams! The similarities are incredible. Every time more regulations are created to limit the upper tier there actually hurting the lower tiers. The Cost to benefit ratio from R&D worsens and those unwilling to invest in themselves suffer more and more!
Perhaps people should make more comparisons to the sporting world before implementing regulations and limitations to people, businesses, corporations and the economy. I would love to see an economic study about these situations in sports. I think the numbers would bring out the truth. I keep waiting but have yet to hear of a study to show how increased regulations with the intent to keep cost down are always an utter failure.
The "better" or should I say better financed and better organized teams,have just spent their R&D budget elsewhere. So NASCAR then mandates shock packages, tire pressures, spring rubbers, differential ratios, transmission gearing. With every new regulation, costs continue to rise, and the level of competition continues to suffer.
Today w have "The Car of Tomorrow" which really blows. Every team is driving the exact same car with either a Chevy, Ford, Dodge, or Toyota motor. Bodies are all the same, suspensions are all the same, Trannies same and teams are STILL crying about costs. It's to the point that some of the lesser teams, THE LOSERS, are starting to talk about "franchises".
Basically, these these guys don't want to compete to get into the race. They want to be secured a position in a race because they own a "franchise" in NASCAR. These races suck too much already, we don't want to see Petty Enterprises and other welfare cases putting worse crap out there just because they cannot compete.
All NASCAR is doing by creating more and more regulations to limit the better teams is creating a welfare state out of the lesser teams! The similarities are incredible. Every time more regulations are created to limit the upper tier there actually hurting the lower tiers. The Cost to benefit ratio from R&D worsens and those unwilling to invest in themselves suffer more and more!
Perhaps people should make more comparisons to the sporting world before implementing regulations and limitations to people, businesses, corporations and the economy. I would love to see an economic study about these situations in sports. I think the numbers would bring out the truth. I keep waiting but have yet to hear of a study to show how increased regulations with the intent to keep cost down are always an utter failure.
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A political example is campaign finance reform. It's an utter failure. It is not reducing the cost of campaigning for President. It is only making it more difficult for a potential candidate to run for office. Why do we have McCain-Fiengold if it is not achieving its goal of reducing the cost for a Presidential Campaign.
Increased regulations with the intent of reducing costs does not work!0 -
"utter" - a Good Word.
Doug0 -
I think they should start over. Lets pass a rule that they all have to start with the "flathead" Ford V-8 60 engine and a 32 ford stock body. Give them a budget max of 10K and watch the fun!
History would repeat itself![:0]0 -
Sounds better than the COT.
Which were faster Fords flathead V8's or Chevy's inline 6 cyl. with overhead valves?
We know the Chrysler flathead 6 would be the worst.0 -
Dad said he once saw a Ford V8 bolted in to a Ford 8N.
Sounds like a fun mowing tractor?[:D]0 -
I agree. I've been watching NASCAR since the mid-80's and the last couple of years have been a real dissapointment. I think the COT started out as a good idea (to improve safety) but they took it too far. I can see in a few years NASCAR manufacturing the cars and Cup teams leasing them. I heard that the France family owns the rights to the rear wing and front splitter/wickerbill/tire shredder. The teams can only get them from the France's. It's getting just like IROC. I prefer to watch the trucks. It reminds me more of what NASCAR used to be. 0 -
I have mixed feelings about NASCAR. I will say this though....nascar has made a huge effort at parity and competitiness in their ranks. The last thing you want is a Formula 1 situation where 2 racers or teams win every race. I know this might go against pure competitiveness but you have to consider racing at that level isnt just about pureness. Its about ratings and sponsors. Most American racing orginizations struggle with participation when a driver or team becomes dominant. NASCAR has also had to impliment rules so as to distinguish itselfs from other clases. For instance, if you dont set a concrete rule specifying what aerodynamic body parts you can use, then every team will start building what is the fastest car possible and in about 10 minutes you will have a car that looks nothing like they do now. Hence open wheel formula 1 cars. NASCAR is s style of racing. It needs to keel its style to have any brand familiarity.
I have been involved with drag racing in the sportsman ranks for over 25 years. If you dont have concrete rules then clases run wild nd the cars evolve into something totally different. Which is fine for some applications but not if you have already built a brand and want to keep it that way.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Captplaid
Sounds better than the COT.
Which were faster Fords flathead V8's or Chevy's inline 6 cyl. with overhead valves?
We know the Chrysler flathead 6 would be the worst.
They found many ways to hop up the old flatheads. They would run away from the chevy 6 like it was turned off. It took the olds rocket 88 OHV V-8s to put it out of business.0
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