The Ute Class
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:56 pm
I'd like to add my 2 bobs worth regarding the Ute class.
I have run an XP Falcon Ute at the Lake on various occasions since 2001. For many years I was the only one running a Ute even after we first instigated and voted in the "Ute " class the last time. I set and own 2 records in C/MUte and C/FMUte.
This class seems now defunct for some reason and we now have to vote to reinstigate the same class. I presume this is because we have reintroduced the SCTA rulebook lock' stock and barrell.
No problem, the SCTA deals with Utes such as the El Camino and Ranchero by lumping them with the sedans and coupes. Hense none run because they are at a huge disadvantage.
The SCTA call everything else either a Pickup (Big F100's and Chev C20's) or smaller Pickups are classed as Mid Mini Pickup which includes all foriegn small Pickups such as Hilux or Chev Luv etc.
No one in there right mind bothers running stuff with a tray.
The problem I found with running a Ute is for a long time I was the only one in the world doing it. This meant I had nobody either here or O'seas to compare my times with. If you run say C/Pro you can have a direct comparison with lots of other records. Can't do that in a Ute.
Saying that I have no problem with having a Ute class here. Suits local competition but thats it.
My next point is what do we include as a Ute. We all know Utes are a cab and tray that are joined. Open and shut.
If we tried to call everything with a styleside body a Ute we would then be including all the F100's and Big Chevs , GMC's etc.
Having just invested a huge amount of effort time and money to build an F100 to run in Production Pickup.Our team would be very disappointed if it were classified a Ute and we had to compete with something like a Commodore Ute.
Next point is we are building an AU Falcon Ute deliberatly aimed at running in Mid Mini Pickup. We have aimed at this class so we have a US comparitive number to aim at. Are we going to be told it has to be a Ute?
There is already a clear concise class called Mid Mini Pickup to cater for AU Falcon onwards.
If we call this a Ute it is at a disadvantage to the equivalent Commodore or EL Falcon.
I still own and intend to run my XP Ute again in the future.
Sorry if this all sounds like a whinge but it seems to me that the club members that don't run Utes are going to out vote those that do. I have no problem with a democratic vote but to be told we "had better be at the meeting to vote" gripes a bit.
Our team will have 8 drivers, does this mean we all have to hop a plane from Qld to attend the next Melbourne meeting to cast our vote?
I am angry at the thought that this rule may be railroaded through without the whole club voting on the motion at the AGM.
Chris Hanlon,
on behalf
Stephen Bridge
Sav Sanford
Mike Davison
Barry Bunter
Lennard Munn
Ron Munn
Kathryn Hanlon
I have run an XP Falcon Ute at the Lake on various occasions since 2001. For many years I was the only one running a Ute even after we first instigated and voted in the "Ute " class the last time. I set and own 2 records in C/MUte and C/FMUte.
This class seems now defunct for some reason and we now have to vote to reinstigate the same class. I presume this is because we have reintroduced the SCTA rulebook lock' stock and barrell.
No problem, the SCTA deals with Utes such as the El Camino and Ranchero by lumping them with the sedans and coupes. Hense none run because they are at a huge disadvantage.
The SCTA call everything else either a Pickup (Big F100's and Chev C20's) or smaller Pickups are classed as Mid Mini Pickup which includes all foriegn small Pickups such as Hilux or Chev Luv etc.
No one in there right mind bothers running stuff with a tray.
The problem I found with running a Ute is for a long time I was the only one in the world doing it. This meant I had nobody either here or O'seas to compare my times with. If you run say C/Pro you can have a direct comparison with lots of other records. Can't do that in a Ute.
Saying that I have no problem with having a Ute class here. Suits local competition but thats it.
My next point is what do we include as a Ute. We all know Utes are a cab and tray that are joined. Open and shut.
If we tried to call everything with a styleside body a Ute we would then be including all the F100's and Big Chevs , GMC's etc.
Having just invested a huge amount of effort time and money to build an F100 to run in Production Pickup.Our team would be very disappointed if it were classified a Ute and we had to compete with something like a Commodore Ute.
Next point is we are building an AU Falcon Ute deliberatly aimed at running in Mid Mini Pickup. We have aimed at this class so we have a US comparitive number to aim at. Are we going to be told it has to be a Ute?
There is already a clear concise class called Mid Mini Pickup to cater for AU Falcon onwards.
If we call this a Ute it is at a disadvantage to the equivalent Commodore or EL Falcon.
I still own and intend to run my XP Ute again in the future.
Sorry if this all sounds like a whinge but it seems to me that the club members that don't run Utes are going to out vote those that do. I have no problem with a democratic vote but to be told we "had better be at the meeting to vote" gripes a bit.
Our team will have 8 drivers, does this mean we all have to hop a plane from Qld to attend the next Melbourne meeting to cast our vote?
I am angry at the thought that this rule may be railroaded through without the whole club voting on the motion at the AGM.
Chris Hanlon,
on behalf
Stephen Bridge
Sav Sanford
Mike Davison
Barry Bunter
Lennard Munn
Ron Munn
Kathryn Hanlon