posted
I had a competitor email this to me to see what I thought. I thought it was worthy enough to post on here to see what everyone else thought.
quote:Things need to change if we want dB Drag to continue. There has been little infusion of new blood, and many seasoned competitors are no longer competing due to high costs of competition. This is the class structure that I propose. I will go through each “division” individually and list changes and additions.
Street Stock A Street Stock B
Street A Street B
Street Max 1-2 Street Max 3-4
SS NW
SS 1-2 SS 3-4 SS 5+
EX 1-2 EX 3-4 EX 5+
Street Stock A&B
These classes are created for the average consumer. The main determining factor in making this class available for the average consumer is cost. Most people say we need to limit power, but in reality we are trying to limit the cost to the competitor. If 5000 watt amps were $300, and heavy duty subs were $150, well this wouldn’t be an issue to limit power. It is the cost of the components that is making this difficult for competitors. This class, while designed for beginners, has no restrictions on the competitor, as that is impossible to police. Anyone is welcome to compete as the below restrictions make it merely a determination of install skill instead of who has more money. Here is what I propose:
Subwoofers – the subwoofer requirements for A&B will be the same as B&C under the 2007 rules (and Street A&B under the 2008 rules)
Amplifiers – you may use up to 2 amplifiers in Street A and up to 4 amplifiers in Street B. MSRP of those amplifiers must be less than $1000 total for Street A and $2000 total for Street B (combined value of all of the subwoofer amplifiers). The numbers could be adjusted but this is just the initial idea. If we agree to the format, then research could be done to make the dollar amount appropriate.
Special Note: To verify that manufacturers are not creating amplifiers to circumvent the rules, the following must apply for amplifiers to be legal in the Street Stock classes. • To ensure that amplifiers are not specifically discounted to meet the MSRP requirement, the MSRP must be at least 20% above dealer cost • Upon request of the dBDRA, manufacturers may be required to demonstrate that a minimum number of amplifiers have been produced and sold. To rule out specialty amplifiers only developed for competitors, we should place minimum sales requirements for amplifiers, something like 1000 units. Any normal amplifier available from regular retail channels should be able to sell 1000 units within a few months. The unit must be listed and available at the approved MSRP values for the entire run of the 1000 units (to prevent manufacturers from discounting only a few amplifiers and then selling the rest at a higher cost). This is similar to the homologation rules used in automobile racing in the 60’s. • The dBDRA reserves the right to reclassify any amplifier that it feels is attempting to circumvent the classification system. This must be enforced and applied by the judging staff. Competitor petitions, protests, or suggestions must be heard and followed through with or this system will not work (regardless of how good of a supporter of dB Drag the manufacturer is). • We would have to have a list of MSRP for most manufacturer’s amplifiers. This will take time and require a list to be set up on the dBDRA website. I am sure that most manufacturers, to be supportive of dBDRA will gladly submit a current price list to the dBDRA for consideration. If a manufacturer is unwilling or unable to supply this list to the dBDRA, then a competitor using that equipment can provide written proof of the MSRP to the dBDRA for their equipment to be legal. This would require the judges at each show to have this list but should not greatly slow down the judging process or create more work for the judges. There is such a thing as an “audio blue book” that shows prices for many amplifiers out there. I know that we had one at a shop I worked out for dealing with used merchandise. I do not remember the name of the book, but it was widely available. In reality, it is up to the consumer to provide proof that their equipment meets the approved requirements. Another organization used to require that the competitor provide power rating proof at shows, this is no different.
Installation requirements: The installation rules are exactly the same as the current (2007) street classes with the following exceptions:
CRX’s and Panda’s are not allowed. Other vehicles may be added to this in the future, but at the current time, we will rule out those vehicles as they present an unfair advantage in regards to this style of classification. Those consumers with those vehicles are encouraged to still compete and move up to the Street classes.
Competitors are limited to 1 run of 1/0 power wire and 1 run of 1/0 ground wire per amplifier in the vehicle. 1/0 wire has a specific range of size (I haven’t looked it up, but I used to have a chart that showed it). We can even approve and disapprove of certain manufacturer’s wire if someone tries to market oversize wire at the 1/0 size. All competitors must use a fuse, within 18 inches of the battery (rubber chicken rule), appropriate for the rating of the amplifier(s) on every positive power wire used in the system. The judge does not have to verify the number of wires in hidden areas, such as under the carpet at every show, unless protested by another competitor (similar to “world record” verification).
Street A&B
The existing street classes will continue into 2008. Street A and B are condensed into one class (Street A) and Street C will be renamed Street B. The changes to this class only apply to installation requirements and amplifier quantity. The amplifier requirements and “conductor rule” shall be reduced to half of what they currently are (2 conductors for A, 4 conductors for B). All vehicles are allowed to build up to the B-pillar and below the window line. All seats and/or panels must remain in the vehicle, but the normal use restrictions for vehicles with back seats are no longer necessary. Seats may be folded for installation of the stereo, but may not be moved from the stock location or removed entirely. Think of this as “Street Max No Wall” if you will as the installation requirements are similar to the differences between SS1-2 and SS NW. Existing competitors using CRX’s will not see a difference in the installation with the exception of the amplifier restriction. Existing competitors using Panda’s will be afforded more room for installation as their box and/or amplifiers can be placed on the backseat. This opens up more room for a variety of vehicles (vans, SUVs, 4 seat hatchbacks, etc.). I still feel that the CRX and Panda will dominate, but they may not be “required” anymore and it is possible to use another vehicle and still be competitive.
Street Max
No changes
Super Street
No changes
Extreme
The class will be condensed into just an “Extreme” class for all events other than finals to reduce cost for the promoter. At finals, the class may be broken out into various divisions (EX 1-2, 3-4, 5+, or EX 1, EX 2, EX 3+) depending on what classification gives the most competitors in full classes.
-------------------- See you in the lanes,
dBSteve Get Loud Productions LLC Posts: 8327 | From: Midwest | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote:Originally posted by dBSteve: I had a competitor email this to me to see what I thought. I thought it was worthy enough to post on here to see what everyone else thought.
quote:Things need to change if we want dB Drag to continue. There has been little infusion of new blood, and many seasoned competitors are no longer competing due to high costs of competition. This is the class structure that I propose. I will go through each “division” individually and list changes and additions.
Street Stock A Street Stock B
Street A Street B
Street Max 1-2 Street Max 3-4
SS NW
SS 1-2 SS 3-4 SS 5+
EX 1-2 EX 3-4 EX 5+
Street Stock A&B
These classes are created for the average consumer. The main determining factor in making this class available for the average consumer is cost. Most people say we need to limit power, but in reality we are trying to limit the cost to the competitor. If 5000 watt amps were $300, and heavy duty subs were $150, well this wouldn’t be an issue to limit power. It is the cost of the components that is making this difficult for competitors. This class, while designed for beginners, has no restrictions on the competitor, as that is impossible to police. Anyone is welcome to compete as the below restrictions make it merely a determination of install skill instead of who has more money. Here is what I propose:
Subwoofers – the subwoofer requirements for A&B will be the same as B&C under the 2007 rules (and Street A&B under the 2008 rules)
Amplifiers – you may use up to 2 amplifiers in Street A and up to 4 amplifiers in Street B. MSRP of those amplifiers must be less than $1000 total for Street A and $2000 total for Street B (combined value of all of the subwoofer amplifiers). The numbers could be adjusted but this is just the initial idea. If we agree to the format, then research could be done to make the dollar amount appropriate.
Special Note: To verify that manufacturers are not creating amplifiers to circumvent the rules, the following must apply for amplifiers to be legal in the Street Stock classes. • To ensure that amplifiers are not specifically discounted to meet the MSRP requirement, the MSRP must be at least 20% above dealer cost • Upon request of the dBDRA, manufacturers may be required to demonstrate that a minimum number of amplifiers have been produced and sold. To rule out specialty amplifiers only developed for competitors, we should place minimum sales requirements for amplifiers, something like 1000 units. Any normal amplifier available from regular retail channels should be able to sell 1000 units within a few months. The unit must be listed and available at the approved MSRP values for the entire run of the 1000 units (to prevent manufacturers from discounting only a few amplifiers and then selling the rest at a higher cost). This is similar to the homologation rules used in automobile racing in the 60’s. • The dBDRA reserves the right to reclassify any amplifier that it feels is attempting to circumvent the classification system. This must be enforced and applied by the judging staff. Competitor petitions, protests, or suggestions must be heard and followed through with or this system will not work (regardless of how good of a supporter of dB Drag the manufacturer is). • We would have to have a list of MSRP for most manufacturer’s amplifiers. This will take time and require a list to be set up on the dBDRA website. I am sure that most manufacturers, to be supportive of dBDRA will gladly submit a current price list to the dBDRA for consideration. If a manufacturer is unwilling or unable to supply this list to the dBDRA, then a competitor using that equipment can provide written proof of the MSRP to the dBDRA for their equipment to be legal. This would require the judges at each show to have this list but should not greatly slow down the judging process or create more work for the judges. There is such a thing as an “audio blue book” that shows prices for many amplifiers out there. I know that we had one at a shop I worked out for dealing with used merchandise. I do not remember the name of the book, but it was widely available. In reality, it is up to the consumer to provide proof that their equipment meets the approved requirements. Another organization used to require that the competitor provide power rating proof at shows, this is no different.
Installation requirements: The installation rules are exactly the same as the current (2007) street classes with the following exceptions:
CRX’s and Panda’s are not allowed. Other vehicles may be added to this in the future, but at the current time, we will rule out those vehicles as they present an unfair advantage in regards to this style of classification. Those consumers with those vehicles are encouraged to still compete and move up to the Street classes.
Competitors are limited to 1 run of 1/0 power wire and 1 run of 1/0 ground wire per amplifier in the vehicle. 1/0 wire has a specific range of size (I haven’t looked it up, but I used to have a chart that showed it). We can even approve and disapprove of certain manufacturer’s wire if someone tries to market oversize wire at the 1/0 size. All competitors must use a fuse, within 18 inches of the battery (rubber chicken rule), appropriate for the rating of the amplifier(s) on every positive power wire used in the system. The judge does not have to verify the number of wires in hidden areas, such as under the carpet at every show, unless protested by another competitor (similar to “world record” verification).
Street A&B
The existing street classes will continue into 2008. Street A and B are condensed into one class (Street A) and Street C will be renamed Street B. The changes to this class only apply to installation requirements and amplifier quantity. The amplifier requirements and “conductor rule” shall be reduced to half of what they currently are (2 conductors for A, 4 conductors for B). All vehicles are allowed to build up to the B-pillar and below the window line. All seats and/or panels must remain in the vehicle, but the normal use restrictions for vehicles with back seats are no longer necessary. Seats may be folded for installation of the stereo, but may not be moved from the stock location or removed entirely. Think of this as “Street Max No Wall” if you will as the installation requirements are similar to the differences between SS1-2 and SS NW. Existing competitors using CRX’s will not see a difference in the installation with the exception of the amplifier restriction. Existing competitors using Panda’s will be afforded more room for installation as their box and/or amplifiers can be placed on the backseat. This opens up more room for a variety of vehicles (vans, SUVs, 4 seat hatchbacks, etc.). I still feel that the CRX and Panda will dominate, but they may not be “required” anymore and it is possible to use another vehicle and still be competitive.
Street Max
No changes
Super Street
No changes
Extreme
The class will be condensed into just an “Extreme” class for all events other than finals to reduce cost for the promoter. At finals, the class may be broken out into various divisions (EX 1-2, 3-4, 5+, or EX 1, EX 2, EX 3+) depending on what classification gives the most competitors in full classes.
I like this as well, only thing I think needs looked at would be if the extreme classes are grouped at triple point events it would make it difficult for WR. So change it to grouping them at all events less than a triple and I think it would go smoothe
-------------------- Scott Christensen Handle every situation like a dog.
If you can't eat it or hump it. Piss on it and walk away. Posts: 10459 | From: Victoria, TX | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
why would you change/group street at all? its the biggest class in db drag and there is no need to touch it or change it.
street A and B condensed into 1 class? thats just silly/dumb. Current Street B is atleast 33% more expensive than Street A, why would you force people to caugh up more money to stay competative???????
--------------------
2006 Street A - 152.7 Certified 2007 Street C - 154.8 Certified 2007 Street A - 154.4 Certified 2008 Street B - 155.5 Certified
TEAM FEAR OF BASS Posts: 2968 | From: Toronto, On, Canada | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Probably because it doesnt offer itself as an entry class? Not too many newbs are gonna spend 5K+ to get into the sport, lower that to ~2k and see what happens.
-------------------- Scott Christensen Handle every situation like a dog.
If you can't eat it or hump it. Piss on it and walk away. Posts: 10459 | From: Victoria, TX | Registered: Nov 2001
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Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she laid an asteroid. -- Mark Twain "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" Posts: 476 | From: NORTHEAST | Registered: Jul 2007
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