September 17, 2008
A new unlimited road racing series? The time is now.
By Peter M. De Lorenzo
Detroit. Back when the original Canadian-American Challenge Cup made its debut, no one knew that the "Can-Am" series would become a legendary moment in racing history, when the stars would align to create one of the most memorable eras in the history of the sport. People continually talk about the Can-Am in reverential terms, as well they should, because the allure of its magic "unlimited" raison d'etre was irresistible. But pining to go back to that era will not accomplish anything, and besides, you can see and feel the glorious thunder of those original racing cars at any of the major vintage racing events across the country every summer.
But I believe the time is now for a "new" unlimited racing series, one that doesn't hinge on current racing technology as much as it would embrace the kind of alternative technology that's being developed today by the world's automobile manufacturers.
Imagine a new racing series with a set of racing rules that consisted of just two specifications: 1. A car would be required to meet a dimensional envelope in terms of size. And 2. The car must have four wheels, but none of the wheels can be driven by an internal combustion engine (the ICE can only be used as a generator for the main power source). Everything else would be entirely "free" including the type of propulsion system, the aerodynamic devices (movable would be allowed) and the construction (as long as it met all leading edge safety standards).
The world's auto manufacturers could then use this new racing series as a developmental showcase for advanced technologies, restoring racing's rightful place as the proving ground of the kind of automotive technology that would directly transfer to our production cars down the road.
Too simplistic? Possibly.
But right now I only see one racing series in the world managing the transition to an alternative propulsion future (the "greening" of the ALMS is the most noteworthy and obvious example). But that's it. And after that I don't see the kind of truly radical vision coming from any of the sports' governing bodies today that would lead me to believe that they'd be willing to actually create a new, technologically relevant future for racing.
As long as the powers that be in racing today continue to miss this golden opportunity to create a new era for the sport, I will always be wondering what could be.
Publisher's Note: As part of our continuing series celebrating the "Glory Days" of racing, we're proud to present another noteworthy image from the Ford Racing Archives. - PMD
(Ford Racing Archives)
Oulton Park, England, 1964. Jack Brabham (Ford Mustang) leads Jim Clark (Lotus-Cortina) during the British Saloon Car Championship race as part of the Oulton Park Gold Cup weekend.