Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesK
From what I can recall a few years ago posted on MSNZ's web site, to obtain championship status a class was expected to field 15 cars and had to have run the series for a minimum of 1 or 2 years prior to consideration. No doubt to prove its worth.
Anything less than 15 cars was at the discretion of the Exec.
Was my understanding correct ?
|
The actual section in MSNZ's Towards 2020 documents is :
Prior to Championship status application a class should have competed the previous season as a Sanctioned or Challenge Series and should have demonstrated the ability to have a minimum number of vehicles contesting the series as provided for in the Class Agreement.
The number of vehicles doesn't seem to have been defined but historically and in others parts of the document, 15 cars is a figure used.
It is presumed this criteria has been established for a good reason - presumably so that a class can prove its credentials before it is granted Championship status. This is consistent with MSNZ's President being on record as saying Championship status represents the pinnacle of NZ motor sport.
The TR86 class doesn't seem to have met MSNZ's criteria (which seems mandatory with the use of the word "should").
Unfortunately with so few car turning up in this Championship class it has turned out to be an unfortunate example of the so-called pinnacle of NZ motor sport. A cynic could say - if this represents the pinnacle, what is the rest off the sport like?
No doubt MSNZ's relationship with Toyota (who should be applauded for their contribution to the sport) has influenced MSNZ to make a rash decision to ignore their own criteria.