A few comments about Spec Racing, why it exists, whom does it promote and how it affects the quality of circle track racing. Lets talk a little about having strict rules that virtually eliminate the racers creative spark.
In my many years directly associated with short track racing, the one thing that defines racers the most is their ability to be innovative. They attack problems with more energy and intelligence than within any other sport, and possibly more than in any other scientific discipline.
I think that the creation of the race car and the designing of components and resolving of problems ranks high on the list of why anyone would want to go racing. I know in my kart days I never arrived at the track with the same configuration. I was always changing this and that and redesigning my car. I flat had fun doing that. It is a lot of the reason I went racing and it's the same throughout the racing community.
That being established, tell me why tracks and sanctioning bodies think it is a good idea to limit what a racer can do to their cars to enhance performance. Is it to try to make things equal between the hard workers and the lazy racers? Hey, this is competition, not basket weaving. A team SHOULD excel if they put more work into their cars.
I am really tired of all of the Don't Do This and Don't Do That rules we see, especially in the stock classes. Most of the changes racers need to make are cut and weld related and only amount to time and very little material. So don't tell me you are trying to save the racer money.
What is really happening is that the rules that are intended to save a few dollars here and there are stifling the industry and reducing the numbers of racers. One only need look at the series where the rules are the least restrictive. Those series, the IMCA mods, the dirt late model series, etc. are, and have always been, the most popular and fastest growing in the sport of motor racing.
Promoters, track officials, series officials, wake up and smell the ozone. Racers love to tinker. Let them do what they love to do and you will see your sport grow. You will be able to provide more competitive racing for your fans. You will bring excitement into the lives of the people in the pits, remembering that they are the ones making all of this happen. Do it and you won't regret it. I think it will help save the sport.