To preface my argument recount a little background; I drive a desert racecar of my design and construction in a professional class competing mainly in the open Mexican desert at races such as the Baja 500, San Felipe 250, and Baja 1000. In a recent argument I have observed the likelyhood of a certain type of offroad vehicle (purpose built rock crawler) competing competitvely against other very different vehicles (purpose built class 1 desert racing buggies). The two opposing views are that the crawler can run with the best of the class 1 cars and finish in a competitive position in class vs. there is no way a crawler can keep pace with purpose built high speed desert racecars (I subscribe to this position). Basically why would one choose to compete against a vehicle specifically designed and built to race in the desert races of Mexico with a vehicle designed for a completly different genre of motorsport.
Evidence supplied by crawler supporters includes comparison video footage, and asset of 4 wheel drive in technical terrain. Dedicated desert racers (class 1 enthusiasts) support their position with performance numbers in on all other terrain surfaces; far more suspension travel (main emphasis here), and higher top speeds.
Assumptions made by the rock crawler camp hope to gain advantage over vehicles that drop out due to running too fast, and breaking. They assume the ratio of techincal to fast terrain at the given race will put them at an advantage. Class 1 supporters assume the vehicles planning to participate in their class are not built for desert racing speeds the way they are. The class 1 teams assume their expereicne and previous knowledge racing in Baja will carry them to the win.
The ethical implications are relativly clear; the rock crawlers are welcome to try and compete in class 1 as along as they do not create a road block affect by their lower capable speed. The emotional appeal to the crawlers is that they feel it is possible to assert thier sports' vehical design as equal or better to that of the already established buggies. For the class 1 teams this interloping force brings on feelings of being challenged by a rediculously undermatched arrogant opponent. The logic appeals made by both sides have value as to their capabilities, only testing under true race conditions can determine who is right.
Strengths and weaknesses are apparent in both sides' arguments. The class 1 teams have far more knowledge exactly what mix of terrain they are up against in a Mexican desert race, however they fail to appreciate the new design of some rock crawl vehicles designed to be more multi purpose built. The rock crawlers don't realize how much terrain they will be up against that they are not properly designed to handle.
My closing thoughts on the argument is that the crawlers will compete as they plan, and if they finish they will not place competitivly. I believe this outcome will not discourage them from trying again, perhaps they will read more into the class rules and choose to compete in a more apropriate class after making a few changes to their vehicles.
