Tom,
everything you say is a good point. A few years ago I would have agreed with you as I wasn't a fan of the control tire rule when it first came in to force ..... now I am a total convert, even more so after racing rallycross nationals where tires are free choice ........ a cloud comes over head and everybody is rushing to the shops for another set of boots .... sun comes out hot and the stampeed happens all over again! I set my own control tires, by special consultation of my wallet, and only ran 3 types .... on of which was a GRP which performed brilliantly in most conditions.
After being reminded what a pain it is to carry 3 haulers full of tires around "on the off chance" whilst pitting with a firend at 1/8th nats I really don't want to go there again ........ for that reason alone a control tire rule is great .... from the point of view cost it's even better.
I hear what your saying about schumy tires quality, Dom @ DC Racing and Brian Preddy have told me at length what they have seen and it does sound shocking. The customers would / will drive that change anyway by moving away from the tire to the alternative and I am sure that the BRCA guys had a word in Scumy's ear about picking up quality before it allowed them through as a control tire. It's not the sort of thing that would have escaped their attention!!
From that point I agree with you 100% ...... whilst it is still great to support "local" business if their service is rubbish then you can't justify it. Sure Schumacher realise that too and this seasons tires will be better ... hopefully.
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