Stoopid concours tire specs, or, challenging the staus quo for "correct" tires Options

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

Probably nothing else aggrevates as much as the mentality that dictates that only OEM spec'd tire sizes are appropriate fitment on a concours contender.

As I sit here and peck at my keyboard (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif) , I'm looking at the July 1975 Road & Track road test summary which states, among other interesting data about a 914/4 2.0, that its stopping distance from 80 mph is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shocked[1].gif) 285 feet.
Todays' cars.....Cayman.................203 ft
V-6 Camry.............223 ft
VW Rabbit..............234 ft
Honda Fit ...............236 ft
Chevy Trailblazer....222 ft
Nissan Maxima........232 ft

Someone tell me why we are required, under penalty of point loss in some classes in PCA, to have what amounts to "rim protectors" on our cars when the fitment of 175, 185, or 195 spec rubber will not only enhance the appearance (subjective, of course) of our cars but the handling and braking capabilities as well. Todays' tire tread patterns, size selection and compound composition permit us not only better transient and lateral steering responses and handling, but improved braking distances as well. Why would we trade away even 10 feet of braking distance and the safety margains that go with that for OEM spec tires?
Don't tell me to bring a set of 155/15s just for fitment at a concours either, that's ludicrous. If the friggin' tire fits in the wheel wells w/o rubbing or "working" the fenders, they ought to be allowed w/o penalty.

You can trust that I'm not removing my 195s for any concours.

(Rant, over)

Paul