Musclewrench NEW car class questions

[EWaugh]

So whats stopping you from doing it Mike?

[EvoLady]

Here is a classification chart that I lifted from another region, can't remember which one. Anyways it seems pretty helpful pointing out the major stuff people do to their cars and where you are classed due to their modifications. Not sure how acurate this is since they added some new classes but maybe one of our more class savy guys can take it and modify it so we can use it for our novice.

[TouringBubble]

That's a pretty good document. It's out of date, but not horribly. The first things that jump out at me are the sway bars for stock class (you can change either I think for 2012) and the boost control for SP (you can change for turbo but not SC).

That idea could be updated for 2012 and could work. Great idea and implementation. Thanks for sharing Sara.

[nicktcr]

I mean, it's looking kinda like my situation. My car, by the ACTUAL RULES, is technically an X Prepared. However, it is nothing close to XP levels in actuality. It looks like this "questionable bracing" might technically make his car XP, or EP, but in reality, it's a freaking daily driver with minimal mods.

If he wants to play by the rules, then stick him in XP. But I seriously doubt anyone in an SP class, or certainly SM would care. Unless he's planning to go nationally, stick him where his most even competition is. If he IS planning to go nationally, then he's either gonna have to make some changes to his car, or pick something else.

[fwman1]

Yep, I've just joined the XP Isle of Misfit Cars myself (frame rails and BF brace). The car has the solid feel of a new car, but it won't make me any more competitive. So far I have actually finished ahead of one Miata. I believe the girl driving it was 16 years old... I'd rather stay in SSM just to avoid a new set of letters. Still, rules are rules...

[engled]

if he wants to play by the rules, he will put himself in xp.

ftfy.

[nicktcr]

ftfy.

Yes, quite.

[Welacey]

I mean, it's looking kinda like my situation. My car, by the ACTUAL RULES, is technically an X Prepared. However, it is nothing close to XP levels in actuality. It looks like this "questionable bracing" might technically make his car XP, or EP, but in reality, it's a freaking daily driver with minimal mods.

If he wants to play by the rules, then stick him in XP. But I seriously doubt anyone in an SP class, or certainly SM would care. Unless he's planning to go nationally, stick him where his most even competition is. If he IS planning to go nationally, then he's either gonna have to make some changes to his car, or pick something else.

I started out in CS my first half year and decided i needed stainless brake lines for track days. After they were installed i found out that it bumped me into CSP. The latter half of that season was run in CSP with only R compounds and stainless steel brakelines. That's the brakes. (pun intended).

[rodhx]

Since Wally started sharing, I'll chime in. I came to my first event, the 2009 test-n-tune, having read the rules and understanding that my CAI put me in CSP, with stock suspension, crappy street tires, etc. After realizing just exactly what that meant, I sold the CAI and went to CS. When no one showed up to run CS in 2010, I changed the letters on the car to STR, an option that didn't exist in 2009. It was still a stock-legal car until I bought an ebay CAI 'cause I like the growl it gives the car. Late in 2010 I re-did the coilovers. The car remains wildly under-prepared for its class.

Other than the wider wheels last year, an intake and set of springs is all the prep my car has. Still have the stock size wheels...maybe I should poll the CS folks to see if they care if I come back?

[musclewrench]

I think it's an ST car, as it really is save for those chassis braces. Maybe talk to the STC guys at the T&T event to see if they mind and see how the results look at the end. If you have a commanding lead over STC then you should probably change classes. If it's close, I'd want to race with you.

Thanks Matt. I sincerely appreciate the effort to sort out the class. I agree, I probably would be best in STC but certainly understand if, by luck, I post a historic time... It seems to always really come down to the tire and the driver. Like others, my experience with the 02 was that it too was a daily driver. Because I didn't completely build it out to maximize all I could do for EM, it left me woefully uncompetitive. I can't see myself going head to head with an Evo, but it sure sounds fun, and in the end, that's the name of the game.

See you at the T&T. I can't wait! Thanks again.

[rodhx]

I have a related question: if an illegal car is allowed to compete in a class, does that driver accumulate championship points?

[engled]

I have a related question: if an illegal car is allowed to compete in a class, does that driver accumulate championship points?

I think it is up to the competitors in the class to police this. If they don't the points count.

[Cholewa]

Points count if the class allows them in. That's the whole point.

[nicktcr]

Points count if the class allows them in. That's the whole point.

Yeah that was my understanding.

[Erv]

That's a pretty good document. It's out of date, but not horribly. The first things that jump out at me are the sway bars for stock class (you can change either I think for 2012) and the boost control for SP (you can change for turbo but not SC).

That idea could be updated for 2012 and could work. Great idea and implementation. Thanks for sharing Sara.

3 things, 1 he would be in SMF(if he was SM legal), 2 you can only change boost in SP through ECU, no manual/electronic boost control, and 3 yes you change either sway bar in stock.