questions on class, help.

[ej1pat]

Hi I'm new to scca and autocross. I was trying to figure out what class my car would run in, for solo autocross. Here's the car and the list of mods:
2003 Mitsubishi lancer o.z. Rally 2.0 sohc non turbo manual trans,
Drilled and slotted rotors,
Stainless steel braided brake lines,
Mono pedal covers,
Volk lug nuts,
4-2-1 header,
OEM window visors,
Ngk spark plugs,
Ngk spark plug wires.

I list all mods just to make sure it didn't effect class. But help would be much appreciated, thanks.

[rodhx]

Welcome and hope to see you at one of our events!

The header is the key piece that knocks you out of the Street/Stock category. Your car is in "Street Touring FWD", or STF. Be sure to take advantage of our Novice program to get a guided course walk, ride alongs, and other help at the event.

Since you now know your class you can be prepared for the letters you'll need on the car. If you elect to run in the novice group you will need "NSTF" on both sides of the car. You will also need a car number that is not being used by anyone else in STF. There are ways to check through axware when you register online but the folks working the registration trailer at the events can also help.

By the way, you can download a copy of the current rules here.

[ej1pat]

Ok, cool. Thanks for the quick reply. So novice street touring, which what is the maximum tire size I can have in that class, 225 max? Which I have a few more questions. Would lowering springs, or a lightweight flywheel change the class?

[ej1pat]

Which just went ahead and ordered a rule book to have on hand.

[rodhx]

Ok, cool. Thanks for the quick reply. So novice street touring, which what is the maximum tire size I can have in that class, 225 max? Which I have a few more questions. Would lowering springs, or a lightweight flywheel change the class?

STF has a max wheel width of 7.5" and max tire width of 225. Lowering springs are allowed in Street Touring. The flywheel is not allowed. Clutch & flywheel must be OEM (or perhaps oem equivalent) in Street Touring.

[ej1pat]

Aight thanks, if I have more questions I'll post them. Thanks again for the help.

[c-evoVIII]

Welcome welcome!!! the next event is on the 27th of this month. My name is C , me and my wife ( Sara) are the Novice directors. We can help you with the course and get you ride along and also ride with you. We will also be in a Lancer....just a beefier turbo AWD one, HA!! C

[ej1pat]

Ok, thanks again for the warm welcome. I gotta get some new tires first. Mine are looking pretty low.

[MX5_Racer]

FWIW, other than the driver, tires are likely the most important "mod" you can make...choose carefully! Folks here are happy to provide recommendations if you would like them.

[ej1pat]

Which I was thinking about getting a set of kumho escta ast's. I've had a set before and liked them. But I'm all ears for recommended tires. Which my big things are, 15inch wheel, daily driver and good grip and decent life. And can still work in rain.

[rodhx]

Given your requirements most of the "extreme performance summer" tires we tend to race on won't cut it. Possible exception is the Bridgestone RE-11A. I was going to recommend the Continental ExtremeContact DW, which I daily drive and have autocrossed, but it isn't available in a 15" size.

[MX5_Racer]

Which I was thinking about getting a set of kumho escta ast's. I've had a set before and liked them. But I'm all ears for recommended tires. Which my big things are, 15inch wheel, daily driver and good grip and decent life. And can still work in rain.

Ahhh...the utopian tire. Not sure we've found that one yet. :-)

The problem with anything that has "good grip" as expected for autocross is that it will likely not have "decent life" compared to what you'd hope for on a daily driver. Unfortunately the two objectives tend to be mutually exclusive. Many of us run two sets of tires/wheels for that very reason. For daily tires, run whatever makes you happy...for autocross one of the 200 TW tires is usually what is selected (Hankook R-S3, Bridgestone RE11/RE11A, Dunlop Direzza ZII, BFG Rival, etc.) Within those tires there is much debate over which particular one is best, but little argument that one from this group of tires is best.

Good luck!

[MWenning]

Hi ej1pat. My .02. Invest in seat time. Use the novice program. Burn up your current tires if they are at the end of their life span....and get maximum seat time. Have fun.

Gramps

[jbass1911]

I had some BFG g-force sports on my gti I was pretty happy with. Good grip and decent life considering the abuse they took (about 8 autocross events and a year's worth of driving with a 65 mile round trip commute). Available in 195/50/15. Also I 100% agree with MWenning's advice that seat time is key. You will learn a lot driving on ties that are not so grippy.

[ej1pat]

Thanks for the advice guys