Auto-X Class Help

[M3n2c3]

I'll be getting my wheels and tires a bit closer to the start of the season - probably mid-March or so.

As far as my class goes, I was going to ask for input from the "old-timers" here, but was going to save that conversation for a bit closer to the start of the season as well

I'm not sure if I ought to run in novice for a while or if I should jump straight into a class. I'm also not sure if my coil-overs (and possibly intake/exhaust by April) are enough to move me from STS to DSP. The STS classification seems to allow replaced struts, lower springs, and camber plates, but I don't see anything about full coilovers.

[MattR]

I split this off from the schedule thread.

Once the rule book comes out for 06( or you can check it out online) It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basics of your class...If there's something that doesn't make sense, or can be interpreted in multiple ways, we can usually figure it out here.

Coilovers are fine for STS, as are your intake and exhaust.

And I would suggest you start running in the STS class. The Novice program is basically designed to help drivers learn the ropes, which you've done already. There's really no reason to run as a novice more than a handful of times.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by MattR

And I would suggest you start running in the STS class. The Novice program is basically designed to help drivers learn the ropes, which you've done already. There's really no reason to run as a novice more than a handful of times.

The primary advantages to running Novice is that you can run twice a day every day or either half of the day any day, and you are more likely to get coaching without having to seek it out.

[MattR]

True, but M3n2c3 has run a few events now. I guess it comes down to choosing between competing or more seat time. More seat time is always a plus though.

[M3n2c3]

Well, I've done one. I made it out in September, and missed the final run in October because of work.

As far as learning the ropes goes, I'm good to go even after that one event. It's really not that complicated. Plus, something just popped into my head - April 1st and 2nd are school and test & tune days, not competition, right? That'll make a good refresher, and I'll be all set.

Still, the thought of extra seat time is definitely alluring. That's a tough call. Good thing I have plenty of time left to decide

[Dean]

If you run in a "standard" class, you can still run RNP in the afternoons if you ran for points in the morning. So this works for 1/2 the events or so.

[Kevin M]

Start out building your car slowly for STS or DSP. Basically the difference is you can change bakes in ST, and you can change clutch and flywheel in SP, but not vice versa, along with a few other minor differences. SP also has unrestricted wheel and tire sizing, while I think STS only allows 7 or 7.5" wheel width and 225 section tires.

Then, start the season in novice, for the first 4 events. After that decide if you want to move into your class for real, and you can take your previous results with you at that time, so you won't be 4 events behind your competition.

[Joeyy]

Scrubbed a +1 off of Dean's old wheels tonight if it wasn't a pointer cone.

[cody]

Can I just paste my mods here and ask you guys to tell me what class I could run in? I know jack about autoX, but I hope to come out even if I'm running on my crappy Yoko's.

[dknv]

Originally Posted by cody

Can I just paste my mods here and ask you guys to tell me what class I could run in? I know jack about autoX, but I hope to come out even if I'm running on my crappy Yoko's.

You could, and you'll probably get an answer. But I'd also suggest you get used to looking at the rulebook (along with the *Fasttrack monthly updates), that is the official guide. If you rely solely on people's feedback you may find yourself owned because someone gave you an answer with outdated knowledge.

(*Does anyone know for sure, the Fasttrack updates are only going to be on the scca website now?)

[MattR]

Or you could run as a Novice and it won't matter. Which I would suggest.

[cody]

Cool Debbie. That sounds like sound advice.

Here they are if anybody wouldn't mind taking a stab at it for me:

Power: Cobb Protuned by Equilibrium Tuning (For two seperate elevations, sea level and 5K feet [no map switching necessary]), Crucial UP & DP, Borla Hush CBE, Stock 3rd Cat, K&N Drop-In, Heat Wrapped Stock Headers, Omori Boost & EGT Gauges mounted in an Autometer 52mm Bezel Pod

Suspension: Eibach Pro Kit Springs (wagon specific), KYB AGX Struts, Mr. Josh's Solid Endlinks, 20mm SOA Rear Anti-Sway Bar (sedan specific), Whiteline Quickrelease Strut Bar (Rear, Wagon Specific)

Summer Setup: Gun Metal Rota Torque 17's, Yoko AVS ES100's in 215 width (I'm not super impressed with the dry grip of these tires)

Winter Setup: Black powder coated stockers with Toyo Proxes 4's in 225 width (I'd say their dry handeling is as good as the summer setup)

Brakes: Goodridge SS Lines, Porterfield R4-S Pads, ATE Fluid, Updated ABS ECU

Deletes: Intake Silencer, Defrost to A/C Contact

Other Stuff: Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Rock Blocker Clear Bra, Odyssey Light-Weight Battery

Bling: Momo Shifter Knob, Cleared Head Lights

Stereo: Stock HU, JL Audio Amp and 10" sub in custom wagon enclosure, Kenwood Exceleron 6.5" in front doors, Infinity Reference 4" in rear doors, Dave Navone LOC's and I Dynamat Extreme'd the crap out of the front doors

[cody]

Originally Posted by MattR

Or you could run as a Novice and it won't matter. Which I would suggest.

Sounds apropriate.

[MattR]

Cody, You're in Street Mod.

[cody]

Isn't that the same class as Matt?

[MattR]

Originally Posted by cody

Isn't that the same class as Matt?

Matt- Sti
Eric- Sti
Mike K- Sti
Scott- FrankenSuby
Pete- WRX
Andy- WRX
Brian- STi


So yeah, it will be the most competitive class in 2006. I can guarantee that.

[MikeK]

Cody, I am not 100% sure but I think the intake silencer delete and lighter battery might be pushing you from ESP into SM. I think everything else might be ESP (I am assuming that increased boost was finally allowed in street prepared, I haven't actually seen the rules yet).

I would suggest running the first few events as novice. If you decide you want to compete for points, you can just convert up to 4 novice results over to the class you eventually run in, so you have 4 events to sort out your class for sure.

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by MattR

Brian- STi

Brian is still stock now, and I think he is only planning on a rear sway bar for autox, so STU or BSP. Brian?

[cody]

If those are the only two mods that are pushing me into SM, then, when the time comes, I can re-install teh stock battery (if it's still good by then), and the intake silencer in 15 minutes. That'd be cool.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by MikeK

Brian is still stock now, and I think he is only planning on a rear sway bar for autox, so STU or BSP. Brian?

Good point. You are correct.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by MikeK

I am assuming that increased boost was finally allowed in street prepared, I haven't actually seen the rules yet.

hmmm. I there a definate answer on this anywhere?

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by cody

If those are the only two mods that are pushing me into SM, then, when the time comes, I can re-install teh stock battery (if it's still good by then), and the intake silencer in 15 minutes. That'd be cool.

Speaking as someone who has wasted a lot of $$ removing stupid shit from my old WRX to switch classes, I would say you should think about whether you prefer the mods or the different class ... especially in your first season! I took a stiffer tranny mount out of my WRX to move from SM into STX with everyone else. Not only did I still suck at autox, but then I hated my car on the street too

And make sure you look it up in the rulebook first, like Debbie said, we are just guessing, the rules might have changed

[Dean]

ARGHHHHH Read teh bloody rules....

Solo
http://www.scca.org/_filelibrary/Fi..._solo_rules.pdf
GCR
http://www.scca.org/_FileLibrary/File/GCR2006.pdf

Batteries, and intake changes are allowed in SP, and always have been. More Boost is the primary change in SP this year.

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by MattR

hmmm. I there a definate answer on this anywhere?

In the rule book!

I just downloaded the rulebook, and it looks like the battery is allowed in street prepared. (Rule 15.9.B)

I also found this (Rule 15.10.C.4.F):

"Boost regulation systems, either electronic or mechanical, and electronic fuel cuts referencing boost pressure may be altered or modified except as prohibited herein. Boost pressure changes resulting from authorised changes are permitted"

Just skimming through the rules, that is the only one I can find that mentions boost. I think it is saying that you can modify the boost and stay in street prepared.

So Cody, I think you might be in ESP.

[cody]

Sweet! And I do plan to RTFRB.