Lets talk STR

So the SCCA had this to say in the Oct 09 Fastrack:

"Based on positive member feedback, the updated STR rules published in the August Fastrack are considered final, and are effective 1/1/2010."

Those rules are:

"Street Touring Class R (STR) Class requirements and restrictions:

Only those cars listed below are eligible.

Eligible vehicles are:

• Honda S2000
• Mazda Miata (except Mazdaspeed)
• Mazda MX5 Miata (’06-‘09)
• Toyota MR2 (non S/C, non-turbo)
• Toyota MR2 Spyder
• BMW Z3 (non-M)
• BMW Z4 (non-M, non-turbo)
• BMW M Coupe & M Roadster (1998 to 2000)
• Mazda RX7 (non-turbo)
• Porsche 924 & 944 (non-turbo)
• Porsche 911 (1984 to 1989 Carrera 3.2)
• Porsche 968
• Pontiac Solstice (non-turbo)
• Saturn Sky (non-turbo)
• Datsun 240Z & 260Z & 280Z & 280ZX (non-turbo)
• Nissan 350Z

Additional class notes include:

• Tire Allowances (add to 14.3): AWD – 225mm 2WD – 255mm
• Wheel Allowances (add to 14.4): AWD – 7.5” SCCA Fastrack News August 2009 Page 21 2WD – 9”
• Catalytic Converters (add to 14.10.E): Same as ST, STS allowance.
• Limited Slip Differentials (add to 14.10.K): Aftermarkets units allowed per STX/STU rules.”

NOTE, per the STAC: Classing for STR will not be formula based, but will utilize a list of eligible vehicles. Cars not on this list are not eligible. However, as in all subjective classing, cars may be petitioned by the membership for inclusion and will be reviewed on a case by case basis."

So basically they are finally giving some previously excluded cars a chance at a Street Tire class. I'm not so sure the 3.5L 350Z should be allowed in, but I think it's a pretty interesting class. There's room for 12A and 13B-powered classic RX-7 1st Gen's all the way up to practically new S2K's. I was originally going to build my RX-7 for this class, but my overwhelming desire to be a part of the local PCA is leading me to a 944, which will be able to double-up in this class and either P02 or I01 in PCA depending how many of the STR mods I install.

Will this class become "spec"? Will the record attendees found in SEDIV's experiment last season translate to full classes nationwide? Anybody else planning on competing in this class? With what?

Thoughts? Opinions? If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited about this class no matter what car I end up with next year.

I like the idea of an NC Miata with 245/35/17 R1Rs on 17 x 9s and ASTs parked in my garage for this class.

don't want to start anything here, I've no dog in this fight (STS CRX) but I think it'll be hard to beat a S2000.... with 255's

It will take a few years to go spec. In the initial years there will be a lot of different cars tried and then one will jump ahead of the others in development and all the new drivers will flock to it because they think they need that car to win,

Other cars may be better or worse but people will think you need that car for the class. I am thinking it will either be the MX-5 or the S2000 based on initial talk for the class but it could very well be something else.

There seems to be a lot of interest in this class and I hope it does well.

wouldn't mind a 968...

I am imagining my ASW11 MR2 going against a new S2000, or anything else on that list. Yeah right,

moxnix wrote: Other cars may be better or worse but people will think you need that car for the class. I am thinking it will either be the MX-5 or the S2000 based on initial talk for the class but it could very well be something else.

A lot of the scuttlebutt I'm seeing on Solo sites say NB/NC Miata or S2000 will be the car to have. I plan on moving my FC from E Stock to STR next year, simply because I can do more of the mods I want to. I still plan on being blown out of the water, but I'm sure I'll have fun doing it. Especially when I get my ECU tweaked.

I think the FC RX-7 is a dark horse a lot of the SCCA regulars are forgetting. With a factory Torsen and big wheelwells that fit 255's no problem (stock rear, rolled lips front) it already has a lot of class on ease of setup. Plus if you start with a GTU or GTUs hardtop it can pretty darn light and the gearing is right.

I still think a GSL-SE 1st Gen has a chance as well. It's all about power to weight and with the mods allowed I can totally see a 165HP / 2200Lb -SE dancing through the cones.

I think the rare as hen's teeth 968's will kick some butt as well (3.0L I4).

Pinchy, think about how much better STS will be for you with all the Miata guys in STR now though ;)

no CRX? Scaredy cats... .

CRX already has Spec STS locked up Nationally. I doubt a Torsen and wider tires would do enough towards making one perform on par with a 350Z though...

a 350Z is going to be way undertired in that class; in fact, i'd wager that an STS CRX will almost always be quicker than an STR 350Z b/c of the tire restrictions.

my picks would be the cars w/ the best tire/weight: NB or NC Miata, or MR2 Spyder. if i could build any car for the class, it would be an '09+ 6-speed NC.

everyone is on the S2k bandwagon, but i think that 3-400 extra pounds on equally-sized tires is not the way to win a street tire class unless you've got 300+ AWD horses.

if i could build any car for the class, it would be an '09+ 6-speed NC.

I'm thinking that an NC might be a good choice, too, though I don't have much autocross experience to back that up.

Certainly, the 500 extra RPM in the '09+ models would be a boon.

Why do you think the 6-speed would be a better choice than the 5MT? I know that I have to do more shifting to and from 3rd in my 6-speed MSM than other folks in Miatas with taller 2nd gears (ie, 5-speeds). Also, to get the 6MT in an NC, you are also saddled with at least a 31-lb weight penalty. If you could find an SV trim level, that would save you the additional 30-or-so pound weight of the A/C compressor.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm guessing you know a lot more about this than I do, and I want to understand your reasoning.

Why do they allow the M-coupe, but not M-roadster of the same vintage? I was not aware that the Coupe suffered such a disadvantage compared to its brother.

In reply to MitchellC:

Both the M Coupe and M Roadster (1998-2000) are allowed.

P71 wrote: CRX already has Spec STS locked up Nationally. I doubt a Torsen and wider tires would do enough towards making one perform on par with a 350Z though...

I wouldn't be so sure. I'm betting it will take a couple years of development before STR is consistently faster than ST and STS.

Great. I already get thrown to the STS sharks when I'm the only STX in my Mustang. Now I've got to be in with THESE?? Good thing I only run for fun...

I'm betting this becomes the classic "how much tire can you get under the lightest possible car" class.

An early base-model NB Miata with a good diff and enough tire will be pretty tough to beat I'd think - and pretty cheap to prep to boot. Too bad the only 245-width tire in the right diameter for that car is the 245/35-16 280-treadwear Toyo T1R. If Toyo made an R1R or Hankook made an RS-3 in that size I think the NB would absolutely clean up (and let's not forget the MR2-S!). I don't think the heavier cars are going to be able to ultimately compete with a 255 width limit.

-chris

1st Gen RX-7's don't weigh much either

I can definitely see the NB Miata being a dark horse here.

What about the single 911 they're letting in?

P71 wrote: 1st Gen RX-7's don't weigh much either I can definitely see the NB Miata being a dark horse here. What about the single 911 they're letting in?

Coincidence that Tim recently bought an '84 911 3.2?

no RX8's.

bummer.

After reading through some of the STR-prep threads on s2ki I'm not sure the S2000s (or any of the heavier/more powerful cars) will be able to overcome a lighter Miata that can use plenty tire for its power output.

JohnGalt wrote: no RX8's. bummer.

The RX-8 is in STX already.

I'm going with NB Miata or the MR2 Spyder for the benchmark.

MR-S: Hard to argue with a less than 2200lb car on 255s... I know I'D want to drive that.

Miata: Well...it's always the answer.

Our local MR-S guy dominates CS (iirc) and is just so fast that it boggles the mind. I imagine the MR-S would be slightly slower on 615's/Star Spec's/RS3's than A6's but should still be plenty fast.

93celicaGT2 wrote: MR-S: Hard to argue with a less than 2200lb car on 255s... I know I'D want to drive that.

What 255 is going to fit the car and still give good gearing?