New STH Class

Jerry wrote: I read the Fastrack article that they might be berkeleying with ST classes again, and dropping STF and dispersing people to various classes including a new STH that would be essentially all turbo and hot hatches. PDF - got to page 29

From another thread, I like the fact that they will be allowing boost modifications and LSD, that's exactly what I want to do to the FiST. However, the issue that I have with STX right now is that I am outclassed by my big brother the Focus ST and the WRX. They both are coming to the new class, so there is no way anything else will be competitive. Add in there Mini Cooper S Turbo and there is no incentive for anyone to go to the class. And I can run a decent amount of power, how are the Sonic and Kia and Civic guys going to feel?

First of all, at this point in time, it isn't a definite, so I wouldn't get too concerned yet. But yeah, definitely seems like the WRX might be a bit domineering at this point.

I think it's idiotic. STF was still a great class because there wasn't yet one definitive chassis/car yet. Oh well, I got out and went old so no E36 M3s given from me.

Basically, the Fiesta ST is always going by to be outclassed outside of HS.

Do we need an "STB" for all these beam-axle also-rans?

STB. I like that.

Ooh, I just thought of another one! If you can't take the heat, stay outta the hot hatch class.

There's not much you can do with a FiST because it would be very hard to find a bunch of cars that are limited on tire/power like it is.

I'm still not sold the WRX is going to be the overdog with the class allowing LSD for most cars and the GTI gaining way more power out of a tune and exhaust, same thing with the JCW Cooper

We should just make a class for every different person that way everyone wins.

Bobzilla wrote: We should just make a class for every different person that way everyone wins.

They're headed that way. In our local club, we mostly mimic the SCCA classing for convenience of our drivers. We don't even use the whole CAM spectrum, and out of 75 cars at our last event I think I had drivers in 23-24 classes. It's just silly.

Ugh, well I understand classing but I also hate having to worry about what I do to my vehicle and how it affects class

I'm predicting next year they'll dump all the presently uncompetitive FWD cars into their own class: STFU.

In reply to Pete Gossett:

while running STF I wanted a magnet of a baby sheep to put at the end of my STF lettering.

In reply to Bobzilla:

That would have been epic.

Pete Gossett wrote: I'm predicting next year they'll dump all the presently uncompetitive FWD cars into their own class: STFU.

Why do I feel I belong in that class? Hmmm....

I believe the Mini tentatively got bumped out in the last fasttrack. I am a bit sad because it doesn't have anywhere to compete now. It is near the top in D Street but the FRS just got added to the class. Everywhere else, it is grouped with old hondas.

Remember that cars need to be on a stock clutch. If more power is the solution for the GTI, the DSG may be the only way.

The class is nice because it is the first class that allows off the shelf tunes on turbo cars and street tires. It sucked telling my friends that because of the tune, they were in a class with old BMWs with 12" wide hoosiers.

red_stapler wrote: Basically, the Fiesta ST is always going by to be outclassed outside of HS.

Yes. The same applies to the Abarth thread with the same question. Some cars are just not competitive in autocross.

Honestly, I'm still of the opinion that the Fiesta ST, Abarth, Sonic, etc. are all still rollover risks even in ST* trim.

In reply to pinchvalve:

It's been awhile since I've buried myself in the Solo rules, but I'm assuming the various ST classes are still tire-limited? In that case, the FiST might have an advantage against its heavier competition as you should be able to do better on the tire-to-weight aspect.

For better or worse, STH doesn't really affect me as the R53 will remain in STX.

Max tire size for the FWD cars will probably be 245. I believe the focus and golf can fit that with no problem. Not sure about the fiesta or abarth. They may have to go the Mini route and run no suspension travel + undersized tires that stick past the fenders: http://i.imgur.com/sbNSNws.jpg

In reply to ojannen:

Hmm... This is pertinent to my interests...

I built a competitive STU car this year.

Guess I should bend over and grab my heels too (open boost and 370Z proposed for STU).

I thought boost has been open in STU?

There were questionable ways of getting some of the same power gains without editing the boost tables in the tunes IIRC

AWD is 245, I think 2WD is 265 max tire width (because my buddies 15 WRX would actually have to go to smaller tires from street class because stock rims fit a 255/40/17

Bobzilla wrote: We should just make a class for every different person that way everyone wins.

Agreed. I used to class cars for our Club but have given up due to the number of options and the myriad of allowances. Stock sedan but you took out the rear seat - go to SM. Lowered the car and have a boost tune, but run on all seasons, sorry, you go to Street Prep. Or, more personally, the PO replaced the hydraulic lifter head on your MK2 Golf GL with a solid lifter one from a MK1 GTi? Go to Prepared. I'd like 4 levels of prep separated by car type. Or, wish NASA would let independent Clubs use their point system.

Boost was never open in STU. This will create a weird situation where cars slow enough for STH are allowed to change boost but faster cars (FoRS, Evo, STI, Turbo BMW's) will not be allowed to change boost because they're in STU and they don't want to obsolete the C5, E46 M3, and 350Z.

It's a shame about STF - because the current situation with STS is NOT sustainable. People will not be interested in racing 80's civics and early 90's Miatas in "streetable" trim forever. Throwing the STF cars into STS is a big jerk move. The '88-'95 Civic, CRX, and non-Torsen Miata should be put in their own class like SSR - where no new cars will be added and it will be allowed to gradually die on its own.

Just run the Kart classes. Much easier.