SCCA Adds Open Classes to All Rallycross Events

In reply to MrChaos :

I never knew I always wanted one of those...Until just now.

In reply to Driven5 :

basically, it's a class where my 4cyl stage rally e30 can run against other small-engine stage cars, since due to the cage weight we're not really as competitive in modified any more.

I still think  SCCA is going to next announce a "rallycross spec racer" sold by SCCA industries that will be totally legal for this class.

Then take into account the new (totally separate) SCCA series for UTVs and stuff that will not run with RallyCross cars, and that will kill this open class as well....

spacecadet said:

In reply to Driven5 :

They're keeping out the Side by Sides for now, that is a separate and currently ongoing conversation about creating a class for them 

they're talking about creating a separate SERIES for them, which would not run with RallyCross nor at RallyCross venues that cars use. Which is a fine idea. Keep the UTVs and SXS's separate in their own playground since their courses and requirements are a lot different from what car rallycrossers' are.

MrChaos said:

I mean there are RZR 1000's that have beetle bodys that are MA legal. These are both RZR 1000's so you can get around the no UTV rules.

 

where do these run in MA class, out of curiosity?

In reply to irish44j :

i mean by the rules the are legal, those were mainly built to get around no utv's on public road restrictions to use in the desert since they are now titled as VW beetles.  I know Tarheel Sports Car Club lets utv's run but im not sure if the are scca affiliated, though they are the only place running Rallycross in NC

MrChaos said:

In reply to irish44j :

i mean by the rules the are legal, those were mainly built to get around no utv's on public road restrictions to use in the desert since they are now titled as VW beetles.  I know Tarheel Sports Car Club lets utv's run but im not sure if the are scca affiliated, though they are the only place running Rallycross in NC

Tarheel is not SCCA, and I'm pretty sure they'd let an Abrams tank or a Monster Truck run if it showed up, lol....They are pretty lose on safety and rules, from everything I've heard from all the locals here that run down there. 

In reply to irish44j :

Ill be running with etrscca when I get a car. soon hopefully.

Tarheel courses are currently not wide enough for Abrams tanks. That's an oversight on our part, sorry.

 

Kreb said:

Driven5 said:

Engines restricted to production automotive based and no more than 4 cylinders...

...  But wait, they mention chain drive. So can someone explain the logic here? 

You may be assuming that a chain would only be used with a motorcycle (or ATV) engine, and those are banned so rules for chains do seem pointless.... but never underestimate the willingness of some people to build bizarre configurations. Certainly a 4WD setup using an open chain instead of a heavy transfer case (which is usually chain-driven internally) is possible, even with an automotive engine, transmission, and final drives. That only scratches the surface of the ways chains can be used in automotive drivetrains.

In reply to Brett_Murphy :

well clearly the only way to make the course wide enough is to get one! ;)

Kreb said:

I've got a hankering to do  a tube-frame, rear-WRX-engined AWD buggy with a Karman-ghia shell on top. would that fit any category?

That looks like it would fit these Open Class (O4) rules, if all of the construction details were compliant (such as the roll cage and roof panel).

Presumably the intent is to more clearly accommodate strange things such as the Rabbit Pickup used to illustrate the article, which apparently caused some controversy in Modified but would be clearly legal in Open (O2). Building to open rules would have also save some effort (such as in building a bed floor for Modified which Open would not have required). Here's a forum build thread for that:

Rallycross VW-Caddy build thread

The early Miata rear suspension looks strange with no drive.

Brian_13 said:

Presumably the intent is to more clearly accommodate strange things such as the Rabbit Pickup used to illustrate the article, which apparently caused some controversy in Modified but would be clearly legal in Open (O2).

I don't see any way that would meet the track width vs. height requirements. 

In reply to Brian_13 :

Interesting. I was wondering why he didn't bring that thing last year after he almost won (but broke) at the East Coasts the year before.....

Brian_13 said:

Kreb said:

Driven5 said:

Engines restricted to production automotive based and no more than 4 cylinders...

...  But wait, they mention chain drive. So can someone explain the logic here? 

You may be assuming that a chain would only be used with a motorcycle (or ATV) engine, and those are banned so rules for chains do seem pointless.... but never underestimate the willingness of some people to build bizarre configurations. Certainly a 4WD setup using an open chain instead of a heavy transfer case (which is usually chain-driven internally) is possible, even with an automotive engine, transmission, and final drives. That only scratches the surface of the ways chains can be used in automotive drivetrains.

Chain Drive Buggies are a big deal not just because of the benefits of easily changing the final drive to run big tires, but also as a way to get LOTS of suspension travel without binding driveshafts..  It is VERY common in "Woods Buggys"

Prepare yourself to waste several hours and  google "chain drive rail buggy" 

irish44j said:

In reply to Brian_13 :

Interesting. I was wondering why he didn't bring that thing last year after he almost won (but broke) at the East Coasts the year before.....

He had it for sale after he won Nationals with it that year. Not sure if it sold or not. 

In reply to EvanB :

He didn't get it sold.  Sounded like he was looking for a new challenge.  I think he is building a CRX right now.

In reply to ojannen :

Leon came last year to Easterns with a Celica and took 3rd in class, right behind Seelig's CRX. Maybe that's why he wants to do one.

Andy Thomas won that class in his Celica, though, by a decent margin (16 seconds - by comparison the top-5 cars in MR were all within about 8 seconds total!)., but is running Mod RWD this year so MF lost one of the top national competitors...