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RexSeven
RexSeven HalfDork
5/12/09 9:59 p.m.

http://www.scca.com/newsarticle.aspx?hub=3&news=3629

Solo Street Touring R Class Set for 2010 Introduction

TOPEKA, Kan. (My 7, 2009) – Sports Car Club of America’s Solo Events Board has approved a new supplemental class—Street Touring® R (Roadster), for competition in 2010.

The approval comes after considerable member support to expand the ST category to include a class for modern roadsters. While many cars are eligible, member feedback helped establish the Honda S2000 and Mazda Miata as the class’ performance targets. Allowances will be tailored for eligible vehicles to establish performance parity.

The class will have the following requirements and restrictions: - Two seat sports cars - Engine displacements up to 2.8-liters - No forced induction

Eligible vehicles will include, but is not limited to: - All STS eligible vehicles per the requirements and restrictions, plus - Honda S2000 - Mazda Miata - Mazda MX-5 Miata - Toyota MR2 - Toyota MR2 – Spyder - BMW Z3 (non M) - BMW Z4 (non M) - Mazda RX-7 (non-turbo) - Porsche Boxster - Porsche 968 - Porsche 944 (non-turbo) - Pontiac Solstice - Saturn Sky

Excluded vehicles due to performance potential: - Lotus cars

Additional class notes include:

- Tire Allowances:
     o AWD – 225mm
     o 2WD – 245mm

- Wheel Allowances:
     o AWD – 7.5”
     o 2WD – 8.5”

- Catalytic Converters:
     o Same as ST, STS allowance.

- Limited Slip Differentials:
     o STR: Only standard LSDs allowed OR Allowance same as STX, STU

The class will run with supplemental status in 2010, meaning that no National Champion will be crowned. Should the class show considerable interest, and meet participation requirements, it may be approved for full National status in future years.

The SEB is seeking input on the following items. Members should send any input on these items to seb@scca.com. 1. OE LSD vs. Aftermarket LSD: All of the target vehicles are available with Limited Slip Differentials (or electronic equivalents) as standard equipment in some optional configuration. Restricting all cars to OE limited slips would reduce costs. That said, not all factory LSDs are equal and an argument can be made that, for reasons of parity, aftermarket parts should be allowed. 2. Inclusion of 2006-present Mazda MX-5: Is this car appropriate given the desired performance level of the class?

Me likey! I got bumped out of ST because of a technicality with my FC's stock LSD (no clutch-type allowed). I'll probably still get my ass handed to me, but at least now I can mod my car more to my liking and remain legal. Only issue is, what'll I do with my leftover Kumho R-comps? Oh, well, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

cxhb
cxhb New Reader
5/12/09 10:19 p.m.

you sell those r comps to me and were both happy. thats what you do.

jgp1843
jgp1843 HalfDork
5/12/09 10:50 p.m.

Interesting that they call it Street Touring Roadster and specifically call it a class for modern roadsters, then list several tintops in their nonexclusive examples.

It also looks like an expansion of STS, rather than a new class, since several current STS cars are listed (Miata, MR2, etc).

Now my Mk. 1 MR2 is even less competitive. I better start buying lottery tickets so I can upgrade to a Boxster or S2000. I'm too cheap to do it out of my won pocket (and can't bear to lose the MR2 as a DD - 39 mpg on a trip to Denver and back last weekend!

Tom Heath
Tom Heath Production Editor
5/12/09 10:53 p.m.

I love the street tire classes. Bring it on! While we're at it, how about STM for a run-what-you-brung street tire class? Sure beats dragging a tire trailer around.

petegossett
petegossett GRM+ Memberand Dork
5/13/09 7:10 a.m.

Cool! I didn't really want to go full-CSP with my 96 Miata, but with the torsen I'm out of STS2. Not that I'd be competitive in the new STR, but it would give me someplace local to compete.

CrackMonkey
CrackMonkey HalfDork
5/13/09 7:36 a.m.

Spec MR-Spyder?

jcanracer
jcanracer New Reader
5/13/09 7:52 a.m.

i've got questions...

they say BMW Z3/4 (non-M-model) So why dont they say Saturn Sky non-redline and Pontiac Solstice non-gxp. correct me if i'm wrong but those are force induced right?

So if no FI allowed, can i enter with a 3rd gen MR2 (spyder) with an engine swap?

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand Dork
5/13/09 8:32 a.m.

I love this class idea!

Tom Heath
Tom Heath Production Editor
5/13/09 8:44 a.m.

After sleeping on it, I'm curious how far the times would be from STU on a national level. As much as I love the new classes, there are already too many IMHO.

On the loooong drive home from Nationals last year, I tortured Per with my master plan for a 12 class structure that combined many current classes and added 2 or 3 new ones. The basic idea is to have about 4 levels of prep in street tire and race tire families, plus karts and mod/formula classes. It would never fly in reality, but it gave me something to do during the drive other than stare at my 16th place trophy.

YaNi
YaNi Reader
5/13/09 8:50 a.m.

It would be nice to legally run the factory clutch-type limited slip differential in a ST class on my RX-7.

CrackMonkey
CrackMonkey HalfDork
5/13/09 8:56 a.m.

The diff rule hasn't been set in stone. Likely will end up being something like "RWD - OEM diff, or add a Torsen or viscous. AWD - OEM only."

CrackMonkey
CrackMonkey HalfDork
5/13/09 8:57 a.m.
jcanracer wrote: they say BMW Z3/4 (non-M-model) So why dont they say Saturn Sky non-redline and Pontiac Solstice non-gxp. correct me if i'm wrong but those are force induced right? So if no FI allowed, can i enter with a 3rd gen MR2 (spyder) with an engine swap?

They don't have to list the Redline/GXP because they explicitly ban forced-induction.

Engine swaps are not allowed - if it doesn't say you can, then you cannot.

Will
Will Reader
5/13/09 8:59 a.m.

I have to think that only the convertible versions of the vehicles listed will be allowed...

And I'm glad to see that at long last Miata owners will finally have somewhere to race.

EricM
EricM HalfDork
5/13/09 9:14 a.m.

There are way to many classes.

go back to Under 2ltr and over 2ltr

2002maniac
2002maniac New Reader
5/13/09 11:09 a.m.
Will wrote: I have to think that only the convertible versions of the vehicles listed will be allowed... And I'm glad to see that at long last Miata owners will finally have somewhere to race.

they listed the MR2 and MR2 spyder seperately though.

Is sts2 going away then?

What do you guys think the hot car for this class will. Should be interesting!

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand Dork
5/13/09 11:49 a.m.

The problem is right now there really isn't a class for a lot of these cars. STX and STU allow upgrades from ST for 4-seaters, so the average modded street car can compete with like cars. If you have an STS car suddenly you bump yourself to _SP or SSM! Sorry, but a 5.0 "Mazda Navajo" powered Miata with a blower kit would destroy a N/A FC RX-7 in any autocross.

Street tire classes get all of the entrants and all of the love (at least in the 2 Regions up here I run in) and could certainly use a place for the 2-seater guys. FB/FC RX-7's, 240/260/280Z's, MR2's, Miata's, S2000's, and Solstice's banging around, what's not to like?

sachilles
sachilles Reader
5/13/09 12:12 p.m.

Are any of those AWD? Just wondering why they have those rules if none of the included cars are awd.

Buzz Killington
Buzz Killington New Reader
5/13/09 12:28 p.m.

i'm hoping they allow any diff. it's the best thing for parity, IMO.

my early bets on the top cars (if the allowances stay as proposed...namely, 245 max tire, and any diff is allowed):

MR2 Spyder NB Miata (5-spd, '99-'00) NC Miata (6-spd, '09)

the 2.7L Boxster and the '06+ S2000 would be interesting if they adopted the STX tire allowances (265 max).

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand Dork
5/13/09 1:23 p.m.

So a 968 is ok (they only came with a 3l motor) but you can only have up to 2.8l motors. Some one did there home work.

pinchvalve
pinchvalve GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
5/13/09 1:29 p.m.

I don't get it. My 1st Gen MR2 which already struggles in STS, now has to contend with the S2000, Porsches and the Solstice? Or can I stay in STS and avoid the larger-displacement, newer cars?

moxnix
moxnix New Reader
5/13/09 1:54 p.m.

This is a new class it is not replacing STS.

They know about the 968 problem and will be fixing that before the official rules for the class come out.

Buzz Killington
Buzz Killington New Reader
5/13/09 1:55 p.m.

STS is an official class. it's not going anywhere. its rules are not changing. this will be an additional (provisional for now) ST* class...think of it like a 2-seat STX.

why do you think STS is going anywhere, or that your car wouldn't be allowed in STS any longer? the STS rules aren't changing...the MkI is the only MR2 that fits in STS. that is not changing. other MR2s do not fit in STS, and therefore go to STR.

i think the SEB screwed up by publishing that stupid sample inclusion list. people are reading WAY too much into it.

CrackMonkey
CrackMonkey HalfDork
5/13/09 2:05 p.m.
Buzz Killington wrote: i'm hoping they allow any diff. it's the best thing for parity, IMO.

Write your letter. There is a strong contingent who wanted limited LSDs (because they think clutch-pack diffs are too expensive).

my early bets on the top cars (if the allowances stay as proposed...namely, 245 max tire, and any diff is allowed): MR2 Spyder NB Miata (5-spd, '99-'00) NC Miata (6-spd, '09)

Spyder and NC. The NB will struggle - it doesn't weigh enough less than the NC to make up for the difference in power.

the 2.7L Boxster and the '06+ S2000 would be interesting if they adopted the STX tire allowances (265 max).

Nope. Both weigh several hundred pounds more than the NC and Spyder. The NC can run the same tires as the Boxster or S2000, so it will always have an advantage. STS has proven that light-weight trumps all in ST classes.

Buzz Killington
Buzz Killington New Reader
5/13/09 2:19 p.m.

you mean except for STU, where "AWD + turbo" trumps light weight.

CrackMonkey wrote:
Buzz Killington wrote: i'm hoping they allow any diff. it's the best thing for parity, IMO.
Write your letter. There is a strong contingent who wanted limited LSDs (because they think clutch-pack diffs are too expensive).
my early bets on the top cars (if the allowances stay as proposed...namely, 245 max tire, and any diff is allowed): MR2 Spyder NB Miata (5-spd, '99-'00) NC Miata (6-spd, '09)
Spyder and NC. The NB will struggle - it doesn't weigh enough less than the NC to make up for the difference in power.

letter is in. IMO, we already have a "weak-ass LSD only" 2-seat class. if the cars are generating more power, it makes sense to allow them to put it down. i agree w/ the contingent that thinks this shouldn't be "STS+".

personally, i think they should simply adopt the STX ruleset and be done w/ it.

I hear you on the NB, but the NB's suspension design is a LOT better than the Spyder's, and it is a few hundred pounds less than the NC; enough so that the tire/weight ratios should be about equal. the NC probably isn't getting much under 2400, while the NB (esp a '99) should be able to get under 2200.

additionally, some people seem to think 140whp is a reasonable goal for an NB, while from what i've seen, the NC isn't going to get past 155-160whp w/ the ST/S cat rule in place, even once someone (Sniper?) irons out the ECU flash. that cat rule will kill its power potential until someone makes a custom hi-po catted header.

that said, i'm not rushing out to go buy a car just yet.

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand Dork
5/13/09 3:33 p.m.

In STU 400 Torques trumps all. I know because I won STU at my region's last AX with a bone-stock GTO beating out a modded STi (who ran last season so he's been doing it as long as I have).

I wrote in in favor of the aftermarket LSD. I think this class will see a lot of FB RX-7's come out of the woodwork. Lots of 13B GSL-SE guys with no class right now will jump in. 245's, under 2200Lbs, add a Torsen, RB Header/CatBack, plus the suspension mods...

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