Hmm. New FasTrack has a clarification about the trunk now being considered part of the interior. The panel that currently blocks the top of our shocks is not a wheel well or fender liner, but it certainly could be a "structural panel" - as I can't imagine there are to many metal panels on a car that do not in some way contribute to its structure. :dunno: I am going to say this changes nothing for the RX-8.

F. A hole may be added to an interior body panel to provide access
to the adjustment mechanism on an allowed adjustable shock
absorber. The hole may serve no other purpose, and may not be
added through either the exterior bodywork or a strut bar. Interior
panels are defined to be those pieces which cover the interior
of the vehicle and are accessible from inside the vehicle.
They do not include structural panels, such as wheel wells or
inner fenders, which may also be accessible from inside the car
but which actually form part of the body of the vehicle.

July FT
Stock: For the puposes of defining “interior panels” as in 13.5.F, the trunk is considered part of the interior (ref. 09-275).

It only lists wheel wells and inner fenders as examples of structural panels.

Unfortunately you cannot legally drill/cut the metal structure you are referring to for this specific purpose.

The panels you can drill/cut through would be the cosmetic fiber panels that line the interior of the trunk structure.

Sorry.

It only lists wheel wells and inner fenders as examples of structural panels.

Unfortunately you cannot legally drill/cut the metal structure you are referring to for this specific purpose.

The panels you can drill/cut through would be the cosmetic fiber panels that line the interior of the trunk structure.

Sorry.

I think that any panel that is welded to the body/uni-body is a structural panel. I can think of very few cars that can take advantage of this rule.

What I find more interesting about this Fastrack is that the BS/CS merge and stock class re-org is still out for member comment. Looks like BS is safe for 2010...however, there was no mention of the 370Z being re-classed. So the "white elephant" of the class will remain.

I'm personally looking forward to competing in STX next year though!

I think that any panel that is welded to the body/uni-body is a structural panel. I can think of very few cars that can take advantage of this rule.

The exception is drilling a hole for a remote shock hydraulic line to pass through, this is covered in a different area.

The wording only clarifies what has always been the accepted practice.


.

What I find more interesting about this Fastrack is that the BS/CS merge and stock class re-org is still out for member comment. Looks like BS is safe for 2010...however, there was no mention of the 370Z being re-classed. So the "white elephant" of the class will remain.

I'm personally looking forward to competing in STX next year though!

I don't think you understand the process... Things only have to be out for member comment by the July FT, a decision does not have to be made by then. Final decisions on the next seasons items are typically made at convention, after natls.

The 370 is under the 12 month rule, requires no FT or member input. Would you have it moved? Based on what?

I don't think you understand the process... Things only have to be out for member comment by the July FT, a decision does not have to be made by then. Final decisions on the next seasons items are typically made at convention, after natls.

The 370 is under the 12 month rule, requires no FT or member input. Would you have it moved? Based on what?
Gotcha. I wasn't aware that changes for the 2010 season could be made that late in the year.

There is no "national competition" data that I'm aware of regarding the 370Z in BS. Based on the slightly more powerful Nismo model being placed in AS, there was a rumor that the 370Z would be be re-classed to AS with it. That's all I can say.

There is no "national competition" data that I'm aware of regarding the 370Z in BS. Based on the slightly more powerful Nismo model being placed in AS, there was a rumor that the 370Z would be be re-classed to AS with it. That's all I can say.

After seeing (not driving) a 370Z autox I believe a well setup and well driven 370Z can beat B stock cars and run with the A stock cars. Thats just my opinion though.

I also read the the rules as not being able to drill or cut a hole in the upper rear shock support structure of the RX8. I will just have to have Bill of Small Fortune Racing make a few more improvements to the remote adjuster cables that come through the holes that are there already.