Come play in STU. I will be running it for the full year and there is tons of competition here in the DFW area(10+ entrants). Besides BS, it's your best chance at being competitive. Here's the rules:

What is the Street Touring Class (STU)?

Started in 1997, this is one of SCCA’s fasted growing solo 2 category which includes Street Touring Sport (STS), Street Touring Sport 2 seater (STS2), Street Touring Xtra (STX), and Street Touring Ultra (STU). This the only category that does NOT allow R-compound tires – only real “street” tires with a UTQG treadwear rating of 140 or higher.

STU consists of sedans / coupes with four seats and normally aspirated engines of any displacement normally aspirated or turbo / supercharged engines up to 3.1 L.

Modifications:

All stock category allowances
Limited slip differentials allowed (including aftermarket) for 2WD cars
High-flow “cat”
Pedal kits and other interior trim
Front Seats (15 pounds minimum weight each)
Rub strips, emblems, and mud flaps removed.
Body kits, spoilers and wings added
Shocks/struts
Drilled and slotted larger brake calipers and rotors
Braided DOT brake lines
Anti-roll bars, front and rear
Suspension bushings (non-metallic)
Lowered suspensions unit standard-type springs
Camber kits, plates, or bolts
Traction bars, torque arms, panhard rods
Strut bars, 2-point only
Battery relocated
Air filter systems up to throttle body or compressor inlet
Headers, emissions compliant
Engine computers (ECU/PCM) reprogrammed
Shifter kits
Accessory drive pulleys
Motor mounts (non-metallic)
No wheel restrictions
Tires for 2WD cars up to 275mm wide (245 for AWD)

Example of included cars: Audi S4, BMW M3 (E36), Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge SRT-4, Ford Mustang, Mazda RX-8, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am and GTO, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Volvo S60 R, Toyota Supra

Excluded cars: BMW M3 (E46) and M5 (E39)

 

But again, if your ultimate goal is to be competitive on R tires (which aren't really slicks), why bother perfecting throttle control on less grippy tires? Why learn to accelerate at a slow rate and then have to relearn that you can give it more gas when you switch to R's? If a "mistake" is "covered up" by R tires, I'd say it's not a mistake on R tires...the timer will determine what a mistake is and what is not.

Plus if you perfect your skills on street tires, you set yourself up for a bunch of adjustments once you switch to R's...quicker turn in, more ultimate grip, more speed so you need to look ahead better and react quicker, etc.

(sorry, I know you said you were letting it go )

 

I agree - but only to a point. All that means is that I can't push nearly as hard or go nearly as fast before hitting the break point. Slicks have break points too - it's just further out. Why not learn on them. I agree with NoCones on this issue. But your point is well taken. It will be a while before I can get the slicks anyway ($$) so I'll have plenty of time to learn good throttle control.

You're right about the STU thing. Since I'm not running slicks and using 245s, I'll run STU at the next event. I'll be right there with you in SM.. the day I go turbo.

The mazdatrix's Blue RX8 is running Kinesis 18 x 10's all the way around with Bridgestone S-03, 285/30's.


Tein S.Tech. It dropped the front bumper by 1.5 inches. The front fender lowered by about 1 inch. There is still a space of about 3/4 inches from the tire to the fender.

I'm loving the autocross and I'll have to look into the PCA event you mention. Thanks for the info. Maybe see you there?

 

I'm not sure how that drop will work with the 18X10 wheel.. it might be worth test fitting first if possible.

I wish i could be there this sunday.. but unfortunately i have to go out of town (females, RRRR!!). If you see another red 8 out there, that'll be my friend My. All the guys with her are also friends of mine, and we generally make up the entire OJ Class... make sure to say hi

-hS

 

Semi-Threadjack here...but for those of you who swap in 245-width (or wider) autoX tire/wheels at the event, how do you carry them in the car?? one in trunk, 3 in the back?? for those tires in the back seat, are they standing up or sitting down?

TIA!

 

all four will stack up two deep on each rear seat, I have an old moving quilt I cover the rear seat & back with and the excess at the top that then folds over the top and front to conceal them and protect the front seat backs, plus the tires in hd contractor plastic bags, they end up partially on top of the center console, moreso for larger diameter than 245/35-18, all held in place by sliding the front seats back against then

if you pack the rear trunk properly you can pretty much get even the kitchen sink in there though it may ride the rear bumpstops depending on how much total weight you end up with and brand/type of shocks