philodox

Hello guys/gals,

I really want to get into autocrossing.. not sure where the heck to start. I live in New Jersey and I know there are a lot of events in the area. I can find them and register for them, but what class would I be in with my RX-8? I've done a lot of mods to the car and I haven't really been successful in finding all the rules pertaining to which class I would be allowed in. Here's a list of what I've done the the car.. would someone please help me and let me know what class I would be allowed to race in?

SR Intake
SR Lightweight Fly
Borla Exhaust
MS Front/Rear Strut Tower Bars
MS Short Throw Shifter
RB Front/Rear Sways
RB Front End Links
RB Springs
Drilled/Slotted brake rotors

Appreciate the assistance guys.. I want to participate in the Oct 31st autocross event at Atco, NJ.. just not sure if i'd be stock, street prepared and what catagory of each and all that good stuff..

Imp

Flywheel will put you in street prepared. Which one, I have no idea (I don't think it's been specifically classed there yet)... but if I had to guess.... BSP.

tpryor

Imp is correct that the car is cofigured (more or less) for Street Prepared or Street Mod (1 or 2?) - EXCEPT for the MS strut tower bars.

Everything I can find in the rule book says that strut bars can be replaced, but they can not be triangulated (unless they came that way stock) onto another part of the car in either Street Prepared or Street Modified.

I haven't seen the MS strut bars, so if they are NOT triangulated, you are fine to run SP or SM1/2, otherwise it "officially" puts you into Prepared.

However, I HAVE to believe there is a Street Tire class (if you are competing on street tires) that you could run in that does allow everything you have done to the car (this was the original intent of the street tire classes anyway). Anyone out there familiar with the ST classes???

Otherwise, go and have fun! Most SCCA clubs have a Novice program where it really doesn't matter for the first few events anyway. We have a LOT of guys at our local events in your situation, and we always find a good class for them to compete in until they decide whether or not they want to do this full time (3 events, in our case).

They are good people, let them help you. They will be happy to.

Tim

philodox

Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it. Autox looks likes like so much fun and I'm looking forward to the challenge. Looks like there are 2 more events at the Atco Raceway in Atco, NJ.. so I should be able to make both... I'm lucky that I live 10 minutes away

BTW the strut bars stock are 2point front and rear.. the MS ones are also 2 point.

PUR NRG

In SCCA SFR region all novices have to run street tires regardless of what their class allows. We also require SCCA membership cards prior to your first event. It pays to check with your organization to see what rules/requirements are beforehand.

Another thing you can do is print up a list of every mod and take it with you to the event. During registration ask for help classing your car and give them the list. Worked for me.
________
Zx14 vs hayabusa

clyde

I would guess that Imp knows a thing or two

Unless there is a specific allowance for flywheels in STU, the flywheel makes it ineligible. The "right" class for the car is SM (or SM2 if the RX-8 falls under the "sports-car based" exclusion for SM).

philodox

Thanks for the info on registering before the my first event. Wouldn't want to drive down there for nothing Appreciate it.

Imp

Yep... the flywheel is not eligible for SCCA national rules 'Street Touring' classes. And as far as I know, NJ uses SCCA classing so this would be no different. (Ie: They don't have a separate 'Street Tire' class like places in Cali or Houston regions... It gets confusing when regions have their own little classes and stipulations sometimes).

philodox, PUR NRG was talking about out in California, you being running in New Jersey, I don't think you'll be in the same boat as the club he's talking about. Make sure you do register tho at http://www.autox4u.com (Which is for NJ (south and north), Philly and NY SCCA auto-x.)

I just noticed one more item that's not allowed in SP... that's your Crossdrilled/slotted rotors. The correct class, in the case of the rotors, would definitely be SM. (The 8 technically isn't a sportscar, and it has 4 seats... SM2 is more of the 2 seater crowd).

So knowing all that, register though http://www.autox4u.com , show up, and have yourself a ball.

Fromt he registration page for all those that don't want to click on the link:
So pre-reg isn't required.... but you can if you want to.

philodox

I don't care what class I end up falling in to.. I am only going to compete against myself.. see how well I can do run after run.. so it's all good I saw that too about the pre-registration. I"m really looking forward to it.

I just sent an email to the SCCA membership rep for South Jersey Region. She should be able to point me in the right direction Thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate the insight.

red_rx8_red_int

Class, smass, just have fun and enjoy yourself. Thats all that counts! If you're new you won't be competitive so no one will complain IMHO.

Imp

That's the perfect attitude to have. Just hopefully you remember it a year or two down the road.... some people get really wrapped up in it all and forget about the 'fun' aspect of it all.

I venture down to NNJ, SNJ events sometimes during the spring/summer every year. They run a good show.

tpryor

I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

Philodox - look for a guy in a mid-90's BMW, painted purple (he calls it Barney), with a supercharged M3 drivetrain, running SM. His name is Frank Adams, and he has been in the game a long time. He lives in Allentown and attends a lot of the NJ events.

He will be very helpful - tell him I said hello.

philodox

sure thing.. hope i see him on Oct 31st.