The STX thread!
09-06-2013, 11:22 AM
#3026
That must have been an incredible set of runs on the west course, Congrats!
The east course looked ridiculously busy and long and particularly bad for the RX-8, so it was good for Jeff to stay close on day one.
Team, I feel your pain. I had to miss my first in the last ten years. You end up wasting a lot of time on the live feed.
The east course looked ridiculously busy and long and particularly bad for the RX-8, so it was good for Jeff to stay close on day one.
Team, I feel your pain. I had to miss my first in the last ten years. You end up wasting a lot of time on the live feed.
09-06-2013, 05:46 PM
#3027
Congrats Jeff Hurst
Congratulations to Jeff Hurst on the STX win, especially with such a big group of fast drivers! Even crazier is that you did it with Toyos, so much for the latest and greatest.
09-08-2013, 02:32 AM
#3028
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09-08-2013, 11:28 AM
#3029
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I'm sure others will chime in, but what Jeff Hurst did over the week of Nats was a real eye opener to me. He earned this win by doing everything that was necessary to get the car feeling the way he needed it too. Hours on the practice course, tuning the car relentlessly to get the E85 working and then flying in the right tire the night before runs began. I realized that I have a long way to go not just in driving, but in understanding how to prep a car. To say I am impressed with what Jeff did is an understatement.
So that said, congrats Jeff, I am very happy to see all that hard work pay off in such a fantastic way. You drove like a bat out of hell and put the pressure on. Well done and I look forward to events with you in the future.
As for me, the week was awesome, but the driving sucked. I owe a huge shout out to Mark Sipe, Steve OBlenes and Dennis Sparks. When Broda's car had intermittent fuel issues during every run in the Pro Finale, they jumped in and helped. Without Mark and Steve's help, I wouldn't have had a running car for Nationals. They went above and beyond and that is really what I think Nats was about for me, people. The problem was a fuel pump and Marks, Steve and my blood went into to getting the original pump out. Autozone got me a pump on Labor Day and the car was fixed for a series of TnT runs Tuesday morning.
I met a good number of people on this board and many more from other areas. I met too many people and had too much fun talking with them and forgot the reason I was there, to drive. I learned some good lessons about what nats is and what I will need to compete at that level. To say it is different... Thank you to everyone that made the week great.
Mike Kuhn - Congrats on the top 10 finish, in that field a real accomplishment
Jim Fosum - Great job pulling the last trophy spot by jumping way up the results with that run on Friday.
So that said, congrats Jeff, I am very happy to see all that hard work pay off in such a fantastic way. You drove like a bat out of hell and put the pressure on. Well done and I look forward to events with you in the future.
As for me, the week was awesome, but the driving sucked. I owe a huge shout out to Mark Sipe, Steve OBlenes and Dennis Sparks. When Broda's car had intermittent fuel issues during every run in the Pro Finale, they jumped in and helped. Without Mark and Steve's help, I wouldn't have had a running car for Nationals. They went above and beyond and that is really what I think Nats was about for me, people. The problem was a fuel pump and Marks, Steve and my blood went into to getting the original pump out. Autozone got me a pump on Labor Day and the car was fixed for a series of TnT runs Tuesday morning.
I met a good number of people on this board and many more from other areas. I met too many people and had too much fun talking with them and forgot the reason I was there, to drive. I learned some good lessons about what nats is and what I will need to compete at that level. To say it is different... Thank you to everyone that made the week great.
Mike Kuhn - Congrats on the top 10 finish, in that field a real accomplishment
Jim Fosum - Great job pulling the last trophy spot by jumping way up the results with that run on Friday.
09-09-2013, 11:44 AM
#3030
What an event! Thanks to everyone for the support and congrats. It feels awesome to show the RX-8 was a capable car. It seems that many, maybe even myself sometimes, were too hung up on the other cars in the class. Running against each competitor throughout the year, including the Thomas/Anderson RX-8, Kuhn RX-8, Sipe RX-8, O'Blenes RX-8, Fossum/Ruggles RX-8, Sparks RX-8, Tsang RX-8 and others pushed me throughout the year to make my car faster. It's been an awesome class and unbelievable win. I had my doubts as to whether I would ever win a National Championship but it shows hard work and dedication pays off!
Last edited by JeffH; 09-09-2013 at 11:48 AM.
09-15-2013, 10:58 PM
#3032
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Missed you this year and it was my honor to help you out. Had a great time this year and enjoyed my front row seat for the Hurst Show. The man works his *** off and still had time to enjoy some Lincoln night life.
09-18-2013, 09:25 AM
#3034
If you're planning on going to Lincoln, focus on the R1Rs or the Z2s and skip the BFGs all together.
09-18-2013, 11:51 AM
#3035
the R1Rs have their issues too, you will need to shave the 235s to get the most out of them performance wise
I've got some STX tires for sale
FS: used 17inch BFG Rival, Toyo R1R, & Hankook RS3 tire sets - SCCAForums.com - SCCA Racing Discussions - Sports Car Club of America - Racing Discussion Forums - Market Place - Car Accessories for Sale
also not listed is a set of near-zero mile 245/45-17 Michelin Pilot Sport tires mounted & balanced on anthracite 17x9 949Racing 6ULR wheels that I had for a rain tire setup. Never ran them in the wet, just scrubbed them in preparation for rain use some day. I was going to post them up separately on this forum to see if somebody wants them for regular street use.
edit: now posted https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...0/#post4525051
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I've got some STX tires for sale
FS: used 17inch BFG Rival, Toyo R1R, & Hankook RS3 tire sets - SCCAForums.com - SCCA Racing Discussions - Sports Car Club of America - Racing Discussion Forums - Market Place - Car Accessories for Sale
also not listed is a set of near-zero mile 245/45-17 Michelin Pilot Sport tires mounted & balanced on anthracite 17x9 949Racing 6ULR wheels that I had for a rain tire setup. Never ran them in the wet, just scrubbed them in preparation for rain use some day. I was going to post them up separately on this forum to see if somebody wants them for regular street use.
edit: now posted https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...0/#post4525051
.
Last edited by TeamRX8; 09-18-2013 at 12:29 PM.
09-19-2013, 01:00 PM
#3036
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I am on the fence, to keep this thread on track, a phase 1 (suspension/wheels) STX build is a possibility. I have it all outlined but will probably wait until the BOD votes on the Street proposal. If street goes through, (which it will) I may try it for a year and see what happens.
09-27-2013, 05:54 PM
#3037
I am on the fence, to keep this thread on track, a phase 1 (suspension/wheels) STX build is a possibility. I have it all outlined but will probably wait until the BOD votes on the Street proposal. If street goes through, (which it will) I may try it for a year and see what happens.
09-27-2013, 10:43 PM
#3038
It should be the Nov Fasttrack
Unless there is some exceptional member uproar its pretty much a rubber stamp. The only objection I can recall was when I was on the SEB over the the GP reclassification. All the old fogeys who thought their 1960ish british cars should be untouched forever and ever got up in arms with a mass BOD media blitz that overturned it at the time. Being the Solo liason is pretty much the poop end of the stick for most BOD members. Fortunately there are a few exceptions where strong Solo members make their way up into the BOD ranks. They rarely second-guess the SEB just the same.
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Unless there is some exceptional member uproar its pretty much a rubber stamp. The only objection I can recall was when I was on the SEB over the the GP reclassification. All the old fogeys who thought their 1960ish british cars should be untouched forever and ever got up in arms with a mass BOD media blitz that overturned it at the time. Being the Solo liason is pretty much the poop end of the stick for most BOD members. Fortunately there are a few exceptions where strong Solo members make their way up into the BOD ranks. They rarely second-guess the SEB just the same.
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Last edited by TeamRX8; 09-27-2013 at 10:47 PM.
09-28-2013, 10:13 AM
#3039
Thanks Mark. I guess silly season this year is going to be stupifyingly ludicrous.
I have been assuming for months Street is a given, but no point in doing any serious tire research until it is finalized.
I have been assuming for months Street is a given, but no point in doing any serious tire research until it is finalized.
09-30-2013, 05:59 PM
#3040
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09-30-2013, 06:05 PM
#3041
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Howdy,
This isn't a rubber stamp for the BOD. They've been getting a lot of feedback directly to them, as you might expect.
I wouldn't spend money right now on Street or Stock unless you had to. Better to wait until the decision in a couple weeks is published.
Mark
I wouldn't spend money right now on Street or Stock unless you had to. Better to wait until the decision in a couple weeks is published.
Mark
10-01-2013, 12:50 PM
#3043
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Besides selling my RX8 racecar, I'm also selling some tires I have no use for; with this tire discussion I thought maybe someone may be interested. I have two Hoosier R6 tires size 245/35/18 used in only one session earlier this season; on the front of the car too so in great condition. Have been stored in bags in-doors since. These are basically the best DOT tires you can buy, and they cost $332 each new. I'm thinking $200 for both, IM me if you are interested.
10-11-2013, 06:51 PM
#3044
^^
I predict that the PAX based programs will fail, just look at the Match Tour, which is pretty much there in the 1st year. Blytheville fall event is cancelled and ST George, UT will likely be too. Blytheville would have gotten many more entries if it had been a regular Tour event ... in reality it is the hardcore competitor that is willing to foot the cost of travel & towing for a National series than someone who is only interested in fun. They can run locally for a lot less cost and have fun.
For Immediate Release
SCCA Board of Directors Approves Street Category Proposal For Solo Program
TOPEKA, Kan. (October 11, 2013) – The Sports Car Club of America Board of Directors unanimously approved a proposal by the Solo® Events Board for Street Category cars in the Tire Rack National Solo program, beginning in 2014.
The Street Category will feature cars that are essentially off the showroom floor, with specified modifications. Tires in the class must be designed for highway use on passenger cars.
Tires in the Street Category must fit the following specifications:
1.Effective 1/1/14 – Minimum UTQG tread wear rating of 140
2.Effective 1/1/15 – Minimum UTQG tread wear rating of 200
3.Molded tread depth of 7/32” or greater as specified by the manufacturer
4.Listed in a current year of prior two years of the “Tire Guide” and/or “Tread Design Guide”
5.Department of Transportation (DOT) approved
The class will allow sway bars on the front or rear, and have a wheel diameter allowance of plus or minus one inch. Despite earlier proposals, there will be no camber allowances via camber plates, bolts or slotting.
“Participation in the current Stock Category is declining at a rapid rate, and data and feedback shows that the vast majority of the membership that would participate in this class would like to switch to ‘road tires,’” Lisa Noble, Chairman of the SCCA Board of Directors, said. “Classes with road tires have the largest participation numbers in regional competition, and since this potential rules change came to light, those who participate in the class have voted with their attendance. We anticipate that trend will continue as the Street category classes earn National Championship status in 2014.”
In addition to the new Street Category, for 2014, the current Stock Category will remain in place and be renamed the Street-R category. All 2013 Stock classes will become Street-R (SR) classes and follow the rules which were in place for Stock at the end of 2013. For 2015, the Street-R category will be reduced to a single class, Super Street R, for high horsepower machines.
“This has been a long process for the Solo community,” Howard Duncan, SCCA Vice President, Rally/Solo, said. “The SEB believes, and we agree, that this change does not alter the game, but will encourage more participants, as 72 percent of the letters the SEB received on the matter were in favor of the change. We’re looking forward to welcoming back members that we haven’t seen in several years, and introducing new members to the sport without requiring a major investment to the cars they already own.”
A more complete list of rules, along with the classifications of cars for the new Street Category, will be available in the October Fastrack® News.
More information on the Tire Rack SCCA Solo program is available at The Sports Car Club of America - Solo.
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SCCA Board of Directors Approves Street Category Proposal For Solo Program
TOPEKA, Kan. (October 11, 2013) – The Sports Car Club of America Board of Directors unanimously approved a proposal by the Solo® Events Board for Street Category cars in the Tire Rack National Solo program, beginning in 2014.
The Street Category will feature cars that are essentially off the showroom floor, with specified modifications. Tires in the class must be designed for highway use on passenger cars.
Tires in the Street Category must fit the following specifications:
1.Effective 1/1/14 – Minimum UTQG tread wear rating of 140
2.Effective 1/1/15 – Minimum UTQG tread wear rating of 200
3.Molded tread depth of 7/32” or greater as specified by the manufacturer
4.Listed in a current year of prior two years of the “Tire Guide” and/or “Tread Design Guide”
5.Department of Transportation (DOT) approved
The class will allow sway bars on the front or rear, and have a wheel diameter allowance of plus or minus one inch. Despite earlier proposals, there will be no camber allowances via camber plates, bolts or slotting.
“Participation in the current Stock Category is declining at a rapid rate, and data and feedback shows that the vast majority of the membership that would participate in this class would like to switch to ‘road tires,’” Lisa Noble, Chairman of the SCCA Board of Directors, said. “Classes with road tires have the largest participation numbers in regional competition, and since this potential rules change came to light, those who participate in the class have voted with their attendance. We anticipate that trend will continue as the Street category classes earn National Championship status in 2014.”
In addition to the new Street Category, for 2014, the current Stock Category will remain in place and be renamed the Street-R category. All 2013 Stock classes will become Street-R (SR) classes and follow the rules which were in place for Stock at the end of 2013. For 2015, the Street-R category will be reduced to a single class, Super Street R, for high horsepower machines.
“This has been a long process for the Solo community,” Howard Duncan, SCCA Vice President, Rally/Solo, said. “The SEB believes, and we agree, that this change does not alter the game, but will encourage more participants, as 72 percent of the letters the SEB received on the matter were in favor of the change. We’re looking forward to welcoming back members that we haven’t seen in several years, and introducing new members to the sport without requiring a major investment to the cars they already own.”
A more complete list of rules, along with the classifications of cars for the new Street Category, will be available in the October Fastrack® News.
More information on the Tire Rack SCCA Solo program is available at The Sports Car Club of America - Solo.
-30-
Last edited by TeamRX8; 10-11-2013 at 07:01 PM.
10-13-2013, 08:38 AM
#3048
Mike, we've been discussing it for over two years. First, my rocker panels are worse than yours. You don't think I'd like to cover them up? Second, if it doesn't matter then why are they or any other aftermarket body work parts specifically not allowed? The rules are the rules and nobody gets to pick or choose which ones they don't want to follow without drawing attention to it. If you want to be a serious National level competitor, including promoting yourself as one, then you need to care more about appearing to be on board with the same rules everybody else has to follow. Until then, you put yourself in the position of having something said about it. I wouldn't recommend having the same outlook in Spec Miata. You can try to play it off as me being negative, but if that's all I care about then there are any number of things that could be said or discussed that weren't.
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Last edited by TeamRX8; 10-13-2013 at 08:43 AM.
10-14-2013, 03:41 PM
#3049
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Speaking of illegal STX mods, the RX8 that BRODA was nice enough to let me co-drive over the last 2 years has a new skin:
It has been a pleasure getting to know some of you and I'm excited to be staying in the class, but with a new breed of car. This is Neal Tovsen's car, 97 STX. I picked it up in Minneapolis on Thursday of last week and drove it back to Boston over the weekend. I fell in love along the way. I've got a few local events before the snow arrives and hopefully I can get BRODA to one of them for a side to side comparison.
Jeff
It has been a pleasure getting to know some of you and I'm excited to be staying in the class, but with a new breed of car. This is Neal Tovsen's car, 97 STX. I picked it up in Minneapolis on Thursday of last week and drove it back to Boston over the weekend. I fell in love along the way. I've got a few local events before the snow arrives and hopefully I can get BRODA to one of them for a side to side comparison.
Jeff
