Ran my first SOLO2 event Sunday--great fun. My MCS has a Pilo CAI and Alta rear swaybar. I was classed by the event folks in DSP. Is this the correct class for my car/mod setup? If I change to 15" wheels with R-compound race tires would that alter the class--from what I've read in the rule book I think Street Prepared allows race tires, right?

Now if I get into a 15% pulley I understand that would put me in with the really big boys in a Modified class, is that correct?

Let me state that I'm not looking to be in a class I can win, but it would be nice not to be tail-end-charlie.

 

Current setup with street tires would be STX. With R compounds you would be in DSP. Pulley mod = Street Modified.

 

>>Ran my first SOLO2 event Sunday--great fun. My MCS has a Pilo CAI and Alta rear swaybar. I was classed by the event folks in DSP. Is this the correct class for my car/mod setup? If I change to 15" wheels with R-compound race tires would that alter the class--from what I've read in the rule book I think Street Prepared allows race tires, right?
You don't really need to go too expensive for race tires. Falken Azenis Sport are good and cheap if you can find them in a size that will fit like 205/50-15 or 215/45-16, no sizes for 17" that fit the MINI. Otherwise Kumho Victoracer V700 are good about $119 each from tirerack.com (talk to alex).

>>Now if I get into a 15% pulley I understand that would put me in with the really big boys in a Modified class, is that correct?

Pulley upgrade puts you into Street Modified and you can use any wheel/tire and add a Quaife LSD and suspension mods- coil overs or springs. It's hard to compete well in SM with the MINI. You'll need camber plates up front to move the negative camber to -2 and adjustable rear control arms to move rear camber negative as well.

>>Let me state that I'm not looking to be in a class I can win, but it would be nice not to be tail-end-charlie.
G-stock is the best class to be in for the MCS and all you have to do is remove the CAI and rear swaybar to do that.
Use X-lyte rims and put on Falken Azenis Sport 215/45-16 tires.

If you keep your mods and run the same tires as above then STX is the next best class. 15" wheels are not stock for the MCS-only 17x7 and 16x6.5" rims are with offsets about 48mm.

 

I got classed (by the man at SCCA HQ in Topeka) as ASP cuz of my JCW. Street Prepared does not allow you adjustable suspension pieces (you'd go to Modified) slicks would also send you to Modified.
Your best bet is to call topeka (800 number @ http://www.scca.org) ask for the Solo technical Department and tell the nice man your sad story. He will tell you were you fit. I LOVE ASP....get to run against Vettes and such and once in a while, kick somebody's butt. ain't worried, since ah cain't drive nohow.....but I will learn, in time---

 

Mikeo - the current setup on your car is legal in STX, DSP, SM, and at least one Prepared and one Modified class, however if you think SM is fast, you don't want to run in Prepared or Modified. So they put you in "a" right class, although STX is probably a better choice.

>>Street Prepared does not allow you adjustable suspension pieces (you'd go to Modified) slicks would also send you to Modified.


What sort of adjustable suspension pieces do you mean? SP allows aftermarket coilovers, camber plates, swaybars, etc, with certain limitations. SP also allows aftermarket limited slips, clutches, open intake mods (meaning you can run an individual throttle body setup if you have the money).

Also, keep in mind that when the SCCA hears the work slicks, they are not thinking about DOT-R compound tires like Kumho Victoracers or whatever, they're thinking about non-street legal tires. Street prepared, street modified, and stock cars can all run DOT approved R-compound tires.



_________________
Roger B - slow but happy autocrosser
-
'04 Cooper (HS)

 

I hate to tell you this but as far as SCCA is cioncerned, NO ADJUSTABLE suspension pieces are ALLOWED in SP classes. Like i said before, best and surest way to get yourself into the proper class is to call SCCA Solo Department.

 

I don't know what you're talking about. SP allows adjustable coilover sleeves, camber plates, adjustable swaybars, adjustable panhard rods (for cars with those), adjustable shocks....

There are some limitations on all of those of course (for example, I don't know the rules by heart, but I don't think you can cut any sheet metal on the car to install your camber plates), but in general there are plenty of legal adjustable things you can do to a car's suspension in Street Prepared

Edit - here are the words from the suspension section of the Street Prepared rules:
14.8 Suspension

1. Ride height may only be altered by suspension adjustments, the use of spacing blocks, leaf spring shackles, torsion bar levers, or change or modification of springs or coil spring perches. This does not allow the use of spacers which alter suspension geometry, such as those between the hub carrier and lower suspension arm. Springs must be of the same type as the original (coil, leaf, torsion bar, etc.) and except as noted herein, must use the original spring attachment points. Coil spring perches originally attached to struts or shock absorber bodies may be changed or altered, and their position may be adjustable. Spacers are allowed above or below the spring. These allowances permit multiple coil springs, as long as they use the original mount locations. (7/2002).
2. Suspension bump stops may be altered or removed.
3. Suspension bushings may be replaced with bushings of any materials (except metal) as long as they fit in the original location. Offset bushings may be used. In a replacement bushing the amount of metal relative to the amount of non-metallic material may not be increased. This does not authorize a change in type of bushing (for example ball and socket replacing a cylindrical bushing), or use of a bushing with an angled hole whose direction differs from that of the original bushing. If the Stock bushing accommodated multi-axis motion via compliance of the component material(s), the replacement bushing may not be changed to accomodate such motion via a change in bushing type, for example to a spherical bearing or similar component involving internal moving parts. Pins or keys may be used to prevent the rotation of alternate bushings, but may serve no other purpose than that of retaining the bushing in the desired position. Differential mount bushings are not suspension bushings and thus may not be substituted under this allowance, though Section 14.1.C allows certain update/backdate allowances (8/2002).
4. On vehicles with strut-type suspensions, adjustable camber plates may be installed at the top of the strut, and the original upper mounting holes may be slotted. The drilling of holes in order to perform the installation is permitted but the center clearance hole may not be modified. Any type of bearing or bushing may be used in the adjustable camber plate attachment to the strut. The installation may incorporate an alternate upper spring perch/seat and/or mounting block (bearing mount). Any ride height change resulting from installation of camber plates is allowed. Caster changes resulting from the use of camber plates are permitted
5. Addition or replacement of suspension stabilizers (linkage connecting axle housing or De Dion to the chassis, which controls lateral suspension location) is permitted. Traction bars or torque arms may be added or replaced. A panhard rod may be added or replaced. Methods of attachment and attachment points are unrestricted. This does not authorize removal of a welded-on part of a subframe to accommodate installation. The longitudinal member which GM refers to as a "torque arm" on 3rd and 4th generation Camaros, which controls differential movement, is covered by this section and may be substituted or modified.
6. Changes in alignment parameters which result directly from the use of allowed components are permitted. For example, the dimensional changes resulting from the use of a cylindrical offset bushing which meets the restrictions of 14.8.C are allowed, including those resulting from a change in the pivoting action to
   (a) about the mounting bolt, or
   (b) about the bushing itself.

 

Wrong, getting a rulebook and reading it through & through is the best way to class a car, along with following official rules changes that are made throughout the year and published in SCCA's Fastrack supplemental. The people at SCCA HQ don't always get it right when it comes to classing...

And, if you had the rulebook, you would know that many adjustable suspension pieces are allowed in SP, like the ones listed in the previous post. Perhaps you are confused with custom bits that do not use stock mounting/attaching/pickup points???

 

THIS IS NOT A FLAME BACK.......First thing you need to read in a rule book is the first page. You just MIGHT find a reference to something like "If it is not specifically allowed in these rules, IT IS NOT ALLOWED".

Frankly I just as soon take the word of the SCCA's Solo Technical Manager, Doug Gill over an anonymous post on NAM. If someone want to be REALLY sure of the class they need to run under, I would strongly suggest they contact the SCCA.
Suspension pieces is a term used by some to refer to such things as a arms, track rods, trailing arms. Camber plates are usually referred to as camber plates and shock abosrbers are usually referred to as shock absorbers.

Over and out.....

 

Actually, ST allows replacement of control arms to adjust camber:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.8.E Camber kits may be installed on vehicles that do not have McPherson strut type suspensions. These kits may include replacement control arms or other parts that are designed specifically to compensate for camber changes resulting from lowering the car. These parts must use the original attachment points.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I haven't followed the Fastracks, but I don't think these are currently legal in SP. So if you want to define suspension pieces the way you suggest, I guess you're right, no adjustable "suspension pieces" are allowed in SP, just a lot of adjustable "suspension accessories" or something

 

Pocket Rocket, I'm not sure how you worded things to Doug Gill, but having run in STX Nationally, helped class the MCS in DSP, and currently run in G Stock, I can assure you that "adjustable suspension pieces" are allowed in STX and D Street Prepared.
Perhaps you are defining "adjustable suspension pieces" differently?
When I hear that, I think of "adjustable shocks" which are legal in STOCK. I think of "adjustable swaybars", "adjustable coilovers", and "adjustable control arms" which are ALL legal in STX and DSP.

Perhaps we are just misunderstanding what you're trying to say. I deal with Doug Gill all of the time, especially now since he's appearing at many National events (D.C. Tour and Toledo Pro were the last two times I spoke to him).
It should also be clear that when I speak with Doug Gill, he often has to pull out a rule book himself, and does not always have everything memorized.

I can assure you, as the Novice Coordinator for the one of the fastest growing and largest regions in the country, I *have* to be clear on the rules.

If you have any other specific questions, feel free to email me directly at garfield@northamericanmotoring.com

Good Luck,
Brian Garfield
WDCR SCCA Solo II
Novice Coordinator

 

Again, SCCA HQ does not always get it right. The rule book is the final say, along with Fastrack updates. Never modify your car for a class because someone in Topeka said a mod was ok. There have been issues in the past... Another reason to read the rule book: One person's definitions of items are different than another person's, and they may both be different from SCCA's definitions. The rule book provides definitions, and I believe an issue of Fastrack expands on this.

If you read the rulebook for classes, say Street Prepared, under the rules section 14.8 with the title/heading *SUSPENSION*, you will see things listed such as camber plates, strut bars, spring perches, camber bolts, replacement control arms for non-mcstrut cars, traction bars, torque arms, etc. Most of these items are available as adjustable pieces for many cars, and traction bars/torque arms have unrestricted attachment possibilities.