A call for sportscar drivers

[miata#37]

I'm trying to fire up some interest in the Street SportsCar 1 class that we have in the rule book but nobody ran in last year. I'm planning on running it for the 2003 season.

Here's my "sales pitch"

The class is intended for small displacement (<3.15 liters) naturally aspirated sportscars with limited modifications running on STREET TIRES. The rules, posted on the MAC web site, pretty much mirror those of STS with allowance for any OEM LSD. What running the class will do, is let those of us running CST, EST, and CSP (on street tires) run together although there are cars outside of those classes that qualify too. Our lap times from last season show a considerable overlap between classes. It looks like someone who didn't want to make any modifications to their car could be competetive here. Our OEM suspension systems are pretty good right out of the dealer's lot and keeping everyone on street tires helps equalize things. I'm actually planning on staying stock-legal anyway for SCCA events. STREET TIRES: cheaper that R-compounds and you don't have to figure out how to carry an extra set of wheels in a car that's too small for a cup holder let alone a golf bag.

Here's a sample of cars that qualify for this class:

Mazda Miata, RX-7
Toyota MR2
Honda CRX, Del Sol
Porsche 914
MG MGB, Midget/AH Sprite
Triumph Spitfire, GT6
Nissan 240SX
BMW Z3

I know there are many more I haven't listed, but you get the idea. This class could be large, competetive, and a heck of a lot of fun.


Ok.

Who's interested?

[phile]

>with allowance for any OEM LSD.

Nope. Lotus Europa cars never came with LSD, so mine is obviously not OEM. The irony here is that I'd rather not have LSD as it screws up the low-speed handling something awful. I'm way too lazy to take the whole car apart to remove it, so I guess I'll be using sticky tires again (when I can justify the expense of new tires: the ones I have are rocks) to overpower it.

>STREET TIRES: cheaper that R-compounds and you don't have to figure out how to carry an extra set of wheels in a car that's too small for a cup holder let alone a golf bag.

I don't worry about that. I just drive on 'em. I don't drive the car much in the rain, and I'm *really* cautious if I do...

>This class could be large, competetive, and a heck of a lot of fun.
>Who's interested?

I'd love to bring my 1565cc to the party, but there are other problems too. My engine is legal ASP, but not legal for the Feds (they don't have a sense of humor about the Weber), so that rule bounces me.

Even though my wheelwells are not flared, the wheels at 6" are two wide to be legal (stock was 4.5").

Nope, there is no class where my car makes sense, so I will run it in AP again and let Brian Martens beat up on me with the Dutton. More engine, more tire, less weight. So far, less appearance...

Phil Ethier

[914 Dave]

If I've read the rules one time, I've read them a hundred, and just never thought of putting the 914 in that class. The thought of putting my air cooled antique up against motors 50% bigger didn't sound like to much fun... but... I never took the time to check out times of other cars currently running that would fit the class to see where the '14 would fit. Good idea, a haven for street tires. I too like the idea of reduced rubber costs, as well as arrive and drive tires, not needing more rims, space, $$$. I also like the idea of some room to grow, with some suspension options, as well as LSD for the trans and oil coolers for the motor. We do like to tweek a bit over here in rice lake. Not much else to do... I'll see ya on the grid.

[DCM]

OK. So what if I run my 'B' ?
Or have I 'gone too far'? The head is ported, headers, mild cam, better than stock?
Hmmmmm? I know I should have read the rules, but not paying attention.
What a'a ya think?
DCM

[phile]

>I also like the idea of some room to grow, with some suspension options, as well as LSD for the trans

Didn't they say "OEM" LSD? Did the 914 ever come with an LSD?

Are you sure you want one anyway? I don't know how the mass distribution is on the 914, but on the Europa, a regular clutch-pack LSD is a disaster for tight sustained corners on an autocross. Causes massive understeer.

Phil Ethier

[914 Dave]

Actually, LSD on the 901 trans was an option for the U.S. as well as the ROW cars, but I am aware of precious few U.S. cars that actually had it. You could also get 14" wheels instead of 15's if you wanted, and some 6cyl's could be had with 7 wide in front and 8 wide in back, with factory flares, although this does me little good as I have a 4cyl, and these few wide body/tire 6's were limited to production #'s of, ah, um, around 11 total. Doubt if that would count them as "mass produced" instead of "interesting factory experiments" for purposes of our little club.

Don't know if I would want one either, but nice to have the option to experiment a bit should the opportunity allow. This may be true of both our cars, with mid motors, smallish tires, and not alot of ponies, but how often do we really loose traction anyway?

[miata#37]

It's good to see that I've gotten some people's attention. I know of at least one RX-7 driver who said at the awards party that he'd give the class a try. Possibly two. So we're looking at at least 3 or 4 entrants. Dave, I was hoping you'd throw your hat into the ring. I'll be happy to see our CST battles carry over into SC1.

[Dave Keillor]

Okay, where do I find the rules for this class?

Dave

[miata#37]

Okay, where do I find the rules for this class?

There's a link on the MAC web page to the rule book. The SC1 rules are near the end of the document in section 8.8.

[miata#37]

Okay, where do I find the rules for this class?

There's a link on the MAC web page to the rule book. The SC1 rules are near the end of the document in section 8.8.

[Dave Keillor]

Thanks, found it. I was looking in Section 9, Classes.

I never noticed this class before. It might be interesting depending on whether it attracts a following and depending on the outcome of the proposal to eliminate the Street Tire classes.

Dave

[Jeremy Engel]

You might be able to count me in also. I am planning on have our old CS/CSP MR2 running again this year. I could be looking for some compitition! ;)

[miata#37]

Jeremy,
Bring it on!

I'm seriously going regret that bit of trash talk LOL ;)

[DCM]

OK folk's, if I can get one arm 'fixed' Then I think I'll be able to drive. Then if my slight engine mod's will pass muster. I still have an open differential, with a solid axle, with stone age suspension, plenty of weight, A 3 port exhaust, 2 port cylinder head, and [quaint] carburetors. Then I have 6" wide mag's that are 1" wider than stock????????
DCM

[Darryl]

Between the CST, EST and CSP cars that show up on a regular basis, SC1 could end up as a very large class with an interesting cross section of cars.

It would be great if a dozen people committed to SC1, at least the first event!

I’m in, let the games begin!

Darryl
1984 Mazda Rx-7