STX Rules and Setup Questions

[Shneegle]

While yes the car in question with the mods described would be illegal for STX, it is up to your competitors if they will allow it or not. In the DFW area we have a rather competitive STX group. I doubt any of us would really care.

Most experienced track drivers that try their hand at autox are usually rather slow.

I'd just run in SM and learn what you can. All the car control you can learn doing autox will help when at the track.

[Tristor]

Just to follow-up. I got classed into C Street Prepared in the Novice group. Was a ton of fun and I definitely see some areas where this will help me with learning more precise car control. In 5 runs I had 3 DNFs (missing a trick exit from looking too far ahead and not going around a pointer cone). My last two runs were a 53.21 and a 53.177. It rained today as well, so that made things interesting.

I’m pretty sure I will participate again. Since I wasn’t worried about points competition it ended up being just a fun and educational experience and the better drivers in my vehicle class were more than happy to talk with me and do a ride-along.

[Chuckls]

Most people will argue that the cost to participate doesn't provide enough seat time compared to a track day.

That being said, I enjoy my time. I did have a tire rollover on my OE P4S tires @32psi. Curbed my wheel :/

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Chuckls

Most people will argue that the cost to participate doesn't provide enough seat time compared to a track day.

That being said, I enjoy my time. I did have a tire rollover on my OE P4S tires @32psi. Curbed my wheel :/

I'll never chuck my car into a corner at an hpde at 11/10ths like I do at an autocross on a prayer that it will stick and marvel at making it out the other side clean.

Racetracks are awesome, I'll be back soon, but I'm pretty convinced that if I'm going out to have fun in my street car without a trailer I think autox is where it's at.

Throw a tow rig in the mix and wheel to wheel takes the cake.

[Tristor]

Originally Posted by Chuckls

Most people will argue that the cost to participate doesn't provide enough seat time compared to a track day.

That being said, I enjoy my time. I did have a tire rollover on my OE P4S tires @32psi. Curbed my wheel :/

My intention would not be to prioritize autocross over track. I absolutely think from the perspective of my long-term goals (all of which happen on track anyway) my value/dollar is higher on track. But some things are more difficult to learn on track, but are important skills and these are things that are not only safe to learn in an autocross environment but necessary. Here's a few things I got to experience today which helped me, and given enough time doing them I can use them effectively on track as well.


1. Walking a course and reading the line
2. Visualization of my car on course prior to driving
3. Spin/Oversteer recovery techniques
4. How to induce vehicle rotation at low speed
5. Slalom techniques


All of that may not be immediately applicable on the track, because I've mostly been going to the same track repeatedly. But I think that they will help me generally improve as a driver and they will become applicable more on track as I venture out and have to learn new courses. Not a bad set of lessons for $25.



On the flip side, I effectively was only able to drive for ~5 minutes over the totality of 8 hours (I showed up at 6:30AM and left around 2:30PM). But frankly walking the course with experienced drivers taught me some valuable things today that I got to immediately test. I now have a stronger relationship between seeing the course and understanding what I need to make the car do, and where it's limit is.

[conedodging]

Do we know if the brake master cylinder brace proposal made it into the 2019 rules for Street Touring? Last I saw mention of it was in the July or August Fasttrack.

[chickunfut]

It was approved in August Fasttrack.

#22139 Master cylinder brace allowance in ST
The STAC and SEB recommend the following allowance for a bolt-on brake/clutch master cylinder brace mirroring the allowance present in the SP category. This is as a new line in section 14.6, as follows:
“G. A single brake master cylinder brace may be added provided it is bolt-on and serves no other purpose.”

[Charlie Davis]

A friend of mine is looking for a Twin to build an STX car. One of the cars she is looking at is a very well cared for 2013. I've heard that all the cars that have blown motors have been 2013s. Do we know the causes of the blown motors? The valve springs that are now on a recall? Could it be aggressive tunes have caused the issues?

Should she pass up any 2013 car for a 2/2014 or later built car?

Thanks in advance!

[justinco]

Originally Posted by Charlie Davis

A friend of mine is looking for a Twin to build an STX car. One of the cars she is looking at is a very well cared for 2013. I've heard that all the cars that have blown motors have been 2013s. Do we know the causes of the blown motors? The valve springs that are now on a recall? Could it be aggressive tunes have caused the issues?

Should she pass up any 2013 car for a 2/2014 or later built car?

Thanks in advance!

I think most would recommend getting at least a 2014 car, because of the various first year problems.

A friend of mine has a 2013 with 31k miles and he just took into the the dealer because a connecting rod broke. Car is bone stock.

[steverife]

Originally Posted by Charlie Davis

A friend of mine is looking for a Twin to build an STX car. One of the cars she is looking at is a very well cared for 2013. I've heard that all the cars that have blown motors have been 2013s. Do we know the causes of the blown motors? The valve springs that are now on a recall? Could it be aggressive tunes have caused the issues?

Should she pass up any 2013 car for a 2/2014 or later built car?

Thanks in advance!

It isn't just the '13's blowing up, but they certainly seem to be failing with a much greater frequency.

[Shneegle]

If the deal is good enough then I would just get the 2013 but make sure it has had the valve spring recall if it is early enough otherwise you will have to take it in for that. Otherwise just go with a 2014+ model.

My 2013 has been doing great, going on 5 years of track, autox and dd duty. A coil went bad after a hot track event at MSRH and taillights have gotten the condensation issue.

[M0nk3y]

Originally Posted by Charlie Davis

A friend of mine is looking for a Twin to build an STX car. One of the cars she is looking at is a very well cared for 2013. I've heard that all the cars that have blown motors have been 2013s. Do we know the causes of the blown motors? The valve springs that are now on a recall? Could it be aggressive tunes have caused the issues?



Should she pass up any 2013 car for a 2/2014 or later built car?



Thanks in advance!

Charlie,

Not only the valve springs were an issue, but ignition coils were also more prone to fail.

ECUs changed throughout the years. I think one big difference is how the ECU senses knock. I know my car being a 2016 makes less power than a 2013 but it’s also more knock sensitive or earlier to pull timing off apparent knock. Perhaps that means a bit more long term durability I don’t know. But I wouldn’t grab a 2013 if it’s a difference over 5 hp


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[strat61caster]

Are people getting ignition coil failure on autocross cars? I autoxed for a year with a bad ignition coil that would throw a light on track but nada the following year autocrossing.

If the car is going to hpde more than once or twice per year then yes, that shit gets old quick, at least the coils are cheaper now than early on in the cars life.

Edit: and newer coil packs may be more durable than the originals.

[e1_griego]

I had a CEL pop up a couple times for one that was failing. Went ahead and replaced it and now I carry an additional spare with me just to have at events.