Quote:
Originally Posted by Desertnate
I'm not deep into the ways of classing like some of you are, but it makes no sense to me to have everything from an Audi S4 to a Civic Type R to the FT86 platform brothers/sisters all in the same class. That's a huge range of curb weights, FWD/ AWD/RWD drivetrains, 4/6 cyclinder engines, N/A and forced induction, etc all in once class.
From my few years in Solo, DS and GS seem to by really odd. When I ran in FS I could at least see an idea of what was being attempted. Some of the other classes...not so much.
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I call DS the misfit class. If it doesn't fit somewhere else, it gets thrown in DS. No class for the WRX and STI, so let's just dump both in DS. BRZ/FRS twins, first and second gen, no class for either of them, dump them both in DS. Civic Type R? 300HP and turbo? Toss it in.
If anything, you could argue DS is more of a sports sedan/hatchback class with the CTR, Elantra N, GR Corolla, WRX/STI. The twins, even the 2nd gen, kinda don't fit when you look at the power level, RWD, etc. They fit more in CS in a way, which is sort of the Miata / S2000, RWD roadster-like class.
I ran my performance pack BRZ in CS in 2020. Had a blast. I was right up there with the ND1's and S2000's. Had fun every week. Constant battles. Then got moved to DS with a better overall PAX, but get crushed by the 2nd gen and CTR.
But all this classing is done via times on some magical course they rank them on.
Personally, I feel the first gen is more of an ES car, but would likely be top dog in ES, bumping the older Miatas and MR2's out. The 2nd gen twin probably fits more in CS, but the ND2's have a edge in terms of times.
... so in a way, the SCCA is basically right with classing for the 2nd gen. But the problem with classes is that there's always going to be cars that are the top to have in a class. Or else you need a class for pretty much every car in a way. It would be almost impossible, but the better comparison would be for each car to have a PAX, classes get thrown out, and we're all competing against each other. Zero way to class every car though.
Going on a total tangent, that's why I like street touring classes more - modifications level the playing field more in terms of autocross when tire and suspension choices make the most difference. Power becomes less of a divider and the modifications make cars more even (mainly suspension, camber, wider tires/wheels). Thus less classes needed. It's like 5 street touring classes vs 8 or so street/stock classes.
It's why MemeStreet popped up here and has been spreading. People wanted to run, but didn't want to be last in classes on crap tires. We have like 10+ people running 400+ TW tires, or just really crap, old tires. They have fun and run sometimes clapped out cars, but sometimes newer/good cars with just terrible tires. It's a big "eff you" to the SCCA and their classing.
End rant. I just really hate the whole classing thing. Which is why I made this video earlier this year
