Quote:
Originally Posted by dwx
The stock class rules are ancient compared to the other classes, they haven't really seen many revisions at all. The shock rules are from a time when shocks on most cars were terrible, and the tire rules are from a time when none of the classes ran on "street" tires.
Oil coolers and radiators aren't exactly performance items, they are for reliability and generally just add weight. There is an allowance for using catch cans in stock, that arguably has more of a performance benefit than either of those items. Unless you have a really crappy car, neither of those items will ever come into play on an autocross course.
Stock is at a point now where people are starting to question the rules. I'm fine with limiting the real performance enhancing items in stock like shocks, race tires, etc. I have Hoosiers but I don't see a point to them anymore, street tires are really really good at this point.
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If stock is stock than why is there a need to change the rules? As cars improve stock cars improve. I would argue that shocks can be a HUGE improvement over stock, much more than a catch can. Who is to say someone would change a stock radiator to a half radiator and save measurable front end weight. If a stock class requires stock parts, it is usually very easy to see what parts of a car have been changed from stock and everyone is on a more even playing field. Why does everyone want to "mod" a car but not move in class. That is the way the rules are laid out. And I still think that a new person to the sport will feel more welcomed if they see the stock cars really are close to stock. I don't buy the reliability issue, what stock car is going to overheat in autocross with a well functioning cooling system? If it does then that is a poor choice of car for autocross in stock form. If you change from stock you go to a prepared or better class because that is meant to handle even the smallest changes, so there is no question that the cars in stock are as basic and original as they can be.