SCCA Solo C Street Discussion

[simpleisbest]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

RE: potential class imbalance

I certainly am not taking sides regarding this, as I own one of the cars in question and feel it's already been discussed enough by car owners to the point that nobody wants to hear opinions of twin drivers anymore. Our reputation has taken a hit because of this.

I believe my performance at nationals was hindered by 3 things - my own driving (mostly day 1), BRZ spring rates, and tires with poor transitional performance (too wide with soft sidewalls). The tire and spring concerns are a rather small thing compared to me not nailing a couple runs, but they definitely contributed to car comfort and as such have at least some of the blame for lack of pace. Not sure how much time differential is there, but the fastest twin time from each day would have placed 6th - still over 2 seconds back.

Rant - There were past nationals trophy winners scattered all through CS, so I'm not really buying that the only talent in the class was the top 3 drivers. Excluding the time of the top 2 drivers, it was actually a pretty close battle. Are Stuart, Fenter, and McCelvey better drivers on average than the rest of the field - almost certainly. Could they have gone faster - most likely. Were the twins represented well at nats - I'd like to think so, but I know I left some time out there. Probably not 2 seconds, but maybe around 1. That brings the parity question to a point where a course design can easily shift the balance of power around. This was a rebuilding year for me, so next year, it's on

Agreed. As it looks likely that the 370Z may not be moved, I don't think the twins belong in the class. A move to ES would be nice, but looks like next to impossible, as it seems the SAC wants to have that as an economically friendly class (cheap miatas/mr2s)

DS would be the only place to push to have the car moved, even though all other RWD cars have seemly been pushed out to FS.

[Kido1986]

Dont forget that he's a downright crazy driver. He'd beat most of us in a damn Yugo

[xwd]

The twins aren't going anywhere. The only move really being considered IMHO is moving the 370Z to BS. On RRAX the sentiment about doing that is pretty strong, so I wouldn't say at this point it's likely it won't be moved.

[Kido1986]

What thread are you reading? I got politely pummeled for suggesting it haha

[jdrxb9]

Originally Posted by Kido1986

What thread are you reading? I got politely pummeled for suggesting it haha

I think the biggest thing I got out of that thread is the 370 guys admitting they are nowhere near the end of the development curve, which I think gives motivation to move them away from the RX-8 and MX-5.

Not that a 370 move would necessarily improve the twin's situation. And I'm not even sure the twins need a street class where it is an obvious 'car to have'. However, if nothing changes, I do think you will see less twins at national events next year. Conversely, how many fewer 370's will be competingn in BS vs CS?

Also, I don't have an RRAX account (its a big enough time suck just being an occasional lurker), but if one of you would like to post the following in reply to #427, it might be amusing.

		entries		trophy positions	
BMW	M3	2	4%	0	0%
Mazda	Miata	5	9%	2	13%
Mazda	RX-8	8	15%	4	27%
Nissan	350Z	5	9%	0	0%
Nissan	370Z	11	20%	5	33%
Sci/Sub	FRS/BRZ	23	42%	4	27%
Toyota	MR2	1	2%	0	0%
		55		15

[autoXracer]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

I believe my performance at nationals was hindered by 3 things - my own driving (mostly day 1), BRZ spring rates, and tires with poor transitional performance (too wide with soft sidewalls).

John congrats! you had a good year going up to Nats! Now that you've seen all the fast cars, is there an advantage for a frs over a BRZ in terms of spring rates?

[AustinTX]

Originally Posted by autoXracer

John congrats! you had a good year going up to Nats! Now that you've seen all the fast cars, is there an advantage for a frs over a BRZ in terms of spring rates?

Thanks, Dan. I'd say that the understeer I've been dealing with most of the year is down to spring rate differences, but I don't know how much time delta it is yet. I may setup a test in the off season with a local FR-S driver and go through a few options. The season just ended, so still coming down off of nats. Not sure what next season holds for me yet. I hope you get Kritzler's car up and running for next year.

[autoXracer]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

Thanks, Dan. I'd say that the understeer I've been dealing with most of the year is down to spring rate differences, but I don't know how much time delta it is yet. I may setup a test in the off season with a local FR-S driver and go through a few options. The season just ended, so still coming down off of nats. Not sure what next season holds for me yet. I hope you get Kritzler's car up and running for next year.

This is not Dan but I do know him, and we run in Houston.

I used to run in Stock class, and I have felt differences driving FRS's compared to my BRZ with the same setup. I felt that what ever worked on FRS (swaybar, etc.) might not necessarily work on the BRZ. Doesn't matter now that I'm in STX.

[AustinTX]

Originally Posted by autoXracer

This is not Dan but I do know him, and we run in Houston.

I used to run in Stock class, and I have felt differences driving FRS's compared to my BRZ with the same setup. I felt that what ever worked on FRS (swaybar, etc.) might not necessarily work on the BRZ. Doesn't matter now that I'm in STX.

Heh, I missed the Z in the screen name - sorry. I am really resisting the push to go STX with the car, as I rather like the smooth, quiet, reliable ride of the stock car. I've got a few more things to try in street form, though.

[Kido1986]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

Heh, I missed the Z in the screen name - sorry. I am really resisting the push to go STX with the car, as I rather like the smooth, quiet, reliable ride of the stock car. I've got a few more things to try in street form, though.

Same here. I dont want a lowered car. I hate tweaking 157 different things, swapping multiple bars all the time, changing springrates, constant re-aligning...

Care to share any of these ideas?

[AustinTX]

DA front shocks (at least), narrower tires, straight pipe, more swaybar testing. Might also just look for codrives at big events. We'll see

[raul]

Originally Posted by qoncept

I was going to play with my clunking sway bar tonight but I've officially given up on the Whiteline 22mm front bar and a Strano bar is on the way. Wish me luck.

I went SuperPro 22mm adjustable tubular. It's been working great!

[Kido1986]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

DA front shocks (at least), narrower tires, straight pipe, more swaybar testing. Might also just look for codrives at big events. We'll see

Priced out Konis around $1400 for front DAs. $4200 for a full set of MCSes. Just cant afford it :/ Also don't know if I can tell the different between needing to adjust 4 different directions on my shocks hahah.

I already use a straight axleback, stock midpipe. You going full straight catback? 225s would be a good choice if you're staying on RS3s.

I have a Hotchkis adjustable frontbar Ill sell cheap if you want it.

[bimmer635csi]

Originally Posted by qoncept

I was going to play with my clunking sway bar tonight but I've officially given up on the Whiteline 22mm front bar and a Strano bar is on the way. Wish me luck.

There was an interesting solution to the clunking HERE