STX Rules and Setup Questions

[M0nk3y]

Originally Posted by jonesy

I've seen a few people asking about running 265s on our cars...I tried it with not great results. Rubs in the front either on the fender with a 5mm spacer (18x9 +35 effective) or on the inside with a lot of steering angle without the spacer (+40) and in the rear. Not to mention RE-71R is over 1k per set and it adds 7 lbs of unsprung weight per corner. Expensive experiment, but I was curious. Will stick with 245s and focus on improving my driving I guess.

Should have just listened to me to begin with :P


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[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by jonesy

I've seen a few people asking about running 265s on our cars...I tried it with not great results. Rubs in the front either on the fender with a 5mm spacer (18x9 +35 effective) or on the inside with a lot of steering angle without the spacer (+40) and in the rear. Not to mention RE-71R is over 1k per set and it adds 7 lbs of unsprung weight per corner. Expensive experiment, but I was curious. Will stick with 245s and focus on improving my driving I guess.

They did look badass on your car though

I was there co-driving the STS RX-7, I was going to say hi but you weren't around or we were in grid and super busy lol

[tigermack]

Are your 265' for sale? I can use them.

[Shneegle]

So whats the stance on 255/40/17 vs 245/40/17?

[justinco]

Originally Posted by GeorgeJFrick

So I can add the Sti lip/sideskirts and not be kicked from STX? I'm confused because other drivers have them, but the rules kind of say no Sti stuff.

I realize these are "silly"; but if you've seen my car in person lately you'll immediately understand the plan I'm hatching.

Yes, you can add them.

I just bought the STi front under-spoiler and this came up in my build thread. The rule seemed pretty obvious to me but not so much to others I guess. So, I asked and here are the notes from Doug to hopefully clear up some confusion:

On Tue, Dec 6, 2016 at 9:03 AM, Doug G. <edit> wrote:
Hi, Justin,

Yes, you are welcome to share my email. And I’ll be glad to discuss it with anyone. J

Later,

-Doug
Doug G.
SCCA® Solo® Competition Manager
1-800-770-2055

From: Justin M.
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2016 10:56 AM
To: Doug G. <edit>
Subject: Re: Solo Street Touring rules question

Thanks Doug,

There was some debate on one of the BRZ/FRS forums in an STX rules thread on whether these were legal or not. I just wanted to get some clarification on my thoughts.

Is it ok to share this on the forums so others can benefit and clear up some of the misconceptions?

Justin

On Tue, Dec 6, 2016 at 7:20 AM, Doug G. <edit> wrote:
Hi, Justin,

Yes, it is a fair assumption that the STI under spoiler is allowed per 2016 Solo Rules section 14.2.F.2 (page 78). However, I would never say it is “clear” that it’s allowed. (I have never seen a protest committee that wanted to rule a competitor was non-compliant.)

But I agree with you – the Solo Rules allow it. Even the description says it “gives the BRZ a mean, ground-hugging look”; nothing about improved stability at highway speeds or anything like that.

You could ask for an official clarification from the SEB, but I really don’t think it’s necessary. It could take months to get an answer. www.sebscca.com or www.soloeventsboard.com

Hope this helps. I’ll be glad to discuss this further.

-Doug
Doug G.
SCCA® Solo® Competition Manager
1-800-770-2055

From: Justin M.
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2016 7:02 PM
To: Doug G. <edit>
Subject: Solo Street Touring rules question

Hey Doug,

I had a question regarding a rule for Street Touring. The rule is below which is part of section 14.2.

F. Addition of spoilers, splitters, rear wings, bumper covers, valances, side skirts, and non-functional scoops/vents is allowed provided that either:
1. It is a production part which is standard or optional equipment of a US model of the vehicle. (“Model” is defined in Section 12.)
2. It is listed in the vehicle manufacturer’s US accessory catalog for that vehicle for normal highway use. This does not allow for parts sold through a manufacturer’s performance catalog (e.g., Ford Racing, HPD, Mazdaspeed, Mopar Performance, Mugen, NISMO, SPT, TRD, etc). Parts must be installed as directed by the manufacturer. Exact replicas,including weight, from alternate sources are also permitted.

I installed a BRZ STi front under-spoiler (Subaru part) for my BRZ which is in STX. It comes from the Subaru accessory catalog titled "2017 BRZ Accessories."

http://www.subaru.com/content/dam/su...ccessories.pdf

Since this part is in an accessory catalog (not a performance catalog) and has been installed as directed by the manufacturer, it should be legal to use. Is this a fair assumption? I imagine if there was a protest against it, there is clear evidence in this rule that says it would be legal (because it is part of an accessory catalog, regardless if it is an "STi" branded part).

Thanks!
Justin

[48Spoons]

Originally Posted by Shneegle

So whats the stance on 255/40/17 vs 245/40/17?

Got the 245s due to availability for this year and didn't really see difference in the way the car behaved.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Shneegle

So whats the stance on 255/40/17 vs 245/40/17?

Rumor has it they're too difficult to get heat into with a ~2,700 lb car and only ~190 whp.

Seems like the class formula is pretty stable, now is when people start doing weird things to get an edge.



Hell, I'm surprised there aren't people running 225's on 8" wheels, the difference between CS and STX is not tires alone...

[cjd]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Rumor has it they're too difficult to get heat into with a ~2,700 lb car and only ~190 whp.

Seems like the class formula is pretty stable, now is when people start doing weird things to get an edge.



Hell, I'm surprised there aren't people running 225's on 8" wheels, the difference between CS and STX is not tires alone...

I haven't run the 245's yet, but absolutely had trouble getting (and keeping) adequate heat in my 255's. They wore like iron, ~260 runs (averaging high 50 seconds) and about 4000 highway miles (?) and I *just* got to the wear bars at the end of the season and actually had codrivers 2 of the last 3 events. They started off as hockey pucks toward the end...

There are other bits to the setup I had been running that contribute to this, but... yeah. And I'm at 2800lbs with me in the car.

[tigermack]

190whp? I be lucky to get 170!

[renfield90]

Oddly, I found that tire heat was an issue on cold days last year (when I was running 245s in CS trim) but not so much this year running the same tire in STX trim. I wouldn't expect 255s to be much different. Maybe I'm an overdriving hack though.

Certainly the Bridgestone 255s give you almost no extra width on a 9" wheel compared to the 245s, there's a picture somewhere. Not sure about the BFGs. I may try them early next year.

What bugs me about 255s is gearing and the ability to dig out of corners. IMO you dig out of corners (where the 245 is better) far more often than you get to a straight where the 255 is faster with no shift to 3rd than a 245 which is forced into 3rd. In fact, I'm not sure the gearing difference (1-2mph extra in 2nd?) is large enough that everyone will either stay in 2nd or go to 3rd regardless of tire.

A couple weeks ago I drove an FRS (far better prepped than mine) with 255s and EL headers. Compared to mine (UEL, 245s) it was a dog out of the corners. Owner rode with me in each and agreed. Between the poor dig and the tires (I suck on Bridgestones) I could only get her car within half a second of mine.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by renfield90

Oddly, I found that tire heat was an issue on cold days last year (when I was running 245s in CS trim) but not so much this year running the same tire in STX trim. I wouldn't expect 255s to be much different. Maybe I'm an overdriving hack though.

How is that odd? Better alignment, handling balance, and more power that come with even a mildly prepped STX setup should make it easier to get heat in the tires.

[Shneegle]

Anyone use a harness bar with stock seats for autox?

Looking at getting one. This would ONLY be used for autox and NOT during daily driving.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Shneegle

Anyone use a harness bar with stock seats for autox?

Looking at getting one. This would ONLY be used for autox and NOT during daily driving.

Why?

[Shneegle]

Originally Posted by cjd

Why?

What do you mean why? Harness can hold you better than the seat belt...