SCCA Solo C Street Discussion

[Kido1986]

I wish I was going I've never been able to make a Pro. I have a crap paying job with shit for PTO. I was going to make Blytheville this year until they announced they moved it to the weekend after Dixie

[rx3]

Originally Posted by dwx

I used the ziptie trick every course on all four corners using 245/40/17 Hoosier A6s.

What rims are running with those tires (offset)? Crash bolts installed?

I'm asking because I'm currently running 235/40 17 on 17x8 +45 and I cannot fit a finger between the wheels and the front struts - but would once like to try the A6 in 245/40 17 too. Also, has anybody run the A6 in 225/40 17 or does this size overheat too quickly?

[Kido1986]

Originally Posted by rx3

What rims are running with those tires (offset)? Crash bolts installed?

I'm asking because I'm currently running 235/40 17 on 17x8 +45 and I cannot fit a finger between the wheels and the front struts - but would once like to try the A6 in 245/40 17 too. Also, has anybody run the A6 in 225/40 17 or does this size overheat too quickly?

FYi, all cars in this thread are running 17x7 with offsets as low as 42 (lowest legal), as high as 50 (54 is legal for this class but 50 is the highest offset I've seen anyone run). I have to imagine 8" wheels are much closer than the 7s with similar offset.

Nearly everyone is using the OEM camber bolts with ~.8-1.5 degrees of negative camber

[renfield90]

Here's my favorite wheel/tire size calculator: http://rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

This shows the 17x8 +45 wheel is 7mm closer to the suspension parts than stock. I don't know how much clearance we have with stock wheels, but there you go. If you're running race tires that run a bit wide, add to that a little more.

I ran 225 Goodyear DOT R comps last year and didn't have overheating issues. I don't think the A6 will be any different. At any rate, this year there's the A7 on tap. No word yet on which one is actually faster, although I think Hoosier is smart enough not to release a slower tire.

[rx3]

Originally Posted by Kido1986

FYi, all cars in this thread are running 17x7 with offsets as low as 42 (lowest legal), as high as 50 (54 is legal for this class but 50 is the highest offset I've seen anyone run). I have to imagine 8" wheels are much closer than the 7s with similar offset.

Compared to stock the +45/8"-rim is 9.7 mm closer to the strut and if I remember correctly a stock rim with the 245/40 A6 and crash bolt installed fits? (I guess, if I added a 10 mm spacer I should be ok.)

Originally Posted by renfield90

I ran 225 Goodyear DOT R comps last year and didn't have overheating issues. I don't think the A6 will be any different. At any rate, this year there's the A7 on tap.

But in general the 245 tire is somehow faster?
I haven't seen any reviews on the A7 as of yet, but apparently some have already got them: http://www.autocross.us/forums/topic...ill-a7-follow/
And at least the harder version is apparently not faster but more consistent and does require less camber: http://detroit-scca.org/e107/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?44836
(which would be an advantage for our cars).

[renfield90]

Originally Posted by rx3

But in general the 245 tire is somehow faster?

For most people, I'm going to say yes (with no solid data to back that up, mind you, other than my own meandering experience). I have a much stiffer front bar than most so the additional grip would probably push the balance of my car so far towards understeer that I might actually be slower. I'm sure I could make it work, but I'd need to rethink my setup and my driving style.

I think everyone has a softer bar than me and the additional rear grip will push them closer to neutral, not further away.

The keywords in both paragraphs are "additional grip," because that's what the 245 gives you.

[SeanRTR]

Originally Posted by rx3

And at least the harder version is apparently not faster but more consistent and does require less camber: http://detroit-scca.org/e107/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?44836
(which would be an advantage for our cars).

That quote above on the Detroit SCCA link is my crew chief quoting our findings on the new SM7 (same as R7) Hoosier. Most of this is what we've been told from Spec Miata guys, as we only have about 1 race, and some limted OTD time on the R7 so far. I'm running this car in less than two weeks, and should have more data then. We don't know ANYTHING about the new A7 though.

[Sccabrz192]

Originally Posted by rx3

What rims are running with those tires (offset)? Crash bolts installed?

I'm asking because I'm currently running 235/40 17 on 17x8 +45 and I cannot fit a finger between the wheels and the front struts - but would once like to try the A6 in 245/40 17 too. Also, has anybody run the A6 in 225/40 17 or does this size overheat too quickly?

A finger is a HUGE amount of clearance, I used to have a credit card thickness on my E-Stock MR2 tires to the struts and never had a rub issue

[AustinTX]

Anxiously awaiting the brain dump from spring nationals Rexpelagi

[SeanRTR]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

Anxiously awaiting the brain dump from spring nationals Rexpelagi

+1 to that, fantastic driving on day 2 Mr. Laughlin

So I noticed like EVERYONE has jumped on board to the new Hankook RS3 V2 tires....what's the verdict on those tires at that surface? Better than ZII's? I wonder if a set of shaved R1R's will still be faster?

Trevor Jones (TREV) noted that last year spring nationals the Rivals were actually better than the ZII's, but that was the polar opposite at Solo nationals when the course was more 'rubbered in'. I see he's bailed on the BRZ to run a Focus ST. Seems like a much less enjoyable car to autocross, but probably has a much better chance of winning the class at nationals than a twin in CS.

[TRev]

Originally Posted by SeanRTR

Seems like a much less enjoyable car to autocross, but probably has a much better chance of winning the class at nationals than a twin in CS.

It is not as refined or connected as the BRZ but I would say I have enjoyed autox'ing it more than the BRZ thus far. If I had to give up one of them it would be the BRZ. However if the BRZ was in full STX trim, I would prefer that over the stock FoST for autox. I hope they they don't bury the FoST as it is a GREAT value for the money and best all around daily car I have owned.

[SeanRTR]

Originally Posted by TRev

It is not as refined or connected as the BRZ but I would say I have enjoyed autox'ing it more than the BRZ thus far. If I had to give up one of them it would be the BRZ. However if the BRZ was in full STX trim, I would prefer that over the stock FoST for autox. I hope they they don't bury the FoST as it is a GREAT value for the money and best all around daily car I have owned.

Very interesting information. I'm quite surprised you like the Focus ST over the BRZ for competition driving. On paper the Fiesta ST seems like the car to have in GS...but no one seems to be running one. I'll miss running against you this year Trevor, but the insight is much appreciated. I'm sure you'll continue to stir shit up in GS. Let us know if you figured anything out in Lincoln as far as tire choice goes....

[TRev]

Originally Posted by SeanRTR

Very interesting information. I'm quite surprised you like the Focus ST over the BRZ for competition driving. On paper the Fiesta ST seems like the car to have in GS...but no one seems to be running one. I'll miss running against you this year Trevor, but the insight is much appreciated. I'm sure you'll continue to stir shit up in GS. Let us know if you figured anything out in Lincoln as far as tire choice goes....

I should probably rephrase my comments a bit...as long as it is a course that flows really well (no slam on the brakes and floor it stuff), is a dry surface, and has a significant number of tighter transitional elements, I would favor the BRZ. Otherwise, give me the Fob to the FoST.

I'll miss running with you as well Sean and the other C Street drivers. I will do my best on continuing to stir the pot

I have Z2's (245/45R17), RS3 ver2's (255/40R17) and Federals (255/35R18 Front/245/35R18 Rear) for the Focus. I left the RS3's at home based on the forecast for Lincoln as I had no wet weather experience with them yet even on the street. I was also a single driver and the temperatures looked like they were going to be on the cooler side. I ran the Federals for the Pro on the first day AM session (dry). I then switched to the Z2's in the afternoon (dry). I went a couple tenths quicker in the afternoon on the Z2's but course conditions could have attributed to that. I was a couple tenths quicker on the practice course on the Federals (dry) but there was less room to stretch the cars legs and the .7" taller Z2 could have created that gap.

For the Tour, I ran the Federals as it was supposed to rain and I wanted to try them in the wet on concrete since I had already tried the Z2. They are also .7" shorter in diameter and the courses looked like they would not require the taller 245/45. My 2nd and 3rd run on Day 1 of the Tour was wet for 2nd runs and then drying a bit for 3rd runs. I did leave the traction control full on for my 3rd run on day 1 of the tour for grins so the time is slower than it would have likely been full off (how I ran all other wet runs). I like the Federal better in moderately to heavy wet conditions. The Federal and Z2 are a toss up in drying or dry conditions IMO at least at Lincoln on concrete. The Federal has better longitudinal grip/feel (helps the FoST more than it would the Twins) and the Z2 has better lateral grip/feel. I think the Z2's will last almost twice as long as the Federal which somewhat negates the price savings.

Forgot to add that I have driven a FiST. It was at a practice session. I had run about a dozen runs with my FoST and then hopped in the FiST and got within .2 seconds after two runs. The course was more transitional and a bit tighter. On those types of courses, the FiST will definitely be competitive if not the car to have. The primary purpose for me buying the FoST was as a daily driver. I considered the FiST but it was just too small for what I wanted.

[Rexpelagi]

Originally Posted by SeanRTR

Very interesting information. I'm quite surprised you like the Focus ST over the BRZ for competition driving. On paper the Fiesta ST seems like the car to have in GS...but no one seems to be running one. I'll miss running against you this year Trevor, but the insight is much appreciated. I'm sure you'll continue to stir shit up in GS. Let us know if you figured anything out in Lincoln as far as tire choice goes....

The Focus ST is a blast to drive. It has far better rotation than any stock car I've driven, and you can modulate oversteer around a sweeper with just a throttle lift. The control surfaces feel like you may as well be playing Gran Turismo, but it is fast and just an absolute blast to drive.

Trevor even raw-timed everyone in CS except Fenter on the east course and probably would have done the same on the west if not for the rain. Definitely excellent driving Trevor!