[This is long, and I'm looking for feedback. But PLEASE, if you respond to the
list, DO NOT quote this thing in it's entirety! Do the list a favour, and snip
out the little bits you intend to discuss. Thanks. - DG ]
1. There exists a popular and growing demographic of motorsports participants:
the "Import Drag" or "Sport Compact Car" population.
2. Unlike past automotive "fad" groups (eg. "Sport Trucks" or "Mini Trucks")
the vehicles used by the "SCC" population are well suited to Solo2/ProSolo
activities.
3. Furthermore, many of the members of this population are growing
disenchanted with drag racing; they are looking for activities with their cars
that provide more seat time and a greater driver challenge.
4. A large number, perhaps the majority, of these cars are prepared far in
excess of the current Street Prepared rules, but (in some ways) less than the
extent of the SCCA Road-Racing-based Prepared rules. When they arrive at a Solo
event, they are classed as Modified cars - a class intended for purpose-built
race cars.
5. In regions where Modified classes are poorly attended, these cars are able
to carve themselves a niche. However, as soon as a "proper" Modified car appears
in their class, attendence plummets. They don't bother trying to attend
Divisional or National events, on the assumption that "real" Modified cars will
be in attendence. Even regular attendence at Regional events is uncommon, as the
spectre of a "real" Modified car showing up is a real concern. The potential
participants are fully aware that their street-driven, DOT-tire cars will never
be able to compete against purpose-built race cars.
6. The current Street Touring classes, while a step in the right direction,
still suffer from the "limited modification" philosophy typical of all other
current SCCA classes. An "SCC" owner, used to drag racing's open-ended rule
structure, finds the SCCA's closed rules structure difficult (if not impossible)
to live with. Many of the improvements already made to the car (done for drag
racing, or because it was in a magazine, or because it was "cool" - or cheap)
are beyond the Street Touring preparation allowances. Furthermore, the cars
eligible for the current Street Touring classes exclude a number of very popular
cars.
7. It is therefore proposed that a new class "Super Street Touring" be
created, using the rules in Appendix A. This is to be a relatively open-ended,
"bolt on street performance" class that would appeal to both the "SCC" driver
demographic and the aftermarket that supplies them. The name "Super Street
Touring" was not chosen by accident - "Super Street Magazine" is one of the Big
3 magazines ("Turbo", and "Sport Compact Car" being the other two) that cover
this demographic. A savvy SCCA Marketing Director (hint, hint) should be able to
get regular magazine coverage for this class, and attract a large number of
participants and sponsors (especially on the ProSolo front - this demographic
started out as drag racers, and they understand the tree) around this class.
8. One of the characteristics of this demographic is a tendancy to turbocharge
anything that moves (when you start out with small displacement motors, a
turbocharger is a good way to make power) A side effect of this class is that it
will tend to attract existing turbocharged cars that fit the class demographic
away from the SP classes and into this one. This provides a potential solution
to some of the turbo car problems that have surfaced in the last two years -
some turbo cars will get a new home where they can be happy, and the SP classes
don't need to worry about them any more.
9. The relatively open-ended nature of the rules in this class means that it
could become a fairly expensive class to participate in. This is not seen as a
problem to this demographic (ever price out a 9 second Honda?) What is more
important is that the modifications to these cars are such that they can be made
in the space of about a weekend (per mod) without the need for large amounts of
fabrication. A turbocharged Civic with an Integra motor is fairly common, but
tube frame cars are very rare - this is the major difference between "Super
Street Touring" and the existing Prepared/Modified classes. Creativity, and
obtaining the maximum performance within the rules, is to be encouraged.
10. This class could replace the existing "Street Touring Unlimited" class, or
it could augment it.
Appendix A
Vehicle Eligibility - any front engine, four (or more) seat sedan (meaning 2 or
4 doors and a hard top) with a displacement not exceeding 2.5l
turbocharged/supercharged or 4.0l naturally aspirated.*
*these displacements are not graven in stone - comments welcome
Wheels/Tires - Any DOT tire, as per Street Prepared. Any wheel, as per Street
Prepared
Suspension - Any suspension, provided it uses the Stock mounting points
Engine: - any engine of the same make as the chassis (or one that was factory
available, in the case of manufacturer joint ventures) provided that:
a) The block must be Stock (.030 overbore allowed), mount to the chassis
using the Stock mounting points, and the crank centerline must be within 0.5" of
the factory motor's*
*the intent here is to allow common swaps, like the VTEC motor into Civics,
but to disallow race car trickery like moving the engine down and rear to
improve CG Better wording?
b) Stock (factory provided) cylinder heads must be used [I'm considering
banning ported heads. Comments? -DG]
c) Superchargers and turbochargers are open, subject to the displacement
limit
d) Nitrous oxide equipment may be fitted, but the bottle must be removed
from the car before competition.
e) Fuel is restricted to no more than 94 pump octane, as indicated by the
[insert technical name of that little yellow sticker] on the pump. Octane
booster and other fuel additives are strictly forbidden.
f) All other engine components are open.
Driveline - Any transmission, differential(s) and driveline, provided that the
number and location of driven wheels remains Stock (FWD remains FWD, RWD remains
RWD, AWD remains AWD) Any brakes are allowed.
Chassis - The unibody structure, consisting of the engine cradle, firewall,
front fenders, doors, roof, floorpan, rear quarters, and trunk/hatch area are to
remain stock (although holes may be drilled to allow items to be mounted to the
chassis.) This specifically allows for aftermarket hoods, front and rear facias,
body kits, wings, air dams, etc. Door handles may be shaved. All window glass
must be stock. Bolt-on chassis braces/subframe connectors are allowed. Roll
bars/cages are allowed as per Stock rules, but not tube frame conversions. Car
must retain Stock dashboard, and have operational headlights, turn signals,
reverse lights, park brake, heater, horn, windshield wiper/washer (single wiper
conversions allowed), interior door panels, interiour plastic garnish, carpet,
and functional side windows, where fitted from the factory. Vehicle must retain
at least 2 full sized seats with associated safety belts (race seats allowed)
Sound insulation and rear seats may be removed. Gas tanks may be replaced with
fuel cells as per Street Prepared (cool cans allowed) All other chassis mods are
open.*
*have I overlooked anything nasty?
There, that should do it.
...and before someone accuses me of it, yes, this is an "I" class, in that "I"
would want to compete in it. However, I don't think this is set up so that "I"
am the only guy that could win in it. DSMs should be competitive here, yes - but
so should a Type R, or a Prelude, or maybe even a supercharged Grand Prix. Or
how about a Neon Turbo? (they exist...)
One way of enforcing class parity I've been kicking around is to make this a
minimum weight class, with penalties for AWD, and breaks for sub-2.5l non-turbo.
Maybe.
Feedback and comments welcome. Again, please don't resend the whole thing to the
list if you reply.
DG
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