Re-writing class rules.
Thread Starter
a.k.a. Komodo
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 847
Likes: 2
From: England
Re-writing class rules.
Seems like, after kicking up a fuss with my local club, I may get the job of re-writing the class rules for my local autosolo championship, to better reflect the variety of cars that attend.
Currently, our class structure is very simple.
Currently we have around 50 regular attendees. There are virtually no regular entries in classes 1 and 2. Class 3 is contested by 3 or 4 Minis, and they're usually at the top of the overall leaderboard too. Class 5 is contested by about 5 individuals.
Class four contains about 35 of the regular attendees, and is the class of issue. Due to the stringent nature of the standard classes, we end up with anything from a shopping hatch with aftermarket wheels to stripped out, slick tired, caged and boosted lightweight sports cars. The majority of cars fall somewhere in between these two but more towards the lower end, mostly made up of daily driven cars with basic upgrades and street tyres. Overall, it's a completely open class, but you fall into it with virtually any modification.
I have suggested that class 4 needs breaking up as it seems pointless having one class for most of the people that turn up, when only about 5 people are ever in contention for a trophy.
I am looking for ideas on how best to restructure this. My current proposal is:
The bit at the bottom is added to provide a solution as to how this would be policed. The present structure is very simple and there are no disputes about what class a car should be, my proposals obviously add complexity however this is the way 'bigger' clubs run, and our club by UK standards has grown into the 'bigger' category over the last 6 years enough to warrant this.
I had previously considered simply making allowances for superficial modifications in the standard classes, however this was not popular. Simply moving the capacity split to 2000cc meant we shoved out the FI cars from the top of C4 and replaced them with the minis from C3. The current one looks the most promising, by keeping the Mini's to themselves and taking around 8 FI cars out of the 1400-2000 class and putting them in the >2000cc class.
I appreciate it's difficult to advise from the other side of the pond, not knowing half the stuff we drive here, but I'm open to any advice.
Currently, our class structure is very simple.
1. Standard, under 1400cc.
2. Standard, over 1400cc.
3. Modified, under 1400cc.
4. Modified , over 1400cc.
5. Specials.
'Standard' is 'factory standard', aside from any factory options available for that model.
Modified includes any kind of modification.
Specials are space frame cars and production vehicles with body panels removed.
2. Standard, over 1400cc.
3. Modified, under 1400cc.
4. Modified , over 1400cc.
5. Specials.
'Standard' is 'factory standard', aside from any factory options available for that model.
Modified includes any kind of modification.
Specials are space frame cars and production vehicles with body panels removed.
Class four contains about 35 of the regular attendees, and is the class of issue. Due to the stringent nature of the standard classes, we end up with anything from a shopping hatch with aftermarket wheels to stripped out, slick tired, caged and boosted lightweight sports cars. The majority of cars fall somewhere in between these two but more towards the lower end, mostly made up of daily driven cars with basic upgrades and street tyres. Overall, it's a completely open class, but you fall into it with virtually any modification.
I have suggested that class 4 needs breaking up as it seems pointless having one class for most of the people that turn up, when only about 5 people are ever in contention for a trophy.
I am looking for ideas on how best to restructure this. My current proposal is:
Class 1. Standard cars under 1400cc
Class 2. Standard cars between 1401-2000cc
Class 3. Standard cars over 2000cc
Class 4a. 'Street' Modified cars under 1400cc
Class 4b. 'Open' Modified cars under 1400cc
Class 5a. 'Street' Modified between 1401-2000cc
Class 5b. 'Open' Modified cars between 1401-2000cc
Class 6a. 'Street' Modified cars over 2000cc
Class 6b. 'Open' Modified cars over 2000cc
Class 7. Specials
'Street modified' cars must retain all interior and exterior equipment as fitted as standard. Addition of ROPS to Blue Book K1 or K2 free for open top cars. MSA 'List 1A' tyres only. Wheel choice free, but width and diameter must remain within 1" of standard. Two wheel drive vehicles only. Exhaust manifolds must remain standard, otherwise exhaust system free providing it is adequately silenced. 'Cold Air' induction systems are free. Springs and dampers are free, but must be of a non adjustable type. Brake friction materials are free. No other drivetrain, suspension or engine modifications are allowed.
Any modifications falling outside of the allowances for 'Street Modified' qualify a car as 'Open Modified'.
Usual forced induction capacity increases remain.
The onus should be on the competitor to correctly assess the class their vehicle falls into. Obvious infringements can be picked up by the scrutineer when doing usual safety checks, otherwise any disputes will be settled on an individual basis.
Class 2. Standard cars between 1401-2000cc
Class 3. Standard cars over 2000cc
Class 4a. 'Street' Modified cars under 1400cc
Class 4b. 'Open' Modified cars under 1400cc
Class 5a. 'Street' Modified between 1401-2000cc
Class 5b. 'Open' Modified cars between 1401-2000cc
Class 6a. 'Street' Modified cars over 2000cc
Class 6b. 'Open' Modified cars over 2000cc
Class 7. Specials
'Street modified' cars must retain all interior and exterior equipment as fitted as standard. Addition of ROPS to Blue Book K1 or K2 free for open top cars. MSA 'List 1A' tyres only. Wheel choice free, but width and diameter must remain within 1" of standard. Two wheel drive vehicles only. Exhaust manifolds must remain standard, otherwise exhaust system free providing it is adequately silenced. 'Cold Air' induction systems are free. Springs and dampers are free, but must be of a non adjustable type. Brake friction materials are free. No other drivetrain, suspension or engine modifications are allowed.
Any modifications falling outside of the allowances for 'Street Modified' qualify a car as 'Open Modified'.
Usual forced induction capacity increases remain.
The onus should be on the competitor to correctly assess the class their vehicle falls into. Obvious infringements can be picked up by the scrutineer when doing usual safety checks, otherwise any disputes will be settled on an individual basis.
I had previously considered simply making allowances for superficial modifications in the standard classes, however this was not popular. Simply moving the capacity split to 2000cc meant we shoved out the FI cars from the top of C4 and replaced them with the minis from C3. The current one looks the most promising, by keeping the Mini's to themselves and taking around 8 FI cars out of the 1400-2000 class and putting them in the >2000cc class.
I appreciate it's difficult to advise from the other side of the pond, not knowing half the stuff we drive here, but I'm open to any advice.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 476
Likes: 1
From: DFW, TX
Re: Re-writing class rules.
Why all of the classes for cars under 1400cc's? Oh, you're in the UK.
One issue I can see looking at your proposal is that there are too many new classes. In your current system you have almost zero entries the "standard" classes, yet in your proposal you have expanded the number of those classes. Why create a class where there is no demand? It is easy to create a class, but almost impossible to get rid of one.
One option might be bumping rules. For example in your proposed system if any of the three "standard" classes do not have at least three entrants they are automatically combined.
Here is a class rules list for many of the small local clubs in my area. Obviously it wouldn't work for you guys but there are a few good ideas in it:
Take a look at the rotary and forced induction modifiers. These might work well in your system.
One issue I can see looking at your proposal is that there are too many new classes. In your current system you have almost zero entries the "standard" classes, yet in your proposal you have expanded the number of those classes. Why create a class where there is no demand? It is easy to create a class, but almost impossible to get rid of one.
One option might be bumping rules. For example in your proposed system if any of the three "standard" classes do not have at least three entrants they are automatically combined.
Here is a class rules list for many of the small local clubs in my area. Obviously it wouldn't work for you guys but there are a few good ideas in it:
- Class 1/1R is for engines under 2.3 liters, except Honda S2000 and Lotus Elise/Exige.
- Class 2/2R is for engines over 2.2 liters, but under 4.0 liters, plus Honda S2000.
- Class 3/3R is for engines over 3.9 liters, plus Lotus Elise/Exige.
- Rotary engine multiplies displacement by 2.0.
- Usage of forced induction multiplies displacement by 1.5. (This is in addition to the
rotary multiplier, if applicable.)
- Tires with a wear rating under 140 must use the R class.
- Class 2/2R is for engines over 2.2 liters, but under 4.0 liters, plus Honda S2000.
- Class 3/3R is for engines over 3.9 liters, plus Lotus Elise/Exige.
- Rotary engine multiplies displacement by 2.0.
- Usage of forced induction multiplies displacement by 1.5. (This is in addition to the
rotary multiplier, if applicable.)
- Tires with a wear rating under 140 must use the R class.
Thread Starter
a.k.a. Komodo
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 847
Likes: 2
From: England
Re: Re-writing class rules.
Yes we already run the rotary and FI modifiers.
Class bumping is a good idea that I will propose if I get a seat at the committee.
With regards to 'more classes', I agree, I initially wanted to open up the standard class to lightly modified cars, however this was immediately shot down as the standard classes absolutely must remain, for some reason I am not too sure on. Perhaps in case we get a sudden influx into that class, it would suddenly be unfair.
The reasons for 3 capacity splits is that if we simply moves the 1400cc cut off to 2000cc, we would take the FI cars out of the class at the top, and add the Minis from class 3. They clean up most events, so everyone is quite happy to leave them in their own sub 1400cc class, so they don't trouble anyone with a normal sized car.
After discussing the above proposal, it does seem that it is far too complicated. The most important thing, if we are to break up class 4 is to keep it simple and avoid disputes.
Instead of the above system, the latest 'revision' sees the classes remain as it is currently, except class 4 gets split into two sub classes, one 'Street' and one 'Open'. In the interests of simplicity, the only rules for 'Street' are that the cara must be in full road trim, and be running on MSA list 1a tyres. Any weight removal, or fitment of cut slicks puts a car in the open class. Much like your 'R' class rules really, except for the addition of weight removal.
This should be no real work to implement as both things are easily checked.
Class bumping is a good idea that I will propose if I get a seat at the committee.
With regards to 'more classes', I agree, I initially wanted to open up the standard class to lightly modified cars, however this was immediately shot down as the standard classes absolutely must remain, for some reason I am not too sure on. Perhaps in case we get a sudden influx into that class, it would suddenly be unfair.
The reasons for 3 capacity splits is that if we simply moves the 1400cc cut off to 2000cc, we would take the FI cars out of the class at the top, and add the Minis from class 3. They clean up most events, so everyone is quite happy to leave them in their own sub 1400cc class, so they don't trouble anyone with a normal sized car.
After discussing the above proposal, it does seem that it is far too complicated. The most important thing, if we are to break up class 4 is to keep it simple and avoid disputes.
Instead of the above system, the latest 'revision' sees the classes remain as it is currently, except class 4 gets split into two sub classes, one 'Street' and one 'Open'. In the interests of simplicity, the only rules for 'Street' are that the cara must be in full road trim, and be running on MSA list 1a tyres. Any weight removal, or fitment of cut slicks puts a car in the open class. Much like your 'R' class rules really, except for the addition of weight removal.
This should be no real work to implement as both things are easily checked.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
B17CR-X
Road Racing / Autocross & Time Attack
3
Oct 29, 2002 09:06 AM