Im just getting into autox, and I'm wondering which class would be the most competitive for me, I ran a couple of events in STS, but somebody realized I had LSD and didn't qualify, I have groung control coil-overs and a cold air intake so I guess I cant run in the stock classes. Last weekend I ran in SM and got beat by 9 sec. by a bad *** civic, and CSP, i'll be running against almost all Miatas. Not really sure which way to go.

 

STX would be the class that you'd do best in

 

Yup STX - you are allowed:

*intake
*exhaust
*headers
*pulleys
*spark plug wires
*spark plugs
*anti-sway bars
*strut bars that go from left to right of the car
*any shocks that attach to stock points
*any springs or coilovers which attach to the shocks
*polyurethane bushings
*motor mounts from a direct supplier of your car (ie Mugen/Honda & Acura, TRD Toyota/Lexus, Nismo Nissan)
*catalytic converter replacement up to 6" from stock location
*racing seat that is fully upholstered and not a solid shell
*wheels up to 8" (if I remember correctly)
*tires up to 235 (if I remember correctly)
*short shifter
*body kits BUT not carbon fiber hood, trunks or replacement body panels
*big brake kits which attach to stock mounting points
*steering wheel if your car does not have an airbag
*NO CHANGES TO BOOST!
*cars without LSD may add one LSD
*NO INTERNAL ENGINE CHANGES (ie: cams, springs, valves, cam gears)
*NO TRANNY CHANGES (ie: flywheel, clutch)

I think that's it


[Modified by CivicSiRacer, 8:10 AM 10/9/2002]

 

Wise man say: "Take off the coilovers and go back to stock so you can run stock class."

This is coming from someone in a similar boat as yours. I made some simple mods that kicked me out of stock class and made me compete in Street Mod where the big boys are. Needless to say, it took me almost a my full first year to finally place 1st.

I learned 1 BIG thing. The ITR in stock form is an incredible performer, and needs virtually Nothing to compete and win besides a skilled driver. I also learned that it Sucks to compete in such a capable car all the time and constantly lose.

On the other side I also took my lumps early and just continued to work hard on my driving which BTW got better and better. As I look at the Novices now and see just how slow they run and remember seeing videotapes of me running that slow and driving that inexperienced and just basically Not having a clue.

If you are stuck in a Non-stock class then I have some more advice to you that we may touch on as per mods but, the BEST BET IS TO GO BACK STOCK TILL YOU LEARN MORE AND CAN PLACE AT LEAST TOP 3.

Don't be disillusioned though STX is not an easy class either but, it is limited more than Street Mod and thus after some time and practice you may place higher.

Good luck, and trust me I know exactly how you feel. One good thing though if you are persistent is that you will usually be competing against better drivers and you will be forced to learn to drive better.

Let us know if you can change anything back to stock. And remember that although SM was designed to get some more of the tuner cars from the streets to be able to compete at X event's it also tends to be a tough group where the better stock drivers or even STX guys go after even More mods. Needless to say it is a broad class where skill and the right car setup are extremely important, Skill being the most of the two.

If you feel that the coilovers help you then answer this: Is your car understeering or oversteering? and Which do you prefer? If you can't answer this then changing the stock suspension was not necessary, and I'm not picking on you just trying to make you aware of the need or not for changing the suspension. Looks are nice but, very obviously Not everything. Here's another question for the coilovers, are you using stock shocks or aftermarket ones and if aftermarket, which ones?


I hear ya, good luck, and DON'T GIVE UP! I was there Too...


A.

 

Just leave your car the way it is now and get some experience. After a while, you will see which class you fit in best. If you have some crazy-*** cars in SM driven by talented drivers and there is no chance in hell to be competitive without spending $20K, then look at other classes. STX is a good class. But the best class for the ITR is stock... But keep in mind that there's a good chance that you'll run into even stiffer competition in the Stock classes than mod classes... Around here for example, all the big boys are in stock and the top 3-5 Stock drivers often beat the top mod classes cars in RAW times...

 

No to Stock!! I say stay with STX. Even if you remove some parts and try to run in Stock class your still gonna have your *** handed to you with out racing slicks. At least in STX the field will be smaller and you can run on street tires (get Azenis) and still be close or closer then in stock class. And lastly don't be scared of the WRXs and 2.5RSs, they can be beat!!!

 

Great info.....

 

Leave the coilovers on and run STX. The R is an incredibly competent car, especially in STX and you'll have lots of fun while being competitive there.

From someone who came from Stock class in an R to STX, trust me you'll have more fun in STX

 

Yeah, that is some great info, thanks guys. I know my two biggest weeknesses are my driving skill, and my stock tires, cant decide which way to go there either, i will probably get another set of wheels and tires. One thing I am going to do is go tomorrow and get an alignment, have them raise my coilovers up till I can get my camber back to stock spec, it is now way off, as my tires are starting to show.

 

First of all... Like everyone said : Get practice... It doesn't matter what class you play in, just play often. If your ego can handle it you will become a fast driver. 1GregTeg is very knowledgable about this now because he was once in your position... He's getting quite fast and turning into a very good driver these days... why? because he kept an open mind, gave his ego the boot and got lots of practice! He's closed the gap on me quite a bit this year... . So my point? get out there and drive and have fun... don't be afraid to let people (good drivers) ride with you or drive your car... you might learn something.

Secondly - Anton, Good job man!!! I'm glad you stuck it out! I was very impressed with your driving at the PSCC event!!!


[Modified by Watkinsm3, 8:34 AM 10/9/2002]