OK, I figure it's about time I go to Topeka this year. What to drive?

1. My regular autocrosser, a DSP E30 325is. It would need a good $3000 to be top-of-the-heap competitive, but it's good as is. Or I could spend somewhere in between (needs wheels, hoosiers, motor build, seats). Similar cars took trophies last year in DSP, but didn't win (4th, 6th, 9th)

2. 90 Civic Si in HS. Has Tokicos as of about 4 hours ago. Needs light wheels, Hoosiers, and maybe a motor rebuild. Gerry T took one to 5th last year.

3. 90 Civic Si in STS. I believe an 89 took 1st and 2nd last year. What is the magic formula for a top-level STS Civic Si? Anyone know how last year's car was prepped?

4. Mooch a ride off of someone (Shawn?) in a DS Integra Type R

5. Something else? Who needs a co-driver?


[Modified by whitney, 1:49 AM 2/23/2003]

 

Man, I say the bimmer all the way. You have one and i'm sure know how to drive it well. Put a little money in it and you can trophy... The guy who took 9th, runs locally in our club and let me tell you, he had NOTHING on that car compared to the other DSP cars. Basically, H&R race with OTS Bilsteins, offset bushes, 205-50-15 Hoosier doughnuts, NO engine mods and stock LSD. And it was his first trip to any kinda SCCA national event. He was basically shocked by the amount of grip there was by the 3rd and 4th day. Since he was not used to the surface and the high speed course layout, he feels there's more time to be found just by adjusting his driving technique than car prep. A well prepped E30 should put him (or any talented driver) in the top 3-5 easy...

 

Chris Shenefield won with Jason Tipple's Civic from 2001.

http://www.redshiftmotorsports.com/ChrisTech.htm

 

you should co-drive my GTS in DS with me! It's hella competitive, and we could get graphics like Aaron and Bryan had...

Really though, I think you would have the best chance in STS with the Civic, and the sooner you prep it the better. I want a night series trophy...

From what I have read, the Tipple/Schenefield had such a small amount of prep that even you could afford to do it (really). The secret is out, however, and there are a lot of folks prepping the same car a lot more thoroughly.

Some talk about taking advantage of the Update-Backdate rules and building a lighter (DX?) shell with the Si motor.

Scott

 

throw a 95 m3 engine in the e30 and come play in street mod, hopefully ill be ready for rome tour with mine and nats next year

 

Options 1, 3, or 4 are your best options. The Si in HS is getting otclassed by the Mini's and that was their first season. I look for them to pull away more this season from the Si's in HS.

Your BMW is VERY capable of doing well if you can invest some money. You will need the hooisers and wheels and engine rebuilt if it is *******, but you can get by without the seats. Most of the top finishing BMW's last season were not preped near the limit of SP.

The Si in STS is a proven winner. You can't go wrong by going that direction. BUt again, you will need to invest some money. HOwever you can do this on the chaep too. There is alot of stuff available out there for this car. If you are patient and search.

Good luck and make sure you say hello. I will be running an FSP Sciroco this season at the National events.

EC

 

I'd go for options 1 or 3. The E30 seems to be one of the hot cars for DSP. We have a local guy that runs one and is very fast...
http://www.soloracer.com/ashchipkov.html

Additionally, the Si in STS option is a no-brainer since that cars seems to dominate STS....and doesnt require much in the way of high dollar mods, as Chris's car proves... http://www.soloracer.com/cshenefield.html

 

having won nationals in 2001 with the 1989 civic SI in question, I can tell you that the level of prep from my old car and then selling it to Chris Shenefield is pretty close, Konis and 50 lbs of spring rate were the only real differences between 2001 and 2002.
Realistically, a good set of coilovers and 350/400 front 450/500 rear spring rates, rear swaybar, front and rear stress bars, header, intake your fartcan of choice, koseis, and something other than the azenis, there are better tires out there by the way, and a good alignment should get you real close.
I would watch out for the update-backdate rule to get pitched soon, it works for SP
but for a true ST class the car should be a "real car"
just my opinion

realspeed
74 ...

 

Been driving a Honda for two years now and finally posted to Honda-tech! Welcome to the board, Jason!!!

HONDA POWER!!! lol.

 

Option 4 is your best choice. 2002 STX Nat Champ in a borrowed Type R. Didn't have a prayer in my own car, trust me

 

Mike-

How about you and Bowie run a spec Miata in DSP. SOme folks think they will dominate, others think they will get crushed...regardless, it could be interesting.

Scott

 

Hey ya Jason Welcome to the board I don't think I've seen you before on here.

 

Dude, I'm not planning on going to Nationals this year or you could mooch a ride.

Anywho, Yes it is finally time for you to go to Nationals!!

What car to take?? Take that ragged out, busted BMW of yours. That's the car your used to driving and adjusting anything else and the setup will be more guess work.

If your making a shopping list, go for the tires. The rest of your list would help you get into the top positions but you're probably pretty close without them

Shawn


[Modified by Snapspinnr, 7:26 AM 2/24/2003]

 

Know anyone with a good spec Miata? Oh, wait, maybe I do.

Hmm, I don't think I am interested in driving 17 hours to gamble on an unknown quantity. I would like to gauge my own performance against the potential of the car in a class. So, sticking with a former winning combination will truly let me know how much I suck, without being able to blame it on the car. (Where have I heard that philosophy before. Shultz?)

The Civic in STS sounds pretty strong, but I bought the thing to be a beater/daily driver/rallycross car, so I don't think I want to be putting 350/450 lb springs on it

I will probably stick with the BMW. Toss the A/C, install the tubular headers that have been sitting in the garage, get some seats (which I really need for the track), some 15x8 wheels with 225-45-15 Hoosiers. Or maybe something else. I have 7 months to decide

 

BMW in DSP like I've been telling you for years now. Suck it up and get some A-compound Hoosiers (it'll cost you less to do this than to build that busted Civic of yours), get used to them, and bring fresh ones to Topeka. If I still have 'em you can bring my Azenis as rains.

You already have wheels that'll accept 225 Hoosiers, and I'm not convinced you need a new motor. Of course you have an endless supply of money, and as last I saw, a spare longblock in the garage. I dunno what you're waiting for.

 

Mike, you will trophy in DSP with your car as-is with autocross compound Hoosiers. You generally pax very well against Tim Aro, GH, and the Roberts' when they come to town to play locally. They do not suck and are a fine measuring stick.

 

For some reason I thought most of the bimmers (that wanted to be competitive) had 245s squeezed into the fenderwells... I could be mistaken but if I'm not I would imagine this would be the way to go. I seem to remember flannigan's car at the Peru Tour being on 245s in 2002.


[Modified by Watkinsm3, 8:31 AM 2/24/2003]

 

You are correct -- I know several who are using 245/45/16 tires (bigger than stock) on 16x9 wheels with a shorter (higher numerically) rear end to still get 58-60 MPH in 2nd gear. I have no plans to swap diffs, so 15's it is. If Hoosier made a 245-xx-15, I would run it!

Measurements of a 225 Hoosier on a WIDE wim are close to a 245 on a narrower rim. Plus those big-*** 16's have a lot of mass to turn. So, I'm not sure what the optimum is, but I know I want to go as wide as I can find. I have 15x7.5" wheels now.

 

Dude, then you won't be needing the Type R that week! I'll drop by and pick it up. Please make sure it has fresh Hoosiers and up-to-date collision insurance before I get there.

 

Or, you could step up to a real car....

Karen
co-driver who can take the car to nationals needed

 

Therefore, I say keep it a Honda. ZZZZzzzzing!

 

I'm going to have to go with Will Kalman's STS Escort GT. I think he can get into the top ten.

 

that's not a hint. no, not at all.

nate

 

A Honda will get you top three in either STS or STX

 

Or 3 months if you want to come to the Petersburg Pro and get a taste of some national level DSP. I'm pretty sure we'll make a class with any luck. At least myself, James Sheridan and possibly Matt Watkins will be there. Should be interesting...Maybe James can lend his car to a FWD STS driver so we can all get our asses kicked again

Mike (who can't wait for the season to start)


[Modified by RacerMike, 8:20 AM 2/25/2003]