STU in 2010 runoffs

[Greg Amy]

>>>1. What's keeping IT from being a National group?

History. A long discussion. Lots of beer.*

>>> 2. Can I run an ITR BMW without changing anything?

Yes.

>>> 3. Is it worth it to run it without mods if I can?

Yes, 'cause it'll be loads of fun.

>>> 4. Are you guys "inviting" vets and pros only or can we newbs be part of the fun too?

Everyone is invited, as far as I'm concerned. Just note that you must have a National license in order to run the National races needed to qualify for the National SCCA Runoffs. Yes, it's complicated.

GA


*Short answer: I.T. was a class developed in the early-80's in the Pacific Northwest as some place for aged Showroom Stock cars to run (SSx cars used to be classified for only 4 years). It was intended for local use but a lot of other regions saw its quick success and offered it in theirs. Soon thereafter, there was a move for a standardized set of rules nationwide; Englewood (Colorado, the old home of SCCA before Topeka) relented by publishing a set of rules in the GCR -- the first-ever set of nationally-recognized rules for a Regional class. However, SCCA did not want any more National classes so as part of that "relentation" Englewood specifically stated, and codified it in the rules, that I.T. was to be forever a Regional-Only class. It's been a regular argument within the I.T. ranks ever since. Yes, even before the Interwebz.

Long answer? History. A long discussion. Lots of beer.

[mr. black]

Thanks. The short answer works. It's too bad. I'll save my breath to argue that it should be changed. But if anyone ever takes it's on seriously, I'll yell and scream with the best of them. As for the liscence, I understand I need a National standing. That depends on the $$$ of how many of the National races I can attend. Thanks, good luck.

[Rabbit07]

Update:

Ray Huffmaster, Kolin Aspegren, and Myself all ran and finished both of the races at Sebring in STU. Now we just need to complete the Double at VIR and Runoffs here we come!

[disquek]

"buh buh buh buy .... Bushwood ..."

I think that your idea to run a mini IT fest in STU at the runoffs is awesome. The more the merrier. I think that STU will be undersubscribed anyway. Plus it's a bastard class shoved down the throat of national racing without member input.

Just to put some numbers around STU, there was a fairly fast (I assume) STU at the Watkins Glen national this year. Phil Parlato ran a 2:09.166.

IT lap records at WGI:
ITA 2:17.900
ITB 2:22.838
ITC 2:28.228
ITE 2:03.147
ITR 2:14.049
ITS 2:14.155

So if Phil's STU is a good guideline, 120% of his time at WGI is a 2:34.99. Looks easy based on the lap records above.

IMHO, in the north east WGI is likely the best comparison to RA.

-Kyle

PS: There has been talk (forum talk) of lowering the cutoff to 110%.

[Andy Bettencourt]

"buh buh buh buy .... Bushwood ..."

I think that your idea to run a mini IT fest in STU at the runoffs is awesome. The more the merrier. I think that STU will be undersubscribed anyway. Plus it's a bastard class shoved down the throat of national racing without member input.

Just to put some numbers around STU, there was a fairly fast (I assume) STU at the Watkins Glen national this year. Phil Parlato ran a 2:09.166.

IT lap records at WGI:
ITA 2:17.900
ITB 2:22.838
ITC 2:28.228
ITE 2:03.147
ITR 2:14.049
ITS 2:14.155

So if Phil's STU is a good guideline, 120% of his time at WGI is a 2:34.99. Looks easy based on the lap records above.

IMHO, in the north east WGI is likely the best comparison to RA.

-Kyle

PS: There has been talk (forum talk) of lowering the cutoff to 110%.

What a great reference to Caddy Shack. It's perfect! I know the ITA record is about a second lower and I think the ITB record fell - but no matter - they are light years behind a built STU car. As it should be. It's all about crashing the pool.

Yes, STU cars will be old SWC cars at the front end with the proper mods.

[gran racing]

I think that B record still stands at least till next year.

Where can one find out more about the runoffs event in terms of how it's run? Meaning is it a week long event of can it be made into a few days like the ARRC? If a class becomes over subscribed, I'd imagine they'd just eliminate the slowest qualifiers (ITB cars probably)?

[Greg Amy]

We're trying to talk Famous Phil into making the trek, so he can be a good baseline.

Where can one find out more about the runoffs event in terms of how it's run? Meaning is it a week long event of can it be made into a few days like the ARRC?

If it's anything like it was in the early 90's - thus take this post with a big grain of salt - Then it's a Monday test day, Tue/Wed/Thurs qualifying sessions (one per day) then Fri/Sat/Sun individual races.

In other words, a lot of sitting around. Just pretend it's an expensive multi-day autocross.