Super Touring Rules

[Ron Earp]

Is there a website or link I can go to right now to have a look at the Super Touring rules set as they will be in X months when all the dust has settled? A site with current rules and all the proposed changes? (and yes, I've scanned through the threads here but you know how time consuming that can be with the way we digress in conversations).

I'm just after some basic information to dispel my misconception that this is a class for <2L 4V FWD import cars or expensive Ex-World Challenge cars that I can't afford to race.

[Ron Earp]

...so, no, there isn't?

[Greg Amy]

...so, no, there isn't?

What, a special Super Touring website? Sure, it's the same magical crystal ball as the special Improved Touring web site...

Ron, the rules are the rules, spelled out in that wonderful document, the General Competition Rules. There are no major changes in the works for the philosophy and application of the rules for Super Touring; what you'll see coming down the Fastrack pike for the rest of the year are classifications for cars in STO and STU, and re-writes/clarifications of existing verbiage for STL.

If you have some specific questions I'll be glad to answer them, but I'm not really interested in spending a lot of time trying to play defense against your misconceptions/agenda (no more so than you have spending time dispelling the misconceptions of Improved Touring to your local "utes"...)



GA

[Ron Earp]

If you have some specific questions I'll be glad to answer them, but I'm not really interested in spending a lot of time trying to play defense against your misconceptions/agenda (no more so than you have spending time dispelling the misconceptions of Improved Touring to your local "utes"...)

GA

Greg, don't get defensive as I have no agenda. I'm asking the question because I want to learn about the class. I have not been following the threads here and on the brown board about ST and I don't care to try and read them all and piece together what is to change about the class. It is true that I'm not interested in racing a FWD <2L car, but I would be interested in seeing where a domestic 3.8L V6 could play.

This - "what you'll see coming down the Fastrack pike for the rest of the year are classifications for cars in STO and STU, and re-writes/clarifications of existing verbiage for STL."

Was what had me concerned I'd be chasing a moving target if I just read the GCR and didn't read all the threads on the forums. If STO/STU are simply getting new car classifications then I'm probably fine just reading the GCR ST section.

[Greg Amy]

I would be seeing where a domestic 3.8L V6 could play.

In your personal situation, we have an IT catch-all: any car legal for IT is legal to run STU. So, your Mustang is good.

On the other hand, if you want to build a 3.8L Mustang or Camaro specifically to the more-liberal STU rules, we've classified those cars into STU at 3200# (see "Alternate Vehicle Allowances" table at end of STU specs.) Look at that table and you'll see that the precedent has been set for approval of 3L+ requests on a case-by-base basis, primarily based on expected engine output.

[That w]as what had me concerned I'd be chasing a moving target if I just read the GCR and didn't read all the threads on the forums.

We don't have a hard-and-fast output upper limit for STU, right now it's one of those "you know it when you see it" kinda things. But, since the competition weights are based on engine output, the ratios will remain consistent, and outliers will most assuredly be adjusted as needed. In fact, we are using data acquisition on STO at Nationals, and STU is in the pipeline for the same once things start to shake out.

Short of a major shake-up in those P/W ratios (no change currently being considered), I don't see any major changes in the general ruleset.

GA

[Ron Earp]

I see any cam up to 0.600" lift is allowed. Was any consideration given to trying to equate engines with one and two intake valves based on valve curtain area? An engine with one intake valve will need more lift than the two intake valve engine to have a shot at the same amount of airflow.

[Ron Earp]

Look at that table and you'll see that the precedent has been set for approval of 3L+ requests on a case-by-base basis, primarily based on expected engine output.


We don't have a hard-and-fast output upper limit for STU, right now it's one of those "you know it when you see it" kinda things.

Isn't this philosophy different from what many of us here, including yourself, have advocated over the years - set rules with a repeatable classing process? Either the engines are allowed by the rules or they aren't. Otherwise the class is open to various biases and might seem a little Prod-like (from what little I know of Prod).

I'm just collecting all my options for where I might be able to run a pushrod 2V 3.8L six in the SCCA. If I want the car considered I should write a letter I suppose?

Thanks,
Ron

[Matt93SE]

For a Ford, there's probably not much that's going to change significantly. The big ongoing issue right now is allowance of non-USDM engines and >3L cars into STU with limited engine prep.

Other than that, the rules are pretty much set and only small things are changing.

Edit.. Greg, what kind of target p/w are you looking at for STU? I have a good idea what kind of power I can make with my engine.. wondering if that's going to jive with what the car has to weigh..

[Ron Earp]

So scanning through the rules it appears STU is limited to 3L and six cylinders. However, I see turbocharging is allowed and that engine swaps are allowed, i.e., Acura in a Honda, or one Ford motor into another Ford.

Based on that it looks like it'd be possible to use a say 1998 Mustang (which meets the year requirements) and then put a 2.3L turbocharged Ford Mustang engine (OEM in the SVO Mustang and drops right in) into the chassis, run a 37mm restrictor and have a spec weight of 2770 lbs.

Question from a curiosity standpoint - why is turbocharging allowed but supercharging is disallowed?