Preliminary CRB Minutes/Tech Bulletin - November

[Gregg]

ITS record at Summit was Ed York at 1:24.8 in 2003 before you beat it so there must be 1:23's out there for you.

And to further Greg's point (I think), the ITA record at Summit is 1:24.487. Perhaps he should be building an STL Miata.

[Greg Amy]

Perhaps he should be building an STL Miata.

You just had to go there, didn't you...?

[mossaidis]

STL is 13 lbs per 1 whp, right? Add in moderate aero and minor suspension upgrades not available in IT, what else does STL have over IT in terms of mods?

[JeffYoung]

By Price last year right? Which suggests (given that the S record hasn't moved in 8 years) that the guys in S at Summit are a bit behind the development curve.

That said, Al Gervais I think was the last ITS car to run a 15 at VIR -- seems like a well prepped/driven car (RX7) and John Legg in a 240z was not far behind.

And to further Greg's point (I think), the ITA record at Summit is 1:24.487. Perhaps he should be building an STL Miata.

[Greg Amy]

STL is 13 lbs per 1 whp, right? Add in moderate aero and minor suspension upgrades not available in IT, what else does STL have over IT in terms of mods?

I'd have to give it a line-by-line rethink, but from memory the general differences are Improved Touring prep, plus:

Engine
- Possibly more compression (11:1 max)
- Possibly more cam (.425 valve lift max, which is what the GSR has stock intake)
- Alternate valve springs/retainers
- Alternate injectors
- IT head prep (e.g., port matching within 1")
- Lightweight flywheel
- No intake restriction
- Next year "ignition is free"

Transmissions
- Alternate transmissions allowed, same manufacturer

Suspension
- Open shocks, stock mounting points (i.e., remote reservoir, et cetera)

Wheels/Tires
- 17x7 max

Aero
- Same front air dam rules
- 48" rear wing allowed
- Can block out radiator openings

Body
- Can remove washer bottle
- Lighter weights
- 5" ride height
- Alternate material hood/trunk/hatch
- Polycarbonate "glass"
- Can remove wiper systems, except for driver wiper
- Can remove unnecessary wiring
- Can remove unnecessary trim, seals, brackets, etc
- Still require stock dashboard.
- Can relocate battery
- Can remove headlights next year and replace with plate
- Can remove factory door bars with "NASCAR bars" next year

Safety
- No limit to cage mounting points
- Same fuel cell rules as LP Prod; i.e., if your tank is in the center of the car, cell not needed.
- Need only a handheld fire extinguisher next year

[lateapex911]

By Price last year right? Which suggests (given that the S record hasn't moved in 8 years) that the guys in S at Summit are a bit behind the development curve.
.

Maybe in S, but certainly not in ITB Volvos.

See what I......
yea, you probably do.

[Gregg]

By Price last year right? Which suggests (given that the S record hasn't moved in 8 years) that the guys in S at Summit are a bit behind the development curve.

That said, Al Gervais I think was the last ITS car to run a 15 at VIR -- seems like a well prepped/driven car (RX7) and John Legg in a 240z was not far behind.

I guess we can say the exact same thing about the SARRC ITS field given that the ITA track record at Roebling Road is 1:20:267 and the ITS record is 1:20.597. The ITS record hasn't moved there in four years.

Of course, the ITS field has had 12 seasons to better the ITA record there.

My original comment solely suggested that at handling (vs. HP) tracks, Greg could be faster in a Miata rather than a front drive tub. And he knows that I meant it tongue-in-check.

[JeffYoung]

Yeah, that one is pretty famous, the RX3 that went what was at the time I think 3 seconds faster than the ITS record in 1998 or whenever it was. No ITA car has been close since. Make of that what you will.

The ITS record was set at Roebling by Irish Mike Flynn the year it was repaved. Several guys (including a Z car) were in the 20s that weekend.

Greg was suggesting that the NEDiv ITS field was stronger (better developed cars, etc.) than that at Summit. I was trying to figure out if that was the case, and certainly welcome any commentary from guys like you who race there all the time.

I guess we can say the exact same thing about the SARRC ITS field given that the ITA track record at Roebling Road is 1:20:267 and the ITS record is 1:20.597. The ITS record hasn't moved there in four years.

Of course, the ITS field has had 12 seasons to better the ITA record there.

My original comment solely suggested that at handling (vs. HP) tracks, Greg could be faster in a Miata rather than a front drive tub. And he knows that I meant it tongue-in-check.

[mossaidis]

And he knows that I meant it tongue-in-check.

you mean "torque-in-check"? no... not funny? come on, it's Friday.

[Gregg]

Yes, Jeff. I feel that the front end of the ITS field is pretty strong, such as Al Gervais and Jeff Lucas in his 240z. Al purchased his car just before the start of last season and has a LOT of development left to do. For all the years that Jeff has been driving, I doubt that we'll see much more out of it.

But as Andy noted, the ITS record was set by a pre-ITR e36 driven by a very well respected driver (who's best effort ever in his ITA Miata was a 1:25.1 two weeks ago), and I would opine that the front of the pack runs as fast as they need to to win a race.