STL Chassis Builds?

[Greg Amy]

So why is that even a data point when the car is obviously multiple seconds off the pace? Really.

Meh, no surprise. There's probably a negative number of "built" STL cars entered and, as we've all tangentially agreed, the Miata out-of-the-box is probably the best chassis out there.

I know Keane's Integra is still in near-SSC trim, as he was asking me just last week about things like springs, shocks, and swaybars. I'm guessing all he did was take out any extra ballast and easily-accessible interior parts and slapped some STL stickers on the thing.

I am surprised, however, that there isn't a larger number of Spec Miatas doing double duty, especially given the new Ho-Hos they're running (which can explain a lot about comparison lap times this weekend...is SM faster this year than last?)

GA

[Rabbit07]

I know Keane's Integra is still in near-SSC trim, as he was asking me just last week about things like springs, shocks, and swaybars. I'm guessing all he did was take out any extra ballast and easily-accessible interior parts and slapped some STL stickers.

GA

Try Coil-overs, cams, a non sunroof roof panel, no ballast, header, and F/P regulator. Oh and some time on Irish Mike's dyno. The car is closer than you give it credit.

The Pole time was in the 38's. That's what I would usually run there in my old ITA car depending on weather.

Drago was second and also slower than his SM time. Tells me that it was likely very hot when they qual'd.


Andy, No data point, just mentioning it.

[Greg Amy]

The car is closer than you give it credit.

Again, "meh". *I* think the Miata is the chassis to have right now in STL, but unless/until we start seeing some full-tilt-boogie builds, it's not enough information to draw any kind of conclusions...

Love to hear more news about Sebring though, given it's the very first race for Super Touring Light in National racing; anyone have anything substantial?

GA

[Greg Amy]

Just FYI - and offered completely devoid of intent, expressed or implied - best I can tell the Sebring STL results both days were Miata, Miata, Keane (Integra.)

Don't know the prep levels of any of these cars, so I'm implying no conclusions whatsoever.

GA

[Chip42]

STL field was light on real STL cars - I think Keane was the only one, though I could have missed something, Aspergren's neon, maybe?

Drago definitely had an SM, sans restrictor(?) SM was taped over next to STL on the graphics package. I don't know what if anything else was done to it.

track didn't seem to be 100%, and it was very warm. nothing unusual.

[Andy Bettencourt]

So if Drago ran his car without the restrictor, and with the new Hoosier tire, it should have been about as capable as my ITA car. I think he won one and came in second for one. There were mostly double-dipping SM's trying to get some testing in with the Ho-Ho's I bet.

[Greg Amy]

So Drago was one of the top-two? Why the reports of being 1s off SM lap times? Keane's Facebook page notes that he (Keane) led Race 2 at one point and made a mistake, finishing 3rd.

Kolin was running STU in the Neon.