ITA/7 vs ITB vs SM in the Midwest

[shwah]

Here in CenDiv there is good participation in ITA and ITB. I don't ever see IT7 cars, unless they have an ITA on the side.

ITB has become a competitive group in the last few years, and is lots of fun. I have had nose to tail, and mirror to mirror races with 4 different guys in recent history. There is an OK mix of cars - A1, A2 and A3 VWs, BMW, Fiero, Volvo, Escort

ITA has good counts, and last year there was a bit more competition for the win than the year before. Also - SM or SSM (or SMT or whatever the other SM is) runs with us in our group. The fast ones do run with the top half of ITA. The slow ones sometimes get in the way of the ITB group at the beginning. I have not seen them cause any significant problem, and have actually watched some decent 'races' between SM and ITA cars from behind.

I do know that there are a few ITB cars in Midwest Council, but don't really know the competition level.

[shwah]

An ITB Rabbit can be competitive, especially at Blackhawk. A Golf 2 or Golf 3 will be easier to maintain, and you should be able to get an already built one for a decent price.

I don't know SMs well.

I don't think you would have folks to race with in IT7 here.

IF you are looking at MidDiv, it may be a totaly different story.

[lateapex911]

First question:
Do you like Front wheel drive?
Do you like unique sounds and handling?
Or do you like a car that handles easily?

Then, what fits the competition where you are?

The Miata has it's advantages:
Mazda support (huge), dream car handling (beginer friendly) Pretty cheap to run, lots of competition at all levels, (good for learning racecraft). And you can convert to ITA, Prod, etc., If you do well, you can go national, or to big events.

And it's disadvantages: It s gehy. (sorry, it is! ) it's often dented, and you'll be stepping into a "bad rep" situation right away. (there are those that think SM drivers are crashfests waiting to happen. Whether that is true is hugely debatable, but with so many Miatas out there, there are bound to be incidents), and it's a tight fit for taller or wider drivers. Some find Spec racing too limiting, and like the variety that mixed marque racing offers.

The RX-7
Advantages: Rear wheel drive, handles very well if set up right, Hard to hurt the motor, revs forever, (good for beginner), Mazda support, and super cheap buy in. Runs in either ITA or IT7 (Both if they are separate run groups), and ITA is a popular class.
Disadvantages: RWD..if you're a FWD kinda guy. It's getting old, and some parts are tough to find. If you are afraid if different engines, the rotary will alarm you. Scary handling if it's set up wrong.

Rabbit- Advantages: Cheap to buy in, lots of parts, ITB is a cool class. FWD,(Some say easier to drive)
Disadvantages. Probably stuck in ITB, (unless the chassis is also in ITA with a differnt motor, I think that's the case with later versions of the Golf), Certain version are prone to break hubs.

Hope that helps more than it confuses!

[astondb4gtz]

First question:
Do you like Front wheel drive?
Do you like unique sounds and handling?
Or do you like a car that handles easily?

Hope that helps more than it confuses!

Thanks for the response!

I guess I prefer RWD, but find the Rabbit to be oddly "cool" (probably exposed to too many 1st gen GTI ads as a child...) Plus, either early RX7 or Rabbit can probably be used for vintage racing soon, which I love watching and always wanted to be a part of.

That being said, I've driven miatas in stock and modded condition on the street and they are awesome to drive.

Sounds like no matter what I choose I'll have someone to run with, I may pick up a well sorted IT car and run it for a while and go to SM if I feel ambitious later.

I dunno, if anybody has more "compare and contrast" opinions, I'd love to hear 'em.

Thanks,
Morgan

[JIgou]

Hey Morgan - where do you live?

Jarrod

[astondb4gtz]

Hey Morgan - where do you live?

Jarrod

I've seen ya around at the DMVR autocrosses, Jarrod - I'm in Ankeny.

[JIgou]

I wondered about that.....the pool starts to get pretty small when you start with the name Morgan, then narrow it to Iowa and "Plays with Cars".

Drop me a note or give me a call and I can give you some guidance. Obviously I'm pretty happy with the direction I've gone, but I'm open-minded enough to let people make their own mistakes....errr, choices.

We've got some members who know and drive RX-7s as well as ITB VWs and of course SM. And of course you're welcome to hang out at MAM or any other races in the area to see what the competition is looking like.

Jarrod

[JIgou]

Oh, and I should add - we've also got some locals who have run with Midwest Council, NASA and SCCA and can help you compare and contrast each of them as well.

J

[tnord]

Morgan -

I can provide perspective from both sides of it. I ran SM in MiDiv for 2years, then when the spec tire thing came down and i had the opportunity to buy literally a truckload of tires for practically nothing, i did it and have run ITA for the past 2yrs in my SM.

SM fields are the largest on a given weekend in MiDiv, but have retracted a bit recently. I would guess that the average field is in the range of 15-18 cars on any given weekend. Places like Memphis usually have less, but you can also find 20+ at Topeka, sometimes MAM, sometimes St Louis, and sometimes Hallett.

ITA fields probably aren't the 2nd largest in MiDiv, but they might be 3rd. I think there's been an uptick in ITA participation in the last couple years in part from the spillover of people like me from SM. I would say ITA averages between 10 and 13 entries per weekend, and i think i've seen as many as 17.

ITB there really isn't much going on in MiDiv. There's a couple good drivers out of STL in VWs, and one down in the OK/AR area with a volvo, but not much else i've seen. Same with IT7, they're is a couple here in Kansas City, and a couple in STL, but most have made the move to ITA.

What's really nice is that as it currently stands, you can be competitive with a SM in ITA in MiDiv. That way you can have a very versatile car to try out both classes with and see what you like. I personally would prefer to run in SM, but the great contingency program from Kumho has kept me in ITA. Whatever you decide, the miata has the big advantage of being a known quantity. There are a ton of people at the track with spare parts, who know how to make them go fast, and are willing to help you out.

There are also plenty of good SM cars out there for sale for not a lot of money. I'd be happy to help you find one, or asisst with anything else I can. Respond here, PM me, or email me. [email protected]