November Fastrack

[JoshS]

Did I read it correctly that the ST class will be a regional class only as of next year? I guess IT drivers wanting to run a national race and the runoffs is a dead issue.

I think that's the ST *class*, not the ST category (STO/STU/STL). ST is a little-known class in the Touring category for cars too fast for T1 (super-expensive supercars, basically). Just another recent failed new class experiment.

[pitbull113]

I think that's the ST *class*, not the ST category (STO/STU/STL). ST is a little-known class in the Touring category for cars too fast for T1 (super-expensive supercars, basically). Just another recent failed new class experiment.

Okay thanks for the clarification.

[Greg Amy]

I think that's the ST *class*, not the ST category (STO/STU/STL).

Correct. That's a class I didn't even know existed until I saw it on the Runoffs schedule!!!

STO (over 3 liters) and STU (3 liters and under) will still be National classes in 2011; STL (2.0 liters and below; see August Fastrack) will be introduced in 2011 as a new Regional class.

GA

[pitbull113]

Correct. That's a class I didn't even know existed until I saw it on the Runoffs schedule!!!

STO (over 3 liters) and STU (3 liters and under) will still be National classes in 2011; STL (2.0 liters and below; see August Fastrack) will be introduced in 2011 as a new Regional class.

GA

I didn't realize STL was regional only. I guess I still don't get to go to the runoffs

[Greg Amy]

I didn't realize STL was regional only. I guess I still don't get to go to the runoffs

It never "was" National, Steve; it's a new class for 2011. Are you maybe thinking about STU? STU will retain its National status in 2011 (it was the 10th most-entered National class in 2010). There was a short handful of us that ran Nationals and the Runoffs in 2010 in STU, though we got our asses handed to us by full-up World Challenge cars...

If you build a car to STL rules, you can run Regionals as STL and/or STU, and the car would be legal (but not competitive) to run Nationals and qualify for the Runoffs in STU. That is my plan for 2011 (though I will likely not go to the Runoffs.) I know that Kolin Aspergren is planning to run Nationals-Only in the southeast with his ITA Neon...

GA

[pitbull113]

It never "was" National, Steve; it's a new class for 2011. Are you maybe thinking about STU? STU will retain its National status in 2011 (it was the 10th most-entered National class in 2010). There was a short handful of us that ran Nationals and the Runoffs in 2010 in STU, though we got our asses handed to us by full-up World Challenge cars...

If you build a car to STL rules, you can run Regionals as STL and/or STU, and the car would be legal (but not competitive) to run Nationals and qualify for the Runoffs in STU. That is my plan for 2011 (though I will likely not go to the Runoffs.) I know that Kolin Aspergren is planning to run Nationals-Only in the southeast with his ITA Neon...

GA

I read the fastrack about the addition of STL but missed the part about regional. I guess I just assumed it would be national like STO/STU.

[Greg Amy]

I read the fastrack about the addition of STL but missed the part about regional. I guess I just assumed it would be national like STO/STU.

Well, that was the original intention when it was proposed. However, the Club is going through a lot of strife right now about how to handle "legacy" classes and categories that aren't making their numbers; general competitor sentiment at the CRB town hall meetings at the Runoffs made it clear that the club is not ready for any new classes.

The problem is that while everyone wants all the lesser-participated classes to go away, they want "their" class waived (of course). So you get all these folks arguing back and forth (while the Spec Miata and SRF guys just smile and wave... ). So the BoD decided to bring STL in Regional-only, and it will be up to us, the competitors, to prove that it will be a viable class. Once we demonstrate that STL can bring in the required numbers (see Dick's post, above) then we can request it be considered for National status. As Dick noted, I have all confidence that we'll easily hit that target this coming season.

GA

[pitbull113]

Yes with IT and SM guys double dipping in STL the class will be popular.

[dickita15]

STL comes in as a regional class. A regional class can become a notional class based on criteria C below. Many expect that STL will have a big leg up on making the numbers because I addition to people building cars for the class Miatas and IT cars can use the class for double dipping. STL cars can also run in STU at nationals until this happens.

9.1.12. NATIONAL CLASS PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
A. A class retains its National status as long as its annual average
number of entries achieves 2.5 or higher per National event.
B. Should that annual average number of entries fall below 2.5, the
class will have one additional year to bring the participation level
above the current requirement. Alternatively, it may be immediately
consolidated into an existing class. If the class does not exceed the
current average requirement during the grace year, it will either be
consolidated into existing classes or become a Regional Class.
C. Based on member input, a Regional Class (except Improved Touring)
meeting or exceeding the participation requirements outlined in
paragraph 9.1.12.A. for 1 year may be reviewed to become a
National Class.
D. Based on member or manufacturer input, the CRB may recommend
creating new National classes for BoD approval. National classes
created under this section have 5 years to achieve an average of
2.5 cars per National event before being consolidated or redefined
as a Regional Class, according to 9.1.12.B.

[lateapex911]

I think that's the ST *class*, not the ST category (STO/STU/STL). ST is a little-known class in the Touring category for cars too fast for T1 (super-expensive supercars, basically). Just another recent failed new class experiment.

Right, so ST was Sooper Touring, then it was T1, 2, 3 etc....
Then SSB, C, etc. right? With the prep rules in Touring being slightly more open then SS....