What is a "touring car?"

[Chip42]

I also think its worth noting that the type of tuner the class was expected to attract is largely not already within the scca fold, and we both didn't do a good Job as an organization to attract them, and filled the class with "wrong looking" cars (miatas) that detract from the appeal of a hot hatch class to hot hatch people.

In cfr there's a company that's very big in the import drag scene called IPG Parts. They joined scca with an ITA Integra, got an EP CIVIC si, and most recently are building an fd civic si. They also support the local crowd with parts and a racer or two with services. There's also an ex ita EG civic si with a B16 run by Richie Gonzalez in this Area. These 2 cars, the integras like tGA and PK, and a few others are, to me, the target. They are out there. Give the class time, but make it so the target cars have a chance. Not sure how to do that. Other than huge amounts of weight.

[Matt93SE]

I wouldn't be so pessimistic about STU's future. Sure the majors participation isn't as high as it had been in the past, but we're already at 11 STU cars signed up and I'm sure there's at least a half dozen that'll come from the local regions through the divisional route. We've been ahead of AS, GT1, T3, and T4. In fact this may be the largest the STU field to date.

As for roles, I see STU as more of the current GTS and less of the TC of old. Maybe that's the solution to the STL dilemma, banish the DD Miatas to STU, and remove the rotary's to only the chassis that they came with, which can be regulated back to parity.

I'm not using Runoffs entries as the measuring stick- there's too many variables over who makes it each year, and IMO isn't a true look at the health of the class. Take a look at overall class participation nationwide- we're in the bottom few classes. Any idea how the 'regional' race entries stack up?
Also there's a bit of weirdness in the participation numbers.. there are only 22 "participants" listed for the Mid-states majors races, yet if you look at the point standings, there's 39 finishers. maybe those include out of conferences races... ???

Also keep in mind that runoffs registration has only been open a few days. I know of 3 people from around here that are planning to go that aren't on the list- if they don't sell the cars first. Runoffs registrations 4 days into things shouldn't be a go-by for much of anything.

I also think its worth noting that the type of tuner the class was expected to attract is largely not already within the scca fold, and we both didn't do a good Job as an organization to attract them, and filled the class with "wrong looking" cars (miatas) that detract from the appeal of a hot hatch class to hot hatch people.

Racing a 240SX here.. Can't tell you how many times I get the "What's the drift car doing Club Racing?" jokes. (especially when it rains and the no-electronics-nannies RWD car starts getting more tail happy than usual)..
most of the world running them didn't want to touch the class because the SR20DET wasn't legal. With its homologation, they chokes down the inlet restrictor -2mm less than any of the other turbo cars.. Since I don't have the budget to do a full-on engine build and "prove" it can't make the power before asking, I'm not even going to waste my time to spend money I don't have and still get out-powered by a Solstice for another year....

so yeah.. I feel your pain when you talk about pissing off the 'tuners'.....

[benspeed]

My 968 would run at 3300 pounds in STU. Already have 150 pounds bolted to the floor to make 3055 for ITR... 'nuff said....:-(

[JS154]

My 968 would run at 3300 pounds in STU. Already have 150 pounds bolted to the floor to make 3055 for ITR... 'nuff said....:-(

Stick a 944 motor in there or a 2.7L Boxster engine.

[Knestis]

Stick a 944 motor in there or a 2.7L Boxster engine.

Blake Meredith - who has the smarts to know - suggested "elsewhere on the web" a Boxter with a 2-liter 16v VW engine for STL. I think that would be pretty freaking cool but holy hell, ka-CHING.

K

[Chip42]

Racing a 240SX here.. Can't tell you how many times I get the "What's the drift car doing Club Racing?" jokes. (especially when it rains and the no-electronics-nannies RWD car starts getting more tail happy than usual)..
most of the world running them didn't want to touch the class because the SR20DET wasn't legal. With its homologation, they chokes down the inlet restrictor -2mm less than any of the other turbo cars.. Since I don't have the budget to do a full-on engine build and "prove" it can't make the power before asking, I'm not even going to waste my time to spend money I don't have and still get out-powered by a Solstice for another year....

so yeah.. I feel your pain when you talk about pissing off the 'tuners'.....

I was speaking specifically about STL - but I agree that the way we have treated JDM/EDM motors with additionally restricitve TIRs and additional weight penalties just because they are not USDM is part of why specifically STL hasn't caught on with the hot hatch crowd. SR20VE's, 20V 4AGE's (now allowed at +2.5% weight), etc... are all popular swaps that allow existing cars better options for the class AND often have a certain "cool" factor that likely outweighs their ACTUAL performance capabilities under the allowed mods of STL (but... perception = reality, in this case at the CRB level). the SR20DET and RB25/26DET/TT's are EXACTLY the type of motors that could bring more J-Tin to STU. Excluding them or allowing them but cuttting their nuts off (wether it did or did not, again, perception is reality) isn't helping the cause AND perpetuates the "SCCA is not a place for me" mindset of a bunch of the people we could have reached with this class.

best chance for STL and to some degree STU is to get it out from under SCCA, which I hate to say as I'm a lifelong SCCA guy, but I'm pretty sure it's true.

[Z3_GoCar]

....best chance for STL and to some degree STU is to get it out from under SCCA, which I hate to say as I'm a lifelong SCCA guy, but I'm pretty sure it's true.

I'm going by the number of racers who will be at the runoffs because there are a number that qualified outside the Majors path. As for what would happen if STU were to go the way of STO. I could either continue to race with Cal-Club or for me GTSx is a well subscribed option.

[Knestis]

... Your letter has been reviewed by the Super Touring Committee and sent to the Club Racing Board.

...where it will be quashed by individuals with a vested interest in the outcome of the decision.

K

[JS154]

what would happen if STU were to go the way of STO.

I'd go back to BMW CR with the Gulf car and either build a spec pinata for NER regionals or build a SpecE46 for races I want to travel to.