The SEB has released the minutes from the August FasTrack call and it contains some very important information pertaining to this car build. For those who don't know, several of us S197 autocrossers have been writing to move these cars to STU where the wider wheels/tires will help the cars out tremendously. Of course, with that move comes added competition. STU is a faster class by a fairly large margin so it will take MORE for these cars to be competitive. Will 285's fill that gap? I doubt it but we will try anyway. Anyway, the SEB has agreed to move us from STX to STU so we are now out of the frying pan and into the fire in regards to classing. That takes effect January 1, 2014.
Also, a clarification was issued pertaining to the live axle rule that allows replacement of the upper control arm (UCA) for the rear suspension that says that spherical bearings are good to go on the arm ONLY and not the differential bushing. How this is acceptable in a class claiming to have the most streetable cars outside of stock is beyond me but it's good news for those who wish to go that route as a poly/poly setup is bad news in regards to suspension bind.
It looks like the Watts link diff cover clarification from earlier this year that made the likes of Whiteline, Cortex and Griggs Racing watts links illegal has been turned into a rule that allows replacement of the differential cover. While this doesn't effect those of us with frame mounted Watts linkages, it's good news for those wishing to run those company's watts linkages.
It also has an added side effect of allowing me to attach a torque arm to the correct differential cover. What I mean is that the Cortex Racing Torque Arm setup that I am looking into having for Nationals this year will not have to have a custom differential attachment made for it. Filip was kind enough to offer, but he stated that without proper testing, he wasn't confident in higher HP cars using that diff cover for mounting a torque arm. That is out the window, at least for next year. What does this mean for Nationals this year? Well, it means I'm going to run with the diff cover which technically isn't legal until 2014 under a full disclosure policy. I highly doubt I'll be pecking at trophies (although I'm going to try my damndest to not be dead last!) for it to matter but it will be public knowledge for those who chose to protest. Should a protest be filed, I will forfeit my runs voluntarily.
Finally, there are some other cars being thrown into STU to "breathe life into a dying class" but it seems more to kill off the class. Two cars of concern come up: the Nissan 350Z (and I'm assuming the heavier and more powerful 370Z will be following it shortly) and the C5 Corvette (non FRC/Z06). The Vette makes no sense and has the potential to be a clear overdog in the class. The 350Z and the 370Z enjoy a lighter chassis, better suspension and similar power to the current pony cars. A 350Z currently running in STR on 255 wide tires and 9" wide wheels is currently beating some very capable cars there and his times are almost fast enough to raw time STU with 30mm less tire per corner and a non-ideal wheel width. What will these cars be like with 285's and wider wheels that they can easily fit? I imagine they will be pretty damn fast!
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