Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

If you're new to autocross, new to the forum or need a hand with what class you should be in, ask for help here.

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MB_Fahrer
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Location: Malibu, CA

Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by MB_Fahrer »

Hey guys,

A newbie here with a 2003 BMW M5 looking for some help in classing. I'm thinking Street Modified, but I might be way off...

Here's a list of my mods:
Front seats replaced with Sparco EVO II's and Schroth 4-pt harnesses
355x32 ST-60 Stoptech Trophy kit with Hawk DTC-70's up front
Stainless rear brake lines with stock rotors and DTC-70's
Ground Control coilovers front and rear with adjustable camber
Adjustable rear control arms by Thayer Motorsports
Clutchmasters stage 4 6-puck metallic race clutch
13lb JB Racing flywheel
Clutch delay valve removed
18x9.5 Volk TE37 SL's with 275/35/18 BFG R1-S's

Other mods planned down the road include air intake with MAF delete, equal-length headers, 100-cel race cats, rear X-pipe, Supersprint F1-Race mufflers and a custom ECU tune for all these parts. But I can adjust classes once all that gets done down the road.

Thanks a million,
Rick
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Adam Tarnoff
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Adam Tarnoff »

MB_Fahrer wrote:Hey guys,

A newbie here with a 2003 BMW M5 looking for some help in classing. I'm thinking Street Modified, but I might be way off...

Here's a list of my mods:
Front seats replaced with Sparco EVO II's and Schroth 4-pt harnesses
355x32 ST-60 Stoptech Trophy kit with Hawk DTC-70's up front
Stainless rear brake lines with stock rotors and DTC-70's
Ground Control coilovers front and rear with adjustable camber
Adjustable rear control arms by Thayer Motorsports
Clutchmasters stage 4 6-puck metallic race clutch
13lb JB Racing flywheel
Clutch delay valve removed
18x9.5 Volk TE37 SL's with 275/35/18 BFG R1-S's

Other mods planned down the road include air intake with MAF delete, equal-length headers, 100-cel race cats, rear X-pipe, Supersprint F1-Race mufflers and a custom ECU tune for all these parts. But I can adjust classes once all that gets done down the road.

Thanks a million,
Rick
We have a local class called CSM that you can run in - it's essentially a "run whatcha brung" class on DOT tires. That way you can focus on driving instead of going through a rule book. However, your mods, if I am reading correctly, place you in a Prepared class. I'm pretty sure those control arms have rod ends - so, i'd run CSM to start. Just drive and have fun! :D
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MB_Fahrer
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by MB_Fahrer »

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Adam Tarnoff wrote:We have a local class called CSM that you can run in - it's essentially a "run whatcha brung" class on DOT tires. That way you can focus on driving instead of going through a rule book. However, your mods, if I am reading correctly, place you in a Prepared class. I'm pretty sure those control arms have rod ends - so, i'd run CSM to start. Just drive and have fun! :D
Awesome. Do you know where I can find the rules and regs for CSM? I'm just out to have fun with the M5 until I get my race car out here in California (moved back here from Colorado). I used to autocross years ago with an E36 M3 in STU before the rules changed back in...2007 or so.

Thanks for your help--much appreciated!
Rick
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Max Hayter
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Max Hayter »

Actually, you want CST. No rules on street tires.
~Max H.

Gearhead's Garage/FRSport

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Adam Tarnoff
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Adam Tarnoff »

Max Hayter wrote:Actually, you want CST. No rules on street tires.
Aren't R1-s DOT-r?
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Max Hayter
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Max Hayter »

Adam Tarnoff wrote:
Max Hayter wrote:Actually, you want CST. No rules on street tires.
Aren't R1-s DOT-r?
Ahhh... missed that.
~Max H.

Gearhead's Garage/FRSport

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Craig Naylor
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Craig Naylor »

... no problem.

CSM then.

Each class (CST, CSM) have essentially two rules. One they share, one that differentiates the two.
Both: Car must be capable of being registered to drive on the street. (Does not have to be reg... just capable of being reg in CA)
CST - Street tires 140tw or greater (May change to 200tw... TBD)
CSM: - Dot approved tires. (aka autocross "race" rubber)
MB_Fahrer
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by MB_Fahrer »

Really appreciate the help. Thank you much!
ianwhthse
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by ianwhthse »

2010 MX-5

Ran in the event yesterday in C Street, had a blast, but wanted to get some stickier rubber so I could be a little closer to everyone else in class, get a better idea of how I was driving. Found some Kumho XS tires on firesale ($60 a piece w/free shipping). Forgot to check treadwear. 180. Can't cancel.

What class did I just kill myself in? CSP? CST?
Last edited by ianwhthse on Mon Oct 19, 2015 8:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Max Hayter
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Max Hayter »

ianwhthse wrote:2010 MX-5

Ran in the event yesterday in C Street, had a blast, but wanted to get some stickier rubber so I could be a little closer to everyone else in class, get a better idea of how I was driving. Found some Kumho XS tires on firesale ($60 a piece w/free shipping). Forgot to check treadwear. 180. Can't cancel.

What class did I just kill myself in? SM2? CST?
I think CST is the only place 140+ is still allowed, unless you want to run CSP.

Having said that, Kumho XS suck pretty bad, so I doubt anyone in CS would care that much if you ran with them. You should have bought the Kumho V720.
~Max H.

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ianwhthse
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by ianwhthse »

Max Hayter wrote:
ianwhthse wrote:2010 MX-5

Ran in the event yesterday in C Street, had a blast, but wanted to get some stickier rubber so I could be a little closer to everyone else in class, get a better idea of how I was driving. Found some Kumho XS tires on firesale ($60 a piece w/free shipping). Forgot to check treadwear. 180. Can't cancel.

What class did I just kill myself in? SM2? CST?
I think CST is the only place 140+ is still allowed, unless you want to run CSP.

Having said that, Kumho XS suck pretty bad, so I doubt anyone in CS would care that much if you ran with them. You should have bought the Kumho V720.
Yeah, was re-reading SP rules and realized I could go there.

And yeah, the XS wasn't competitive when it was new, but figured it would be close enough for me to destroy when I was working on the nut behind the wheel. =D

Thanks,
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Max Hayter
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Max Hayter »

The XS needs a lot of heat to work at all... just bear that in mind if it's cold and/or wet.
~Max H.

Gearhead's Garage/FRSport

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chesmari
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by chesmari »

Hello All..

New to the sport, just about finished with my car. Looking at going to an event in January. Pls. enlighten me with classing my car.

My Car:

1975 Toyota Corolla SR5
1.8L Twin Cam Turbo (1.8L OHV stock)
-Standalone EFI
-440cc Inj. (298cc stock)
-Custom Plenum w/ 68mm Throttle Body
-Upgraded turbo
-Custom Radiator
-Custom Intercooler
-3 inch exhaust
Adjustable Front Suspension
-Adjustable shock absorbers
-Adjustable Camber Plates
-Adjustable Coilovers
-NRCA
-Strut Bar
Ford 8.8 Posi
-Adjustable rear shock absorbers
-Lowering blocks
4 piston front calipers, slotted rotors
15x7 aluminum wheels, 195 50R15
Stock interior

Your assistance is truly appreciated.

Ryan

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Craig Naylor
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Craig Naylor »

chesmari wrote: My Car:

1975 Toyota Corolla SR5

Ryan

Nice looking third Gen.
Keep it on 140TW tires (or higher), and go play in a local... run what you brung, (street legal) class: CST
chesmari
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by chesmari »

Craig Naylor wrote:
chesmari wrote: My Car:

1975 Toyota Corolla SR5

Ryan

Nice looking third Gen.
Keep it on 140TW tires (or higher), and go play in a local... run what you brung, (street legal) class: CST

Got it. Thank you.

Ryan
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Robert Puertas
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Robert Puertas »

Car seems to be legal for SCCAs Street Mod class - so long as it is over 2160 lbs.
that's based on 1800cc turbo, solid rear axle and <275 size tires.
So that's another place to play if you want to run sticky Hoosier DOT race tires.
chesmari
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by chesmari »

Robert Puertas wrote:Car seems to be legal for SCCAs Street Mod class - so long as it is over 2160 lbs.
that's based on 1800cc turbo, solid rear axle and <275 size tires.
So that's another place to play if you want to run sticky Hoosier DOT race tires.
Will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you.


Ryan
Ron Tsumura
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Ron Tsumura »

Craig Naylor wrote:
chesmari wrote: My Car:

1975 Toyota Corolla SR5

Ryan

Nice looking third Gen.
Keep it on 140TW tires (or higher), and go play in a local... run what you brung, (street legal) class: CST
Can we still use 140TW tires in CST? I know all the street classes moved to 200TW tires.

I need to find a good use for some XS tires...
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Q V
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Q V »

Ron Tsumura wrote:
Craig Naylor wrote:
chesmari wrote: My Car:

1975 Toyota Corolla SR5

Ryan

Nice looking third Gen.
Keep it on 140TW tires (or higher), and go play in a local... run what you brung, (street legal) class: CST
Can we still use 140TW tires in CST? I know all the street classes moved to 200TW tires.

I need to find a good use for some XS tires...
As far as I know (unless something's changed since August of this year), CST is still allowed to run 140TW.
Ron Tsumura
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Ron Tsumura »

Thanks QV!
fredricktsang
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by fredricktsang »

Hi All,
First time looking to participate in an SCCA autocross, I was wondering which class I would fall in with my car as it is as there are a few items that wasn't sure about. So far I may fall into STR but I'm unsure on how the bracing, exhintake mod and the seat will affect the classing. Here are the modification details:

1996 Mazda Miata
Drivetrain:
4.1 Rear End Ratio Torsen Differential
Polyurethane Diff Bushings
5-Speed Transmission
Racing Beat Header
Racing Beat Catback Exhaust
Exhintake Mod
Mazdaspeed Motor Mounts

Suspension/Handling:
Flyin Miata Butterfly Brace
Frog Arm Brace
2003 Miata "Strut" Tower Brace
Bilstein/Ground Control Coilovers
Stiffer than stock rubber suspension bushings
Swaybars Removed
Polyurethane Steering Rack Bushings
4 Point Roll Bar
15x8 Wheels
205-50-15 BFG Rival (Not Rival-S)

Others:
Cobra Suzuka Seat Mounted to stock location
6-pt Harness

Everything else not mentioned is stock or stock equivalent.
Thanks in advance!
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Sean Fenstermacher
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Sean Fenstermacher »

fredricktsang wrote:Hi All,
First time looking to participate in an SCCA autocross, I was wondering which class I would fall in with my car as it is as there are a few items that wasn't sure about. So far I may fall into STR but I'm unsure on how the bracing, exhintake mod and the seat will affect the classing. Here are the modification details:

1996 Mazda Miata
Drivetrain:
4.1 Rear End Ratio Torsen Differential
Polyurethane Diff Bushings
5-Speed Transmission
Racing Beat Header
Racing Beat Catback Exhaust
Exhintake Mod
Mazdaspeed Motor Mounts

Suspension/Handling:
Flyin Miata Butterfly Brace
Frog Arm Brace
2003 Miata "Strut" Tower Brace
Bilstein/Ground Control Coilovers
Stiffer than stock rubber suspension bushings
Swaybars Removed
Polyurethane Steering Rack Bushings
4 Point Roll Bar
15x8 Wheels
205-50-15 BFG Rival (Not Rival-S)

Others:
Cobra Suzuka Seat Mounted to stock location
6-pt Harness

Everything else not mentioned is stock or stock equivalent.
Thanks in advance!
The cam would put you in to SSM, where you would be very underprepped. :(

You might want to consider competing in our regional CST (California Street Touring) class, which is our local "run what you brung" class. The car just needs to be a registered street vehicle and on 140tw or higher street tires :)
The class is fairly large and folks are very friendly!
fredricktsang
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by fredricktsang »

Sean Fenstermacher wrote: The cam would put you in to SSM, where you would be very underprepped. :(

You might want to consider competing in our regional CST (California Street Touring) class, which is our local "run what you brung" class. The car just needs to be a registered street vehicle and on 140tw or higher street tires :)
The class is fairly large and folks are very friendly!
Thanks for the advice! I had a feeling the cam swap would put me in some insane class.
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Art Rinner
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by Art Rinner »

Is an electric powered car legal for AM?
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KJ Christopher
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Re: Post Car Classing Help Questions Here!

Post by KJ Christopher »

Art Rinner wrote:Is an electric powered car legal for AM?
Nothing in the rules prevents it.
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