With 255 ST legal tires on 9" wide wheels and any aftermarket LSD.

 

I'd love to see this happen (I think a properly modded Z could compete, maybe) but it can't unless they make an exception to or remove the 2.8L limitation.

What's the source of this rumor (if you can disclose it)? Is it based on something you think to be pretty solid? Any other details?

 

I can't reveal my sources, but I will say the rumor did not come from Jason (ULLOSE). IMHO the tire width will be the limiting factor on how well the 350Z does (if the rumored rule change occurs). It will be pretty easy to cook the rear tires by the third run.

 

I am happily no longer in the loop.

Glad to hear they have potentially cleared up the oversight of leaving the Z out of STR... But if 255 is all they are going to allow, it is going to be a tuff road for the Z - the lighter and less powerful S2K and MX-5 will be much more drivable. Even with a proper LSD it will be an exercise in patients when trying to get off the corner on street rubber.

 

I'm running 255/40/17 Kumho XSs as my street tires right now and having put 10 runs on them this weekend I can agree with that 100%. A little more wheel (I'm on stock wheels) would help, but not that much.

 

i dont' see how the z could be competitive in this class. if anything, another class should be made for roadsters with over 3.4l and open it up to the z, mustangs, camaros and vettes.

 

I'd be all for that too. Really, I just want a street tire class that'll let the Z play. Even if it's STU (where it would be really not competitive).

But it'll probably be easier to get into STR than to get a whole new provisional STRU (or whatever you want to call it) made for the bigger 2-seaters. Otherwise it seems like they would have made it at the same time.

 

While it's nice that the SCCA might correct the oversight, it's probably meaningless. I don't think I've ever seen a Z Roadster at an autocross in the past 5 years. Like most people, we'd rather see a general ST class that the Z will fit into.

 

STR is not limited to roadsters.

 

huh?? did you not read the rules

if its not limited to roadsters, why is is called street touring roadster????

 

My guess is that you didn't read the rules. Mazda RX7s, Porsche 944s, Toyota MR2s, and 968s are classed in STR.

http://www.scca.com/newsarticle.aspx?hub=3&news=3629

http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastra...track-june.pdf

EDIT: Oops, they scratched the 968.

 

I'm with you on the naming thing, though they do allow non-roadsters.

As usual, the official word does little to clear things up.

And then the people in charge wonder why the average autocrosser gets things so 'wrong'.

 

Here's a tip from someone who's been involved with SCCA for a while: Ignore class names and nomenclature. They are basically meaningless once proposed and its important to look at the rules for the class to determine what it actually is.

Street Prepared is for trailer queens.
Street Touring ain't.
Touring has nothing to do with looking at the countryside from a bus.
Improved Touring cars are generally slower then Touring cars.
ITA is faster then ITB but slower then ITS.

 

And ITA is mostly full of Spec Miata guys that can't keep up with the natl class.

 

So basically, the rumor is that all 350Zs are going to be added to STR, not just the Z Roadster. Hmmmm...

 

Yup. Again its just a rumor and things change.

 

+1

Heavy car is heavy. -Needs more tire than a 255.

 

I heard this from a local here who is VERY in the loop.

I was like "I hadn't heard that," he responded, oh yeah it wasn't announced yet and winked. I thought he was ****ing with me because hes an S2000 driver...guess not?

 

When's the next Fastrack coming out?

 

I did read the rules
Mazda Rx7 NON TURBOS....no 3rd gen rx7 came non turbo'd, so that leaves the FC which came non turbo AND as a convertible

Old and new MR2s both come as convertibles

944s also came as verts

And I don't see anything nor have I heard anything on sccaforums about a change in the displacement allowing more than 2.8L.

The only way the z will be able to get classed in a competitive class is if Nissan starts offering SCCA what Honda & Mazda offer. Until then, any Nissan product will get the shaft with classification because SCCA doesn't want to see the Mazda or Honda getting beat by an inferior product.

Here's to the hopes concrete will level the playing field this year.