Has anyone been protested in the stock category for having OEM spoilers installed? SCCA Solo II Rules - Stock Category 13.2 BODYWORK A.) Accessories . . . and other appearance, comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on performance and/or handling and do not materially reduce the weight of the car are permitted. Street Prepared Category 14.2 BODYWORK F.) Spoilers and cosmetic trim pieces are permitted. . . The intent of this allowance is to accommodate commonly available appearance kits, and replicas thereof, which have no significant aerodynamic function at Solo II speeds. Many of the MY,00 had spoilers(and every other S2K accessory) dealer installed to reduce the appearance of price mark up. Must those with OEM spoilers run in the Street Prepared Category? Comments?

 

The language of the rules basically states that they are fine if they are not a performance enhancing device. I certainly wouldn't classify the S2000 spoilers as such at autox speeds. That's only relevant if the spoilers are a dealer installed option and not available from the factory, which I guess I'm not clear on for the S2K. If the spoilers come as an option from the factory then they are legal regardless.

Personally, I don't mind not having them as I think the car looks great with or without, plus it is lighter without.:-) Just trying to follow the "Jason Keeney personal weight reduction program".:-)

-Andy

 

I can't imagine that anyone could successfully protest an S2000 having an OEM spoiler at an SCCA Solo II event. First of all, it meets the letter of the regulations as contained in the Solo II Rulebook and, secondly, it was a stand alone option (i.e., not part of a different model or entire package of items) for the S2000. To be absolutely certain that you cannot be successfully protested, I'd recommend that you locate a dealer's or Honda brochure which advertises, describes, or in some way identifies the spoiler as an OEM piece of equipment. If you can show such a brochure/paper to the judge(s), that pretty much guarantees the protest will be disallowed.

Please note that I said "successfully protested." There is nothing to stop some folks from protesting you just to cause you to lose your focus during an event (i.e., knowing full well that their protest will be disallowed). I've seen this sort of thing happen at the Divisional Solo II level and it's pretty meanspirited, IMHO. It's caused me to keep sales literature in my tool box, just in case I'm ever protested, which I haven't been to date.

 

The spoilers are definitely not OEM equipment. They are dealer installed options which are specifically disallowed by the Solo II rules. It falls under the "weenie protest" category, but if such a protest occurred the protester would be technically correct in the protest.

That said, I know of several national competitors who attended pros/tour/Nationals with the spoilers on their cars and no protests were ever filed. There is absolutely no advantage (or disadvantage) to having the spoilers.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by solo2racer
[B]The spoilers are definitely not OEM equipment.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Testut
[B]

Although it's largely a moot point, I would disagree.

 

I'm not sure it would be so cut and dry. If your "cosmetic" spoiler, air dam, shift nob, whatever was not available from the factory it is open to protest. However, a protest committee would have to determine whether your cosmetic enhancement affected performance. In the case of S2K spoiler's, it would have to be a pretty anal committee to rule against you.

-Andy

 

What adds such a nice twist to this is the way Honda does business vs. say Mazda or any of the American manufactures. Honda typically only offers dealer installed options/accessories. Where the above mentioned offer the same type of equipment as factory options. If Honda offered any factory options for the S2K it would be different IMO. Lets just say "Howard" was somewhat noncommittal when asked, with respect to Honda's past and present practices. If the subtitle in the rule book was changed from BODYWORK to INTERIOR it would at least follow the historical intent for additional gages vs. warning lights, for example.

 

The fact that the S2K's dealer options are pretty much cosmetic only doesn't change the reality. The reality is that dealer installed options, if allowed as legal in stock, could open up a huge potential for street prepared level changes. Keeping the language that dealer installed options are not factory equivalent may seem extreme in some cases, but it is a good protection measure.

Whenever there is a somewhat grey area in the rules, the safe play is pretty obvious. If you are worried about getting protested for the spoiler, take it off and no more worries.

-Andy

 

I agree it is a weenie protest but... I've discussed it with a lot of local old-timers and local "authorities." One and all agree dealer installed spoilers are NOT legal, along with my Ti shift knob. I'd never pull such a BS protest on someone but it could happen.

Thank you, Jason K., for not protesting my pitiful times...