Ok guys I need help trying to class my car as well as understand how the classing goes myself. I have an AP1 with a good amount of mods and understand that an AP1 is in TTD base class with +14 points and base weight of 2850lbs. I understand how the addition of points works to make you up class 20-39 one class up, 40-59 two classes up, 60-79 3 classes up, 80-99 4 classes up and 100-119 5 classes up; what I don't understand is how the up classing goes, as in does it go from TTD to TTC to TTB then TT3-1 or does it go TTD to TT3-1 if so that means I need to do some serious thinking on parts and getting rid of some parts that will cost points that I don't need. Now to the modifications list and points for each:

TTD +14
+7 R888s
+1 255
+11 weight (rough guess right now)
+1 K&N intake
+2 Mugen header
+1 Asura high flow cat
+2 Challenge Exhaust
+3 KAAZ 1.5 way LSD
+5 Fortune Auto 510 coilovers
+1 Cusco front and rear subframe braces
+3 Cusco subframe ladder brace
+3 Voltex bumper
+4 Voltex wing
+1 Cut out rear bumper
+5 Mugen hardtop
+1 vortex generator on Mugen roof (I am just guessing on this one due to aero design of the Mugen top)
=65 points which is either TT1 or TT3 depending on how the classing works.

That is what I am mostly confused on because from what I have read an S2000 without FI cannot be competitive in the TT3-1 without serious weight reduction and I don't want to run something I have no chance in even competing in, and yes before yall ask I built this car to way I wanted to not to regs so I am willing to make some changes as in sale a few parts to make it at least competitive. I have come up with a bunch of options but I just need to know how the classing works as in: 61 points w/voltex bumper with 255 Direzza's, 62 points with voltex bumper with R888s, 61 points without voltex bumper with 245 R888s, 57 without voltex bumper and 255 Direzza's and 56 points with 245 Direzza's. I am currently deployed right now and trying to have a plan when I get back; I do have plenty of time to make a few decisions as in I haven't even done HPDE yet but I still want to start HPDE with the class of car I intend to race with any help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance guys.

Ryan "Zip Tied Suzuka"

 

To be competitive you're going to need to take some parts off. The way TT works, you base your build on "bang for the buck" points. I had to change my setup a lot to be competitive.

Seeing as how you've never been on a track, Id just start with the car the way it is and get out there and get some seat time, then start figuring out your build. Its going to take some time to get your TT license if you're starting at 0.

Most of us have dealt with the same issues. There are other options out there to not have to take engine mod points (dyno reclass), but the aero is going to hurt you. Get rid of the voltex bumper and cut rear bumper and run an OEM shaped hardtop for beginners.

That LSD is only +1 since the car has a factory OEM LSD. You can add weight back in (ballast up to 250lbs, keep in mind the weight is with you in it).

Theres a lot with tires that play into it to, size and compound. Many run smaller tires (I run a 225) to get points back.

You're not that far off where you need to be. Get some seat time, and focus on learning how to drive well rather than the car. Itll be a while until you are competitive anyways, but keep the build in the back of your mind.

 

Thanks for the help I figured that I would have to lose my bumper and go back to stock as well my exhaust and put my stock cat back on would give me 4 points right there with a different exhaust that would cut at least 10lbs off the challenge exhaust or take the extra point for the the high flow cat and go with a custom 3 inch exhaust.

 

and I am willing to take the points for the Mugen top because I no longer have a soft top unless I can get my hands on a cheap oem top or a cheap knock off oem like top

 

you must ask yourself who and where are you competing against. region vs nation?

your car isn't competitive anywhere imo (not a bash, i feel your pain with my ap1 also)

if you aren't going to be trying to win hoosiers (you have to run them to win them) then it doesn't matter what class you run in.

just run TTU for now and as you change your setup to fit in a class where you have competition you think you can beat, go from there.

 

Thanks for the help and it will be regional in the south east area on Road Atlanta, VIR, CMP and few others and no offense was taken lol, I will accept constructive feedback.

 

To answer your points question, you up-class within the lettered classes (TTD -> TTC -> TTB). If you have too many points to be in TTB (you do), then you graduate to TT#. TT# classes use a different classing system. You would wind up in TT3, but you're not too far from staying in TTB.

As others said, you won't be competitive in any class until you get some seat time. But in general, the S2000 is a good TTC car, and is a bit outclassed in TTB. A good driver in a well prepped TTB may still win locally, but probably not nationally.

 

Thank you for the answer and depending on my true weight with my roll bar and seats installed and me in the car I am trying to shoot for TTC but if I wind up in TTB so be it. I have a lot of driving to do when I get back and thoughts to consider on this deployment again thank you.

 

Sounds like you are planning to run in the SE Region? If so, Wynn runs his S2K in TTB (at least he did for 2014). Last years results from that region showed that there were typically more entries in TTB than TTC. However, I agree with s2000ellier about running TTU initially just to get seat time and then figure out what class you want to target. You can still personally judge your times based on what class you want to run in even though you'll be running basically unclassified. Usually there aren't very many if any TTU entries so you could win your class (by default).

 

I think it is way too early to be talking about NASA TT classes if you haven't even started in HPDE1 yet. If you like your car the way it is and you just want to run a transponder and get timed, then wait till you are ready for your TT license. Then go get the car dynoed and run in TT3 where you don't have to worry about points, just weight/power ratio. You will have to have a dyno sheet to run the car in any of the TT3-TTU classes. I will be running my S2000 in the Florida/South East/Mid South/NOLA NASA regions in TT3 later this season. If you have further TT questions, the South East TT director is Jeff England aardvarkperformance@yahoo.com or Varkwso on the NASA Forums:

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewforum.php?f=2

I have also found that the Florida region TT director Mark McKay ttdirectornasafl@gmail.com was very helpful in getting my SpecE30 dyno reclassed to be more competitive in TTE.