I run OEM wheels as my back up set. I ran them at Nationals last year. I switched back and forth due to OPR which is much worse than heavier wheels.

Jay and I simply cannot drive with the top on and wear a helmet at the same time. I tried this at Toledo and had my head tilted to the side. I can't slouch any more without my knees hitting the dash or bending my knees wide enough where it would affect my driving. With Jay, its worse since he is taller. This proposal would eliminate anyone over 6' and who happened to be proportioned like us.

If adding 50 pounds to the CR and AP1s to make them equal to the AP2 is absolutely needed, Im all in. I still believe its too early in the game for STR to start making these restrictions though. There will also be more development and maybe more weight savings, power mods, etc. to even the field. I will be at Nationals is my old CR running STR. It will be a very mild prep, but I will be happy to weight it. Since I have 12-15 weigh-ins on those scales, I have a pretty solid baseline.

Where is that letter you want us to send to the seb? Im not in this thread just to argue my point, I'm here to promote the class and keep the S2000 competitive.

Again, I still feel its the driver. There were much better drivers at Nationals last year. I simply guessed the course right and had the confidence to keep pushing. This year, even thought the results may not show it, I have been slipping. Moving to STR has helped ignite that inner fire again, but dealing with me has been my greatest handicap. There is no way two drivers are going to drive those courses at nationals identical. This is just a topic where we both have different views. Thats cool...

Last, I feel there can be more STR specific rules. There are existing rules different in STR compared to the other ST classes.

-Marc

 

There are lots of cars that don't have the option of roof removal that makes tall guys, including me (I'm 6'1"), more of a pain to drive. It still doesn't stop most of us from competing and winning in those cars. It's not like we're driving like this for hours, it's 3 60-second runs. Plus, just cuz it's raining, doesn't mean you're just gonna park the car since you don't feel as comfortable sitting in it with the top on. I've seen you jump in your car with the top on and take a run. Plus in STR, you can change seats, so you can get a really low seat to gain more head clearance

There is never gonna be a developement or a weight savings that can be applied to the other S2000s that can't be applied to the CR. With the current rules, the CR will always have the advantage no matter what developments and weight savings are out there.

it'll be done shortly. If you TRULY want to promote the class and keep as MANY S2000s competitive, instead of drastic measures like having all the S2000s take off their softtops, radios and A/C like you propose, all you have to do is run with your top on Marc. If that is really your true intention, then supporting this idea would really open other people's eyes up. People would have no excuse to bitch about the CRs winning. It even makes things easy for the CR guys, cuz now you don't have to deal with removing the tops

That defintely won't happen, as the STAC wants to move to a ruleset that applies across the board, like Stock and SP classes. Hence the homoloqization of the cat and brakes rules. Some of the class specific rules will remain becuase the balance of the class would shift radically (think open wheel and tire sizes), but they're not gonna tack on any more one class specific rules anymore. That's why my idea is quite elegant, it can apply to all of ST, but really only affects STR.

I'm not saying that my way is the only way, but so far what you've proposed most likely wouldn't float in front of the STAC. I'm open to other ideas, but remember that they have to be applied across the ST*

James

 

James,
So do you know what car you are driving in Lincoln yet? I presume you'll be trying to get a CR ride?

EDIT: Never mind, I just viewed the registration list... 2004 S2000 (Robinson).

 

I'm gonna have to say, there is no rules writing that will create parity between all S2000's. It just ain't gonna happen. Those rules, what ever they may be will not cross over to other models and manufacturers. Can of worms.... open.

So, just race what you have. At this point in time, there is no proof that any model is less competitive than any other with the right guy behind the wheel. I guess if I had to say, the 04, 05 models are most at a disadvantage.

 

I have an alignment question... I have been reading lately that it is good to keep the front and rear camber close in order to keep the slip angle close... what are the effects or running significantly more front camber than rear (such as my -2.8f -2.2r alignment)

 

Mike, why don't you use an AP1 ECU? That's what I'm running. The fuel maps suck but it gives me a few more mph which helps. If you want one, I have two. Let me know.

 

Fender rolling question,

Perhaps this is a stupid question but is the bumper tab relocation legal or not? Does it fall under the "No other changes" sentence? Or does the "intention is to permit fitting the maximum allowable tire size" allow for it?

E. Fenders may not be cut or flared but the inside lip may be rolled
to gain additional tire clearance. (The outer fender contour may not
be changed.) Flares that are part of body kits may be attached to
the stock fenders. Plastic and rubber wheel well splash shields may
be modified for tire clearance and to accommodate a rolled inside
fender lip. The intention is to permit fitting the maximum allowable
tire size, and the modifications may serve no other purpose (e.g. air
intake, brake ducts, etc.). No other changes to the stock fenders or
wheel wells are permitted.

 

The tabs are the inner fender lip, so they can be rolled.

 

I don't use one because I'm not sure I could stop myself from pegging 9k on a course... It's like telling yourself your going to "pull out" ... But it's sooo hard. Too graphic?

I was going to wait for the ecu rule change, then swap in the ap1 ecu, and set a soft rev-limit @ 8550 rpms.

As for people saying "150lbs is within the range of driver noise...". Your just lying to yourself if you really believe that. Have you ever taken a passenger for a ride at a local event? You can most certainly feel longer braking distances, late rev limiter in certain sectors, etc.... It completely changes the car. Weight makes a huge difference in this car.

All things being equal, 40-60lbs is within the range of driver noise. 150? Not a chance. Bottom line, the talent is so strong in STR... that every pound most certainly counts. Anyone who thinks different hasn't gone up against Thorne, Yom, Collett, etc...

 

You obviously do not know Jay and I very well. To even hint at the fact that we intentionally want an unfair advantage shows ignorance on your part. I think you are a little too concerned with such minor details, you have lost touch with the reality that this is a drivers race. Collett absolutely crushed the STR field with his raw times in Lincoln, he would have done this no matter what he drove. He is that good, period. I will be willing to put 50 ponds of ballast in the CR, but I will only be mildly prepped this year and close to sock weight anyways. Leaving the top on is non negotiable. I will repeat, we don't fit, end of story. Why would you want to handicap us in such a way.? I do park the car in the rain if I have a run down. We still run with the top off. I guess I don't understand how some of you say your ideas are fair (yet still far fetched) and others are not.