THSCC Forums

Thinking out a bit into the near future...

Ford has what appears to be an outstanding new Mustang coming for 2015. I would assume the SCCA would classify it into F-street? Or do you think they would leave F-street "alone" as it is now and stick the new Mustang into A-street or whatever?

Similarly the other potential F-street car, the E90/92 M3 has its successor the F80 M3 / F82 M4 coming out this summer. The difference here is that the car is a good bit bigger than the E90/92...wider, longer, but it is going to be about 150lbs lighter and have a humongous torque curve (turbo 6) not to mention a likely severely underrated power output (425hp rated) given how much power a new F10 M5 puts down versus ratings. Does this car get put into F-street also? Or is it stuck somewhere similar to the 2015 Mustang?

I don't know anyone who has driven the 2015 Mustang, but I did talk with Mike Renner last weekend about his experience driving the F80 M3 recently, and while he said (perhaps would have to say) that it is going to be the fastest on-track M-car ever, his main comment was how hard it could come off corners -- he was surprised at how well it could put its huge power down. So the F80 M3 will likely have a huge mid-range power advantage over the E90, wider wheels and 150+lbs weight advantage.

_________________
Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

Chuck - I emailed with a SAC member who has a lot of Mustang experience. He said it really is too soon. The car could turn out to be a lot faster, a little faster, no faster, or even slower. Ditto with new Camaros, BMW's, etc. The street tire rule could kill current Pony cars or make the Shelby GT mandatory instead of simply competitive with a current GT.

Sam Strano mentioned in a separate discussion that the standard Ford clutch type LSD works better in an IRS than in a solid axle. This is relevant since the initial specs imply the Torsen option requires shorter than optimum for autocrossing rear gears. In any case a Mustang that can use more of its power is a good thing.

I don't think the SEB has ever reclassed older no longer competitive, even if they never were competitive, normal V-8 Pony cars out of FS. Special versions get a faster class but normal versions get FS for better or worse. Best of breed applies within reason.

I'm hopping the 2015 turns out well in general and for autocrossing in particular. If our "drive the race car to autocrosses" experiment works out this year my hope is to upgrade to a properly optioned 2015/16.

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Properly optioned....is that a delete option for the tattletale computers?
http://rt.com/usa/ford-vp-auto-surveillance-382/

_________________
Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

Thanks for the info Dick. I can't help but feel the new Mustang will be more competitive unless they end up adding a bunch of weight to it or something. BMW is really going to town on lightweight materials as this upcoming F30 M3 is almost the size of my E39 M5, but it will be about 650lbs lighter.

I think the new M3/4 will be available in late summer, and I assume the 2015 Mustang will be available this fall?

Thanks Steve for yet another reminder of this ridiculous Orwellian state we find ourselves within now...

_________________
Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

You should not be surprised about Dataloggers in cars. Ford has been doing this for a long time. My 2006 Miata has a data logger. One is informed about this early in the owners manual. The reassure you that the information will never be used against you. Sure! You know those nice GPS maps that show you traffic conditions; Red = stopped, Yellow = slow, the information is gathered by pinging cell phones on major highways and reading the GPS data. When I was in California last summer, I received amber alerts to look for a specific car traveling on the same highway. When we had tornados this year, I got a warning on my phone telling me that one was heading my way. Don't think that the government and many others don't know what you're up to. You have to do more than drive a 70's Z car to have privacy.

_________________
Mike Miller
AutoX VP 2016/2017
Just a C Stock Miata DD
Mazda Speed 3 Family Car
Corvette Z06 Toy