THSCC Forums

The Solo Events Board met at the SCCA National Convention in Kansas
City February 6th through 8th. Attending were SEB Chairman Colan Arnold, board members Chris Dorsey, Mari Clements, Ron Bauer, Andy Hollis, Marcus Merideth, Mark Sipe, and Mark Sirota. Also attending were Tasha Goodale, Howard Duncan and Doug Gill of the National Staff, and BOD liaison Bob Introne.

During this meeting, the SEB discussed and approved the addition of two
supplemental classes to National Tour events; STS2 and STU. These
classes reflect what the SEB envisions to be the continued growth of the Street Touring category, and are being evaluated in conjunction with
evaluation of the feasibility of combining several less-subscribed classes and of restructuring some less-subscribed preparation categories.

Reflecting the success of the ST concept both nationally and regionally, the two supplemental classes were developed as the next logical steps in
the progression of this category. Variants of one or both of these classes
are already being offered in several regions across the country.

STS2 will follow the STS rule set, but the eligible cars will be
restricted to two-seaters with engine displacements of 1.8 liters or less. This class will provide a home for a number of popular vehicles, including the Honda CRX and del Sol, Mazda RX7 (non-turbo, '79-'92) and Miata ('90-'97), Toyota MR2 ('85-'89), as well as other similar vehicles. STS category rules 14.1 to 14.10 apply. Further, as in STS, only original equipment viscous limited slip differentials are legal in STS-2. Excluded vehicles include Lotus (all), Mazda Miata (99+), and Toyota MR2 ('91-'95 and '00+).

STU will follow the STX rule set, but will raise the displacement limit
for otherwise STX-legal vehicles to 3.1 liters for forced induction and to
unlimited displacement for natural aspiration. To accommodate the
greater power of these vehicles, restrictions on wheel width are lifted and the maximum tire width will be increased to 275 for front or rear wheel
drive vehicles (but will remain at 245 for AWD vehicles). Other than these limited exceptions, the STX rule set as described in 14.11 applies.
This class extends the Street Touring concept to cars including the Audi S4, BMW M3 (E36), Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Neon SRT-4, Ford Mustang, Mazda RX-8, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. 8, Pontiac Firebird, Pontiac GTO, Subaru WRX STi, Volvo S60 R, and Toyota Supra. Excluded vehicles include the E46 M3 and the E39 M5.

In conjunction with the planned evolution of this category and of the
sport as a whole, these two supplemental classes will not be considered for full national status until 2007. One or both classes could then potentially be recommended for full national status provided that rules stability is attained, member participation is strong, and the classes continue to reflect the needs of the current enthusiast market.

Please feel free to forward this information to other lists.

-Chris Dorsey
RMDiv. SEB

Does THSCC plan to recognize these supplemental classes? These classes were recognized in Atlanta this past weekend.

If THSCC does recognize these classes, is there a need for a TIR class?

With the addition of these two classes and clear rules (at least to start out with) eliminates 99% of the justification for TIR. The remaining 1% is only for cars excluded from having a Street Touring class.

Maybe make the TIR class open only to cars excluded from Street Touring.

So is the addition of more ST classes going to eat into SP (and Stock) participants or will it bring in new people?

Ironically, I think that the 1.8 liter ruling is crap, the 2nd gen NA MR2 fits the spirit of ST2 nicely.

Funny thing, right now the 94-97 Miata is not legal in ST2 The displacement is 1839 CC, a little over the 1.8 rule.

A first gen MR2 is pretty compelling too, I'm not sure if the supercharged (1.6 liter) version is legal or not, but it would kick some Honda tail!

Scott

Since ST2 is inheriting the ST rules, you inherit "normally aspirated".