Pontiac Solstice

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Sun Oct 01, 2006 9:37 am

Eric Peterson wrote:

The post below was made by Erik Vandermay on miataforum.net.

How about this:

#1 in CS (Pontiac Solstice) had a total time of 101.697

That would have placed 7th is SS,
That would have placed 1st in AS (identical time to winner),
That would have placed 1st in BS (~0.7 sec faster than winner).

Each of the other classes ran in warmer temps than CS (AS and BS considerably warmer mid-70s vs low to mid 60s for CS).

Also, every Solstice that was entered in CS trophied (including one driver that coned all three runs on Thursday).

Hmmm...

Here are a few of my own thoughts....

There is no doubt the Solstice/Sky will be the car to have in C Stock, likely for a long time. From talking to my friends and competitors who've switched to the Solstice they all say that it is easier to drive fast than the Miata or Spyder. Also, guys that I usually run dead even with in Miatas as early as a few months ago are now beating me soundly...as well as other folks who've never beaten me are now running close to and/or are beating me in my 1999 Miata, so there is no question in my mind that the Solstice is a really solid car. If someone is looking for a car that will likely be competitive, if not "the" car to have in CS for a long time, this would probably be a good investment. Unfortunately, you'll have to either tow it or figure out how to install a hitch for tire trailer since there's barely enough storage room in the Solstice for a box of tissues much less four tires :-)

That makes it a more expensive car to autocross.

I've heard lots of folks talking this week about buying a Solstice GXP for A Stock next year. The GXP is definitely more bang for the buck than the CS version, w/o a doubt, but there is more risk in buying the GXP since no one knows how it will stack up in class. Though, it's hard to imagine the GXP being slower than the CS version that theorhetically just outran AS and BS at nationals.

Just my 2 cents.

Eric P.

Question from an HSer:
If the Solstice is capable of taking AS and BS to the wood shed, isn't it possible (or probable) that SCCA will reclass it sometime in the future? How long does it usually take to make such a decision when a new HOT car arrives on scene? Inquiring minds want to know.

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

From what I've heard there is almost zero chance of the Solstice getting reclassed up. In fact, I actually think it should be a CS car and that the NB Miatas and Spyders should be reclassed to ES in the future. ES is also known as "cheap stock." In about two years it will be hard to find a second generation MR2 in decent shape or one that has less than 200K miles. Hence, NB Miatas and Spyders will be really cheap in the near future. Any C Stockers hoping to get reclassed to ES need to write or e-mail letters to the Solo Advisory Committee. I'll be writing a letter myself shortly and can get anyone the proper e-mail address if they are interested in a similiar letter. The earliest a reclass for the Miatas/Spyders could occur would be for the 2008 season.

This is not the first time that CS has beaten AS and BS at nationals. It's happened several times in the past I believe. I think it was done in a 94R by George Doganis. And, both Braun and Telehowski either did it or came really close a few years ago.

Eric

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:51 pm

Gwen Baake wrote:

Eric Peterson wrote:

The post below was made by Erik Vandermay on miataforum.net.

How about this:

#1 in CS (Pontiac Solstice) had a total time of 101.697

That would have placed 7th is SS,
That would have placed 1st in AS (identical time to winner),
That would have placed 1st in BS (~0.7 sec faster than winner).

Each of the other classes ran in warmer temps than CS (AS and BS considerably warmer mid-70s vs low to mid 60s for CS).

Also, every Solstice that was entered in CS trophied (including one driver that coned all three runs on Thursday).

Eric P.

Question from an HSer:
If the Solstice is capable of taking AS and BS to the wood shed, isn't it possible (or probable) that SCCA will reclass it sometime in the future? How long does it usually take to make such a decision when a new HOT car arrives on scene? Inquiring minds want to know.

A new car can be reclassed up or down by the SEB within the first year of it's classification (not season, the clock starts ticking when it's class is posted in Fastrack). After that, a proposal must be submitted to the Stock Advisory committee by member(s) with good supporting data showing the car should be reclassed (not based on just one event, even Nationals, but consistantly) and that reclassification will not make it an obvious overdog in the new classing. That alone is a monumental task to prove as others have found since events are seldom consistant. Then the SAC must find it worthy of consideration and put it up for member comment (for 3 months IIRC). If member comments are strongly supportive and it is supported by a vote of the SAC then the SAC will submit it to the SEB as a recommended change. The SEB will then consider it and after agreeing (usually but not always a rubber stamp decision) will ratify it for inclusion in the NEXT season's rule book.
IOW: a class change on the C/S Solstice is impossible for 2007 and unlikely after that since by 08 there may be other new cars to compete with the Sol or the M2 Miata may be moved down. The GXP is already classed in AS and they would not put a 2 seat RWD sportscar in BS.
At least the Miata had a 2x longer run than the Celica before being bumped to underdog status.
IMHO the new surface and course layouts will have national competitors re-evaluating which car is the one to have in several classes. Ability to use larger footprint tires and low end torque will be strong factors as well as transitioning ability. A number of less expected vehicles and drivers rose to the top of the ranks this year, now we'll have to see what happens as the mindsets and setups change for next year.

Anyone willing to let us try out a RX8, Solstice, Mazdaspeed 3 or 07 MiniS??? :wink:

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