Rules - Scction X, 3, D

jack667 · Post by **jack667** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 11:46 pm

It looks like solid bushings are not allowed in Street Stock. I've replaced rubber bushings with solid ones, which is legal in PCA. It looks like its the only thing that bumps me here, from ST2 to SPB. Probably a losing proposition for a slow car such as a 1988 944 NA (8v). Are these rules enforced? Would I really get bumped just for solid bushings? I would not hide the fact, and would not want to break (or even bend!) the rules, but was wondering how the system works. Any comments are appreciated. On the surface, it looks like each series (PCA, SCCA, COM, 944 spec, etc) has their own guidelines, and if you optimize for one rule book, you may move your car into an impossible class in another series.

CarlFossum · Post by **CarlFossum** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 1:26 pm

In my experience, COM's rules policy is self enforced where competitors will protest if they feel you have an unfair advantage or feel you are trying the bend a rule. I have a carefully prepared ST2 car and have been bumped in other clubs for seemingly stupid reasons. However, the fact that you used the word "optimize" tells me that you do feel that you have an advantage over those of us with soft bushings. Thanks for your honesty, and the right thing to do would be to classify yourself where you fit according to COM rules. Would you be caught if you decided to compete in ST2? Maybe not, but that really isn't in the spirit of the club. See you out there! 
-Carl

COMtech · Post by **COMtech** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 4:53 pm

I'm pretty sure the solid bushings bump the car from ST2, Though the 944 8v is not competitive in either case, or SSA for that matter (I tried... though maybe I was just too slow of a driver). As far as optomizing a car for several sets of rules goes, that's how it is for virtually every series out there. If you optomize your car for one class or series, it is usually either not legal or slow in the other series you run in. I think that there may be a hole in the rules, and knowing the intent of how they were written, solid bushings may be allowable in ST, but it's up to the Chief Steward (Chris Tier) to make that decision. Your best bet is to email him and ask, or submit a rules change proposal to the Board of directors. 
 
Kevin

Crusin · Post by **Crusin** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 6:28 pm

Paint them black then if anyone ask, say they are the original bushing and have just hardened with age.......

Jack ffr1846 · Post by **Jack ffr1846** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 2:04 pm

Most of the time, if you don't win, or come in high enough to spoil someone's season's points below you, nobody cares. If you do win, expect others in your class to all of a sudden know who you are and start looking for protest points. 
 
jack

AudHaus · Post by **AudHaus** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:46 pm

I guess I don't know what a solid bushing is. The rule for ST states: 
D. Any plastic (Urethane, Delrin etc.) may be used in place of rubber suspension bushings. 
 
I thought those suckers are hard as rocks. What kind of bushing is there that isn't rubber (OEM), or one of these? That's all I've ever heard of. Are you saying you have a metal bushing? Can someone clarify for the clueless (me) why a "solid bushing" isn't covered by that, and OK for ST?

jack667 · Post by **jack667** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 8:20 am

Regarding optimization, Kevin makes a good point that if you optimize the car for one series, it may be not legal or slow in others. My car won't be legal in 944 spec racing, in any class. In COM, the car is otherwise legal in ST2, and may be competitive there, but certainly won't be in SPB. 
But, even in ST2, the optimization question is interesting. For example, because if the PCA rules, I need to pin (lock into center) my camber plates, whereas that is not required for camber plates in ST2. I know there are other examples, but the point is that solid bushings won't make a big difference in lap time, and any advantage in ST2 will be negated, theoretically, by other missed oppty's to optimize the car for ST2. 
Regarding the "spirit" of the club / rules, I will check with the steward, but as much as I know that exceptions take one down a slippery slope, the rules could (should) be geared toward close racing, not a strict reading to the letter. Because so many cars from so many makes are classed together, who is to say that a 944 with solid bushings is faster than another make/model car in ST2 without them? (or vice-versa). I can see where a clearly dominant make/model car might warrant a close scrutiny, but I don't get the idea that the 944 8v fits into that category. 
In the end, if I can run in ST2, I will probably participate in many events over time, and if not, I may do one / maybe two for the novelty, but then I won't want to bother if I have no hope of winning. So - the "spirit" of the club / rules - are they for inclusion or exclusion.

comsccAdmin · Post by **comsccAdmin** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 6:28 pm

I've been wondering when this topic would pop up. ;-) 
 
If you're talking about the spirit of the rules, then it's pretty clear that the 
spirit of COM's rule system is that every car in a certain class is allowed 
to make the same changes as everyone else, and no more. We even 
specifically say at the beginning of the rule book that the competitiveness 
of any specific car is not guaranteed. 
 
If you look at EMRA's rule book, they have an "exceptions" system, 
where you can have a couple of infractions without changing classes. I 
think this would be valuable to consider, and would cover exactly the type 
of situation this thread started out discussing. 
 
In any case, the bottom line is this: If you're coming to a COM event for 
the purpose of competing in the time trials, you should make every 
effort to be sure your car is legal. It's only fair.

COM Sports Car Club