Returning to COM after 12 Year Absence, need help w/class

[smajor6761]

Hi All,

Scott Major here, I am returning to COMSCC after the better part of 12 years away. In that time I have gone from car racing to motorcycle racing and now instructing with many different clubs and organizations.

I have registered for the upcoming NHMS event in October and looking forward to seeing all the new club faces as well as some of the older ones. I learned from the Greased Shadow himself way back in the day and I think Don Peirce still has some footage of me spinning out in my RX-7 in the rain in front of him exiting turn 2.

I will be campaigning my 2005 Lotus Elise which has been expertly prepared by the good folks at Synaptic 3 in Candia NH. That being said, I have no idea which class I should run in. The car is naturally aspirated with significant suspension mods but also has Cams. So is it an ST1 / STGT or SP class car? I couldn't find any results in my search here, and the rule book is a bit fuzzy on the topic of cams. Any help that you fine folks could offer up would be awesome.

Also, please tell me Ed Sawyer is still driving with COM, we used to have some good fun on track together playing cat and mouse. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

[cuda6666]

Normally aspirated 4-cyl street car with engine mods looks like SPC to me.

[Chrispy]

Yep, engine mods automatically bump you to SP under the current rules, and since it's an NA 4-cyl car that makes it SPC. You'll be competing against Will and Gordon and the like so it should be fun!

[smajor6761]

I'm looking forward to sorting out the car with this first event back. I added coil-overs and a quick turn steering rack, along with all the proper suspension stiffening points. The car has been corner balanced and it will be fun to put her through her paces and explore her new limits. I will be running street tires for this first event as well. Currently I am running Dunlop Direzza star specs. I figure next season I will get some DOT race rubber.

I have been looking at the most recent lap times and am amazed at the discrepancy between first place and second place cars. It looks like 8 seconds in some cases. I know they have added a bunch of speed to the track in turn 1 and other areas over the past few years but WOW!!

[Chrispy]

We've also had really close finishes where cars are separated by mere hundreds of a second. The way the rules are written right now there can be big discrepancies in vehicle performance due to some minor change that is class illegal. E.g. removing carpets bumps you from ST to SP, so the classing isn't necessarily purely performance related. New rules are being looked into for next year so this could all change.

Sounds like your car is setup pretty well so I think it will be reasonably competitive in class especially at a track like NHMS, just mentally add a 3-5 second penalty to your competition since they'll all be running sticky tires.

[smajor6761]

Yeah, thats what I figured. My big thing is going out and being safe, having fun and really just get back into the COM thing. I dunno who to ping about the rules but the Cams in my car, basically make it so that is on par with the SuperCharged Elises. It would be fun to play with the guys in STGT, regardless just being out on track with other cars, watching my mirrors and staying clean, will promise to be a good time.

It still seems as though the culture of the club is what it was when I last ran in 2000. The best part is that I have gotten to introduce my cousin and friends to the mix now. They will be driving as well at this event. Now if I can only convince my wife.. hmmmm

[brucesallen]

Scott,
The club is better than ever. Better management and better members. Talk to Dan Darcy about Loti. Welcome back- C U there.

[smajor6761]

The Greased Shadow! Thanks Bruce, yeah I am looking forward to driving again with a great club. I will have to talk with Dan and learn his tricks to speed around the course.

[DanDarcy]

Welcome back Scott. You will have fun with COM Your car in SPC . Have you used it on track yet ? My Lotus is just a stock 2006 Elise with the sport pack and touring pack. I run my Lotus in ST class because of a cold air intake filter. The Elises aren't that fast but they are fun to drive plus they don't eat up tires and brakes and are reliable. Make sure to check your rear toe links, a toe link kit will be a good idea.

[smajor6761]

Had a great time yesterday, it was nice to see some familar faces and a ton of new ones. While yesterday was a get the car sorted day, I was please with the results of my times. I was posting 23's in the morning session with signifcant traffic. I can't wait to see what she will do with some R compound tires, a few suspension tweaks and a slightly warmer temp.

I am very much looking forward to next season and competing in the time trials.