SP Rules.

[ctier240]

I have a question regarding the rules for SP. As I read them item XI.2 .2 indicates that the stock front and rear window must be used. If this is true wouldn't mean that on a Miata the front window remains stock and the rear window would have to be either glass for a hard top, plastic in a soft top or folded plastic in a soft top which is down. I believe these are the only "stock" rear window options.

I know it's early for rules changes but I will propose one anyways.

The reference in item X1.2.3 that the "silhouette of car remain as delivered" be removed because if any aerodynamic devise
can be added as long as they are fixed and immovable means that the car silhouette can be changed to any configuration at all.
Any type of nose can be attached, any rear clip can be put on, any changes to any part of the car that touches the wind can now be changed.
I always felt that was not the intent of SP but more in lines with P but I am told I'm wrong. So the rule should be changed to reflect what is happening.

Respectfully Submitted
Christopher Tier

Also the past event at NHMS I was in violation of rule XI.1.3 in the fact that I did not see the rule change made last year and my passenger seat was not "safely mounted" and does not have a 5 point harness, because I would never let anyone ride there. I have notified Bill and he indicated that no results would be effected by my error. When I run again I will be in PC. Sorry!

[breakaway500]

Some factory Miata softtops have glass rear windows. So, I'm not sure if you are saying glass for a softtop is illegal (I disagree) or a plastic window in a hardtop is illegal..in which case I would have to agree,unless a hardtop did actually come from the factory with a plastic rear glass...which I doubt.

I don't interpret the allowance of wings/spoilers/air dams in SP to mean "anything goes" that touches the wind,although I do see your point.

3. Silhouette of car must remain as delivered, with the exception of aerodynamic changes as defined in item 10 below.

Looking down for item 10..you come across..nothing(?)..but item 6 says...

6. Any aerodynamic device may be added as long as they are fixed and immovable.

I suppose a full nose change could be vaguely considered an areo device..but we then look at item #4:

4. Composite panels may replace hood, fenders, bumpers, doors, and trunk lid as long as stock appearance is maintained. Cars
using aftermarket composite hoods must utilize hood pins.

Clearly,the intent in SP classes is to keep stock bodies looking...stock...and allowing rear wings/diffusers/front spoilers/air dams to be added to otherwise stock silhouettes.
Maybe the allowable aero devices clause could be spelled out more clearly and have some sort of limitation on them (No 3 foot tall wings etc..)

[Chrispy]

I noticed item 10 was missing last week when reading that clause, will have to read the previous versions to see what it was referring to.

[ctier240]

Item 10 is the same as item 6 now. if you look at the old rule books.

Thanks for the clarification Mark.


My feelings are the same.

let hope that the competitors feel the same way and do the right thing.

Christopher

[WillM]

The SP rules and 'car profile' have been debated at length at many monthly board meetings for the past several years.

The turning point, if I recall correctly, was the allowance of kit cars and replicars in SP, and then relaxing the safety requirements of SP.

I have a hard time reconciling the idea that a custom tube chassis with custom body can run in SP without being subject to the same rules as everyone else.

As the rules state, "Kit cars and replicars are allowed in SP if they meet the rules otherwise specified. A Kit Car is typically a low production volume or
one-off tube frame car with fiberglass, carbon fiber or aluminum body. This car may either duplicate a classic sports car of the past
(either faithfully or with performance improvements), or be a new design."

These rules do not define what a kit car is or is not. Is a Pontiac with a body kit a kit car? The first part of the rule states that "A Kit Car is typically a low production volume or
one-off tube frame car with fiberglass, carbon fiber or aluminum body". The Pontiac in my example does not fit that criteria, but it doesn't have to, as the rule specifically uses the term "typically".

The rule then goes on to state that Kit cars can either replicate a car "either faithfully or with performance improvements", or "be a new design". In other words, it can be anything.

The rules do not at all define what a 'replicar' is, but makes them legal in SP.

So the Pontiac with the body kit, is it a kit car? Is it a replicar? If not, than it is running in Prepared, where a full rollcage, fire suit, and other safety items are required. BUT! If the body kit makes the Pontiac look like a Ferrari Testarossa, then it is legal in SP, and that is ridiculous.

I agree that the evolution of our club and our rules are pointing toward a true time-trial / time-attack organization, where we are truly 'all about the fast lap' and time-trial competitors. The rest of the world caught up with COM, and what we've called time-trials for so many years has been adopted by new comers as 'time attack', which has become pretty popular. Many of our rules were adopted long ago in an effort to mirror car classes used by road racing organizations, where cosmetic changes are strictly prohibited. It makes no sense for an educational and time-trial club to bump street / daily driver cars to the highest classes because they have big wings or body kits or even fender flares. Nate successfully dealt with non-stock interiors and radio systems a few seasons back, seems like we should be able to do the same for exteriors.

- WIll

[ctier240]

I hear what you are saying Will regarding Kit cars or Replicars but if what you say holds true then why is there language in the rules regarding Silhouette remaining as delivered. Which if we use your example of the Pontiac. If it had a body kit it is not retaining the silhouette as delivered and should be in P. The rule also indicates that the stock front and rear glass must be retained. So we ignore those two rules to allow a Pontiac with a body kit to run in SPC?
The club has alienated all the spec. Miata's out there from running in SPC unless they add equipment which in my case would not change the performance or the safety of the car, or remove equipment to make it fit in ST4. SPC was at one time the largest class at any event and now it's one of the smallest. My Miata has run in SPC with no changes other then adding a passenger seat which no one will ever sit in, for at least 10 years. It was a spec. Miata when it started running. Now with the rule changes it is a PC car because I don't run a "safely mounted" (it is mounted but no one will ever sit in it) passenger seat with a 5 point harness or a horn. I not sure what performance advantage either one of those things equates to if they are not installed, but I can't see it being much. It seems as though we bend over backwards to satisfy one rare example at the expense of many in what was once a great competitive class. Most Kit Cars or Replicars that I have seen that are performance oriented provide roll bars and many have cages. I don't think it's a stretch to ask the very few cars that fall in to that category to comply with P rules. If they are not performance oriented then they should not be on the track.

Finally big wings, body kits and fender flares all have the ability to add substantial performance gains so I don't have a problem bumping them up a class. By not bumping them the club have let the SP class creep towards a class for fully developed race cars which by it's name "Street Prepared" it never was intended to be, that's what "Prepared" is for.

Christopher

[boltonite]

I noticed the BoD-Approved version of the 2013 rule book has no changes to the SP rules (aside from "naturally aspirated" instead of "normally aspirated"), just wondering why, perhaps one of our club officials could respond?

At the very least, the bogus reference to a nonexistent "item 10" could have been amended.

Other racing rulebooks include a global rule stating one rule cannot negate another rule; in cases where two or more rules appear in conflict or contradictory the more restrictive interpretation always applies. This is done to avoid situations where one rule (e.g., kit cars) may appear to negate or otherwise nullify another rule (e.g., stock silhouette).
FF

[Stynger]

I noticed the BoD-Approved version of the 2013 rule book has no changes to the SP rules (aside from "naturally aspirated" instead of "normally aspirated"), just wondering why, perhaps one of our club officials could respond?

I'll give it a shot. This is my recollection.

All rule change proposals for SP were voted on.

As far as silhouette, there were a few arguments to leave Will's car legal in SP. I don't remember any real argument against it other than to clarify the rule.

With wings, air dams and other add-ons the so called silhouette rule is fuzzy.
If it's not a Miata due to its shape, it could be considered a kit car where any shape goes.
The fastback roof is legal in Touring, (there is one point added for aerodynamics) if someone had something like that and moved to SP due to safety next year, they could.
SP is only around for one more year until Super is sorted out. It will be legal in Super.
IMO the biggest number one reason was, it was addressed at the very end of the last meeting of the year. The BOD had put an extra ordinary amount of work into Touring and the majority were happy to leave SP, P and FP as it was for one more year.
In the scheme of the work the board did this year, it was not a top priority. Nobody showed real interest in pushing for a clarification. It was voted on and failed.

Like I said, that's my recollection, others may have a different point of view.

[boltonite]

Thanks Les, that helps clarify things, it would be nice to have the meeting minutes published again.

[brucesallen]

no reason they couldn't be published on line-- members only. Any other "Drift" style info?