2015 Rules Updates

[blindsidefive0]

Competitors –

Happy New Year! Below is a preview of 2015 rule changes and what they might mean to you. The information is preliminary; please see 2015 COMSCC Rule Book, when published, for official rules. In the meantime, full rule proposals can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KF- ... sp=sharing


“Substantive Changes” – if you read nothing else, review the following 8 rule changes. They are by no means “drastic”, but could affect a number of competitors.

Rule Change: Definition of vehicle is based on chassis VIN, exception process available
What this means for you: You now have the option of classifying your car based on the chassis VIN (99.8% of competitors already do this), or you can request (in writing) to get a base classification as another vehicle with an identical chassis to your car. Why would anyone want to do this - typically in the case of a car that has been 100% swapped with parts from another car with identical chassis (e.g. classify a 350z as a 350z NISMO or classify a BMW 325i as an M3).

Rule Change: "Junkyard Swap" without a dyno re-class is now allowed
What this means for you: If you swap a motor that was available on your chassis from the factory, you no longer need to take a dyno reclass (although the option is still available). Instead you can get a new base class using the curb weight and performance adjustment from your chassis with power figures from the new motor.

Rule Change: Rotors of the same thickness/diameter as stock are free
What this means for you: You may now move from a 1-piece to a 2-piece rotor for 0 points, assuming thickness and diameter are identical to stock.

Rule Change: Poly and Rubber bushings are now both free. Spherical bearings and other types of modified bushings are 1 point. Bushing limiters are free.
What this means for you: Exactly the same as last year, except that polyurethane bushings and bushing limiters are free. Competitors may enjoy additional durability without additional cost, points-wise.

Rule Change: Tire size now based on average tire width, no longer max tire width
What this means for you: Mid/Rear engine and monster HP cars can enjoy staggered tire setups for fewer points.

Rule Change: Tire Compound Changes
13 - non-DOT Slicks
10 - Hoosier Wets, Hoosier H2O, Continental Challenge Wets, BFGoodrich R1-S, Hankook c90/c91, Goodyear RS AC, Hoosier A7
9 - Hoosier A6, Hankook c70/c71
8 - Hoosier R7
7 - Hoosier R6/SM6, Hoosier SM7, BFGoodrich R1, Hankook c50/c51
6 - Continental Challenge Drys, Hankook z221 TD Soft, Kumho v710
5 - Toyo Proxes RR, Hankook z221 TD Medium
4 - Hankook z221 TD Hard
2 - DOT UTQG Rating 41-120, Toyo RA1, R888, Nitto NT01, Yokohama A048, Kumho v700 Victoracer
-2 - DOT UTQG Rating 121-200
-4 - DOT UTQG Rating 201-280
-6 - DOT UTQG Rating 281 and above
What this means for you: You have to take 1 more point if you were on Wets or the R1-S. New Hoosier R7/A7 are more points than the R6/A6, respectively. Toyo RR's drop 1 point. NT01/RA1/R888 drops 1 point. Street tires drop 2+ points, up to a 4 point drop for TW of above 280.

Rule Change: Flywheel/clutch for 1 point, but now driveshaft is assessed separately for 1 point
What this means for you: If you are one of the few (if any?) with a modified driveshaft in addition to a clutch or flywheel, you'll need to take an extra point.

Rule Change: Nissan GT-R performance adjustment gets 2 point bump (2007-2010: 96.2, 2011-2012: 98.6, 2013-2015: 99.6)
What this means for you: GT-R's have fewer points to play with...


“Minor Tweaks” – the following 6 rules tweaks represent relatively minor changes to rules affecting competition. Items below will not apply to most members, and if they do, their impact will likely be minimal.

Rule Change: Touring Class safety requirements - total modification points necessary to invoke safety requirements reduced from 51 to 31
What this means for you: Probably nothing as very few, if any, Touring Class competitors have accumulated more than 30 total modification points (and don't already rock the requisite safety gear). However, if your vehicle is over the new limit, you are required to look awesome: driver suit, harnesses, roll bar, window nets/arm restraints.

Rule Change: Tire Softener prohibited in Touring Classes
What this means for you: You need to move to Super Classes if you want to use tire softener

Rule Change: Modification of Suspension Pick-up points for 3 points (assessed each for front/rear) deleted
What this means for you: Nothing, unless you bought the DSG car and want to run it in Touring, which you can no longer do. This rule was nothing but confusing for the "typical" Touring car.

Rule Change: Modified Control Arms now 1 point
What this means for you: Probably nothing as this is not a particularly common mod in Touring classes. With a more reasonable point assessment (this was previously included under Modification of Suspension Pick-up points), this might be a good buy to widen the track of the vehicle.

Rule Change: Front Underbody Tray is 0 points
What this means for you: Probably nothing as this was not listed in the rules last year. Competitors can now include a front underbody tray (not a full flat bottom) for 0 points - good for protecting the underside of the engine bay/replacing factory plastic underbody panels.

Rule Change: Rear spoiler <6" for 1 point, wing (no taller/wider than vehicle, no more than 6" beyond rear bumper) for 2 points, barn doors for 3 points
What this means for you: Probably nothing as very few competitors rock any sort of aero in Touring. Just be mindful of the dimensions of your rear airfoils.


“Technical Corrections” – the following 6 rules in no way, shape, or form represent a change in how vehicles will be classified. Their sole purpose is to clarify rules that are already in existence and practice.

Rule change: Touring Class Factory Trim definition updated to explicitly allow factory options.
What this means for you: Nothing. This was always the intent, but now the language is a bit clearer.

Rule Change: Factory Ride Height Adjustment clarified
What this means for you: Nothing. This was the result of a clarification in 2014 with a 2015 rule to make it crystal clear going forward: you don't take additional points if you are using the ride-height adjustment installed on your car from the factory.

Rule Change: Intake Manifold porting included under existing Intake Manifold line items
What this means for you: Nothing. This was always the intent; updated rulebook to clarify.

Rule Change: alignment point clarified
What this means for you: Nothing. The intent has not changed, only the wording to make it more clear.

Rule Change: Warning - your M/SA2005 helmets are about to expire next year
What this means for you: Nothing...for this year. Time for a new birthday present in 2015.

Rule Change: Special Awards calculations for points-based awards - no drops, only 1 entry (highest score for the event) per COMSCC event in case of multiple entries/event
What this means for you: Probably nothing - these clarifications have rarely surfaced in the past and only apply to fringe cases. Otherwise, if you want to compete for a Special Award in 2015 you should plan to attend the entire schedule.


“Administrative Updates” – the following 2 rules in no way, shape, or form represent a change in how vehicles will be classified. Their sole purpose is to address and improve the process by which COMSCC rules are enforced.

Rule Change: Protest submissions must be in writing
What this means for you: No more verbal protests; if you aren't convinced of the legality of your competitor's setup, you need to submit the protest request in writing.

Rule Change: Team of Stewards is now defined, in lieu of Board of Stewards
What this means for you: Nothing. This is an administrative update to more closely align with the COMSCC by-laws.


Need to find a way to lose a point or two to stay in your desired class? The first place to look is any part where you "aren't sure if it does anything". Next, take a look at weight - sometimes 1 point can be as easy as adding 35-50lb to the car (fuel, ballast, or holiday diet). After that, look at tires - ditch the steamrollers or look for another tire compound (there are now more options than ever throughout the points range). You can also try a different class - mix it up by bumping up a class or trying out one of the Super Classes.

Getting some room to play with and want to spend some more points? This isn't as straightforward, but generally a good strategy is to find whatever aspect of your car is holding you back the most and address it (keeping in mind "bang-for-the-buck"). If you have more grip than power, open up the hood. If it's the other way around, probably look to a stickier tire compound; sometimes a suspension tweak can do the trick, too.

"I got screwed, there's no way I can win..." Driver mods are always free! Perhaps it's time to try out some of Ross Bentley's teachings at a COMSCC event this spring, and remember, COMSCC Instructors are always here to help!

Got questions? Reply to rules@comscc.org.

See you at the track in 2015!

[maximumyin]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere, but just wondering when we'll see an updated classification tool to reflect the changes. Thanks!

[blindsidefive0]

Great question. We are finishing up testing the new version of the classification tool and final edits on the official rulebook. I would expect these to be released shortly.

[paultg]

Info is up: http://comscc.org/rules/

[n1gzd]

In the Suspension Modifications Worksheet I have checked "Non-Factory Trim 1-way adjustable shocks, struts, dampers" everything works correctly.

However, if I instead check "Non-Factory Trim non-adjustable shocks/struts/dampers" then in the "Print Summary" this selected item is missing (not listed there so it cannot be shown). Note: the total points shown in the summary is still correct. It is just missing in the displayed list of items displayed as modified for this car.

A fix would be appreciated by anyone using non factory non adjustable shocks (not me: I was just messing around with it because I noticed that it was missing).

Rebecca