How would you build a DSP AUTO-X Z

[tholt29]

Before you ship it over Curtis, you might want to make the rear spoiler legal... Maybe you can just transplant John Thomas' rear hatch & spoiler. i think it would be a close color match.

Tom

[Curtis240Z]

I already have a spare hatch, just got to make a spoiler, if the proposal goes through....

[John Coffey]

Little birdie tells me that the DSP proposal will go nowhere. There are still reverberations from Vic beating the best C4 Corvettes and Tunnel's M3 in BSP back in 2001.

Edited January 12, 2010 by John Coffey

[Curtis240Z]

Little birdie tells me that the DSP proposal will go nowhere. There are still reverberations from Vic beating the best C4 Corvettes and Tunnel's M3 in BSP back in 2001.

If I recall Vic won on the 9/11 year when we raced only one track, so that isn't a total picture of what could of happened because the two tracks usually favor different strengths (power vs. handling).

[tholt29]

It's true that Vic won on a single course event, but the same car won in 98 with Andy Craig driving. Both are excellent drivers and Vic can definitely set up a car well. That said, those were the days before the rally cars moved into BSP and unpset the balance of power dramatically. I don't think anyone can make a Z competitive with the boosted cars in the class now.

In spite of that reality, it's a big jump back to DSP. Roughly 4 seconds separated the winners of those classes at Nationals and that had little to do with the weather. If Vic and Andy proved anything it's that the Z can be competitive with the 'Vettes. In 2009 the fastest Vette in BSP (8th place) would have won DSP by 7/10's. A very well built/driven Z could do well in DSP.

Ultimately the SEB decides what changes to make based on feedback. If they did not think this reclass had merit they wouldn't have posted it for member comment. So the more letters they get supporting it will help the Z's cause. Now, if a few current competitive DSP drivers get worked up and send letters saying 'are you nuts?' this whole idea may die an early death. We won't know for a long while. The longer you hear nothing, the better the Z's chances. The SEB probably won't print a final recommendation until late summer... a retraction could come next month if the opposition is strong...

Tom

[rjracin240]

[

Ultimately the SEB decides what changes to make based on feedback. If they did not think this reclass had merit they wouldn't have posted it for member comment. So the more letters they get supporting it will help the Z's cause. Now, if a few current competitive DSP drivers get worked up and send letters saying 'are you nuts?' this whole idea may die an early death. We won't know for a long while. The longer you hear nothing, the better the Z's chances. The SEB probably won't print a final recommendation until late summer... a retraction could come next month if the opposition is strong...

Tom

Please all you SCCA members out there; please write in your support for this class change, I definitely would like to break the Z back out and once again take it for a spin around the track!

[tholt29]

...and some of the current DSP racers ARE getting worked up, so the more letters the better.

Tom

[Andydando]

Thought i might get involved with this thread.Vic's car was a 73 because that is what was availible,my car (fp champ car 85,87,88) was a 73 because it was my street car,(caught on fire alt short).If i were to construct a first rate BSP Z i would start with the lightest chassis possible.The reason being horsepower to weight ratio.The chassis stiffness is of very little consequence because both chassis flex and the rules do not allow enough cage to make up for it With the horsepower so limited weight is everything. suspension tuning can make up for chassis differences. BTW Vic's car did not have carpet door panels, and i far as i knew (which i did ask bluntly his car was to the limit of the rules) if anyone has any questions i be glad to answer.

Andy Craig

Edited January 20, 2010 by Andydando

[tholt29]

...my car (fp champ car 85,87,88) was a 73 because it was my street carAndy Craig

The car in my profile pic is the remains of Andy's FP car... I think the only parts that remain are the right fender, the doors, the cage, the hatch, the diff and the cylinder head casting. Everything else has been replaced... some things a few times. :classic:

Andy, any clue what Vic's HP was?

Tom

[rjracin240]

...and some of the current DSP racers ARE getting worked up, so the more letters the better.

Tom

Already sent in my request, are there any of you die hard Auto-X guys that can suggest how to word the request with the right buzzwords to heighten our chances of a class change?

Thanks to those of you that have already written, please let us know your experiences of any feedback.

My experience so far was a automated letter letting me know they received it.

[tholt29]

When writing your letter, keep in mind that they don't care if you think it would be cool and serve you well. The more detail you can provide on why you think the Z's will be FAIR competition for the BMW's, Subaru Impreza, Lexus IS300 and the lone Merkur, the more influence you will have. Provide technical details, parts availability, strengths and weaknesses that will convince the SEB that a 40 year 2300 lb Z does not have the potential to be dominant over a bunch of newer 3000 + pound sedans.

One of the awesome things about the Z's that makes it so attractive to us, is the interchangeability of the engines and drivetrain. That is pretty heavily restricted in street prepared, mainly because we have to use an engine as a whole with no internal mods. No head swapping, no bigger valves, no cam swaps. The things that really wake up a Z are not legal here and HP gains are limited to what you can get with exhaust and intake changes. Tell them what kind of documented power can be created from those mods. Don't mislead them by pointing out Rebello can build a 300 hp street motor because that motor would not be legal in this class.

The ultimate goal is to grow participation. If this would have that effect tell them! I am on the Prepared class commitee have a some friends on the SEB and I will try and check their pulse on this issue once the feedback has leveled off and let you all know which way the wind seems to be blowing...

Tom

Edited January 25, 2010 by tholt29

[rjracin240]

When writing your letter, keep in mind that they don't care if you think it would be cool and serve you well. The more detail you can provide on why you think the Z's will be FAIR competition for the BMW's, Subaru Impreza, Lexus IS300 and the lone Merkur, the more influence you will have. Provide technical details, parts availability, strengths and weaknesses that will convince the SEB that a 40 year 2300 lb Z does not have the potential to be dominant over a bunch of newer 3000 + pound sedans.

One of the awesome things about the Z's that makes it so attractive to us, is the interchangeability of the engines and drivetrain. That is pretty heavily restricted in street prepared, mainly because we have to use an engine as a whole with no internal mods. No head swapping, no bigger valves, no cam swaps. The things that really wake up a Z are not legal here and HP gains are limited to what you can get with exhaust and intake changes. Tell them what kind of documented power can be created from those mods. Don't mislead them by pointing out Rebello can build a 300 hp street motor because that motor would not be legal in this class.

The ultimate goal is to grow participation. If this would have that effect tell them! I am on the Prepared class commitee have a some friends on the SEB and I will try and check their pulse on this issue once the feedback has leveled off and let you all know which way the wind seems to be blowing...

Tom

STREET PREPARED

- The following class listing change proposals are being published for member comment:

- Move from DSP to FSP: Fiat 124 (’66-’74) (ref. 09-498)

- Move from BSP to DSP: Datsun 240Z & 260Z & 280 Z. Also revise current BSP listing to “Datsun 280ZX/280ZX Turbo

(‘79-’83) (ref. 09-673)

- Add new listing in DSP: “Honda CRX Si & Civic Si (’84-’87)” and move to DSP on one line ”Honda Civic & CRX 1500

(‘84-’87)” (ref. 09-617)

http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastrack/10/10-fastrack-jan-solo.pdf

Above is the link for the SEB proposal, please take the quoted advise and lets get a resurgence of Z's back on the auto-x tracks.

SOLO EVENTS BOARD MINUTES | Nov. 23, 2009

The Solo Events Board met by conference call November 23rd. Attending were SEB members Tina Reeves, Dave Feighner,

Steve Wynveen, Iain Mannix, Erik Strelnieks, and Bryan Nemy; Lisa Noble and Robin Langlotz of the BOD; Doug Gill and Brian

Harmer of the National Staff. These minutes are presented in topical order rather than the order discussed.

Unless noted otherwise the effective date for all rule, class, and listing change proposals herein is 1/1/2011.

Comments regarding items published herein should be directed to seb@scca.com.