Autocross classing.. Help a noob!

[CJ10]

Hey all,

My first event I was placed in SSM with my '94 R because I had a test pipe at the time. Got smoked, like, badly. I installed a high-flow cat and ran in STS for my second event. There was (is) only one other local racer in STS and he has a better prepped car. Not to mention being a faster driver (3 seconds!) with age and practice. STS has only had one racer for the last few events and STR had at least 3 racers for the last few events.

I looked up the times and noticed that I was much more closely matched to the guys running in STR despite the wider tire allowances. Anyway, from what I gather: STS is basically for NA Miatas and STR is for newer models and S2K's also allowing aftermarket differentials and wider tires.

Blah blah blah: without doing STR type upgrades should I stick it out in STS against a better car & driver and focus on improving myself or is my car able to go into STR as-is and be more competitive right away against those same drivers? Sure there can always be less/more participants at any given event and I'll improve regardless as time goes on but I still want to compete and be competitive while I have fun learning and tossing around the MX-5.

Thanks!

[kung fu jesus]

Tough it out. Spend the money to learn to drive better, not add mods to hide your lack of talent.

[CJ10]

Right. Without modding more I'll be at a "disadvantage" in STR but the guys currently running STR are at my pace in the "lower" STS class. The guy currently running in STS is at the pace of what STR "should be".. hmmm...

I'm at a disadvantage anyway with 195 all-season sport tires, when they go I'll step up a bit to something like the Dunlop DZ102. I don't plan on upgrading my car just for autocross unless I get a daily driver so any future mods may or may not place me in a different class.

[Slampen]

I'll be at a "disadvantage"

Compensate with skill. Nothing is cooler.

[MX5RACER]

Hey all,

My first event I was placed in SSM with my '94 R because I had a test pipe at the time. Got smoked, like, badly. I installed a high-flow cat and ran in STS for my second event. There was (is) only one other local racer in STS and he has a better prepped car. Not to mention being a faster driver (3 seconds!) with age and practice. STS has only had one racer for the last few events and STR had at least 3 racers for the last few events.

I looked up the times and noticed that I was much more closely matched to the guys running in STR despite the wider tire allowances. Anyway, from what I gather: STS is basically for NA Miatas and STR is for newer models and S2K's also allowing aftermarket differentials and wider tires.

Blah blah blah: without doing STR type upgrades should I stick it out in STS against a better car & driver and focus on improving myself or is my car able to go into STR as-is and be more competitive right away against those same drivers? Sure there can always be less/more participants at any given event and I'll improve regardless as time goes on but I still want to compete and be competitive while I have fun learning and tossing around the MX-5.

Thanks!

If your car still has the Torsen, your car is not STS legal. The 1.8 cars are in STS with an open diff. The Torsen puts you in STR, unless the rules recently changed.

[CJ10]

Oh, I think you're right Racer. I just printed out the ST section of the rulebook.

"STS, STF: No LSD permitted except factory viscous.."
"STU, STR, STX, STP: ...2WD vehicles may use any mechanical LSD unit"