Ok, I run SM locally because there are more cars in that class and it has a better PAX which means I have a higher overall standing (and I do well in the class locally).

I am strongly considering dong the National Tour event at Washington, DC this June since it is the closest I will probably get to a National Level event for a while. But I am not sure if I should run BSP or SM.

If I run BSP I feel I can do pretty well in the class, but not that well overall (due to the lower PAX). But if I run SM, I feel I can do better overall (due to the better PAX) but most likely not as well in the class since competition is stiffer in SM, especially for a NA car.

At a national level event, what is more important class standing or overall standing? I am thinking class standing and therfore I am leaning towards BSP, but what do you guys think?

Oh and BTW, is anybody here going to attend this event?

In National Tour, Pro Solo, and most SCCA Solo events the class win is what is important. The FTD is just for bragging rights.

PAX doesn't mean anything at all. Position in class is the only thing that matters, and that only really matters for that event - you don't accumulate points nationally or anything. Anyway, you usually just pick a class based on how your car is prepped, and the other competition in the class. If my car was legal for BSP, I wouldn't run it in Street Mod, because locally a BSP car is pretty much just too underprepared to be competitive in SM. But, in my region, we have a lot of top, nationally competitive SM cars and drivers. If your area is a little easier, you may be able to get by with an underprepared car...

Jim

I am in the same boat, I ran BSP last year but am running SM this year due to the better competition. I did BSP last year at the Rome, NY National Tour and there was only 1 other car in my class, that totally sucked. THis year, at DC Tour, I am going to run SM because atleast there will be some competition, probably too much competition, but then it is fun. :evil2

Originally posted by ///Mracer
I am in the same boat, I ran BSP last year but am running SM this year due to the better competition. I did BSP last year at the Rome, NY National Tour and there was only 1 other car in my class, that totally sucked. THis year, at DC Tour, I am going to run SM because atleast there will be some competition, probably too much competition, but then it is fun. :evil2
So you are running in the DC Tour event? I didn't see your name on the entry list. There are 6 cars in SM and 2 in BSP. I have signed up for BSP but I know that can be changed. The cars listed in SM don't look that tough (96 Chevy Impala, 94 Honda Civic, 92 Eagle Talon Tsi, 01 Acura Integra GSR, and a 00 VW Golf w/2 drivers), but then this is SM so there is no telling what is in those cars :az: . In BSP there is a 96 Vette and a 95 M3 (I know this guy and run against him locally and he is fast (still faster than me, for now anyway :evil2 !!!). Too bad I am not in your area, I could give you a run for your money!!!

Jim O.,

Just curious, buy what do you consider "underprepared" for SM, lack of forced induction? I say that since everything I have done to my car seems to make it competitive (with the exception of FI). The biggest thing I am working on now is the nut behind the wheel :) .

I would love to go, but am I correct in assuming it's open to SCCA members only?

John V

No, I did not sign up yet. I already registered for a 2 day NASA event at Summit Point the same weekend before I knew about the DC tour event. I have to cancel the Summit POint event before I register for DC.

I think you are refering to Lee on the 95 M3 right? I saw his car run last weekend and it was amazing. I got screwed out of my runs so I did not get to compare our rides. This sunday I will see how well I can keep up with him.

Do not worry about the other cars in SM because you never know what they have done to them, just worry about yourself. :awink:

Just spend the $60 and become a member, you get a cool magazine ever month also. :D

Originally posted by ///Mracer
I think you are refering to Lee on the 95 M3 right? I saw his car run last weekend and it was amazing. I got screwed out of my runs so I did not get to compare our rides. This sunday I will see how well I can keep up with him.

No, his name is Ron Kotona. He just moved to my area a few months ago from the DC area. He drives an Aus Blue M3.

I actually signed up for BSP last night but I may change it to SM (because I think I can beat all of those cars, I don't care what they have done to them :cool: !! Ok, can someone please deflate my head now, it is starting to hurt :D !!)

I was an SCCA member 1995-1996. I don't think I'll join again. I just couldn't figure out where my money went.

First off, it's $75 a year and I found the magazine to have little information that pertained to my interests (sounds selfish, I know) - namely local SoloII stuff.

Second off, the $75 membership buys me little (nothing?) more than the magazine and $5 off each SoloII event, of which there are maybe seven per year. $5 * 7 + magazine I won't read != $75 in my mind.

I joined the BMW CCA because I get access to the BMW CCA autocrosses plus I get the Roundel, which, from what I've seen, has a good mix of technical stuff, historical stuff, new stuff and (admittedly stuck-up) editorials. Plus, it's thick, glossy and well put together. All for $35! What a bargain...

No SCCA for me until they make all the WDCR events for "members only" as they will next year.

John V

Ya know.... that is a pretty hard decision to make. I have a BSP prepped car, but used to run it in Street Modified. I have recently moved to BSP this year because the competition was higher and the quality of drivers was better (locally).

Now, with that being said, at the Houston National Tour last week, there were only 4 drivers in BSP vs 12 in SM. I most likely would have finished top 4 in SM based on my raw times... but I stayed in BSP. Why... dunno.

Personally, I look for the competition, not the win. A trophy received easily doesn't mean as much as one that I really had to work for. Plus, you don't become a better driver by running in classes where you can just 'beat' someone.

That's my take on it. I was a little disappointed that more National caliper driver's didn't make the Houston Tour. It's your first clue as to who is going to be fast in Topeka that year and where you stand against them. I ended up looking at ESP and SS times to see where I stood (as they had reigning and past National Champions in those classes).

My advice... run whatever class you want.... drive to win and hope for competition. Oh yeah... and have fun!

John.

PS- At nationals, I strongly beleive you will need forced induction in Street Mod. Yet another reason I went back to BSP. I'm not willing to make that investment yet.

I will be running SM in Peru. In my case its the only class the car is elegiable for now. Its what I get for going to spherical bearings in the rear suspension.

The car is ready, the driver .. not so much.

!)Originally posted by Enigma
Its what I get for going to spherical bearings in the rear suspension.

I thought that in SP, suspension was free as long as it mounted to stock mounting points, which also included shock mounts. So that would make you eligeable for ASP right?

In any event, you all make good points. I know for a fact I will have competition in BSP because even though there are 2 cars currently in the class, the 95 M3 driver is fast and I have yet to come really close to him (key emphasis on yet, I will see him this weekend :evil2 !).

According to my 2002 book,

14.8:c

Suspension bushings may be replaced with bushings of any materials (except metal) as long as they fit in the original location. Offset bushings may be used. In a replacement bushing the amount of metal relative to the amount of non-metallic material may not be increased. This does not authorize a change in type of bushing (for example ball and socket replacing a cylindrical bushing), or use of a bushing with an angled hole whose direction differs from that of the original bushing.

So no, he's not legal for SP.

John V

Originally posted by jmciver
Just curious, buy what do you consider "underprepared" for SM, lack of forced induction? I say that since everything I have done to my car seems to make it competitive (with the exception of FI). The biggest thing I am working on now is the nut behind the wheel :) .
Nope, not forced induction. There's tuning the suspension to the limits of the rules. Weight reduction. Engine mods. Etc. - just read the rulebook and think about what's allowed in SM, but not in BSP.

I feel that two years ago was about the last chance for a BSP legal car to win at a national level. Last year, we saw more cars taken beyond what is legal in SP. This year, we'll see even more cars specifically built for SM...

Jim

i should be running in sm there but of course i have to go to graduation that weekend and i have a test that friday :(