OK guys, this is getting ridiculous... the SEB is going TAKE BACK crazy and we need to put a stop to it with an organized letter writing campaign from both the RWD (BMW/RX and AWD( Sti/EVO) groups unified, for once! This is effecting STX, STU, and even STS/STS2. We have a huge and growing category and it needs to be kept as is, and maybe even opened up MORE... not reigned in to "stock with springs and camber plates", which is where they are pushing the category.
HISTORY
Here's what's going on... ST has always been about popular street modifications and street tires. Suspension mods (coilovers, camber plates, etc), exhaust mods (down pipes, high flow cats, headers, cat-backs), some tuning, and of course wheels and STREET tires. That part is working.
What isn't working is the increasing number of TAKE BACKS forced upon us, without member feedback, by the SEB (Solo Events Board) and usually against the recommendations from the STAC (Street Touring Advisory Committee).
TAKE BACKS
SOLUTION
Here's where we need to decide what we want. I think this is a given:
Here's some more suggestions that could help equalize the class, allow for more common modifications that many racers want, and keep the diversity within STU and STX:
Who's with me?? Charge!!!!
Suggestions on tweaks, rules, letter wording is welcome. This needs to happen ASAP and we need to have 100+ people from NASIOC, EVOM, BimmerForums, RX8Club, etc to agree! How can we move forward and keep the class competitiveness/diversity/fairness and keep the AWD turbo cars in check on performance but allow what they all want/already have - boost.
HISTORY
Here's what's going on... ST has always been about popular street modifications and street tires. Suspension mods (coilovers, camber plates, etc), exhaust mods (down pipes, high flow cats, headers, cat-backs), some tuning, and of course wheels and STREET tires. That part is working.
What isn't working is the increasing number of TAKE BACKS forced upon us, without member feedback, by the SEB (Solo Events Board) and usually against the recommendations from the STAC (Street Touring Advisory Committee).
TAKE BACKS
- First it was update/backdate (first year). This was a big one, but it kept many folks form having to do the torturous SP route of hybrid year model set-ups, engine swaps, etc. It shouldn't have been allowed in ST from the first
- "Free" intake tract TAKE BACK. The initial rules allowed for free modifications ahead of the throttle body or turbo. Well, this quickly turned into "except for BMWs", which lost the right to do a high flow MAF sensor and removal of the secondary traction control throttle body due to some BS ruling on OEM part number listings.
- Fender rolling - the intent was "to allow the maximum legal tire size to be used" but then the rules contradict themselves elsewhere and now an undefined "stock fender contour" must be adhered to. Unenforceable.
- Then it was racing seats. We had an allowance for race seats, then it became 25# with brackets. Now they threaten to remove this allowance entirely?!
- Strut tower braces: The "clarification" that was thrust upon the class to allow only hinged (read: worthless junk) style attachment was a big old TAKE BACK. Member input was late in arriving but it was almost unanimous and this "clarification" was quickly rescinded.
- Air conditioning removal. First it was allowed, now its not. That's a sure fire TAKE BACK.
- ECM tuning for NA and turbo cars. Always a sticky point, and unenforceable, now this is being "Clarified" (read: TAKEN BACK) to include "no CELs", no CEL-defeats, full functionality, and even OEM O2 locations? PU-LEASE! This would make for stock downpipes on the turbo cars, which has a lot of people pissed off.
Bumper cover/bodykit allowance. Oh, you can do any aftermarket body kit, but now it must use the OEM foglights, if so equipped? WTF??
SOLUTION
Here's where we need to decide what we want. I think this is a given:
- NO MORE TAKE BACKS without MEMBER INPUT. "Clarifications" that significantly reduce allowable mods is a TAKE BACK.
- Remove the "clarifications" and restrictions with regard to MAF, exhausts, etc.
Here's some more suggestions that could help equalize the class, allow for more common modifications that many racers want, and keep the diversity within STU and STX:
- For STX: allow the RWD cars to move to a 9" wide wheel and 255mm tire. Keep the AWD cars limited to 225mm and an 8" wheel max. The disparity in horsepower is significant between the AWD turbo cars and NA RWD cars in this class, but they are all limited to the same wheel and tire maximum. What works so well in STU is the DIS-parity of wheel/tire maximums... so why not make that part of STX as well?
- For STU: keep the current maximum tire allowances of 275mm (RWD) and 245mm (AWD) but allow "fender rolling to fit the maximum legal tire size". Limit AWD cars to a maximum 9" wide wheel.
- Allow boost modifications on the STU cars. Yes, I said it. It is 100% unenforceable right now, might as well take the StreetPrepared way on this one!
- Allow aftermarket exhausts from the turbo or head back but they must incorporate "catalysts within 6 inches of the rearmost stock unit" and can be of any "high flow design, with 2-way or 3-way design". Pre-catalysts can be removed (this is all per the current ruleset - just spell it out better). Air injection, if factory equipped, must also be incorporated into the exhaust header/manifold/piping in a "similar manner as the OEM system". Oxygen sensor location on OBDII cars must be "before and after" the catalysts or in the stock location. Leave it at that!
Who's with me?? Charge!!!!
Suggestions on tweaks, rules, letter wording is welcome. This needs to happen ASAP and we need to have 100+ people from NASIOC, EVOM, BimmerForums, RX8Club, etc to agree! How can we move forward and keep the class competitiveness/diversity/fairness and keep the AWD turbo cars in check on performance but allow what they all want/already have - boost.
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