that's true, you do have much more done than the average SM car. Even without r-comps you could probably win locally.

according to the rules, there is much left to be done. r-comps, built motor, turbo, coilovers (i.e motons or similar), clutch, aero ...

right there could be an easy 15k. How competitive your current setup is, i don't know.

Interesting enough, i don't believe the winning times in Kansas for BSP were much slower than SM, may have even been faster. I might be referencing hearsay, and much does depend on the driver(s).

 

Hard to compare classes at the 2010 nationals unless they ran at the same time. Some days were really wet, some mildly wet, and some dry.

If you look at the results, ESP was faster than BSP... Not on even terms.

 

For a daily driver I would get the Star Specs, they seem to last longer and Ive seen great things in the rain from other competitors.

Also, Id suggest just saving up for a set of stock VIII enkies and throwing on some V710s or Z214 c71's in a 245. Those will be ~2/60 faster than the star specs and only cost you about a grand. Get some tire bags and theyll all fit in the back seat. We comfortably drive up to packwood with 2 people and bags for a weekend like that.

 

When reading the rule book, remember that if the rules don't specifically say that you can make a modification, then you can't.

 

The rules say as long as the car has it's integral bumper parts it is legal. It doesn't specify if the part can be modified or not. I am going to write to our regional president to see what he has to say about this.

 

I think this pretty much sums it up.

 

So does 16.1.I allow something like the Beatrush under engine cover?

 

The JDM rear bumper is illegal in both SM and BSP because there is no way to keep the stock crash beam intact. It is illegal to completely replace the crash beam because the rules have no provisions for replacement. If you can retain the stock crash beam and prove that only <= 1lb of material was removed to facilitate installation of the bumper, then it could be SM legal, but I don't think it's possible.

Someone already said it, but if the rules don't say you CAN do something, then you CAN'T.

If you notice, not a single one of the nationally prepped SM Evos has a JDM rear bumper. That tells me one of two things: it's either a) not legal, or b) doesn't provide a level of functionality worth making the proper modification.

 

This may sound silly but... could you just weld metal weights (or reweld the old material) onto the modified bumper to make it <=1 lb heavier than stock?

 

That's a grey area and when it comes to grey, its probably illegal but "almost" no one would care. There is always that one guy though...

 

It would take anyone with knowledge of the part about 10 seconds to spot an RCK, disguised or not. The change in geometry is very easy to see.

In my limited experience I see a lot of people fretting about being competitive in SM or BSP, and only thinking in terms of winning nationals. It turns out that only 1 person wins nationals in SM per year, and that it's really really hard. That person A. is really fast; B. spent a lot of time and did a ton of research, testing, and practice; C. spent a lot of money. And they're competing against other people who have done the same. So if winning nationals is really important to you, commit and go for it, but it's really really hard.

Many other people enjoy competing locally or regionally and do very well and have a lot of fun in classes like SM and BSP that they would otherwise get smoked in at Nationals. But, they had a lot of fun and often bring home some silverware.

Understanding your priorities is the first step. Do you want to have fun, be fast locally/regionally, win Nationals, learn to be a better driver, beat Lewis Hamilton at the USGP in 2013, etc.

EDIT: I guess what I'm saying is that I see a lot of people who go to their first auto-x and have a blast, then decide they want to be the best ever (not saying that is the case here at all).. That's great, but it takes time. If your car happens to have a few mods that put you into SM or BSP and you really don't want to take them off, don't sweat it. Compete locally and have a blast and learn as much as you can. Then go all out.

- Andrew

 

So basically if I ever go to nationals I just throw a stock crash beam and bumper on. That sounds doable.