Well, I wrote this post as a reply to the existing one (ZO6 vs Evo ), but I think it deserves a separate spot in the forum. So, here we are!

Since I am planning on racing the EVO in the autoX when the time comes, the question about where it is going to be classed came up several times so far and I expect it to be a hot thing pretty soon again.

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the classing structure of the SCCA, but in short there are four categories (Stock, Street Prepared, Prepared and Modified) and it is very interesting where EVO is going to end up in each of those.

I would like to have a break from the dirty and greasy hands for a while and race in the stock (where amount of modifications that you are allowed to do are rather small). That brings the question where new EVO is going to end up? Of course, without any serious specs, it is impossible to judge on this, but coming from what was listed on theJapan Vehicles site and assuming that new EVO is going to be faster than the EVO 7, we can play with the guesses a little bit.

Here is what I was able to come up with so far. There was a test between the EVO 7 and E46 M3 a while back and EVO was clearly a faster car. On the R&T test, EVO 7 scored higher than ZO6 and Boxter S. All of those cars are classed in the SS (Super Stock) class. This one is kind of reserved for the sport cars and it will be hard to convince someone that 4 door sedan belongs there.

On the other hand, real performances of the EVO 7 are pointing to this very same class reserved for the special cars. If it goes to the lower classes (like AS or BS) where you can see other cars that are more alike (E36 M3 as one that comes to my mind right now), than it might be a class killer.

So, we still have to see what is going to happen with the new EVO and how much (if so, and I so hope it will) will be faster than the previous one. Classing of it will be a challenge, no question about it, and by adding a new STi into the picture, I am kind of glad that I am not in the Solo Even Board (SEB)!

I wish them a luck and a or two!!

Mr. AWD

 

That's a good question, no one will know until the 8 comes out and has been driven a while. My guess is, SS (unlikely I think) or AS.

At least I don't have that problem, my 7 is going SM and that's it

 

Haha, good topic. Pray for STX, and lay waste to all the WRX's runnin in there,lol.

 

Hmm, it will still take a while until the new EVO gets competitive in the SM. Currently (that is where I am at the moment) there are a lots of cars that are very well prepared and mildly modified car will have a tough time catching top trophies!

Mr. AWD

 

Who said my car will be mildly modded? Watch the registry for updates as I go along, the bulk is coming soon

 

Well, have in mind that it takes a lot of time to correctly tune the suspension/chassis on any car. Especially in the class like the SM where almost everything is allowed. If it was a stock, than maybe... I would be very presently surprised to see a new EVO (or the previous one ) to do good, right of the start. I guess, we will wait and see!!


Mr. AWD

 

Well, it will be legal for the STX right of the line, so there is not worries there. And I think it would be pretty good right there. That still opens classing in the Stock category...

Mr. AWD

 

Quote:

Well, have in mind that it takes a lot of time to correctly tune the suspension/chassis on any car.

Given my experience with my M Coupe, I MUST agree with this statement It took many swaps and setup changes to find what I wanted.

 

in accord with MrAWD, STX is defined as a category for 3.0 liter turbos, so the Evo is a prime example of what that category is for. Currently in STX is the WRX, and I was talking to a WRX driver who told me they're all looking to see how the Evo competes since it's going to have more hp than the WRX. WRC, if you see a blue WRX with orange/yellow numbers co-driven by a blond man and his wife, that's who I've been talking to. And my guess for stock category would be AS, some very respectible sports cars make up that class. Wouldn't even guess on its SP category, especially since I don't know what mods will be available in a year.

 

That one is probably going to be a BSP, unless they get very scared of it and bump it to the ASP where it has no place.

We will see!!!


Mr. AWD

 

STX is 2.0L F.I. which would rule out the SRT-4 but the EVO is still a 2.0L right?

If STX allows the EVO, then they'll also have to allow the STi WRX.

Granted from the specs that Mr DSM just posted yesterday from DSS, it looks like it'll have the same VC diffs that the WRX has (Cernter/Front) the difference being more power stock than any of the other cars in the class. That's the problem... even tho it fits the letter of the class right now, I think when compared to the other cars in the class, the EVO and STi would be overkill.

And the next question is tire size.... can you fit 245's under the EVO's wheel wells?

So that said, in stock I think both the EVO and STi would be good matches for BS or AS.

--kC

 

This year I autoxed my father-in-law's Zo6 in SS. Last year it was my Prelude SH in STS. Next year the Evo. So what class?

1st--- I think the Evo and STi will be on the exclusion list for STX. If the current and last style M3 are excluded (although technically *legal* under the guidelines) I don't think the Evo will be allowed in.

2nd----I think for stock class, the Evo will be in AS with the current M3 (was in SS this year, but has been moved down to AS for next year.)

3rd--- I plan on keeping my new Evo under the stock rules, unless it is legal for STX, because I think it will dominate STX right out of the box.

Luderchris

 

A little off topic, but I decided to post here since this thread got the attention of the most true autocrossers here. When I raced a rwd (trans am) I alway ran with a full tank of gas to keep the rear wheels planted and distribute weight better. I did this because the F-body and Corvette racers recommended it, but wondered why they filled their tanks for weight and then took the spare tire and jack out for weight reduction? Anyway, anybody have advice for fwd cars, as far as full tank or low tank/remove the spare or not? Much appreciated!

 

I used to autox my Prelude SH and I would remove everything that I could. I would also run with as little gas as possible. With fwd 4 bangers, my feeling is the less weight the better. With the Z06 this year, it really didn't make much difference with 400 ft lbs of torque. And the handling was no different either. We usually ran the vette with 1/4-->1/2 tank.

Luderchris

 

Depends on the car. the 2nd gen talons hate having less than a 1/4 or 1/2 tank or you;ll get fuel starvation on turns. Possibly the same tith the cars you mentioned above. I know my WRX can be on empty and there's no fuel starvation. Also it may be due to less slosh in the tank, when you turn, the gas in the tank transfers left to right or whatnot. If you have a 1/2 tank of gas, that's a lot of weight being suddenly slammed to the rear outside corner of the car. Filling the tank (or practically empty) keeps the slosh down to where it won't affect the rear of the car in the transition.