2008 STU discussion
It would be very interesting to see what would be faster - a prepped SM car running on street tires, or a dedicated STU car. . .
The SM car would have the power advantage, but the suspension would be set up for grippier R comp tires . . .
The STU car would have the grip advantage, as the suspension would be tailored to street tires, but would be lacking power. . .
WHADDA YA THINK??
The SM car would have the power advantage, but the suspension would be set up for grippier R comp tires . . .
The STU car would have the grip advantage, as the suspension would be tailored to street tires, but would be lacking power. . .
WHADDA YA THINK??
Evolved Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: Dallas / Fort Worth
I think if a fully prepped SM ran against a maxed out STU and they both ran the same tires the SM car would put a whoopin' on it. Not only would it have a serious power advantage but it would have the weight advantage too (I think -- since I think you can take stuff out of an SM car unless I'm mistaken).
It would be very interesting to see what would be faster - a prepped SM car running on street tires, or a dedicated STU car. . .
The SM car would have the power advantage, but the suspension would be set up for grippier R comp tires . . .
The STU car would have the grip advantage, as the suspension would be tailored to street tires, but would be lacking power. . .
WHADDA YA THINK??
The SM car would have the power advantage, but the suspension would be set up for grippier R comp tires . . .
The STU car would have the grip advantage, as the suspension would be tailored to street tires, but would be lacking power. . .
WHADDA YA THINK??
The SM (Small Man) car would win ofcourse 
There's the weight advantage, power advantage, diff advantage and improvement to the suspension geometry (Front Roll Center) ...
It would be very interesting to see what would be faster - a prepped SM car running on street tires, or a dedicated STU car. . .
The SM car would have the power advantage, but the suspension would be set up for grippier R comp tires . . .
The STU car would have the grip advantage, as the suspension would be tailored to street tires, but would be lacking power. . .
WHADDA YA THINK??
The SM car would have the power advantage, but the suspension would be set up for grippier R comp tires . . .
The STU car would have the grip advantage, as the suspension would be tailored to street tires, but would be lacking power. . .
WHADDA YA THINK??
New July Fasttrack is out:
http://scca.com/documents/Fastrack/0...-july-solo.pdf
Areas of interest:
Basically I see it as they are trying to "OK" big brake kits. I don't think I'm "OK" with that ...
http://scca.com/documents/Fastrack/0...-july-solo.pdf
Areas of interest:
o Replace Section 14.6.A (STS/STS2) with:
“Cross-drilled and/or slotted brake rotors may be fitted (same size/type/material as standard) provided all such voids are
within the disc area, and comprise no more than 10% of that area.” Comment: This modifies the existing STS/STS2
allowance by limiting the amount of “swiss cheesing” for weight loss to amounts typical of off-the-shelf aftermarket
tuner parts.
o Replace Section 14.12.7 (STX/STU) with:
“Non-standard brake rotors may be used provided they are of equal or larger dimensions (diameter and thickness) and
made of ferrous material (e.g. iron). Aluminum rotor hats are allowed. Cars originally equipped with solid (non-vented)
rotors may utilize vented rotors. Cross-drilled and/or slotted brake rotors may be fitted provided all such voids are within
the disc area, and comprise no more than 10% of that area.
Brake calipers and mounting brackets may be replaced provided they bolt to the standard locations and the number of
pistons is equal to or greater than standard.
Drum brakes may be replaced with disc brakes
“Cross-drilled and/or slotted brake rotors may be fitted (same size/type/material as standard) provided all such voids are
within the disc area, and comprise no more than 10% of that area.” Comment: This modifies the existing STS/STS2
allowance by limiting the amount of “swiss cheesing” for weight loss to amounts typical of off-the-shelf aftermarket
tuner parts.
o Replace Section 14.12.7 (STX/STU) with:
“Non-standard brake rotors may be used provided they are of equal or larger dimensions (diameter and thickness) and
made of ferrous material (e.g. iron). Aluminum rotor hats are allowed. Cars originally equipped with solid (non-vented)
rotors may utilize vented rotors. Cross-drilled and/or slotted brake rotors may be fitted provided all such voids are within
the disc area, and comprise no more than 10% of that area.
Brake calipers and mounting brackets may be replaced provided they bolt to the standard locations and the number of
pistons is equal to or greater than standard.
Drum brakes may be replaced with disc brakes
Although I have my doubts that a bigger brake kit would provide all that much of an advantage over the stock Brembos, I don't think I am in favor of that either, at least on principle.
Part of the appeal of STU for me is that it allows for some limited and effective modifications to help squeeze the most out of a car that is quite capable in stock form and doesn't need $10k in upgrades to be competitive, and make it just a bit more tailored for AutoX specifically.
Big brake kits could yield additional unsprung weight savings with improved stopping power. If the competition wants to go and blow $3k on a big brake setup to save a few pounds of unsprung weight and have improvements in braking that are probably negligible for AutoX, let them. I'll just chuckle and shake my head.
Part of the appeal of STU for me is that it allows for some limited and effective modifications to help squeeze the most out of a car that is quite capable in stock form and doesn't need $10k in upgrades to be competitive, and make it just a bit more tailored for AutoX specifically.
Big brake kits could yield additional unsprung weight savings with improved stopping power. If the competition wants to go and blow $3k on a big brake setup to save a few pounds of unsprung weight and have improvements in braking that are probably negligible for AutoX, let them. I'll just chuckle and shake my head.
When the classes 1st started (STX/STU) upgrading the brake caliper weren't allowed only the brake discs could be upgraded. Here's an excerpt from the 2006 rules:
14.6 BRAKES
A. Cross drilled and/or slotted brake rotors are permitted, same size
and type as standard.
B. Brake lines may be substituted with alternate DOT approved
flexible brake lines.
C. Air ducts may be fitted to the brakes, provided that they extend
in a forward direction only, and that no changes are made in the
body/structure for their use. They may serve no other purpose.
D. Original equipment ABS braking systems may be electrically
disabled, but may not be removed or altered in any other way.
A. Cross drilled and/or slotted brake rotors are permitted, same size
and type as standard.
B. Brake lines may be substituted with alternate DOT approved
flexible brake lines.
C. Air ducts may be fitted to the brakes, provided that they extend
in a forward direction only, and that no changes are made in the
body/structure for their use. They may serve no other purpose.
D. Original equipment ABS braking systems may be electrically
disabled, but may not be removed or altered in any other way.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Wausau, WI
Correct, the primary focus on our side is limiting the swiss cheese factor. This is being published in cunjunction with SP allowaances as well to flesh out a little more progression between the categories.
I think the real reason they are doing this is not just so you can waste money, but for those of you who track your car regularly to upgrade to a better road race-able rotor. (not as big of deal with the EVO, but IS a big deal with most other cars out there. . . )
Yeah I guess that makes sense. The Cyber Evo still used the stock calipers at Tsukuba, probably harder than any STU car hits the track, so I'd question the necessity, but I can see why they want to allow it.