No doubt the dunlops are good though. I have a set sitting in my garage -- just waiting to wear out some neovas so I can mount them on my light wheels.

donour

 

You kind of contradicted yourself. If most cars stop better with the stock brakes, then you don't have to buy a BBK just because the rules allow it, therefore it's not any more expensive

 

Most cars does not mean all cars ... meaning the people that bought cars with crappy brakes from the factory need to suffer.

 

I think you still got it wrong. Not allowing BBK's will make the class more expensive and hurt participation. Here's how:

Imagine Joe Schmoe want to run his Civic in STS, but also wants to attend HPDE's and Time Trials. He will have to go and and buy a second car because the stock brakes on the Civic suck for road racing. . . So, he will probably mod the Civid more so he can do his road racing and then go AXing in Street Mod . . . OR - he will go out and buy another, more expensive, car that he can use for both.

But, the people with the EVOs, STIs, BMWs already have sufficient brakes for road course work, so there is no expense you you.

You see, not adopoting this rule will make some folks spend more $$ and reduce participation, while allowing BBK's will improve participation, allow those who need bigger brakes to install them, and cost you nothing . . . a win-win situation for everyone . . .

 

While I understand what you are saying, IMHO if you truely want to be competetive in any series (auto-x or roadracing/TT), you have to build a car specifically designed around those rules for that particular series. If you have a competetive car in one series, chances are very likely it won't be competetive in the other without further modification.

If you want to be competetive in both series you'll have to build seperate cars for each series. A compromise car has little chance of being competetive, IMHO. It can happen with certain cars but its all about the platform you pick, luck and the rules between the 2 series. This sport called racing has never been cheap and most likely will never be.

BTW the stock brakes on a Civic Si setup for STS don't suck for HPDEs and TT, speaking from personal experience. All cars aren't created equal, allowing more mods in a class always increases overall expense in trying to equalize the playing field. That's exactly how *SP got out of hand .... IMHO keep it simple, keep it cheap in the lower classes (relatively speaking ofcourse).

 

Does STU require that race buckets be fully upholstered including the back? I read something about this but am not clear on it. Even the stock Evo Recaros are not fully upholstered in the back.

 

seating surface must be upholstered, including the forward portion of the seatback. the rear of the seatback and bottom of the seat do not need to be upholstered.

 

seasoned autox'er, long-time lurker, first time poster. i've been scouring the STU-related threads for a while now, but i haven't found any IX platform discussion. stock suspension and wheel differences aside, there are several main differences that i can see. RS is lighter, but doesn't have ABS. meanwhile the MR is heavier and has a 6-speed tranny [but unless i'm mistaken, a quick gear/speed calc tells me 1st thru 3rd are nearly identical to the 5-speed - 39/58/79 vs. 41/58/79 on 245/40R17's]. does that make the GSR the trim to have? drivers being equal, of course - i'm well aware that richard is taking names in his VIII.

 

Thanks grice. That's good news for me and my new seat.
Boardkat, many would probably say that the RS is the trim to have if you are comfortable without ABS. Perhaps Suraj can comment on the MR, since that's what he races in STU.

 

I think it's more complicated than just simply ABS. The RS lacks EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), which does a lot more than just detecting (and reacting to) lockup:

So when you choose the RS, you're not just risking locking up the brakes if you hit the pedal too hard -- you're giving up a sophisticated active four-wheel brake balance computer.

 

thanks for the heads up on EBD, i vaguely remember reading something about it awhile back. pretty sure i could never be happy in an RS anyway - for a car doubling as a DD, power locks/windows/cruise/etc, there's no way i could live without those creature comforts!

 

The RS is fantastic for STU as is the GSR-SE. The past two Pro Solo STU class events have been won by an RS (mine) and an SE (Corey Ridgick). The SE is a much better daily driver if that is a concern for you. I have had no issues with the RS not having ABS, it just takes a little more discipline.

 

if this is to be a DD than the ratio will be like 99% street 1% racing. I personally bought a GSR SSL not totally because it was the cleanest I could find, but because I wanted a car that would give me everything I already had with my WRX but take it to the next level on weekends.

If I could have 2 cars well the other 2 might be better race cars. Heck I have a sunroof god knows what that does to my CoG!!! Any EVO is capable , its a phenomenal car. Will you be able to be the touring regional champ ? Thats all up to you

 

i just jumped out of a car with no ABS so i'm familiar with threshold breaking - mind you, the spec v didn't have QUITE as much power!

didn't realize corey was in an SE - but i'm sure he'd be just as fast no matter what trim he had!

since i can't yet dedicate a car to autox/track, it's going to have to pull double duty. guess i'll take the weight penalty, but be ultimately happier in a GSR-SE. thanks for everybody's input!

as an aside, dave, are you going to be in topeka? i'll be sure to look you up [i'll be rolling in DS/ITR/53].

 

very true - i am definitely looking for a car to pull double duty. hopefully my driver mod can make up for the weight over time