So my plan for this year is to attempt to race in NASA TTA. I recently calculated my points and it looks like I am 11 points out of TTA. 4 points can be subtracted by going back to the stock BCS. So basically I am 7 points out, because the MR gets an additional 7 base points (for a total of 14) over the GSR. I recently sent a letter to the national chairman who classes cars and wanted to see if there are any points that I am missing.

I am attempting to get involved with NASA TT but had a question about base classing. I have a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR and was looking over the classing. I was wondering why the MR gets an additional base 14 points added on as opposed to the GSR which only gets 7. At first I thought it might have been because of the SST transmission, but after looking at the rest of the classing, other cars that come with similar transmissions such as PDK equipped Porsches or DSG equipped Volkswagens do not get additional base points added.
Then I thought it may be because the MR has factory Bilstein suspension. I understand that skidpad numbers are not the end all be all of suspension tests, but the GSR pulls 0.99g's on the skidpad to the MR's 0.96. The GSR is also faster in slalom. The suspension is the same between the two cars with the only difference being the shocks/springs (which are not adjustable). If it is the suspension, would it be considered double dipping on points if the owner switched to coilovers, thus making the GSR (if swapped to coilovers) and the MR the same car. The MR is heavier by almost 100lbs as well.
I am not trying to question you or the staff that made up the base classing, I am just not seeing how basically the same car could be assessed 7 more points. Is there something I am missing or have overlooked?

I also reviewed the rules and a person with a GSR can add the MR suspension and wheels and not be penalized. Here is the response I got back from the director.

It is because of the Transmission and shocks, and the few other items that would take points. The points add up to way more than the 7 points for the asterisk. The transmission alone is worth 7 points.

I still don't get why the MR gets the shaft for the trans but the Cayman and GTI don't as well. Here is my response.

Thank you for the response. If the trans alone is worth 7 points why are cars such as the GTI or Caymen which have options for a dual clutch trans not classed differently? I also looked over the points and there is no provision for adding points for the OEM transmission. If you are referring to the rule that adds 7 points for non-oem semi-automatic transmissions, why would you asses the Evo that comes stock with that trans with those points? If I had a GSR and swapped the trans in, would I not be able to avoid the penalty because it is an OEM trans?
As far as the shocks go, if I owned a GSR I would be able to switch to the MR shocks without addtional points per the current rule book. So that is a 0 point addition, the MR rims are lighter than the GSR rims by about 2 pound but again, the width is the same so that is a 0 point addition. The MR is heavier as it has added sound deadening ect.
The problem I am having is there is another Evo in my region that has the exact same modifications I have, but because of the 7 points I am bumped up into TTS, where my car will be completely uncompetative. Is my only option attempting to get reclassed based on power to weight ratio? The car dynos 360hp and weighs just north of 3400 lbs. With a weight to power ratio of 9.44 would there even be a change of getting reclassed into TTA?

SO, after the post longer than War and Peace, are there any other ideas or opinions that I have missed, other than demoding the car further? BTW, I am basing the power numbers on what Josh made recently on the exact same setup, I may dyno lower, which would be benefical. If I get the go ahead I am going to do the e85 switch. If not, I will be heading to BSP

Update: Looks like no reclass with the power to weight ratio and I misread the rules, the GSR could not run the MR suspension without adding points. But I just realized that the SE is the middle ground. I will see what he says

 

Chris I haven been e-mailing back and forth with Sean and Gerg to see what we can come up with to. I'm hoping that we will be able to fix this and get you re classed and all will be good.

 

I hope you guys get this straightened out, we are going to have a blast next year running together!

 

You can ask for a classification based on power to weight. You need to talk to the local TT director (he's on the nasaforums and a nice guy).

 

Not every car will be equal, every class has stronger cars. You have to build a car to a class and not backwards if you want to be ultra competitive.

I feel your pain though, my car is classed with a narrower width tire than OEM so I get double screwed with an wider tire.

 

hey chris, i would try and work with the NASA directors about a power/weight classification instead because it would take a reclassification of the car to make them change the rules on the MR i would imagine.

at the very least, TT-S gives you essentially unlimited mods, just a hp/weight limit to abide by.

 

I can always go back to the stock intercooler in order to regain 7 points. I will have to look at my options. I do know that I will be moving up to e85 since I am already charged for the external pump.

 

get the e85 and whack the IC, will be much better anyway..

 

yeah good point jim. the e85 will do all the cooling you'll need. the bigger intercooler shouldn't help as much on e85

 

Yeah, I hadn't planned on going to E85 so soon, but it looks like I will have to in order to stay in TTA. Only downside is my stock intercooler is in Washington lol.

 

THe intercooler will help @ Hallett in the summer.... But I guess E85 lowers the charge temperature a bunch. Wonder if it's enough to offset the loss of the IC.

Of course, a smaller IC = quicker spool too.... might be a win win win.

 

The e85 works well enough you could get away with no intercooler at all

Also, the stock ic is also about 20lbs lighter then a decent aftermarket one.

 

I hope I'm not piddling in your thread, Chris, but I am looking at NASA for next year as well... I know I've mentioned this in conversation before, but I'm looking at the aero rules, and wondering if they apply to the factory aero kit... Here are the relevant sections:

Aerodynamics
1) Add, replace, or modify front fascia or air dam +3 (except as provided for in 13), 25), 57) of the No-Points Modification list) (note: Additional points must be assessed below for any component of the added/replaced/modified fascia or air dam that performs the functions listed in 2) and 4) below)
3) Add, replace, or modify rear wing and/or spoiler +4 (a rear wing or spoiler may not exceed a height of eight (8) inches above the roofline (or OEM windshield height for convertibles), or a width greater than the width of the car body. (note: additional points must be assessed for end plates that are greater than twelve inches in height)
9) Add or modify side skirts (side skirts must be vertical only, and cannot connect to any other aero component)+2

+9

Also, do we have to add an additional five points for forced induction, or is that included in our base classification?


When I go through my car as it stands today, I show (with the above) +22 points on top of the base (without the +5 forced induction)

 

i still think the OEM aero kit isn't added points because you didn't "add/replace/modify" it. i would check with the NASA people though. i can post up our questions on the NASA tt forums

 

That would be great, thanks, Kevin. Would you mind sending me a link when you post it up?