Bending the Rules???

[dasautochris]

I drive an 08 VW GTI. I'm currently running in GS novice. My first event was at zmax back in February. I ran STX novice in that event because I had a short ram air intake (aka: filter on a stick) installed on my car. After I realized that novice is PAX class I took the intake off so I could have better PAX times. The intake is basically a noise maker. There are zero performance gains from it. I like how it emphasizes the turbo sound but it's more trouble to take is on and off between events than it's worth.

My question is, I know it's against the rules to modify the air intake in stock class, but since I'm running novice, there is no performance gain, and I defiantly won't be seeing nationals, would anyone have a problem with it?

Next question: Next year when I'm out of novice and in GS, I'll have the same issue. Again, I'm not trying to compete nationally, just locally, would there be a problem running my intake?

I don't want to cause any trouble or make anyone feel like I'm cheating, so if anyone has any issues I'll just leave the stock air box on.

Thanks,
Chris

P.S. I don't really expect any official "OK" since it technically would be breaking the rules, just would like the opinions of my fellow autocrossers.

[lagunamiata]

Yep, against the rules. Only thing you can change on the intake in stock is the filter itself. Period. And yes, people will have a problem with an intake change...

Just my 2 cents after 10 years on autocrossing...

[dasautochris]

Well that's that's. It's staying off.

Thanks for the reply, Rich.

[lagunamiata]

When I started the Miata had a cone filter in place of the air box... that was the only mod, even had crappy all season Dunlop tires. Had to run CSP, this was before the TIRE PAX class.

Still, I learned a lot that first season... that's what its about when you start, learning and having fun.

[z3elda]

Get a drop-in K&N replacement - stock legal. Put the "noisemaker" on the shelf for the day when you jump classes for a GOOD reason.

[SE3P]

Leave it on and run STX... More competition next year and much more fun

[ball80]

Yeah I agree. I need more stx competition for next year.

[dasautochris]

If my sock drawer had enough money in it for better tires, brakes, rear sway bar, and coil overs, I'd defiantly be going to STX.

I'll stay where I'm at for now, and see how my times compare to you STX guys at the end of the year, then I'll decide whether to move to STX or stay in GS.

[ball80]

I say since your running novice. Run it as stx. There are a few of us stx novice. Me, Travis ingold ( btw anyone know where he was this weekend?). Then If you want. You can always go down next year when your in open class. Honestly the pax isn't much different between stx and gs.

[integra55]

May 30, 2012 7:12:35 GMT -5 dasautochris said:

Well that's that's. It's staying off.

Thanks for the reply, Rich.

like you said ... it doesn't add any performance ... just noise ... so why use it ... find someone that thinks it'll help them and get a few $$$ back

[philip1]

I concurr

[drum3]

Stay in stock tire class , learn car control . When you are consistently in the top half of Pax , THEN start thinking about moving classes . You will thank me later .

[04wrxtl]

Yea, novice STX is pretty awesome. Wish I could afford some tires to be a lil more competitive though. And to answer your question man, I had to work memorial day. And from the looks of the schedule I won't be doing any more racing until mid july :/ gotta go be a groomsman the day of the June AX