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Post by wolfgt on Dec 18, 2014 14:10:58 GMT -5
I haven't been able to find an answer to this. Probably common questions. I want to start autocross, I have been building a car for it but want to get some seat time before it's done. I now have a 2015 Lexus CT200h (yes, a hybrid). It's not lightning fast, but it is the F-Sport model so it does have some quickness. I mainly just want to get used to the event structure and start learning how not to get lost on course. I looked at the vehicle class list and this model is not listed. So two questions:
1. Is there a specific category for hybrids?, or do they just fall in with the normal versions of that model?
2. If you have a new model (like my 2015 Lexus CT200h), do I have to wait for official classification or can I attend an event and get some sort of classification there?
Thank you for your time.
Greg
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Post by CoolGuy094 on Dec 19, 2014 11:29:32 GMT -5
With the new Novice class setup for 2015 you will simply register in "Novice" for your first couple of events until you get some experience under your belt. No need to worry about classing at this time. That can be worked out over the course of your first few events. The goal is to eliminate the worry of incorrectly classing your car and so-forth so you can focus on having fun and learning how the event works. We can let people much more knowledgeable on the rules than you or I make the decision on what open class you would be in once you get through your first few events in Novice.
I really like the new CT200h; very nice cars!
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Post by drum3 on Dec 20, 2014 9:00:23 GMT -5
It would fall into either H-Street or G-Street , but my bet is H . I would have to look through the "NOC , Not Otherwise Classed" restrictions for each .
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Post by wolfgt on Dec 22, 2014 11:22:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the information. I look forward to the next event.
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Post by wolfgt on Dec 22, 2014 20:44:14 GMT -5
Hey Hey, I know I'm not supposed to be paying attention to this, Novice ya know, but the 2015 Solo Rules are out and the CT200h is listed in the Street Touring FWD (STF) category. Cool. ..... Crap, I just noticed the Mazda 2, 3, and 6 are in that category. Gonna be fun. I can't wait.
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Post by Frodo on Dec 23, 2014 0:00:35 GMT -5
Hey Hey, I know I'm not supposed to be paying attention to this, Novice ya know, but the 2015 Solo Rules are out and the CT200h is listed in the Street Touring FWD (STF) category. Cool. ..... Crap, I just noticed the Mazda 2, 3, and 6 are in that category. Gonna be fun. I can't wait. The Street Touring classes, such as STF, are for cars they have some modifications to them. Not completely stock cars. Now if you were to do things to the car such sway bar(s) or bigger wheels and tires, then it could move up to that class. But for now like previously mentioned it would either be H or G Street (HS or GS) and as it will be your first time your classing won't matter as far as where you'd place so much as making you sure you grasp the fundamentals and have a good time. . Oh, and P.S. I run STF in a 2006 Mazda 3i. I welcome more STF drivers to compare against any day  |
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Post by integra55 on Dec 23, 2014 7:45:29 GMT -5
nothing says he can't run in STF with a purely stock vehicle … the results might not be what he wants … but nothing in the rules that disallow the move
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Post by wolfgt on Dec 23, 2014 9:06:57 GMT -5
As mentioned, the class really doesn't matter to me at the moment because I truly do just want to come out and have fun. But that intro timeframe will be over before I know it and then I will truly enjoy the competition piece. That is why I am looking at the classes. So I looked at the descriptions and also looked at the list of vehicles in each class. The only mention of a Lexus CT200h is in the STF class. Doesn't that mean it is officially classified to that class? I searched the whole document, STF is the only mention. Yes, it is completely stock. Is that list just for national events or something?
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3sgte
Full Member
Posts: 167
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Post by 3sgte on Dec 23, 2014 10:44:11 GMT -5
As mentioned, the class really doesn't matter to me at the moment because I truly do just want to come out and have fun. But that intro timeframe will be over before I know it and then I will truly enjoy the competition piece. That is why I am looking at the classes. So I looked at the descriptions and also looked at the list of vehicles in each class. The only mention of a Lexus CT200h is in the STF class. Doesn't that mean it is officially classified to that class? I searched the whole document, STF is the only mention. Yes, it is completely stock. Is that list just for national events or something? It looks like you are blazing a new path with your choice of car. If you want to run in Street class, you would be in SS since your car isn't specifically listed in the rules index. If you would like a more realistic classing, then a letter (or email, try dgill@scca.com) to the SCCA is all it takes. They probably won't list that car unless someone asks them to. That aside, it's great that you want to participate and I'm sure you will have a good time. This club is doing a solid job of improving the novice experience. Welcome! |
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Post by wolfgt on Dec 23, 2014 12:51:43 GMT -5
Clark, I appreciate the feedback and I am really looking forward to learning from everyone. I keep reading that the Novice program in CCR is really good.
But a question to your statement "your car isn't specifically listed in the rules index", am I reading something wrong? The 2015 rules were posted on the 19th, my car is listed in that index and it is under the STF class. No, it wasn't in the 2014 rules. And interestingly, in the 2015 rules it says "Lexus CT200h (2011-2015)" under STF. Which is interesting that the model has been around that long and only just now is getting classed and even more interesting is that the base CT200 is not listed at all, just the hybrid version. I guess my big question is, if a car is clearly listed in the rules as under a specific class, isn't the car classified as listed?, or is there some other set of rules that allows classification to another class?
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Post by integra55 on Dec 23, 2014 13:12:33 GMT -5
most cars have a bottom level class … i.e. a stock/street classification … some cars are such overdogs that they aren't listed in street … only in some higher prep level … I've not paid much, if any, attention to those types of vehicles … but usually a car that skips street class is bumped straight to Street Prep (this could be mis information …. as the overdog might be just what appears to be the case here… bumped to a ST class)… like Clark said, a quick e-mail to dgill@scca.com should get you the info you need …. assuming it can be classed in street
if SteveE (our RE) is perusing this forum, he might be able to help with this
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Post by wolfgt on Dec 23, 2014 13:59:10 GMT -5
Emailed dgill. See what he has to say. I got a reply saying he is on vacation, so it will be probably next week.
I know I'm being anal about this, but I guess I'm kind of a perfectionist and things bug me when I can't figure them out. I appreciate everyones help. On that note, while I wait, what should I be doing to prepare for my first event? Is there a noob book/thread somewhere?
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3sgte
Full Member
Posts: 167
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Post by 3sgte on Dec 23, 2014 16:37:14 GMT -5
STF is for lightly modified cars, and I meant not classed in Street class, which allows for minimal modifications only.
There isn't much to do in the off-season, practice is hard to come by in autocross. There are books out there if you want to start wrapping you head around some of the concepts behind precision driving.
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Post by integra55 on Dec 23, 2014 20:05:45 GMT -5
lightly modified can be a bit of a misnomer …. it's fairly easy to take a ST build (this would include STF) to insane limits … to where it's a REAL PITA to street drive .. it all depends on what you want for your a-x fun  things like 1000# springs , multi thousand $$ multi adjustable shocks, sway bars (some are quite pricey), race seats (ballast back up to 25#) …. exhaust, and cold air intake  |
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Post by drum3 on Dec 25, 2014 8:18:39 GMT -5
As mentioned, the class really doesn't matter to me at the moment because I truly do just want to come out and have fun. But that intro timeframe will be over before I know it and then I will truly enjoy the competition piece. That is why I am looking at the classes. So I looked at the descriptions and also looked at the list of vehicles in each class. The only mention of a Lexus CT200h is in the STF class. Doesn't that mean it is officially classified to that class? I searched the whole document, STF is the only mention. Yes, it is completely stock. Is that list just for national events or something? It looks like you are blazing a new path with your choice of car. If you want to run in Street class, you would be in SS since your car isn't specifically listed in the rules index. If you would like a more realistic classing, then a letter (or email, try dgill@scca.com) to the SCCA is all it takes. They probably won't list that car unless someone asks them to. That aside, it's great that you want to participate and I'm sure you will have a good time. This club is doing a solid job of improving the novice experience. Welcome! Ummmm ,, No ,,he would not be in SS . You go to the NOC and see which criteria fits his car and that would be the class it falls into . Most of which are HS and GS that no one expected to be autocrossed . Such as the Toyota Tacoma Prerunner ,,it is an HS Car that was previously not listed |
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Post by integra55 on Dec 25, 2014 8:20:53 GMT -5
yeah .. .I was going to point out something like this
most of the cars in STF (where he's is listed) come "up" from HS of GS … so I would expect it to eventually be classified there
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Post by subydude on Dec 25, 2014 23:52:33 GMT -5
lightly modified can be a bit of a misnomer …. it's fairly easy to take a ST build (this would include STF) to insane limits … to where it's a REAL PITA to street drive .. it all depends on what you want for your a-x fun things like 1000# springs , multi thousand $$ multi adjustable shocks, sway bars (some are quite pricey), race seats (ballast back up to 25#) …. exhaust, and cold air intake Your version of insane limits amuses me. |
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Post by integra55 on Dec 26, 2014 9:01:45 GMT -5
yeah … for those that actually modify their cars … I do understand … but for street driven cars, it takes a real "man/woman" to drive what you have … on the street … eventually, with the aero and what have ya, the SM cars can get a bit much to DD … not sure I could drive yours on the street
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Post by chilihead on Dec 26, 2014 14:01:49 GMT -5
Just for giggles, my JCW Cooper S does not have a 'street class'. My 'lowest' class is STX...
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Post by srduck on Dec 26, 2014 16:52:49 GMT -5
Just for giggles, my JCW Cooper S does not have a 'street class'. My 'lowest' class is STX... Your JCW isn't a trim level... it was a dealer installed option. The later JCW became a factory installed kit, thus a trim level that's included in Street/Stock Tony: It would actually go to SS right now. There's no NOC rule for Lexus or any other category it would fall in. The first catch-all is FS, which is V8 cars and trucks. The only NOC in HS is for RWD pickup trucks (and since FS already got the V8 trucks, all other trucks go in HS). Nothing catches the Lexus... that means it ends up in SS It needs to go to the SEB and be classed, which will have to be a Fastrack rule later  To put in a request for classification, you can go to www.crbscca.com/ and submit a letter. They SHOULD class it in HS... but... there's never any telling what the SEB is actually going to do. Best you can do is write and hope for something, and in the meantime start planning for STF |
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Post by chilihead on Dec 26, 2014 19:00:00 GMT -5
Just for giggles, my JCW Cooper S does not have a 'street class'. My 'lowest' class is STX... Your JCW isn't a trim level... it was a dealer installed option. The later JCW became a factory installed kit, thus a trim level that's included in Street/Stock I thought all R53 based JCW cars went into STX, not just the 03-04's. I know the R56 based JCW's have a street class. Thanks for the heads up. |
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Post by wolfgt on Dec 29, 2014 17:21:34 GMT -5
I want to go ahead and get my stickers/magnets taken care of. I think I read that when in the Novice classification, you just add an "N" to the front of your class. Soooo, do I just make classification stickers that say NSTX? or what?
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Post by drum3 on Dec 30, 2014 8:25:46 GMT -5
Yup ,, NSTX ,,or even just an N will be enough for Novice participation at CCR ,,,other Clubs would require the NSTX.
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Post by Ken Bury on Dec 31, 2014 14:42:53 GMT -5
Welcome Greg. I was one of the Novice chiefs last year and I will likely continue in that role for 2015 so I will be a resource for you. I've been watching this classification thread and I submitted a SEB request for classification for the Lexus CT200h. It should be classed like the Prius in HS but since it isn't everything gets nuts. Don't worry about magnets and all that until we get an answer back, which should be at the end of January. PM me if you have any specific questions.
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Post by chilihead on Dec 31, 2014 16:01:55 GMT -5
I have some magnetic N's I can donate to the club. I know you were asking for them last year, interested this year?
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Post by wolfgt on Jan 9, 2015 13:22:42 GMT -5
Ken, thanks for the feedback. I did email Doug Gill about this and he was informative. He suggested that I submit a request to the SEB also. I see that you said you already did, but I noticed you submitted the CT200h and I figured I better submit one specifically for the CT200h F-Sport model because it does have the upgraded suspension and tuning (sport mode). I don't know how much difference it makes, but just to be thorough. Thanks to everyone for their feedback and assistance. I'll post up when I here back.
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Post by integra55 on Jan 9, 2015 15:39:02 GMT -5
the more letters the better chance there is of something happening
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Post by wolfgt on Jan 31, 2015 16:02:26 GMT -5
Got an email from SCCA today.
"Your letter has been reviewed by the Solo Events Board and will soon appear in an upcoming Fastrack. An additional email will follow this email giving you more details."
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Post by Ken Bury on Feb 3, 2015 17:24:31 GMT -5
I got the same kind of note back too.
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Post by wolfgt on Feb 20, 2015 11:46:29 GMT -5
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