SCCA SEB considering reclassifying Z cars

[gboone]

After competing in the Solo 2 Tour event this past summer and running against 2 nationals level Miatas (Schenker and Aro), I learned a lot more about these CSP Miatas. 160 WHP and the same weight or less than a Datsun. Then there's the obvious like 4 wheel independent suspension (neg camber on all four wheels), variable valve timing for a better torque curve and HP, etc. etc. The Miatas are on a whole diffferent level. There's still nothing in the SCCA Fastraks addressing the proposal to move the roadster. At Nats, the MX-5 is the spec car. No other car even entered the event in CSP. The SEB does not care.

[gboone]

The SCCA finally posted their decision today on reclassing the Datsun roadster in Street Prepared after my year and half of efforts in writing them letters. Their decision is to leave it in CSP despite my explanations to them that you can read in my post above. This is my 2nd car I've campaigned that they ignore facts that a particular Datsun is not competitive in the class they put it in. They are a bunch of morons. I bought and developed my Datsun 2000 for Solo 2 back in 1988 based on Elliott Harvey's success in winning several National Championships. That was before the Miata's existence and the extensive development of the Miata since then. But the SCCA doesn't seem to care. So I quit after 25 years of membership in SCCA.

So now I have to decide what to do with my 2000. Keep it as a fun car for the street or sell it. It has no value as a competitive CSP car. If I want to continue the autocross sport that I love, I can buy another car but do have not garage space for another car.

SEB roadster decision.jpg

[dbrick]

Sorry to hear this. Is there another sanctioning body with classes you can be competitive in?

[Alvin]

Are 510s similarly classed?

[gboone]

Dave,
There is a vintage club in Colorado that road races on a track for $250 per event but I really don't want to risk rubbing against other cars on a track. Alvin, the 510 is classed in Street Prepared category as FSP, the slowest class in Street Prepared. I guess the SCCA does not care about Datsun roadsters.

[Alvin]

well, that really is a bummer. Why don't they have a vintage prep class? What do you see/predict would be fair competition for the roadster, if the Miata is too fast?

[SLOroadster]

Dave,
There is a vintage club in Colorado that road races on a track for $250 per event but I really don't want to risk rubbing against other cars on a track. Alvin, the 510 is classed in Street Prepared category as FSP, the slowest class in Street Prepared. I guess the SCCA does not care about Datsun roadsters.

Vintage roadracing is pretty safe. No one wants to hit anyone else (SCCA vintage stuff can get a bit aggressive however) Everyone else seems to be pretty careful. Heck, I've seen contact between two cars autoXing (one guy jumpped the gun ignoring the start flagger.)

The SCCA doesn't give a crap about autoX roadsters because there are so few that run. Should they be reclassed, yes, will they be, likely not. Heck, they even have the 1600 in CSP. Talk about a poorly classed car.

Will

[tjp]

...SCCA vintage stuff can get a bit aggressive however...

Yep, watched a prick in a miata put my buddy, in a Datsun Roadster, off the track at the runoffs last fall and not get penalized for it. Yes, my buddy had the line. The miata was in the wrong. What sucks is Bill would have most likely got a podium again if not for that prick.

tim

[gboone]

Alvin, you can see what cars are in each Street Prepared category here:
http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/ass ... es_May.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The roadster belongs in FSP because DSP has some really fast BWMs. I beat the National Solo Trials National Champion with his M3 in the 1998 National Tour event in Colorado with my roadster. But now even with all my upgrades, I can't touch a Miata in CSP. We're talking a 5 second gap in a 60 second course. SCCA does not sanction any vintage car events.
I've watched some vintage races in Colorado and have seen assholes push some pristine cars into concrete barriers, causing major damage to the cars. I'm not willing to take the risk as I'm sure insurance cannot be bought to cover that.
The Street Prepared allowed mods allow an early Miata to have an engine swap to the later Miata engines, creating a car that's light and with a lot of power. The Datsun 2000 does not have the availability of this option.
The SCCA's view on classing cars is that if it's a 2 seater 4 cylinder convertible car, then it belongs with the Miata just because it has the same format regardless of it's age and performance capabilities. They are plain negligent and I've told them so. I got an email from them last night informing me of their decision. I responded with my disappointment and gave valid reasons and that I'm letting my 25 year SCCA membership expire. No response. They simply don't care. So screw the SCCA. They SUCK.

[SLOroadster]

...SCCA vintage stuff can get a bit aggressive however...

Yep, watched a prick in a miata put my buddy, in a Datsun Roadster, off the track at the runoffs last fall and not get penalized for it. Yes, my buddy had the line. The miata was in the wrong. What sucks is Bill would have most likely got a podium again if not for that prick.

tim

Yes, Bill got screwed there. That is SCCA racing, not vintage. Had it been vintage, the Miata wouldn't have been there, and even if it were another car, the guy doing the punting would likely be getting a time out.

Last year Ron got punted at Laguna by a guy in a mini, since it was a vintage SCCA event, nothing happened to the guy in the mini, but karma did prevail and he blew up his motor.

No, I'm not a fan of the SCCA. That is why I don't play with them often.

Will