2015 Classing Updates - Effective 9/2014

[Loren]

We've made a number of changes to the FAST classes for the 2015 season, which begins in September.

In the stock category, many cars were moved to different classes to reflect changes made in the SCCA stock (now called "street") classing over the past two years, and new models were added.

In the modified category, we changed the basis of our classing to follow SCCA street touring classes. Part of this change was to also add two restrictions to the M3 class to provide parity with the street touring classes that make up that class.

So, be sure to read the revised rules and check the new car lists to be sure that you AND all of your competitors are properly classed. Thanks!

Classing Overview
Stock Category Rules
Modified Category Rules
Race Tire Category Rules

[ArtJDM]

Glad to see those Ford ST models got a bump in class. Maybe my poor hybrid will stand a chance.

[Loren]

Here are some cars that are known to have changed classes, feel free to post others as you find them. This is not a list of ALL cars, or all changes, just a lot of the cars that I know we often see that have moved to a new class.

Mod Classes:
To M0
Corvette 2005+
Viper
Elise/Exige
Exotic Cars

To M1
BMW 135i
BMW 3 Series Turbo or M 2006+
BMW M3 (except E30)
BMW Z3/Z4 M
Camaro
Corvette (through 2004)
Mustang
Nissan 350/370
Subaru STI
Subaru WRX 2009+
(NOTE: There is now an "exception" to allow cars like the older Camaro and Mustang 4-cylinder and V6 cars with less than 180 hp to compete in a lower class.)

To M2
BMW 128i
BMW 3 Series Non-Turbo, non-M
BMW M Roadster & Coupe
BMW Z3/Z4 (non-Turbo, non-M)
SRT-4
Focus ST
Civic Si 2006-2012
S2000
Mazdaspeed 3 & 6
Miata 1994-1997 (NA) with Torsen
Miata 1999-2005 (NB)
MINI Cooper S
FR-S & BRZ
Subaru WRX 2002-2008
Toyota MR2 Spyder
VW GTI (and Golf R and most 2.0 turbo)

To M3
Honda CRX, Del Sol & CR-Z
Mazda 2, 3 & 6 (non-Mazdaspeed)
Miata 1990-1997 (non-Torsen)
MR2 1985-1995 (non-turbo, non-SC)

Stock Classes:
ineligible for stock (to M0)
Exotic Cars

To S1
BMW M1 & Z8
Camaro ZL1
Mustang Boss 302 (2012-13)
Lotus Evora (all)
Solstice/Sky (all)
Boxster (all)

To S2
Miata 1999-2005 (NB)

To S3
BMW 1 Series (non-M)
BMW 3 Series (6-cyl, except M3 & 325e)
BMW M3 2001-13
Camaro V6 2010+
Mercedes C Class (except C230)

To S4
MR2 Spyder
VW Golf R
Miata 1990-1997 (NA)

To S5
MINI Cooper (non-S)

[jev61]

Two quick observations: NB Miatas where already S2 prior to this change. And Stock had a provision for increasing camber to -2.0 degrees using camber plates, crash bolts, and offset bushings; did you take away the allowance?

[Loren]

SCCA moved the NB, I was just clarifying that FAST did not.

No changes to stock prep allowances.

[warneej]

Darn it! Focus is bumped to M2 by 10mm tire width...

I don't see any tire width restrictions in stock, can I run those on the Fiesta and get new tires for the Focus?

[Loren]

You can.

[jesup16]

Trying to figure out the difference of Z3 / Z4 M in M1 and M Roadster / MCoupe in M2.

Example: Z3M = M Roadster

So is it M2 or M1?

[Loren]

In spite of owning a Z4 coupe for a while, I'm not a BMW guy, and won't pretend to know all the ins and outs of how BMW names their cars. This bit of strangeness came directly from the SCCA Street Touring Roadster (STR) class list:

BMW
M Roadster & M Coupe (1998-2002)
Z3 (6-cyl, non-M)
Z4 (non-turbo, non-M)

Note that they specifically excluded Z3 and Z4 "M" models? They did the same with a couple other cars, like the Solstice (non-turbo). They're excluding the "special" model, but then not classing that special model in the ST category at all. In their world, that's okay... the car just isn't eligible for Street Touring and has to run in Street Prepared.

In our world, because we need every car to have a home in our Modified category, if a car exceeds the parameters of one class, we want that car to bump up a class. So, we specifically listed those excluded cars in M1 for clarity.

Why are the M Roadster/Coupe listed separately from the Z3/Z4 M? You'd have to ask SCCA, or do a little more research into how those cars were named and whether or not the 1998-2002 M cars that were called "M Roadster & M Coupe" were significantly different than the later cars that were called "Z3 M & Z4 M".

If you're asking ME for clarification: If it's a "1998-2002 M Roadster or M Coupe", it's in M2 just like the list says. If it's a later "Z3 M or Z4 M", it's in M1... just like the list says. And we just have to trust that there must be a reason why SCCA chose to exclude the later M's from STR.

[jbrannon7]

There is no Z3M, the Z3M is called the M Roadster and it is classed correctly. There is a Z4M and it is classed by SCCA as B Street or B Street prepared, it seems it is not allowed in any of the Street Touring classes.

Joe

In spite of owning a Z4 coupe for a while, I'm not a BMW guy, and won't pretend to know all the ins and outs of how BMW names their cars. This bit of strangeness came directly from the SCCA Street Touring Roadster (STR) class list:

BMW
M Roadster & M Coupe (1998-2002)
Z3 (6-cyl, non-M)
Z4 (non-turbo, non-M)

Note that they specifically excluded Z3 and Z4 "M" models? They did the same with a couple other cars, like the Solstice (non-turbo). They're excluding the "special" model, but then not classing that special model in the ST category at all. In their world, that's okay... the car just isn't eligible for Street Touring and has to run in Street Prepared.

In our world, because we need every car to have a home in our Modified category, if a car exceeds the parameters of one class, we want that car to bump up a class. So, we specifically listed those excluded cars in M1 for clarity.

Why are the M Roadster/Coupe listed separately from the Z3/Z4 M? You'd have to ask SCCA, or do a little more research into how those cars were named and whether or not the 1998-2002 M cars that were called "M Roadster & M Coupe" were significantly different than the later cars that were called "Z3 M & Z4 M".

If you're asking ME for clarification: If it's a "1998-2002 M Roadster or M Coupe", it's in M2 just like the list says. If it's a later "Z3 M or Z4 M", it's in M1... just like the list says. And we just have to trust that there must be a reason why SCCA chose to exclude the later M's from STR.

[jmdoc66]

Is that damn 1LE still in S3?

I guess it doesn't matter, he never shows up.

Mike

[Loren]

There is some uber-Camaro that is called out into S1, I think. But, it wasn't the 1LE.

[twistedwankel]

There is some uber-Camaro that is called out into S1, I think. But, it wasn't the 1LE.

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[Loren]

That's the one.

[Loren]

We've made a couple of final adjustments to the rules for this season. One is an effort to make our R2 class a little more popular. (a total of THREE people competed in that class last year, and not one of them did enough events to qualify for a trophy) The other is just a clarification on exactly where the line is drawn for cars allowed in M0.

For R2, we've simply expanded it to include cars that would be eligible for M1/M2/M3 in addition to Stock classes and changed the name to "Production Race Tire". Anything beyond that goes to R1.
http://drivefast.org/rules/race-tire-category/

For M0, pretty much anything on street tires that has at least two seats and meets all safety requirements is allowed.
http://drivefast.org/rules/modified-category/

Rock on, y'all!

[ArtJDM]

So my windup toy car gets bumped into M2 just because I'm running 235 tires?

[Loren]

Yes.

[ArtJDM]

Oh good... This should be fun.

[Solar]

Is the minimum tire wear going to change from 140 to 190/200 in the next season 15/16 ?

[Loren]

There is a very high probability of that happening.