2018-19 Season - What's goin' down?

[Loren]

New season fires up in September!
Y'all can start spewing your gossip about who's moving into what class, and who's co-driving with who, and all that fun stuff right here. But first...

Here's what I know:
-- Only one rule change for the new season: S5 is now HS cars only, and any HS car can compete on factory width tires or up to 195, whichever is greater. Still no LSD in S5. Bumping generally doesn't happen in Stock, but if you exceed the S5 tire or LSD limits, you can run in S4.
-- We'll be shifting our base class list to the 2018 SCCA class list. Changes and new listings are in red.
-- Permanent number registration is open. Just register for the Perm Number "event" and pick your number. If you're a award winner, check the entry list, you should already be there. Let me know if you need to CHANGE your number from what is registered.
-- We plan to keep doing two events per month as long as sites are available. Definitely one Open event per month (except August), and one Classic or Special event if possible.
-- We probably won't have access to Tampa Greyhound Track after our November date. No reason was given, just "we're not doing this any more".
-- Dunnellon events are still up in the air. The new airport manager likes us, and is trying to reconcile his concerns (mainly getting us safely across his runway) with some new procedures for us. We're hoping he'll follow through for us.
-- Brooksville is still available. No indication of any issues there.
-- If you've got any CONTACTS with potential autocross sites, or you have lots of time and a silver tongue and would like to help us try to locate something new, PM me or Steve.

We're going to start using the new Perm Numbers and new classing with the August 12 event. Let us know if anyone is classed wrong!

[Loren]

I'll fire up the rumor mill with some lies, half-truths and misinformation that I've heard and/or made up:

Philip wants a new car or a competitive co-drive.
Ben is driving something green in S4.
I'm staying in M4 with the Mirage. Because M4. I might consider a co-drive for the right person. (reliable attendance, not gonna break my car, etc, etc...)
Casey found out that you can run a turbo Miata in S4 if you can find an unmolested Mazdaspeed and don't mind 2500 pounds of Miata.
All the Miatas are out of S5. The new land of opportunity.
Drew is going back to M2.
Les is driving something Black and stock.
Mark Hackett may be co-driving with Matt in M2.
Andrew Smith may be co-driving an S2000 w/ Doug Lofreddo.
Rowen's probably running S0 with the Jaaaaaag.

And the first points event isn't until late September. So, you've got nearly 2 months before you need to have your stuff together, and you get to practice at the August and September Classic events!

[CaptainSquirts]

Hmmmm, mark maybe going into M2? 1st place podium spot is open M1 boys!

[markzeronine]

Juicy rumor mill this season

[Loren]

Stirring the pot.

[Jamie]

I'll fire up the rumor mill with some lies, half-truths and misinformation that I've heard and/or made up:

Philip wants a new car or a competitive co-drive.

Perennial...let's see what happens after his car gets rebuilt at Nationals. I predict he'll have enough in protest bonds from smoking so many people that he'll be able to leave with better car than he arrived in....

Ben is driving something green in S4.

Or S5....

Casey found out that you can run a turbo Miata in S4 if you can find an unmolested Mazdaspeed and don't mind 2500 pounds of Miata.

And a really short 2d gear. And the 400 lbs of extra ballast required to run. (OK...I made that last one up.)

All the Miatas are out of S5. The new land of opportunity.

Drew is going back to M2.

Is the Hooptiemobile coming back?

Les is driving something Black and stock.

Is the future electrified?

And the first points event isn't until late September. So, you've got nearly 2 months before you need to have your stuff together, and you get to practice at the August and September Classic events!

I'm just holding out for dry weather in the afternoons...if next year is like this one, I may have to start getting up earlier.

[Evil MS3]

Lots of craziness going on!

[jev61]

I can't figure out how to view the 2018-2019 Perm Number "event". Too stupid I guess. I want to make sure Sara and I have our normal numbers: 122 and 227.

[Loren]

http://msreg.com/FAST-2019-Perm

[lddavis91]

Les is driving something Black and stock.

I possess zero black cars.

[jev61]

http://msreg.com/FAST-2019-Perm

Thanks, I could not have found it without you.

[Jamie]

Les is driving something Black and stock.

I possess zero black cars.

Nor have you been driving your own cars.

[CaptainSquirts]

I hear Steve is going to have his supercharged miata ready for the 2028-2029 season.

[Native]

[ctsteege]

Casey found out that you can run a turbo Miata in S4 if you can find an unmolested Mazdaspeed and don't mind 2500 pounds of Miata.

So I did find a Mazdaspeed and selling my 96, however, I wish I could confirm it was unmolested. She needs a bit of love but hoping to have it ready for September.

[Jamie]

Casey found out that you can run a turbo Miata in S4 if you can find an unmolested Mazdaspeed and don't mind 2500 pounds of Miata.

So I did find a Mazdaspeed and selling my 96...She needs a bit of love but hoping to have it ready for September.

Sounds like you need to strengthen the floorpan. I think I can come up with some good 1/2-inch steel plate that'll do. Maybe some angle iron on top of that to prevent it from flexing.

[AScoda]

She needs a bit of love but hoping to have it ready for September.

Seems like you said it needed a new heart.

[ctsteege]

Casey found out that you can run a turbo Miata in S4 if you can find an unmolested Mazdaspeed and don't mind 2500 pounds of Miata.

So I did find a Mazdaspeed and selling my 96...She needs a bit of love but hoping to have it ready for September.

Sounds like you need to strengthen the floorpan. I think I can come up with some good 1/2-inch steel plate that'll do. Maybe some angle iron on top of that to prevent it from flexing.

Better make it 1in.

She needs a bit of love but hoping to have it ready for September.

Seems like you said it needed a new heart.

She does need a new heart, but modern medicine can build it stronger... hopefully.

[Loren]

I think I might want a co-driver for the Mirage. It just adds to the fun to have a regular competitor in the same car. Plus it will add one more competitor to M4, which is always good in my book.

Obviously, competing in a 3-cylinder Mirage isn't for everyone. But, if you think you've got what it takes...

Qualifications:

• Must be a generally cool person. (most autocrossers pass)
• Must attend at least most FAST Open events. (Classics are less important, but great practice!)
• Must have an affinity for driving a slow car fast. (it's a really slow car, so you have to drive it really fast)
• Must have at least a modicum of mechanical empathy. Try not to break the car.
• Must be willing to kick in some money for tires, fuel, and maintenance. Mods are on my dime.
• Must be willing to help work on the car occasionally.
• Must either be good enough to challenge me (or teach me!), or willing to learn and improve. The goal is 1-2 finish in class!
• Must accept "the codriver bet". (loser buys dinner after the event... can be handicapped as necessary beginning with "within 1 second") This is what makes it all worthwhile!

Co-drivers who have come before you... let's see if I can remember them all... Jeff Lloyd in his Sentra SE-R (Spec V), Brian Kollar in his 240SX, John Evans in his NC Miata, Joe Brannon in my NB Miata, Ben Wheaton in the FASTiva, and I think in his NB Miata... I think that might be everybody. Join the club!

[mymomswagon]

The goal is 1-2 finish in class!

nope. this is our goal in M4. at least until 2028.