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Post by IPPO on Jan 6, 2011 10:28:00 GMT -5
The Dixie membership, at the Jan 5th membership mtg, approved a new street tire class for all local Dixie Solo events starting in the 2011 season. The Dixie Regional Street Tire PAX Class allows cars running on DOT legal street tires having a minimum UTQG treadwear rating of 140. All SCCA rule classes are allowed. Entrants will display a “T” on their car after their class. The most current PAX/RTP index will be used to determine the class finish order results. PAX is a handicapping system that attempts to account for performance differences between car classes, allowing the drivers' performances to be compared. The 2011 PAX/RTP index is posted here: dixiescca.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=204 The membership decided to start the Street Tire Pax Class as a recruitment tool for new participants who eventually move out of the Novice Class but may not be prepared to complete in a class that may be dominated by vehicles with race rubber. Street Tire Pax rules are kept to a minimum. The new Street Tire PAX class mirrors what other Regions are implementing around the country. What do you think -- any plans to run in this new class?
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Post by beachbum on Jan 6, 2011 10:31:11 GMT -5
I have a better understanding of the class outline now, I think it'll pan out very well with new members. I know I had plenty of trouble competing with (crappy) street rubber, and this could very well be a harbinger of increased new member participation.
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 6, 2011 10:57:05 GMT -5
Hey Rob- It sounds like a good plan to me... As you said, it should create a "stepping stone" for newer competitors wanting to move up from the "Novice" category but not ready (or too short on $$$) to buy race tires/wheels. I'm wondering if, by the time I finish the Slotus, it will have been long enough since I autocrossed for me to qualify as a "Novice" again? Sort of like being a "Born Again Virgin" Hmmmm.... Street tires on the 15X10 wheels, register the Slotus as a 78 Granada... But I digress... Seriously, I hope the Street Tire PAX setup attracts some "new blood" and lets folks enjoy a Sunday of autocrossing without makin' 'em spend lotsa bucks to be competitive. Cool idea. Peace, Love and Street Tires- JDK
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Post by IPPO on Jan 6, 2011 11:41:28 GMT -5
For anyone who missed the membership meeting last night, know that there was plenty of discussion and opinions about how to adopt the new Street Tire PAX (STP) class. Utimately it was decided by member popular vote to keep the STP rules to a minimum and set the treadwear rating at 140.
After an event or two we intend to re-evaluate the new class based on participation and feedback, then make rule changes if the membership finds it necessary.
We encourage everyone to share their thoughts here in the forum and the monthly membership meetings. SCCA members can vote on resolutions at the meetings. Non members are welcome to attend and participate but unfortunately can not vote.
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 6, 2011 12:21:31 GMT -5
Yeah, what he ^ said!
Since this is a "Regional" class, as in, created and governed by Dixie Region and not a National class run by SCCA-Topeka, we (the local members) can devise/alter rules to fit the needs of the people competing in the class.
So... If you're competing in this new class, and have an idea on how to alter the rules to make it better, then come to a meeting and express your ideas.
Can't promise we'll adopt your idea as a rule. For example, "I think all green Hondas should get an automatic 2 second reduction in their times." if proposed by an owner of a green Honda, would likely get shot down... Such is life...
But if ya don't throw it out there, you won't ever really know!
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Post by Sandy Heath on Jan 6, 2011 15:25:32 GMT -5
I was thinkin along these lines to save money myself. I do think it will help the newbies transition up but some of us oldies might transition down to save some bucks. (and get away from the overpowered pros Not a big fan of pax times so hopefully raw times will still be reported. I just prefer to see what I did, not what I should have been capable of if I had a slotus green whatchamacallit.
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 6, 2011 15:59:02 GMT -5
what I should have been capable of if I had a slotus green whatchamacallit. That would get ya a PAX time of something greater than 1, wouldn't it? ;D
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Post by IPPO on Jan 6, 2011 17:04:12 GMT -5
I would have jumped at the opportunity to run in a Street Tire PAX class when I was a newbie. I'll never forget the day I finally bit the bullet and bought sticky Hoosier TD bias tires, back in the dark ages before DOT radial race rubber and ABS brakes. No one warned or schooled me that lightweight race tires require an adjustment to brake pedal pressure and modulation. So on my first run I feel like superman and as I approach the first turnaround I hammer the manual drum brakes like I always did and both front tires lock up and flat spot my brand new Hoosiers down to the cords.
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Post by IPPO on Jan 6, 2011 17:55:27 GMT -5
Not a big fan of pax times so hopefully raw times will still be reported. Yep, will still post raw times for STP just like we do for Pro PAX but trophies will be awarded off the PAX handicap.
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Post by Sandy Heath on Jan 6, 2011 21:14:42 GMT -5
I would have jumped at the opportunity to run in a Street Tire PAX class when I was a newbie. I'll never forget the day I finally bit the bullet and bought sticky Hoosier TD bias tires, back in the dark ages before DOT radial race rubber and ABS brakes. No one warned or schooled me that lightweight race tires require an adjustment to brake pedal pressure and modulation. So on my first run I feel like superman and as I approach the first turnaround I hammer the manual drum brakes like I always did and both front tires lock up and flat spot my brand new Hoosiers down to the cords. I'm spoiled by the ABS nanny. I pulled the fuse one day to try without it and like you I flat spotted a brand new tire. Not to the cord though. I got off the brake and plowed through the cones as soon as the tires locked.
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ArtyG
New Member
Dixie SCCA Board Member
Posts: 16
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Post by ArtyG on Jan 6, 2011 23:58:29 GMT -5
...Entrants will display a “T” on their car after their class. Thoughts from a guy on the "outside looking in", aka non-member, but I thought this would be a separate class in and of itself, rather than having everyone adding the "T". Of course, I'm thinking as I'm typing, so I assume you mean the "T" designation would just help to make sure everyone gets the correct PAX adjustment assigned to their time and that is what creates the Street Tire PAX Class. Feel free to correct me at your leisure.
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Post by meangreenmachine on Jan 7, 2011 0:54:41 GMT -5
Yeah, what he ^ said! I think all green Hondas should get an automatic 2 second reduction in their times." if proposed by an owner of a green Honda, would likely get shot down... Such is life... Must paint car, must paint car. Maybe I'll make it yellow... ;D
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Post by Sandy Heath on Jan 7, 2011 8:28:59 GMT -5
...Entrants will display a “T” on their car after their class. Thoughts from a guy on the "outside looking in", aka non-member, but I thought this would be a separate class in and of itself, rather than having everyone adding the "T". Of course, I'm thinking as I'm typing, so I assume you mean the "T" designation would just help to make sure everyone gets the correct PAX adjustment assigned to their time and that is what creates the Street Tire PAX Class. Feel free to correct me at your leisure. Arty, There are several Street Touring classes already. The problem is when they created them they gave them their own set of rules that not all cars fit into. This provision allows pretty much all cars to find a home and be able to run the less expensive, less grippy tires. In actuality the competitive tires allowed within the 140 UTOG rating are still not suitable for everyday street driving. I just ordered a set of Nitto 555 Extreme Performance tires in hope they will be safe in the rain and still allow decent dry traction. They have a UTOG of 300.
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 7, 2011 8:49:49 GMT -5
Yo Arty- Your second paragraph nailed it... The class will be separate, all it's-own-self, but in order to help the Timing and Scoring Wizards to know that your car (for example) goes into the STP class and gets the Street Mod Pax, you'd need to display the SM and the T. Now, our software should have you already designated as SM-T and put your times into the right group, but, as a backup, we write down times. (Computers have been known to crash!) Putting the correct class and number on the car is a big help to getting the right times, cone counts, etc. Sorry, I'm kinda preaching here... (Can I get an "AMEN" ) The information is for everybody, not aimed at you alone... (Somebody Stop Me!!!) JDK
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 7, 2011 9:07:48 GMT -5
back in the dark ages before DOT radial race rubber and ABS brakes. No one warned or schooled me that lightweight race tires require an adjustment to brake pedal pressure and modulation. So on my first run I feel like superman and as I approach the first turnaround I hammer the manual drum brakes like I always did and both front tires lock up and flat spot my brand new Hoosiers down to the cords. I'm spoiled by the ABS nanny. I pulled the fuse one day to try without it and like you I flat spotted a brand new tire. Not to the cord though. I got off the brake and plowed through the cones as soon as the tires locked. Y'all are both sissies! Back in My Day *Sounds as writer shakes index finger at children in audience - "Creak, Groan, Pop!"* the only ABS was "Alcoholic Beverage Service"
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