ST Classification Clarification Retribution Nation

I'm attempting to prep my NB for STR. I'm putting on Racing beat front & rear sway bars now, and will do the shocks & springs after a few events.

I understand that the Brace Kit is not legal for CS, but is it for STR? :

14.7 states "Non-Standard lateral members which connect between the brackets for the bar, including allowed strut bars per 14.2.G are permitted."

So, this is OK right? Or is this considered a SFC? :confused:

I posed this on the TX SCCA forum, but hardly anyone ever uses that one.

Thanks!

What brace kit?

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Originally Posted by TexasStig

I'm attempting to prep my NB for STR. I'm putting on Racing beat front & rear sway bars now, and will do the shocks & springs after a few events.

I understand that the Brace Kit is not legal for CS, but is it for STR? :

14.7 states "Non-Standard lateral members which connect between the brackets for the bar, including allowed strut bars per 14.2.G are permitted."

So, this is OK right? Or is this considered a SFC? :confused:

I posed this on the TX SCCA forum, but hardly anyone ever uses that one.

Thanks!

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Sergeant First Class?

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Originally Posted by jrj512

What brace kit?

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This one... the white part from Racing Beat.

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Originally Posted by cone-cerned

Sergeant First Class?

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Longitudinal (fore-aft) subframe connectors ("SFCs").


One can say a great many things about posts of the forum, but surely one claim that cannot be issut is that it is unmarked by turbulence. My posts heretofore will enlighten via increased specificity.

Sound slike it ought to be legal per 14.7.

IMHO, I wouldn't bother with the bar. Take a look at any top CSP car, and you'll see it's been backdated to the minimum required number of frame braces (whatever was present in a '90). The amount of chassis stiffness that these components add is typically not worth the weight penalty.

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Originally Posted by TexasStig

Longitudinal (fore-aft) subframe connectors ("SFCs").


One can say a great many things about posts of the forum, but surely one claim that cannot be issut is that it is unmarked by turbulence. My posts heretofore will enlighten via increased specificity.

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PS Thanks for the explanation.::Teacher:

crossbar portion of the kit is not legal. bracing blocks are. better off buying the mazdacomp boxed front bar mounts. those factory NB mounts can be fragile..... broken them myself and see many others.

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Originally Posted by Steve E

crossbar portion of the kit is not legal. bracing blocks are. better off buying the mazdacomp boxed front bar mounts. those factory NB mounts can be fragile..... broken them myself and see many others.

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Thanks, I picked up the Crossbar w/ bracing blocks from TDR, since I was at the shop. Gary told me I could return the crossbar, as he wan't sure if it was legal for AutoX.

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Originally Posted by Steve E

crossbar portion of the kit is not legal. bracing blocks are. better off buying the mazdacomp boxed front bar mounts. those factory NB mounts can be fragile..... broken them myself and see many others.

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why do you think the crossbar portion not legal for STR? I agree with altain, it is expressly allowed under the sentence in 14.7 written it.

"Non-standard lateral members which connect between the brackets for the bar, including allowed strut bars per 14.2.G, are permitted."

Looks legal to me, but I'm no expert. My understanding is that its just additional "beef" for the bar, since the attachment point is unchanged, so its really just a different type of sway bar.

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Non-Standard lateral members which connect between the brackets for the bar

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Doesn't this definition match the pictured item precisely?

I agree with altiain, sean and OZMDD, I don't see a problem with it. However, I am a E stock guy.

Have you solicited input from the sccaforums.com, or the SCCA.com forums?

With an NB in STR, your only defence against the NCs is weight. Adding weight will not help you, legal or not.

Answer is based upon what I was told by Topeka when I posed the question. Only real answer is to submit it again.

Well, Steve E. knows his stuff, so I'm inclined to think he's got good info. I agree that the ruling he got seems at-odds with the rule that was quoted, but that doesn't mean there isn't more to the story.

Ah, I think Steve E checked with Topeka a while back ;). I don't recall when it changed but 14.7 used to read (looks like the change might have been between 08 and 09):

Non-standard lateral members which connect between the brackets for the bar are not permitted

Now it reads the opposite. I don't have an old rulebook lying around, but here is a 2005 post where the old rule is quoted: http://forum.miata.net/vb/archive/index.php/t-146109.html
and here is one from 2008:
http://www.team-integra.net/forum/di...PagePosition=1


So the moral is - its legal, but I fully agree with Jarret regarding its (lack of) practical use

If you're planning to run in STR, I think you should definitely add it. I also have a couple of Optima Yellow Tops I'd like to offer you for your trunk. And a 2-15" subwoofer, and some 22"wheels...;)

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

If you're planning to run in STR, I think you should definitely add it. I also have a couple of Optima Yellow Tops I'd like to offer you for your trunk. And a 2-15" subwoofer, and some 22"wheels...;)

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Nice! Do you have any solid steel seats? I hear the extra weight helps counter-balance the car. ::Spit::

I just mounted the sway bar and the brace kit (w/o the brace itself). That will do nicely. I appreciate everyone's feedback.