The Solo Events Board met at the SCCA National Convention in Kansas
City February 6th through 8th. Attending were SEB Chairman Colan
Arnold, board members Chris Dorsey, Mari Clements, Ron Bauer, Andy
Hollis, Marcus Merideth, Mark Sipe, and Mark Sirota. Also attending
were Tasha Goodale, Howard Duncan and Doug Gill of the National
Staff, and BOD liaison Bob Introne.
During this meeting, the SEB discussed and approved the addition of
two supplemental classes to National Tour events; STS2 and STU. These
classes reflect what the SEB envisions to be the continued growth of
the Street Touring category, and are being evaluated in conjunction
with evaluation of the feasibility of combining several less-
subscribed classes and of restructuring some less-subscribed
preparation categories.
Reflecting the success of the ST concept both nationally and
regionally, the two supplemental classes were developed as the next
logical steps in the progression of this category. Variants of one
or both of these classes are already being offered in several regions
across the country.
STS2 will follow the STS rule set, but the eligible cars will be
restricted to two-seaters with engine displacements of 1.8 liters or
less. This class will provide a home for a number of popular
vehicles, including the Honda
CRX and del Sol, Mazda RX7 (non-turbo, '79-'92) and Miata ('90-'97),
Toyota MR2 ('85-'89), as well as other similar vehicles. STS
category rules 14.1 to 14.10 apply. Further, as in STS, only
original equipment viscous limited slip differentials are legal in
STS-2. Excluded vehicles include Lotus (all), Mazda Miata (99+), and
Toyota MR2 ('91-'95 and '00+).
STU will follow the STX rule set, but will raise the displacement
limit for otherwise STX-legal vehicles to 3.1 liters for forced
induction and to unlimited displacement for natural aspiration. To
accommodate the greater power of these vehicles, restrictions on
wheel width are lifted and the maximum tire width will be increased
to 275 for front or rear wheel drive vehicles (but will remain at 245
for AWD vehicles). Other than these limited exceptions, the STX rule
set as described in 14.11 applies. This class extends the Street
Touring concept to cars including the Audi S4, BMW M3 (E36),
Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Neon SRT-4, Ford Mustang, Mazda RX-8,
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. 8, Pontiac Firebird, Pontiac GTO, Subaru WRX
STi, Volvo S60 R, and Toyota Supra. Excluded vehicles include the
E46 M3 and the E39 M5.
In conjunction with the planned evolution of this category and of the
sport as a whole, these two supplemental classes will not be
considered for full national status until 2007. One or both classes
could then potentially be recommended for full national status
provided that rules stability is attained, member participation is
strong, and the classes continue to reflect the needs of the current
enthusiast market.