SCCA Solo Natioals

[turbolarespider]

All- this past week, SCCA held their Solo Nationals in Kansas, and for the upteeth time in a row, George and Dee Schweikle ran their Spider there.

George and Dee have been at ALL Solo Nationals that SCCA has run, BTW. Pretty incredible if you ask me.

But they run in DSP, where in the end, George got beat by a combined time of 9 seconds (the nationals are 2 events, run on separate days).

That ends up being 18 out of 27, which seems stable over the past few years.

Too bad our local SCCA is such a PITA, or I might run with him, and make a killer GTV.

Here's what I would build- '69 GTV (1750's and 2000's are on the same line).

Put in cable windows for weight save.
Go with GTAm fenders for weight and more tire (and they just look cool)
ditch the boosters for weight
fit in a 5 gal fuel cell, heck or even 2 gal.
well built '91 Motronic based 2.0l
4 speed (if you only use 2, why have 5).
13,14, or 15x9 wheels and matching tires- Hoosiers preferrably.

I'm not 100% on the SCCA rules, since our local rules are much simpler and more liberal.

But I could dream how that car runs....

Eric

[conedriver]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your comments. You're correct, we just returned from our 34th SCCA National Championship event; all run with Alfa Spiders. This was the largest ever, with 1175 entrants. AROC autocross events notwithstanding, this is where you need to be if you want to be at the pinnacle of Solo competition. Our car ran better this year, but couldn't compete against the BMW's. There's hope though, as I understand the following will be implemented for next year:
- Re-class the following cars from DSP to BSP:
- BMW 323, 325 & 328 (E36 chassis); combine with M3 (E36), M3 Lightweight listing in BSP on the same line
- BMW 6-cylinder (E46 chassis), except M3
- Lexus IS300
- Re-class from DSP to CSP, BMW 325 and 328 (E30 chassis), on separate line from M3 (E30)

SCCA may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they bring national rules stability for all potential entrants, as well as event conduct guidelines. Running at random may be appropriate for 50-80 car AROC events, but there must be a standard heat structure for 150-250 car local events, not to mention National Tours, and Division and National championship events. Having said that, we can't wait for the 2007 Detroit AROC Convention which will be AROC rules, not SCCA. Now, where's that website?

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbolarespider All- this past week, SCCA held their Solo Nationals in Kansas, and for the upteeth time in a row, George and Dee Schweikle ran their Spider there. George and Dee have been at ALL Solo Nationals that SCCA has run, BTW. Pretty incredible if you ask me. But they run in DSP, where in the end, George got beat by a combined time of 9 seconds (the nationals are 2 events, run on separate days). That ends up being 18 out of 27, which seems stable over the past few years. Too bad our local SCCA is such a PITA, or I might run with him, and make a killer GTV. Here's what I would build- '69 GTV (1750's and 2000's are on the same line). Put in cable windows for weight save. Go with GTAm fenders for weight and more tire (and they just look cool) ditch the boosters for weight fit in a 5 gal fuel cell, heck or even 2 gal. well built '91 Motronic based 2.0l 4 speed (if you only use 2, why have 5). 13,14, or 15x9 wheels and matching tires- Hoosiers preferrably. I'm not 100% on the SCCA rules, since our local rules are much simpler and more liberal. But I could dream how that car runs.... Eric

[Zunige]

I'm not sure what class Eric's dream car would end up in, but it sure is nice to dream, and congrats to George on a consistently most impressive record. I also second George's enthusiasm for next year's convention, and his request for that web site!

It wouldn't be a bad idea however, for AROC to look at their rules a little closer... I've always wanted George to drive my spider, and have asked him to do so, because I really want to see what my car can do in the hands of a truly accomplished driver... However, I noticed in the autocross results of this past convention that the top four finishers of class F have faster times than all finishers in class E , and the best time of class F also beats all other times but the fastest time of the day, posted by George in his class C spider . Hmmm...

Best regards,

[Mericet]

Congrats on a good finish George. The DSP proposal is certainly going to change the class a lot. It would even benefit the GTV6 (I think). We will see next year. I am planning to come up to Detroit and hopefully the car will be running well by then.

[turbolarespider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zunige I'm not sure what class Eric's dream car would end up in, but it sure is nice to dream, and congrats to George on a consistently most impressive record. I also second George's enthusiasm for next year's convention, and his request for that web site! It wouldn't be a bad idea however, for AROC to look at their rules a little closer... I've always wanted George to drive my spider, and have asked him to do so, because I really want to see what my car can do in the hands of a truly accomplished driver... However, I noticed in the autocross results of this past convention that the top four finishers of class F have faster times than all finishers in class E , and the best time of class F also beats all other times but the fastest time of the day, posted by George in his class C spider . Hmmm... Best regards,

[conedriver]

Hi Enrique,

The attraction of the AROC classification system can also contribute to performance inequity within a class:

The system of adding modification points to a basic model value assures there will always be a class for a car. However, most Alfa owners tend to modify to their own preferences rather than strategizing for maximum performance in a particular class. For instance, if accumulation of modifications tended to place a car toward the top of a class, and a choice must be made between the points of "R" compound autocross tires or a set of hot cams, some people would choose the cams even though the tires would be a much better choice for autocross performance.

Of course, "R" tires require a second set of rims, and cause a transportation issue, but offer the most bang for the buck. This works for time trial also, but top autocross compounds are too soft for track use so you need another set of rims and tires for the time trials. You pays your money, and makes your choice (which is what I did for the Tulsa driving events; I had a set of rims with new Hoosier R6 tires for the track, and another set with Hoosier A6 tires for the autocross).

And, as Eric says, the class system doesn't rank driver ability. A top driver in a car with just a few modifications can likely beat a lesser driver in a more highly modified car.

I believe the current AROC system is fine. In theory it should produce rational, graded, time results given classes of cars with the same type of modifications, and drivers of the same talent level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zunige I'm not sure what class Eric's dream car would end up in, but it sure is nice to dream, and congrats to George on a consistently most impressive record. I also second George's enthusiasm for next year's convention, and his request for that web site! It wouldn't be a bad idea however, for AROC to look at their rules a little closer... I've always wanted George to drive my spider, and have asked him to do so, because I really want to see what my car can do in the hands of a truly accomplished driver... However, I noticed in the autocross results of this past convention that the top four finishers of class F have faster times than all finishers in class E , and the best time of class F also beats all other times but the fastest time of the day, posted by George in his class C spider . Hmmm... Best regards,

[Zunige]

George & Eric,

No, I'm not proposing we change the AROC rules ... My comments were purely observations, with a bit of sarcasm... Changing rules is just too much trouble in my opinion (and they are the same for all), and I'm more about having fun. I still want you guys to teach me how to drive better though. I can tell you from my experience at this past convention's autocross that I have a long way to go - if it wouldn't have been for George, I wouldn't even have been able to pump my tires to the appropriate pressure !

Another congrats to George and Dee, for being such great drivers, a real source of pride for us alfisti, and all around great friends!

Best regards,

[Zunige]

Quote:

Originally posted by msiert What class would you think my slightly modified S-4 Spider would run?

[turbolarespider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by msiert It looks like my Base points are 158 and when I add up the modification points I come up with 212 total points Base Points 158 Modification points Aftermarket ECU 7pts Port/Polish 5 Oversize valves 4 cat removed 2 wheel wider than stock 2 Tires 50 series 2 Dot<100 10 non stock springs 3 non stock shocks 3 neg camber 2 racing cam shaft 14 Total mod pts 54 points

[Zunige]

I'd love to see Murray's still streetable spider, against the 2 racers - John's GTV and George's Spider... Murray - you may not know it yet, but you are going to Detroit!

Quote:

Posted by turbolarespider So now the pressure is really on me to find a great autocross lot!

[John M]

Bud and I have been conspiring together today. Let's just say all the trophies are coming back to KY. We'll field a car in each class to dominate the convention! BWA HA HA HA HA!

Best Regards,
John M

[Zunige]

Quote:

Originally posted by msiert ...it’s too bad the classes aren't divided up by experience. Maybe I'll take my other Black Spider (the stock one) They don't check under the hood do they?

[conedriver]

Eric,

I thought the 2007 Covention Autocross site was at Oakland University (The same lot you used when I ran one of your 2006 events). That was a very nice site, and I was gonna promote your having a more wide open course (for the 164's, naturally ).

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbolarespider ...So now the pressure is really on me to find a great autocross lot! Eric