fellow Protege autocrossers,

I found this on SCCA's site, here's an excerpt, take special notices on the bold texts:

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The SEB has concurred with the SAC recommendations to leave the MINI Cooper
in HS and the BMW 330Ci in DS. The SEB also approved the SAC recommendation
of reclassification of the MINI Cooper S from DS to GS, effective 1/1/2003.

After considering member input and SAC recommendations, the SEB has
selected the following actions regarding class SS, AS, and BS, and is
recommending them to the BOD, effective 1/1/2003:

1. Leave in SS: Mazda RX-7 Turbo ('93+)

2. Move from SS to AS: BMW M Coupe and Roadster ('01+), BMW M3 (E46), and
Mercedes SLK32 AMG, and Porsche Boxster S

3. Move from AS to BS: BMW M Coupe and Roadster ('96-'00)

These changes are recommended in conjunction with the new classification of
the Nissan 350Z in BS, as shown in the Tech Bulletins elsewhere herein.

TECH BULLETINS

1) Stock: Add new listings as follows:

SS - Dodge Viper SRT-10
BS - Nissan 350Z

DS - MazdaSpeed Protégé
DS - Chrysler Neon SRT-4

GS - Audi V8 Quattro (change existing GS listing to "Audi V8 Quattro, A8")

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competition in stock class just got harder!!!!

and MS Protege WILL go head to head against the Neon SRT-4!!!

 

So the Mini stays in HS. I guess the SCCA is trying to ensure that their slowest Stock class is also one of the most expensive. I think I shall contemplate preparing my car for STS now.

However, the MSP vs. the SRT-4 matchup should be fun. The SRT-4 has more power but no limited slip, which should do a lot to even the cars out. IMHO all the MSP needs to be a surefire winner is camber bolts. Let me repeat that... CAMBER BOLTS. Hey Mazda HQ! WHERE'S THAT TSB?!?!

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA

i agree, the MSP would be a nice ride. Limited slip, in any form, is a good advantage.

 

Well I figured they'd keep it there for atleast one more year. I think I'll try one more shot at H-Stock. I'm going to focus on the ProSolo Series, where my "Mazda Power" can get the jump on the Mini. Plus, I'd like to show that you can't just show up in a Mini and win.
My plan is conserve my cash- switching from Hoosiers to Kumhos. Maybe by the end of the year I'll be ready to go STX, or maybe the Mini will get bumped up to GS (most events this year the regular Mini was beating the Cooper S).

Isn't National's going to be on Asphalt this year? On the new Topeka Autocross site. If so, that may even out some of the playing field - especially in the tire-wars.

 

I found a place that has camber bolts, but will move you out of stock class. I'm now debating a move to FSP, but that gets REALLY expensive, and nobody else locally competes in it.
Ingall Engineering makes them. They gave me a number for a place in NC, GMP Performance that sells them.
If anyone is interested let me know. I am still up in the air as to what I want to do.
Checked my alignment and have 1deg+ all the way around, and toe in. That blows. Oddly enough, I still took a regional class and overall championship with it.
Next year it will be fixed, and the Divisionals and Nationals will be a little more fun.