I have a 1980 Rx7.

Assuming I could use what I have, I'm wanting to dable with autocross. In order to have fun and learn to drive better.

I see auto-cross solo-II classws on websight housccs.com sounds very restrictive about the car being stock, and meeting emissions.

I don't have the rats nest emissions(risk of intake leaks), nor the air-pump, nor any catalytic convertor (I can't remember if it originally had one or not, I think it did), nor the air-conditioner. I wanted it simple, and the rats nest looked old and worn out.

I've added the racing beat headers and resonator.

Since my car is 25years or older, mines a 1980 model. I don't have to take emissions test to get inspection. So I can get inspected and registered to drive on the street. So the car will be street legal.

Now that you know all this, my question is: will I be able to run autocross solo-II?
Will having an inspection sticker be enough, or are they going to physically inspect my missing emissions system? Can I run street stock or will I have to run another class due to the racing beat headers and the removal of some components?

Thanks for reading all this.
If you are not familiar with solo-IIing a slightly-slightly modified Rx7, then if you know someone else that has done this, please post there contact info.

Thanks in advance, swirve.

 

Yeah, those mods will push you up into a higher class. Don't worry about it though. For like twenty bucks you get to go racing, and you can't beat that. The people that you meet there will be more than happy to get you started. Just show up for an event or two, and talk to people. See if they'll let you ride with them on a couple of their runs. Don't worry about how deep the water is, just jump in and learn to swim!

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum...

 

You shouldn't have a problem, you just have to see what class your car fits into. Read all the docs on www.scca.com on solo2. My 83 w/ how it is setup is an SM2 class car.

 

i've only been to 2 solo2 events so far, but my 83 has exactly the same mods as you, with the exception of my front brace. i'm running D class, ie the slowest class there is. and for now, most likely cause i'm still pretty new to it, that class is pretty compeitative for me. when you get your checked for the first time, most likely the tech will take into account your skill level, whether or not this is your first solo2, also for as far as mods go, i only got 1 point due to the headers, and that was it.
send me a pm if u have any other questions

 

Yea dont worry, just go have fun and learn. You'll get smoked by guys/gals in stock cars, even if you had an F1 car. Ask questions, watch and learn. Also go paruse the race section on this forum. Lotsa Autox'rs there.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tempusfugitive

i've only been to 2 solo2 events so far, but my 83 has exactly the same mods as you, with the exception of my front brace. i'm running D class, ie the slowest class there is.

Were these SCCA Solo II sponsored event? If so you’re running in the wrong class. There aren’t any 7’s that run in D Stock. All non turbo 7’s run E Stock and with your mods you should be in C Street Prepared.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swirve

will I be able to run autocross solo-II?

Yep!

Quote:

Originally Posted by swirve

Will having an inspection sticker be enough, or are they going to physically inspect my missing emissions system?

You don’t need no sticking emissions. The SCCA has classes for car of all modified levels. You can completely gut the interior or do a motor swap and still run autocrosses. And no it doesn’t have to be street or emissions legal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swirve

Can I run street stock or will I have to run another class due to the racing beat headers and the removal of some components?

Ahh...... here’s where you get caught my friend. Stock pretty much means “stock”. With the exception of some suspension mods and a catback exhaust you can’t change anything. Unless your car came from the factory with headers and without emissions, you can’t run in the E stock class. You’re mods will put you in C Street Prepared where that POS Miata is king! Damn I hate those cars! All of this assumes you are running with the SCCA? If this is another organization like NASA, then your classing may be different? Here’s a link to a SCCA Solo II rules book and car classifications PDF.
http://www.scca.com/Solo/Index.asp?IdS=0188F8-F589D60&x=050|070&~=
But like everyone has said, don’t worry about classing, just sign up, show up and have fun!


BTW
Welcome to the forum!

 

I thought the RX3 was the king of CSP.

 

no for my location its through casc-or, i beleive the scca is US, i'm assuming that your rules are pretty similar to ours, i am aware that i'm probably in the wrong class, i think the tech guy gave me a break, but at this point in the game it doesn't really matter, i still have a lot to learn, and i'm just out to have some fun, and see how fast i can go.

 

Ah....I should have looked at your tag..."Fergus Ontario". Got it!

 

yeah, you'll be running CSP and you will get your but whooped


Not the point though. The first year is all about learning the basics and learning how to learn (if that makes sense). Next year if your still into it then you can make a competitive car and learn more than you knew even existed (trust me I'm in my second year)

 

Look at the national point standings, certain car models have the majority of the wins. In one class the SOLO2 president told me, if I want to be competitive buy a Corvette, in thestock rx-7 class he said buy a MR-2.

The class definitions are set by concensus. Notice that a 914 1.7, 1.8, and 2.0 liter are all in the same class. I got the feeling that the SOLO2 is run like an amateur sport.

The trophies are probably plastic anyway.

 

First gen rx7's and Miatas are the overall decimators of CSP... bottom line. Once you get into one of those cars, then it becomes more about driver ability...


...which leads me to my next point: YOU WILL NOT WIN YOUR FIRST AUTOX. Bottom line. But... this is what makes it so addictive... because you realize that now you have a goal. Whether it's shaving off 2 tenths of a second, or 20 seconds... it's all about how smooth, fluid, and aware you are. AutoX is probably the most rewarding, fun, adrenaline-filled, and LEGAL thing you can do in a car. Believe me when I tell you this (I've been autoXing for almost 8 years, and now I race in the CSP-X class, for eXperts)... there's NOTHING more gratifying than hearing, "And the Fastest Time of the Day- Indexed, __your name here___, with a time of __time score here__, driving a __car type here__. Let's give them a hand!" It makes all of those driving schools, countless sets of tires, gallon upon gallon of gas, and hundreds of dollars (if not more) of entry fees WORTH EVERY PENNY.


Just my $0.03.
--Evan

 

For what it's worth, towards the end of November, I'll be autoXing MY first gen for the first time in 2 years.

 

Based on SCCA rules, you would be CSP. That's okay though, because even if you were stock, the 90-97 miatas still fall into the same stock class, and dominate it. A very experienced driver will almost always be faster in a miata than an rx7. If you don't like it, you'll have to buy a miata. I'm okay with the fact that my rx7 isn't going to take it's class. I just want to make the miata guys nervous when I'm only a second or two behind them. My first autox, I ran an '81 GSL in stock form, except for wheels and tires. My local club has a class called SI (Special Interest) designed for beginners, or people who just aren't too interested in being competitve. It allows basically any modifications, or none at all. As long as the car is safe, you can run it. I would recommend seeing if your club has a class like this. Otherwise, I would recommend doing the rest of the mods allowed in CSP, so you can be halfways competitive. I currently have an '85 GSL-SE with aftermarket shocks, springs, and swaybars. It's classified as CSP. I really don't have to do many mods to increase the power. 135hp is actually a pretty good start for CSP. I've owned 2 miatas, and 4 rx7's and I'd have to say that I personally enjoy the rx7. The miatas are a blast to drive too, but are a little more sensitive to driver input. Like everyone else said, just go have fun. It's the most legal fun you can have IMO.

 

After reading thru here maybe I should re-class, my first time I was exibition only because I was in my celica which is non USDM. On the SCCA site SM2 sounded kinda like where I fall but not sure now. Here is my list of mods:

A/C Removed entirely
Emissions removed entirely
This winter she gets her electrical overhauled because she shorts when I drive in the rain
Sterling Carb
Header w/ only a muffler on the end
Under carpet insulation removed
no spare tire
battery relocated (in marine box as needed)
triangulated front support bar
Switching to efan this winter
doing springs this winter, might do sway bars
All heatshielding has been removed (except what protects my gas tank)
Possibly putting an LSD pumpkin in her (not sure yet, and keeping my drums)
Carter fuel pump
I believe that is it.

Any input and advise would be wonderfully accepted. Thanks.

 

SM2 is the right class for your set-up. There are a couple things that keep you out of CSP. The first thing I noticed was the triangulated strut bar. You can only use strut bars that attach in 2 locations. Seems dumb that something so simple will bump you to another class, but there's got to be boundaries somewhere.
For more info on SCCA Class Rules, go here:

http://scca.org/Solo/Index.asp?IdS=028B25-FEA6DD0&x=050|070&~=

 

Wait. Why do want to keep your drums? Its so damn easy to swap out the whole rearend. If you get the rear end out of an 84 or 85 ( I think those are the years), then you get beefier axles. It all bolts right in.

 

I have an 83 GSL rear-end, just maybe missing the calipers, or 1 of them at least. I just don't know about it, kinda on the wall over it.