going to try autocross this year and some track days but keeping the car in d-stock. I've got a 2005 R53 that's really only used for track, parts run and maybe once every 2 weeks to work.

Anyone have setup tips? Going with the big Hotchkiss hollow rear swaybar and some star spec's in 215/40/r17 my plan is to swap to a 15 or 16" wheel setup once I wear out the first set of 17s.

if I understand the class that's it for mods, only thing I can do is tweak alignment anyone wanna recommend numbers for that?

 

You can change shocks among many other things. The SCCA rule book is online and can be read or downloaded in PDF format for free at SCCA.COM. Also search for JCW engine kit. It can be added for some years, but I think not for yours. Not sure though. Pull the plastic alignment pins in you have them on the front struts so you can get more negative camber via alignment. I don't remember the recommended toe settings.

Bridgestone RE 71R is the currently favored autocross tire in D Street.

 

Re71r does not come in 215/40/17 only 45 so I'm stuck with star spec

 

As mentioned definitely check the rule book, main things allowable are swaybar (as you know), shocks, brake pads, air filter, exhaust beyond catalytic converter… but good tires (preferably on lightweight wheels) has to be #1. I can tell you the big hotchkis rear bar and wheels/tires alone will make a huge improvement for autocross (I have a 2006 JCW, and those are the only things I have done). Also remember to turn DSC off for every run or none of this really matters.

The JCW kit is only allowed in DS from 2006+ (when it began being factory installed), so that wouldn’t be an option for you, and you would have to do the FULL conversion anyways to technically be legal - brakes, limited slip, etc... not just the engine package. For 2002-2005 the JCW kit puts you into STX which then allows other mods. I have no idea if any of this will change for 2016 btw, but I haven’t heard of any pending moves.

For tires, you could also go 215/45-17 for a little taller gearing, and you can go +/- 1inch wheel diameter so that opens it up too. In the latest tirerack “extreme performance summer” test they basically found that the 2015 generation of tires (RE71R, Rival S, V720) all outperform the previous crop, which includes direzzas, although they didn’t look at direzzas specifically in the latest test. That said, the new generation also wear faster, and unless you absolutely need every tenth, you’ll probably still be very happy with direzzas. Running locally I know plenty of competitive people running the older tires like this. Direzzas may also be better for track days, not sure how well the RE71Rs hold up.

 

Just for clarity, the JCW engine kit is allowed by itself on Gen2's because it was port installed. Factory limited slip would definitely help if it was available as a factory option in 2005. The lsd was discontinued in March of 2010.

 

mine is a 2005 am I allowed to swap on JCW springs/shocks?

I already have a hotchkis swaybar and 6UL wheels with 205/50/15 RE71R's

I'm probably not going to stay in d-street long so it does not matter much I guess, the main purpose of the car is VIR trackdays so I think I will want brakes and a pulley minimum

 

missed this - I don't think you are allowed, it's not a factory JCW? I think only 2006 had factory JCWs, not 2005's. You can do shocks though.

 

I've been negligent in tracking our new MINI, it's at the port already. Assuming that Clubmen are built in Oxford (as someone upthread notes), what ships are due to leave Southampton soon?

Of put it another way, anyone know what ship he'll be on.

I don't know how this ended up D-Stock, I was in the tracking thread.