Any idea what class the JCW factory car will be in?

More importantly will it be able to be in DSP with the same mods I have on my current MINI? (see sig)

 

Probably B-Stock like the current JCW, unless the SCCA comes to their senses and re-classifies the JCW.

 

Sorry for the dumb questions, but I'm a total newb to the autox world.

I'm taking delivery of a JCW in October, and I got it with the intent on doing Solo II. So here are my questions:

(1) What else is in B-stock?
(2) My friends and I are all doing it together for the first time next year, and they all run stock S2000's (the older smaller displacement motor)... any chance I keep up? We are all too competitive, and they swear I have zero chance.
(3) Does anyone autox their Mini and use it as a daily driver?

Thanks!

 

Here's a list of Stock classifications by class. Frankly, the JCW is a little out of its class in B-Stock. It's the only front-wheel drive car in BS, as far as I know, and it's at a power disadvantage to a lot of the other cars in the class. I think the hot BS car right now is probably the Mazda RX-8.

That being said, the final results have a lot more to do with the driver than with the car, so I disagree with your friends that say you have "zero chance" against their S2000s. You'll have a little better handicap, since they'll be in A-Stock, but you still have your work cut out for you.

I autocross my MINI regularly, and it's also my daily driver.

 

Forgot about my handi-cap advantage. Time to debadge so they think it should be in G-stock

 

So if you do some mods I'd hope it would go to DSP and not BSP. I think the 06 JCW could go to DSP.

This will be the biggest determining factor as to wether my next MINI is a JCW or not.


It's a shame they put it in B-stock. D-stock would have been a much more fitting class.

 

This is weird, on the categorizations... is this package 'that fast' to warrant this, in some pretty rareified (sic) company? Doesn't have the low-end torque of the 09 JCW and power is comparable (if not as high strung in the RPM range).

"The following makes/models are not eligible for Stock Category:
Mini Works Package (pre-'06 dealer-installed)"

 

I knew that the JCW dealer engine installs were not allowed in stock classes. Their logic is that it's no different than taking it to Alta and modding the engine. It's no longer "stock".

But this does raise a questions for me. I'm getting a factory JCW (which will be allowed in the stock class... probably in BS... which will be tough to fight in). If I get the JCW suspension will that knock me out of stock class?? I'm thinking it will, and that stinks. I knew I should have just gotten the normal sports suspension. I ordered it with the normal $0 suspension with the thought of getting the dealer to install the JCW suspension. I just didn't think about it knocking me out of stock class.

Can anyone confirm that I screwed this up?

 

There's a whole forum for this topic here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...play.php?f=199

Which includes subclasses for each of the MC, MCS and JCW cars.

BS will be difficult to compete in for your first time around. However, you should compete with yourself for a while and not worry about the rest of the competition. That means, running street tires and register as BStock Novice for your first season. In BS, you can swap the shocks but not the springs. However, a JCW suspension kit as a factory option (even retrofitted to your car) should be legal. You can also swap out the tires for stickier R compounds, but I'd recommend learning as much as you can with street rubber. Being a novice, the R compounds will mask some of the mistakes and bad habits which can be developed pretty quickly.

Best of luck in your first season!

 

The JCW suspension would for sure knock you out of stock class. It is not a factory option on any model.

However, that may not be a bad thing if it puts you into DSP. DSP would be easier than BS (depending on your local driver's skills).

 

Hmm. Sounds like you think I should not regret getting the $500 sport suspension, and getting the JCW.

I don't know anything about DSP. What are the rules and regulations for that? Isn't that what the GP is in?

Thanks for all the help!

(BTW: I will spend my first year on street tires, and just try to learn as much as possible. I just don't want to do something that would keep me out of where I should be in the future.)

 

In DSP you will be out of your league, especially running street tires. You can look at the rules here: http://scca.org/contentpage.aspx?content=61

My recommendation, keep everything as it is until you need it. You can learn to adapt to any car, even if it is not set up with all the go fast goodies. Experience and adaptability to different surfaces, tracks, and cars will make you faster overall as a driver.

 

Ok. I really am doing autox to have fun with my friends, and I don't care much about how I place.

My only real concern with the stock suspension is it holding up to autox. So with that in mind, would you pay the $1200 to get crushed in DSP or would you pay $0 and get crushed in BS. If doing autox on stock suspension is bad for the suspension, I'll do the $1200 route. If it's fine and just a bit worse handling, I'll go $0 for my first year and wait til I'm better to pay the $1200.

Note: I will be daily driving this car also, so I need the suspension to hold up.

 

You're not going to "hurt" either suspension by autocrossing. If you've never autocrossed, like whoapower said, run the car with base suspension, which will be better for everyday street driving, not to mention the $1200 you'll save, then do your upgrades based on how the car feels to you. Handling is very subjective, hence the reason there are so many aftermarket parts available.

 

ditto. Save the 1200 bucks. Suspension setups are black magic, and in some setups, you can use softer suspension, others rougher. For example, and just my opinion - I think the G35c works better with the softer suspension on the track than the 350z. The car doesn't get upset as quickly.

Keep the stock suspension. You'll do fine fine fine. Learn to adapt and overcome what you have.

 

Thanks!!! I'll save the money and just enjoy what I have... At least this year

 

I feel the same way. MCS with all the goodies on it (for warranty purposes) for now. Perhaps next year I'll go with the JCW or just get a stripped out track toy.

 

The good news is the JCW suspension is dealer installed anyway, so if you decide later you want it, it doesn't cost you anymore. Like they say the biggest adjustment will be the loose nut behind the steering wheel . I would run the first year "bone stock" to get a "baseline" of your feelings of the car, then next year upgrade to a set of sticky tires, such as the Kumho Ecsta V710s, this will probably be the biggest improvement you'll make, then worry about the suspension, etc