I've got a 2004 MCS which puts me in G Stock. However, I've added an Alta CAI. What class am I in now and will the car be competitive?

I know I have a long way to go before I can drive decently again - I haven't autocrossed in 25 years or so but I want to get back into it now.

Should I just reinstall the stock intake and stick to GS before I go autocrossing?

 

At this point, STX would be your best bet. As the car sits, it is also legal for DSP and SM and like DM or EM. I think a Cooper S can be quite competitive in STX, but it will probably take more than just an intake to run competitively in that class.

I'd just run it whichever class has some good competition locally! Maybe GS is hot in your region, so maybe pull the intake off and run there.

 

If you want to be competitive put the stock box back on and return to GS.

If you are just looking to have fun run in STX. There is no way to be competive in STX unless you are willing to dump a ton of money into the car and add a LSD, and mod out the front and rear suspension.

 

Heh. Even in GS, it'll be nothing but a fun run. Maybe in a year or five I'll become slightly competitive, but I'm mainly going out to have fun and try to re-hone my driving abilities.

Driving nothing but a lifted Jeep for 6 or 7 years kinda kills the competitive driving skills.

 

Hmmm. I'd say G Stock in your region is pretty competitive... Then again, STX isn't too bad either.

I would suggest a school (http://solo.wdcr-scca.org/noviceSchool.php) and hooking up with some local GS MINI drivers, there are plenty.

Brian Garfield
WDCR SCCA Solo II
Novice Coordinator

 

To be most competitive in G-stock then

remove the Alta intake and run a drop in Green filter or foam filter.
Add a cat-back exhaust of your choice- Milltek, Borla, R-speed etc
Add DOT approved race tires- Kumho victoracers, ecsta V700, Falken Azenis sport, or Bridgestone Potenza Pole position S-O3 tires in the sizes for your stock rims.

Driving school for autocross would be killer.

 

Thanks for all the good advice in this thread. :smile:

I'm signed up for an autocross school in August. Anxiously awaiting the date to arrive too. My 19 y/o son is attending with me - he's been wanting to race me with his Jetta VR6 since he got it. I figure timeslips from the autocross class will have to do as I refuse to race on the street and he knows better than to do that too.

This weekend I'll be attending my first autocross in 20 years, just to watch and whet my appetite for it again.