As most of you know, several companies are selling alternate rear control arms to adjust camber and toe-in. They consist of a pair (per side) of hollow steel tubes with Heim joints at each end. Unfortunately, these are not legal for the SCCA Solo2 Street Touring classes (STS and STX).

The problem is the Heim joints (spherical rod ends). Although alternate control arms that allow camber adjustment are specifically allowed, the Heim joints replace rubber bushings. The relevant section in the 2003 Solo2 rulebook is section 17.8, paragraph B. A small part of this paragraph reads: " ....This does not authorize a change in type of bushing (for example ball and socket replacing a cylindrical bushing)....If the stock bushing accommodated multi-axis motion via compliance of the component material(s), the replacement bushing may not be changed to accomodate such motion via a change in bushing type, for example to a spherical bearing..."

I wish this were not true, but it is. It's probably better to know this now rather than spend the money and time only to find out later that it's not legal. Also, it's unlikely that the rule will be changed since it's the same as the Street Prepared bushing rule.

 

I've emailed the Technical Solo II guy at SCCA about this requesting interpretation. Basically, the question is:

If the new adjustable rear control arms contain a bushing that is prohibited in para 17.8.B, are they allowed or not?

It's a good question -- I for one would not want to pay $300 for a pair of ARCA's I can't use.

David

 

If I read this rule correctly it states that you can't change type of bushing.Check out Hotchkistuning.com for their new (not yet realeased) rear control arms. I think these might pass since they are not a different type of bushing. They seem to have taken a different route to fixing that problem.

 

>>If I read this rule correctly it states that you can't change type of bushing.Check out Hotchkistuning.com for their new (not yet realeased) rear control arms. I think these might pass since they are not a different type of bushing. They seem to have taken a different route to fixing that problem.


I think you are correct -- from looking at the picture of them, the H-Sport rear camber links appear to be ok for STS/X. Randy is planning on testing this stuff as soon as it is released

 

There doesn't seem to be any information on the Hotchkis Tuning site relative to the new Mini. Is it known that they are planning to produce parts for the Mini? I hope the do because I think you are correct, dpayne1, lower rear control arms like HT presently make for the WRX would probably be legal for STS/STX. 'Sure beats having to fabricate a set from scratch! :smile:

 

Hotchkis hasn't "formaly announced" that they will be making Mini parts but I can say with resonable certanty that they are. Look for a formal announcement soon. We at minicooperonline.com hope to be working with Hotchkis with thier parts/website introduction soon. I'm looking forward to wghat H-tuned has in store.

 

>>There doesn't seem to be any information on the Hotchkis Tuning site relative to the new Mini. Is it known that they are planning to produce parts for the Mini? I hope the do because I think you are correct, dpayne1, lower rear control arms like HT presently make for the WRX would probably be legal for STS/STX. 'Sure beats having to fabricate a set from scratch! :smile:

Actually they are being made by H-Sport a "company within Hotchkis Tuning"

The link is here
H-Sport Site
and here is a picture:

 

I talked to one of the engineers at H-sport a few weeks ago and he said that they were changing the design on their camber/caster plates and that most of their other parts for the mini are in production and should be avalible soon. Randy has said that there was a delay in getting H-sport parts to test. I'm sure he'll be the first to let us know what he thinks. Thank you Randy!!!