For those interested in following the results each month for
SCCA Solo II here are some links. Info updated for 2008-2009 season.

Home page-
http://www.sccahawaii.org/
Info on Regional wheel to wheel races (suspended since close of Hawaii Raceway Park in April 2006),Solo (autocross at Aloha Stadium lower parking lot) and outer island events (Maui and Big Island SCCA).

Results from the 2007-2008 Solo season:
http://www.sccahawaii.org/soloii.html

Archived results from past Solo seasons:
http://www.sccahawaii.org/archive.html

For Solo autocross events:
MINIs can compete in the following classes-
H-stock for the MINI Cooper (MC), Clubman,& cabrio version MC any year (2002 to present). Includes R compound tires on stock sized rims.
G-stock for the MINI Cooper S (MCS), Clubman,& cabrio version S any year (2002 to present). Includes R compound tires on stock sized rims.
B-stock for any version MCS with factory installed JCW kit 2006- present. Use factory wheels and any DOT approved tires (includes R compound).

Street Touring S (STS): modified MC/MCC/Clubman, street tires (2002 to present). Rims up to 7.5" wide, tires to 225mm max. Treadwear 140 minimum.
Street Touring X (STX): for modified MCS including 2006 JCW kit with street tires (2002 to present). Rims up to 8" wide, tires to 245mm max.
Street Touring U (STU): for a modified MCS as in STX but no limit on wheel width. Max tire width 275mm. Street tires.
F Street Prepared (FSP): for a modified MC/MCC/Clubman with any wheels and any tires including R compound.
D Street Prepared (DSP): for a modified MCS/MCSC/Clubman with stock pulley or 2002 to present MCS with installed JCW kit or MCS GP.
Street Modified (SM): MCS/MCSC/Clubman with any upgraded reduction pulley or Big Brake kit - Not JCW kit, or any upgrade that increases boost.
E Prepared (EP): any MC or MCC (allowances for extensive modifications/interior removal and weight reduction limits)
F Prepared (FP): any MCS or MCSc (allowances for extensive modifications/interior and weight reduction limits)
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=95000 see post #3

Spectators are free at all Solo autocross events held at Aloha Stadium lower parking lot. There is usually a break in the schedule of events from mid April to mid July with about 10-12 events per year.

 

What's the difference between ASP and SM as both would be running a reduction pulley? Is ASP for 15% pulleys and SM for 17% and 19%? I mean JCW runs a bigger SC and bigger heads so shouldn't it also be in SM? There is a difference as we dyno'd a JCW and a MCS with a bigger pulley and more mods and the JCW still pulled about 10whp more.

A Street Prepared for a MCS/MCSC with JCW kit
Street Modified for MCS/MCSC with upgraded reduction pulley

 

Sorry for the confusion-

ASP is specifically for "MCS/MCSC with JCW kit" and no other internal engine mods.Basically a kit upgraded MCS but with limits on other mods within SP classes. ASP is more restrictive than SM.

SM is for any MCS or MCSC with any size reduction pulley upgrade but not the JCW kit unless other mods have been done to exceed the limits of ASP class. SM class allows for a wide variety of upgrades and has very few restrictions.

So an MCS with JCW kit only would run in ASP class but if an aero kit was added then it would run in SM since aero kits are not allowed in ASP.

Edit: Classes are changed for 2006 and ASP no longer applies to the MINI see post #1 in this tread.

 

MCS 1
JCW kit (15% pulley, bigger head, bigger sc, exhaust), 17s

MCS 2
15% aftermarket pulley, stock head and sc, aftermarket exhaust, 17s

MCS 3
Bone stock, but with Aero kit

So in this scenario, MCS 1 would be in ASP because it is an OEM upgrade and MCS 2 would be in SM eventhough it has less mods than the JCW? That sucks.

What about MCS 3? Would it be stuck in SM because of the aero kit, eventhough it is stock?

I used to race an F Stock Mustang years ago along with my brother in a E Prepared Nissan that did double duty in Solo 1. I left SCCA because of a spat about my young age and some of the arbitrary reasoning behind classification. Back then I think the rule was you could go +/- 1" on the diameter of your wheels and remain in stock class. A really dumb rule back then was running Pirelli P7s would put you in a Prepared class.

 

Yes, there are times when the rules appear to have "arbitrary reasoning behind classification". That is why it is so important to have a clear idea of what mods you wish to do and how far you wish to go in Solo II competition.

It's always better to start in Stock class and get experience before moving up in class. First you get to learn the basics of driving, second you don't spend as much, third you don't add anything that would bump you to the next class when the competition might be more fierce.

So in your example. MCS 1 with only JCW kit and no further changes to the reduction pulley size would fall into ASP class. Upgrading the pulley to 17 or 19% would place it into SM class.

For MCS 2 any alteration to the pulley size to reduce it's diameter and increase boost or any porting or polishing of the cylinder head would place it in SM class. In fact the most common reason for an MCS to land into SM class is the pulley upgrade alone. Since that MCS doesn't have other upgrades to help with suspension, etc, that driver would be at a distinct disadvantage in a very highly competitive class.

Before making the leap and upgrading the pulley, if you want to compete in anything other than a stock class for autocross you need to carefully read the rule book and know what upgrades are allowed and have some idea of the cost (installation/maintenance/replacement).

For MCS 3, Although the Aero kit is a MINI part it is a dealer installed option not a factory installed one. Hence it is not considered stock even if you did order it at the time of purchase. And even though the Aero kit is cosmetic more than functional it places a MINI out of a stock class.

In the case of an MC with aero kit, you are bumped into STS class (rule 14.2.F). For a MCS with aero kit you go to STX class but in our region we do not have enough drivers for STX class I am told, so you get bumped again and are in DSP class.

When I read the rules for ASP and for DSP classes I see under rule 15.2 Bodywork:
"H. Spoilers and cosmetic trim pieces are permitted. Side skirts may not be used. Spoilers must comply with the following subsections. The intent of this allowance is to accomidate commonly available appearance kits, and relicas thereof, which have no significant aerodynamic function at Solo II speeds."

So I think that a low riding "Side skirt" would be illegal but the cosmetic aero kit side skirt which is about the same size as the stock MCS side skirt would be legal.

Is it fair to be bumped for these upgrades?
Nope. But it pays to read the rule book.

 

That's why I really hope NASA starts running here when we get some sort of track / auto X facility going. NASA's autocross classification is much, much more thought out than SCCA.

As for the side skirts... anything other than the factory busts the rule. Hell, a buddy of mine got put into SM because he removed a single badge on his car. How stupid is that?

 

I know it's confusing but post #1 has been updated using the 2007 SCCA Rule book.

For GP see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=92733

 

This is another thread about autocross classes for the MINI.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=95000

Give it a try.

 

Always check for the most recent changes in rules.

Usually we can help class your MINI when you come to the events or before if you can contact us.

There is no need to make changes to your stock MINI to run autocross.
Just empty out everything from the car before you attend. Nothing that is loose is allowed in the cars when you drive.

Even the smallest change like a shift **** will place you into a modified class.

The largest handicap is allowed in stock classes.

The more modified your car the worse the handicap, and the faster you will need to drive to be able to stay competitive once handicaps are applied.

The one mod that places owners into Street Modified class is any aftermarket reduction pulley upgrade to the supercharger since it improves boost. However this class allows for many upgrades and changes and most of the competitors have extensive changes to suspension, brakes, and wheels so a pulley upgrade alone is not helpful by itself.

 

The MINI is making a "comeback" of sorts at autocross in SCCA Hawaii region at Aloha Stadium lower parking lot on sundays.

We now have 4 drivers in MINIs.

Pax Class (both driving a 2013 JCW MINI Coupe on Street tires in D Street class)
Mike W. 4th out of 14 in class, 52nd on raw time out of 102, 34th on Pax in wet conditions
Kenlie W. 13th out of 14 in class, 80th on raw time, 66th on Pax in the wet.

Rookie class
Emily L. had planned to drive an 03 MCS in SMF class but had mechanical issue.

D Modified class
Larry H. (02 MCS) 1st out of 6 in class, 45th on raw time, 73rd on pax in wet conditions

 

Just an update

For now the Aloha Stadium is no longer available for SCCA autocross events.
We are looking for a new location. please let us know if you have any leads.