Per motoringfile, the F56 Hardtop will have 134 hp and 167 ft-lb at 1250 rpm. There is no way it will go into H stock already dominated by the 2nd gen with 121 hp and 114 ft-lb at 4250 rpm. Will it be placed in G Stock with the 1st and 2nd Coopers going with it? That seems the most likely scenario to me.


http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/09/...t-the-numbers/

 

I have to imagine that, at least tentatively, just the new Cooper will go to GS to start with - I think it "helps" at least that HS didn't raw GS this year.

 

There's no reason that the new Cooper can't go into G Street, without taking the earlier Coopers with it. Its similar to the Ford Focus ST. Earlier versions are in HS, the 2013 is in GS.

As far as I can tell a car will get classed, and after the first year it can't/won't be moved except in exceptional circumstances. (That's section 3.2 of the rules.) If I understand the history correctly the Cooper-S was one such exception.

But the change to street, gives the powers that be get a chance to reclass all cars after the first year. So nothing is certain.

 

Precedent says they will limit the number of classes the MINI can be competitive in. They've loosened up on that in recent years with the older Civic ruling several street classes and the older/newer MX-5's in different stock classes. Still, they're facing considerable and persistent pressure to end the overdog status of the MINI in HS, and these considerations usually get decided in favor of the more widely popular cars.

I will disagree with similarity to the Ford Focus ST. It is a special performance version. The SCCA typically will not accept them as "best of breed" to base classification of all years and trims on.

Just my $.02 observation.

 

I mentioned Focus ST as the previous ST versions were in HS. There's an older ST in HS around here. The new ST came along and didn't take the older one into GS.

 

Noted.

 

i think in general though, as long as HS minis don't raw GS, we have a good "shot" at staying in HS. ESP if the new mini is bumped into GS and is competitive there. There have been a lot of complaints throughout the years that the Mini should be bumped to GS, but also the street tire thing makes it a big ? - this in general relatively "helps" lower powered, lighter cars right (as well as awd)? I think the focus st has a lot of potential in GS, and to be honest i think the S belongs back in GS, with the awd TT and wrx pretty dominant in DS

 

we need to up the HS national level attendance!