We have one JCW kit MCS in my area ready and willing to compete in
A Street Prepared (ASP) for Solo II. He has some other mods as well-
Carbon fiber bonnet scoop (allowed since it is a stock scoop replacement??) and Carbon Fiber side Mirror covers (allowed since it's just a cosmetic cover??). Like those are going to make a competitive difference?

SCCA rules state that the following are allowed:
Allowed modifications of stock class and-
Wheels of any diameter, width, offset, or with wheel spacers, studs/nuts
Fenders/bumpers can be modified for tire clearance
Any shock absorbers
Strut bars
Brake, clutch or throttle pedal covers
Adjustable front camber plates
Any front or rear sway (anti-roll) bar
Any air cleaner
Any exhaust manifold/ muffler (quiet)
Any upholstered seat
Any steering wheel
Any heat shield for engine
Any brake line or master cylinder
Any cross drilled/slotted brake rotors-OEM sized, no two pieced hat.
Any metal clutch assembly
Any Limited slip differential
Front spoiler below the bumper
Engine mounts may be replaced
Fuel injector/Intercooler, intake manifold unrestricted
Roll bar or roll cage (see section 13.2G
AC can be removed but not heater
OE radio may be removed
Suspension- springs (must be same type as stock)

Not allowed-
Full Carbon fiber bonnet.
Flared fenders
Side skirts

-------
Note worthy competition in ASP-
Yikes!
BMW M Coupe, M roadster, Z3, M3 (E46)
Corvette 97+
Dodge Viper
Ferrari 355, 360, Dino 206 & 246
Lotus Elan, Espirit, 7 & 7A
Mazda Rx-7 turbo
Porsche 911 Turbo AWD, and various models, 914/6, 924 turbo, 944 Turbo, 968, Boxster, Carrerra 2/4
Toyota MR2 Turbo 91+

Good luck to all who rise to the challenge.
Don't forget some competition rubber!

 

You can run non-stock springs in Street Prepared. I've seen plenty of nationally-prepped SP cars, and I've never seen a nationally prepped SP with stock springs. The rules say the springs have to be "the same type as stock" or something, which basically means you can't change out leaf springs in favor of torsion bars or something.

Also, I'm not sure about the bonnet scoop? Unless that is a Mini factory installed option, I don't see anything in the rules that would *make* it legal.

 

I've only had the MINI for a month and the M coupe for 4 1/2 years but I'd be amazed to see a JCW MCS be faster than the coupes, assuming equal drivers. Who knows though as I become more accustomed to a FWD car with a huge front weight bias maybe that will change.

 

I run ASP in our local SCCA club and attended the Wendover Pro-Solo event this year. There was one other consistent driver in ASP and he was driving a C5 Corvette trailer queen. He waxed my **** every time we raced together. I was seriously underprepared as I'm not willing to void my warranty on aftermarket items that might make me competitive. I'm seriously considering moving to STU next year where I hope to do better.

I also attended the Wendover Pro-Solo this year and placed dead last. (course, that could be because I was a rookie, driving on all season tyres, and no other mods ) It sure was fun though watching the Vette's and the Porsche GT3 fight it out!

 

I looked at the SCCA rule book on the springs. I could not find specifically where it said that lowering springs were allowed but I believe you. I'll have to look at it again.

My interpretation is that the hood or bonnet scoop must be of the same type/design as original (though materials may weigh less). Illegal would be to modify the bonnet scoop to change it's shape or alter it's height or position compared to stock.

Thanks for your comments.

 

I won ASP season points this year, not much compition tho. Ran against a Z06 and porshe boxter at divisionals in gainsville, fl and lost by 2 seconds as this was my 5th event I felt pretty good about my performance. Ive beaten corvettes, M3 coups, and mazdaspeed Miatas tho so I think I may stick it out :smile: Also I did run one event in STU and beat the STI that won the first 8 events

 

Update! The Buccaneer Region SCCA Had our first autocross for the year today! I'm still in ASP for now the .850 pax index realy hurts tho I ran the 12th fastest raw time out of 113 entrys to fall back to 24 in pax, .850 ASP versus .842 in SM Really? I researched back 24 months in 2 regions that I race in and found 1 instance where an ASP car beat the SM top times! Sometimes I wonder the real reasons behind the PAX changes although my car will never be competitive nationally in ASP it still is unfair to get indexed by the performance of a few drivers that do not truely represent what the majority of people are driving. I hope Daddio doesnt compete in ASP anytime soon he could take a Scion XA and beat 99% of the rest of us and drive up the PAX even higher
I will admit that this was the first time that I have beaten the times of all the stock classes and if the right driver was behind the wheel of my car it might be an entirely different story. I'm still on the stock springs and shocks with 32k miles of rough road on them I was on Avon Tech Rs for the first time today and I will post my review of them in the tire section but at 40 degrees with a 21 mph wind they had every reason not to perform half as well as they did. I have 3 friends that have been within .5 seconds of me every event and I ran S03 Hoosiers before I beat them by 1.5 -2 seconds today to the Avons for cold weather traction

 

Sounds like you are doing pretty well in ASP. Others will look at your results and be glad that you are in ASP. While I cannot judge why a JCW MCS ought to be in ASP and not another SP class, the best cars in ASP will be the determining factor for the PAX handicap. You just happen to be caught up in the same class and being penalized. No justice there but a fact of how SCCA classes various cars.

It's true the driver makes a huge difference but as you have also noted, competition rubber and some good air pressures go a long way in helping.
I think you can add a Quaife LSD if you like and still be legal. It's expensive but you can make use of your added power and enhance traction.

 

Im just a little frustrated I guess. Im stuck in a class that has little to no local participation, I am unwilling to mod my car enough to compete in SM as I drive it 120 + miles a day. STU on street tires leaves me going up against AWD STi's and I really like my R compounds . CSP would be a good fit for the car as the rest of the cars in there have close to the same power to weight as the MINI JCW and once in SP class they can do the suspension mods that take away the advantage the MINI holds in stock form. Am I completely off the mark here? I'm open for suggestions or reasons why ASP is where it belongs with the closest car being a MR2 turbo with the same HP as mine just 600 pounds lighter. There is talk on MINI 2 of the works package in the next year being a factory installable option! Mabe then it will get classed in SS