I am bummed! I was all set to get the ALTA short shift kit, but it doesn't look like it's legal for G Stock, no matter how much I want to call it a "comfort and convenience" item. :smile: I had decided to invest $1200 in lightweight legal-size wheels and R-compound tires in order to be potentially competitive locally in G-Stock in 2005. Last year I stayed under-prepared and not competitive in STX on my non-stock size wheels chosen before I knew what autocross was, with no performance mods (leased car).

Oh well. I guess I can live with the stock shifter. Maybe I have become too hard core - the chance to win something is suddenly more alluring.

SforSusan

 

SforSusan,

What I think you can do (and I did) is swap your shift ****. I was very suprised how a heavier ****, like the UUC that I put on, effects the smoothness and positive engagement of the stock shift lever. I understand that Wahlen Shift Machine is a fine unit also. You might have to do some trimming of the shift lever to make it fit just right as I found the UUC **** sat a bit higher. I did a little filing and got it back to "close to stock" height. It looks and feels great and would be a "weenie protest" if someone complained about it.

Anyway, most people don't do much shifting when solo racing, so a short shift kit is not a big deal. My $.02

Mark

 

Nope, can't replace the shift ****... in Stock. Silly rule but for some cars, replacing the shift **** is just as effective as a short shifter.

Locally, nobody would probably care, but at a national level event you could be protested and you would lose.

 

I wanted the short-throw shifter for track days and general better feel on the street. I won't bother just changing the ****, especially if there is any question about legality. I have this thing about following the rules very strictly. Winning wouldn't be any fun for me if I knew I had bent the rules.

Thanks,
SforSusan

 

Keith,

Have you actually witnessed anyone being protested (and losing) for having a non-OEM shift ****? Have you received an official opinion from the SEB that states that this is not a valid C&C item that is allowed to be changed? I spoke with Jack Burns, who has been in the sport for over 30 years (including 3rd in H/S in 2002 in a Mini), and has been on various Stock Class committees, and he told me that this issue was addressed a long time ago, and that it is legal to switch shift ***** under the C&C allowance. If you (or anyone else on this forum) have more recent documentation to the contrary, please correct me.

Jim Z

 

The rules for G-Stock are very specific as to the mods you can do if it’s not listed you can not do it.

If you have to cheat to win you didn’t win and if you know it’s an illegal mod no matter how small you’re cheating. There’s no such thing as a “weenie protest” no matter how small it seems to you.

I have two MINIs who I competed against last year who have made what they think are “nobody will care about type mods”. They’ll find out differently when they hit the track this year in STX because I won’t allow them to compete against me racing to the strict rules of G-Stock.

 

My experience with this was in E Stock with a 91/92 MR2 with the tall shift ****. Switching to the 93+ shift **** is an easy swap. But based on the comments of Mari Clemments and Andy Hollis (both SEB members) this is a NO NO. Basically if it makes shifting easier, then it is not C&C it is a performance advantage.

 

My apologies for using the term "weenie protest". I know we can sometimes get very excited when 1/1000th's of a second is involved, and they have every right to file a protest and see if it sticks. However, I would not file a protest over a shift ****, or reversed dust shields, or the size/font of class numbers, etc..... But that's just me.

 

The fact you said you had to shave your shifter in order to make it proper size in itself is much more than the size of the number and I would never say anything about that either, the number size that is - shifter I would.

I’m in a very completive region. How do I compete if others think even the smallest deviation from the rules is OK, but I stick by them to the book.

NO WAY. The rules are in place and either you use then to your advantage or move class. No matter how small a change you think it is.

 

Point taken, I guess that's why we have a rule book.

 

So let's stick with it.

 

Your only doing ONE shift per run anyway so why bother?

 

I have had runs that required two shifts to third gear and a shift from third to first. So that went.. 1st 2nd 3rd 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd.

How much you shift depends on where you race.

 

If you like the feel of an alternate shift **** for road use, I suggest that you get one, but keep your stock **** in your helmet bag or autocross kit. Then just swap in the stock one on the day of the event.

Cheers,
Dave

 

Believe it or not, I have to do THAT for the jacking blocks on the bottom of the car. They have to be removed for towing, yet I have to put them back on at every National race, after I arrive. I don't bother locally.

Brian

 

I knew you had some secret that allowed you to beat us 4th - 6th place kinda guys by 3 seconds or more

 

At Evo school I had a jacking block knocked off by a cone. We all laughed that in competition I'd now be .001 faster. I think this argument comes down to the club you race with. In ours you could protest and win, but nobody would bother.

 

Brian,

technical rules question.

Would you not still be legal if you put the jacking blocks in the trunk, or those small side compartments?

The 2005 S arrived with nifty shock covers, but after changing to the Koni S/A's the covers did not seem too secure. Rather than lose them on the road somewhere, I removed them and placed them in the trunk compartments.

If any competitior complains I can show that the Mini still has it's covers, just not in the correct place. If anything I am now at a disadvantage, carrying 2 oz 18" higher than they would be in their proper location.

Only after my 2005 arrived did I realize that my 2003 should have had two jacking blocks per side, not sure if they were ever present on the car, or if they were lost on the first dirt road the Mini was on.

I will epoxy the shock covers into place for Nationals if that is what's needed.

and while we are discussing technicalities.
It appears that the 2005 Cooper S's arriving on the west coast are not coming with the large cup holder attached to the center console. All the cars arriving on the east coast seem to have them. Is there any way we can confirm the cupholder is a "port installed" option?

Grant
Built-By-Bones

 

My 2005, delivered St. Patrick's Day, 17 March '05, in Pleasanton, CA had the large cup holder.

 

No, it's not legal to simply include the parts somewhere else on the car. If that was the case, it could be taken to mean you could distribute weight differently, as long as you still had the weight.

If you're talking about the rear eccentric bolt covers, you should probably keep those in the same place. They should go back on easy, just get the nipple back through the whole. You'll want those for protection anyhow, they really help keep dirt and grime out of the compression adjustment on DA's.

As for the cup holder and blocks, I asked Doug Gill about both and was told that unless the manufactuer tells you to remove them, they can't be removed. I don't even WANT that damn cup holder... If it IS Port-installed, than that would allow removal. But since they have screws holding them in, that's the only way.

Brian

 

SNDWAVE. Ever been around a NASCAR shop, If you don't think they are smudging the line, your kidding yourself. You are only racing for a trophy and bragging rights and these guys are racing for millions.