If they put JCW in DS (assuming 16" option per Craig's comments), I think it would crush DS. My guess is they leave the regular S in GS and put the JCW in a class where it won't be competitive (coming from someone who really doesn't want to change cars again next year....)

 

Hmmm, maybe I'll look into the S04's then. Yeah, and if you had some used ones, I'd be inerested, so let me know what you decide.

As for the 05 MCS w/ LSD moving to DS, is this a pretty much done deal? Will they move all MCS up a notch or just the 05 w/ LSD. My 05 currently doesn't have LSD (as Craig is well aware of), but do you think it'll be all of the 05 MCS that will jump? I know none of it's set in stone yet, but it would be nice to see what you guys have heard.

 

I would think that they would leave the 05 in GS and put the JCW in AS or something if I had to guess, which guess and the SEB is sometimes far from correct, BUT, maybe the factory JCW package will give them an easy way out out for a bump to DS with the 05's and JCW. I assure you, if that happens, all the DS guys will be PISSED since our 05's without JCW will already be competitive there, not to mention with another 40 HP, that is, if the JCW comes with a 16" option as Jake Mentioned.

 

There is no done deal for where the JCW cars will end up. If I was willing to bet, and I am, I would be the JCW cars get classed uncompetitively in a class higher than DS. The current GS MCS/w LSD is just too close to DS times to put all of DS on its ear and place a faster MCS there. I would also bet that the 05 MCS w/LSD stays in GS.

 

If you need some used hoosiers - I have a bunch. I have A3S04s and A3S05s with various tread - PM me if you are interested and what you want and how much you want to pay.

Jake

 

I think the most likely thing is that all supercharged Mini's get moved to DS but there is SOOOO many different things that can happen.

They might just take the 05 up Mini's and JCW's into DS and leave the older non LSD ones in GS. Some would think that this is the best. Some proposals to move some new players into GS might or might not make it too.
All hinges on MiniS classing imo.

They might leave everything the way it is and place the JCW in ASP or something(LEAST LIKELY IMO.)

Or put JCW into DS and leave everything else.(This is what I would hope for if I was a MiniLSD owner).

Mini's getting 3 stock classes where they would likely win is tough call though. Why? cause they already said so...

I would bet that SOMETHING is going to happen and I think that it all hinges on performance at Nationals. DS versus GS.

I am hoping for good weather and some tight competition in each class and same or nearly same run groups so we all can see the "truth".

FM

 

My guess? The factory MCSJCW (which will be saddled with standard 18" wheels) gets a "courtesy" classification in B or A stock where it won't upset the status quo while All "regular" MCS's with and without LSD will stay in GS.

The one I can't guess is Street Touring. Does the factory JCW car get to run STX or does it go on the STX exclusion list and have to play in STU?

Without a pre-emptive rule chage the '06 factory JCW engine becomes a legal update for any MCS in DSP. Could this make the MINI a contender?

 

Not as long as the BMW's and IS300's are in the class.

 

I disagree, a FULLY prepped Cooper S is just behind the ball in DSP now (IMO). However, with a 50hp boost, I believe the JCW could easily be a contender. Heck, just do the power to weight and think about transitional ability.
The biggest problem is tire selection...

BTW, I've been having some interesting discussions with an SAC member lately...

Brian

 

Brian

I appreciate your input on this, you would know obviously better than myself. I'd love to jump in the DSP some day, but, I don't want to take the $10K gamble with the current lineup in that class, and, after seeing Fauth, Asseily, Mattuecci, Ramey and all the guys in the 330's, those things are freakin animals. I'm sure you've seen the same, but, do you really think 50hp on our front wheel drives will hang with them? That would be freakin awesome if so.

So, whats been discussed with the SAC Member? PM me with details if you would like.

Oh, I also emailed a letter to the SEB asking them to make a class for higher HP FWD cars to play, although, my letter probably won't have any effect, but I figured I'd send it anyway since I'd like to make the jump.

 

At around 100 runs, we ran the V710's yesterday with two drivers in 100 degree heat, spraying the tires liberally after each run.

Then, my wife ran. After her third run, I spotted a blister that had peeled away... 10" x 6" ! with cord showing in various spots in the opening. Needless to say, that tire is shot. BUT, we flopped them front to rear for her last run and she said the car had much more grip.

So it seems to me, knowing the number of runs on each pair of tires, the major fall-off in grip is probably around 80 Pro Solo runs (perhaps about 40-50 regular Solo runs). Interestingly, a Kumho contract driver, Brian Robertson, had said the same thing.
So for my knowledge, that's their competitive lifespan, about 40 Solo or 80 Pro Solo runs.

Craig, we'll all have to gather and discuss at Nationals, it would be fun! Maybe a Monday meeting?

Brian

 

I have a pair that have about 35 runs on them (not flipped). Would these be considered having 70 runs on them per your above comments - assuming that the tires would have normally been swapped front to back regularly during their life had they started as a set of 4?

 

I'm not going to claim to be any expert, since this was my first set. But yes, I would think yours are very close to going away. However, they make good rear tires... You won't have to pump them up as much for the rotation.

Brian

 

I just gave away my set that had 87 runs on them that had zero tread wear indicators and had a slight dip across the surface where the tread line use to be. Of these 87 runs, 55-60 were on concrete. They still felt good, but, they definitely dropped off the last 12 runs significantly from when they had 63-75 runs at the Midiv Championship where I ran a 52.6 on last years south course on my 71st run on the tires, and that was roughly .3 faster than last years DS nat champ at that same event, so they were still very quick. I think last years quick DS south course run was around 52.5 or so if I remember with similar conditions as far as weather was concerned. At the Cendiv championship this last weekend, comparing my times to other national competitors in the dry on day 1 from when I ran there in July at the NT against the same national competitors, I'd say the Kumho's dropped off at least .5-.7 seconds on a 50 second course from new compared to now with 75-87 runs.

Of course this is just an estimate with my personal experiences, and, there really isn't any way to tell for sure. At nats, I'm probably going to show up with some 25-30 run v710's unless I can find another new set.

Craig Wilcox