I wanted to run STX, but the Alta Intake isn't permitted and I don't want to spend the money for the V710's (I think the best tire available !) right now. Plus I was thinking of a 15% pulley. I now I wouldn't be competitive in SM even with the 710's, but if there were a SM Tire, and I ran some Azeni RT-615s, I might do alright. Or last effort plan is to ditch the Alta intake and spend that money on the 710s and go kick some GS butt.

 

The alta intake is STX legal, you just have to put the back wall back in so that there is no "ram air" effect coming from the cowl vent. It's be much cheaper than running SM or GS, buying R compounds sucks, although the 710's are much much better than the Hoosiers for wear. All depends on what kind of competition you're looking at. If you do want to run SM, I know a guy that has a FrankenMINI here (just about everyithng except twin charged) in IN that runs AVON's and gets good wear for the money.

 

The best tires to have in SM are the same as in Stock and SP, basically Kumho or Hoosier R compound DOT legal race tires. In STX and STS the R compound tires like the Kumho 710 or the Hoosiers are not allowed. A Cooper S has a much better chance of being competitive in STX than it ever will in SM. I'd try to keep the car STX legal and get some sticky Azenis or Advan tires for it.

-Keith

 

GrilleGuy,

I think you are asking is if there is a street tire class for SM that either Tarheel or CCR runs? I believe both of their "tire" classes are limited to stock class cars. You may want to email both clubs individually since you are talking about regional only classes that do not fall under national SCCA classing.

BTW please stay away from my butt.

 

Hey Joe this is Scott Grumbles - i rode with you in Charlotte like the week after you got your Mini. Mine was on order at the time. I haven't seen you around CCR since my Mini showed up though. Per has been cleaning house since he got the 710's installed. I have run 2 events using his old Azenis on Comp SSR's. Man those wheels are light.

Oh you are right. What I am asking was is there a SM Tire. I guess like you said I'll ask S. Rankins about it. One of the other posters mentioned what I was going to try which is to leave the back wall in so that I don't modify the air access paths. ONly problem is some might say that it could be so easily changed that it could be done in between runs. We're not racing for money though right? :impatient

Maybe I'll see you at the December non-points event.

 

For any MCS without the 15% pulley upgrade your best bet to stay competitive is to remain in either G-stock (no alta intake) and use any DOT tire like the V710 on a stock rim (16x6.5) or DSP, or STX (DOT tire with treadwear of 130 or greater).

Once you add the 15% pulley you go to SM class and will have a much harder time due to much more powerful cars and a much larger handicap. If you don't care about being competitive and just want to have fun then you can run any tires you want in SM but to fast you'd need Hoosiers or V710s in most cases. You still have to drive darn well if your competition in SM class is experienced.

The Azenis RT-615s are OK for basic autocross and street driving but they cannot keep up with R-compounds. If you want to save a little money you can consider Kumho Victoracers but these are not as fast although they do wear longer than V710s (only about 6 to 10 events).

Which rims are you running? In SM class usually we have lots of suspension upgrades like Bilstein or Leda Coil overs, front camber plates, rear lower control arms, larger rear sway bar, autocross alignment, wide small rims like 15x7", brake upgrades, and LSD or Quaife.

In our region we have proved that a G-stock MCS with SSR comp 16x6.5 rims and Kumho V710s can keep up with or beat a mid modded MCS in raw time. For the SM MCS to do better you have to drive that much better and get the most out of your upgrades, yet stay in control and be smoother than the G-stock driver.