SCCA is adding a class just for us!

[Rod]

Brian, my '67 is 2950 with a full interior, stock all-iron longblock, and a full tank of gas.

don't worry it will get fatter, add a roll bar and harness bar along with harnesses a fuel cell and the support brackets for that and a rear firewall, its all fat to go faster

[j-rho]

What I would have like to have seen from the outset:

• A wheelbase minimum of at least 100"
• A static front weight distribution of at least 52% (55% better)
• A front tire max in the range of 275-295 on 10" wheels
• A ride height minimum where the car has to be able to drive over a 55" wide 3-4" diameter pipe without anything touching
• No wings

Hopefully that's not too overbearing? Yes, that would exclude some people, but I think it would do a ton to preserve the long-term chances of the class making it.

With this setup, I see people coming out at first, yes...but soon they'll see a Camaro, Mustang, Mopar or other 4-seat (CP) car that makes up the vast majority of the P-T scene, isn't as good a platform as a Corvette (BP car). This will be catalyzed by thing like Brian's recent win in the red car, and that top drivers like Danny and Junior are both building C3's. With more time we might see how the Corvette is second-fiddle to even more rare or distant-from-the-PT-core cars (AP, now XP, cars) that are even smaller and able to achieve better balance.

There are ways to accommodate a very wide variety of cars in a single class, with things like variable wheel/tire and weight allowances. By opening it up like this, the early adopters of CAM in non-core cars or with non-core mods that end up "too fast" are going to end up paying for it. Seasoned people like you Mary, I think will see it coming, and take the right steps, but there are others here who don't have the experience with how racing rules evolve, and I just don't want to see them get burned.

[GrabberGT]

I'll run in it if available locally. I usually just show up and say put me wherever anyway. (Usually ESP) If I were to tailor the class to my uneducated/new-to-scca expectations, the only thing I would change is request they define the term "Classic". It doesnt have to be 72 or older as GG does but I've always like the rolling 30 year cut-off.

[howehot]

With the mods to my Monte they put me in EM. I know I can't compete and could care less. The fun factor is great and every run I gain experience. Also at $35 for the day the price can't be beat. The CAM class will help me judge on my improvements by letting me run with cars similar to mine. The IowaRegion will discuss CAM at the next meeting. Oh, and everyone loves it when I show up, I'm not the fastest but they enjoy the sights and sounds of GM muscle.

[soloracerSD]

Regions make classing mistakes.Thats why it's good to read the rules yourself after your first event or before,WE had a guy with a 63 Falcon that was put in XP at our SDR SOLO2 National Tour.It was stripped street driven CP car.It was is first SCCA event.He didn't know the difference between Local and National Tour.Baptism By Fire for sure.If classed correctly he would of been the only CP car.Which I tried getting our PT guys to do.No one runs CP down here.They could of had a National Tour class to themselves that weekend.I don't know why yours would be EM.Maybe you moved the motor back or subframe change.I'm curious to know.Jason and Brian are more expert on that.

With the mods to my Monte they put me in EM. I know I can't compete and could care less. The fun factor is great and every run I gain experience. Also at $35 for the day the price can't be beat. The CAM class will help me judge on my improvements by letting me run with cars similar to mine. The IowaRegion will discuss CAM at the next meeting. Oh, and everyone loves it when I show up, I'm not the fastest but they enjoy the sights and sounds of GM muscle.

[SSLance]

Dan's Monte has a complete aftermarket chassis under it...I would have guessed XP...

I agree though, it will be more fun for all of us to run together, competitive or not. The most fun I had at an event last year was when 3 of us that normally run 3 different classes all ran together in our new SMC class. A WS6, a 2011 Camaro and my car. I look forward to running against them all next year all year long...and anyone else that comes along and doesn't fit in with the rest of the regular autocross cars...

[IndyDave]

CP can be a very confusing class. WE have one CP competitor here in the Great Lakes Division running CP with a Howe tube chassis and a 5 Star Camaro body. There's an inclusion in one of the appendixes that allows GT-1 Club Race cars to run in CP so the car is built to GT-1 rules. It's been a very controversial car but he has run it in National Tours and has withstood protests.

Thanks Brian for clarifying weight rules in Solo, I misspoke. I've not had to deal with minimum weights in Solo, I was recalling how it works over on the Club Race side. That is something that really should be clarified. I'll pass that along.

[73CPCAMARO]

CP can be a very confusing class. WE have one CP competitor here in the Great Lakes Division running CP with a Howe tube chassis and a 5 Star Camaro body. There's an inclusion in one of the appendixes that allows GT-1 Club Race cars to run in CP so the car is built to GT-1 rules. It's been a very controversial car but he has run it in National Tours and has withstood protests.

Thanks Brian for clarifying weight rules in Solo, I misspoke. I've not had to deal with minimum weights in Solo, I was recalling how it works over on the Club Race side. That is something that really should be clarified. I'll pass that along.

I have run my friends car, Bill Maier's old Trans Am car, 1980 Ford Mustang, at SCCA Nationals and another friend drove it years ago and won the National Championship. It is a complete tube frame chassis. You can run a tube frame chassis as long as it complies to SCCA's road race rule book. You can also change out the subframe and add a 10% weight penalty.

D. Replacement of any chassis component (e.g., subframe) in its entirety by one of alternate construction, unless specifically permitted, shall result in the vehicle being “in excess” of these rules and weight penalties and/or competitive adjustments may apply.

Vehicles prepared in excess of Solo® allowances and prepared up to either the current Club Racing GT or Production Category rules are permitted to compete in their respective Prepared classes. Section 17.8.B.7 minimum track requirements apply. Minimum weight will be 110% of the Solo® minimum weight from Appendix A plus any Solo® weight additions (wheel size weight increases, etc.). Vehicles taking advantage of this allowance may use the Solo® Rules or the Club Racing GCR (General Competition Rules) allowances in whole, in part, or in combination

[soloracerSD]

So am I right to say the Monte Carlo Howehot can run CP. not be stuck in EM? If so that boost CP car #s.CAM could be a class that produces more of them.DSE subframe legal in CP? YES? NO?.

Monte Carlo has a completely different chassis?.More then a Subframe I guess probably outside of CP then.

[SSLance]

KC Region SAC voted to adopt the CAM class for us tonight. We decided to not split the class up by model year or sedan\coupe at least for 2014...we'll see how it goes after.

There was a lot of talk about what PAX to run, I really need to figure that out in "Lance speak" as most of what they talk about makes no sense to me at all. There's the PAX # and then the street tire modifier and the two added up shave X amount of seconds off of your time. I kind of get all that, but in practical sense and how it directly relates to me and how it will affect my PAX time I don't really understand.

Apparently I've made an impression though as there was a discussion about a .9775 or a .9800 modifier and several of them mentioned that .9775 was a bit generous and they don't want to give me anymore than they have to. :D

[juniorjohnson]

I think the one thing I've learned now is that it's all about fun. In the end we are all playing for little plastic/wooden trophy's...

I'm building my new car for me. I don't care what class it runs in, no matter the club/series. I want to enjoy the car, and the people that love cars as I do. The big positive here is FINALLY the SCCA has seen some kind of light in terms of American Muscle Cars. I also like that there aren't a lot or rules. Let's face it, how much power can you really use on 200 tw tires anyway? I say build what you want, and have a ton of fun while you do it! :-)

[71RS/SS396]

I think the one thing I've learned now is that it's all about fun. In the end we are all playing for little plastic/wooden trophy's...

I'm building my new car for me. I don't care what class it runs in, no matter the club/series. I want to enjoy the car, and the people that love cars as I do. The big positive here is FINALLY the SCCA has seen some kind of light in terms of American Muscle Cars. I also like that there aren't a lot or rules. Let's face it, how much power can you really use on 200 tw tires anyway? I say build what you want, and have a ton of fun while you do it! :-)

I like to use all the power I have, it might not be the fastest way around the track but it sure is fun.

[SSLance]

I think the one thing I've learned now is that it's all about fun. In the end we are all playing for little plastic/wooden trophy's...

I'm building my new car for me. I don't care what class it runs in, no matter the club/series. I want to enjoy the car, and the people that love cars as I do. The big positive here is FINALLY the SCCA has seen some kind of light in terms of American Muscle Cars. I also like that there aren't a lot or rules. Let's face it, how much power can you really use on 200 tw tires anyway? I say build what you want, and have a ton of fun while you do it! :-)

That is IT...in a nutshell. +1

[soloracerSD]

I think an adjustment to SCCA SM is needed.It's a 4 seater class allowing 100% of bolt on suspension replaced.That has all the streetable and body panel stuff like CAM It has a 4 seater exclusion list for 4 seater sports cars.The list of cars excluded are from the 80s and older.So 944s are out.In our region we have SC FRS a AUDI TT vs 1999 Mustang ,SC Pontiac G8 IRS and M3.FRS and AUDI TT are smaller then the SSM classed RX7 and 944.A wheel base rule might help.
The class has good mod and weight drop allowances for live axle cars.Just another Muscle Car possibility.
CAM can be their first choice.After seeing what sticky tires can do in other classes.They have other choices like ESP, SM,CP for the stickies.I think thats good for regional events.WE have already had deluting class warnings if we have CAM used from other Muscle Car members.So it can go both ways.

[soloracerSD]

[QUOTE=soloracerSD;1042168]I think an adjustment to SCCA SM is needed.It's a 4 seater class allowing 100% of bolt on suspension replaced.That has all the streetable and body panel stuff like CAM It has a 4 seater exclusion list for 4 seater sports cars.The list of cars excluded are from the 80s and older.So 944s are out.In our region we have SC FRS a AUDI TT vs 1999 Mustang ,SC Pontiac G8 IRS and M3.FRS and AUDI TT are smaller then the SSM classed RX7 and 944.A wheel base rule might help.Or add cars to the exclusion list.
The class has good mod and weight drop allowances for live axle cars.Just another Muscle Car possibility.
CAM can be their first choice.After seeing what sticky tires can do in other classes.They have other choices like ESP, SM,CP for the stickies.I think thats good for regional events.WE have already had deluting class warnings if we have CAM used from other Muscle Car members.So it can go both ways.So we satisfied what our vintage PT guys wanted for last year plus.A class for them.CAM says Classic cars and flexibility in rules for regions.Cars newer then 79 have to choose FS,STU,ESP,SM or CP if having 4 seats.Reducing possible deluting.

Your first couple of events classes won't matter to you.So ask to run without class in X.3 events later you will think class ,IT's Fun!

[IndyDave]

The latest issue of SoloMatters is out and it has a blurb on CAM, no turning back now! :D

http://www.solomatters.com/

[Damn True]

Many years ago when I first started planning my build there was no OUSCI, no Goodguys Auto-x, no RTT"x" events. Just local club auto-x, SCCA auto-x and open track days. I knew then that if I wanted to "race" I should build an actual W2W race car and if I wanted to be competitive in Auto-x I should buy a miata or something. Thing is, what I wanted was to build, drive and enjoy a 1968 Camaro. I didn't care then what class Id wind up forced to run in and I don't now because I'm doing it to enjoy the car I want in the way I want. I don't think I'm a rarity in that regard.

This class allows me to do that w/o some yutz protesting my car (whether it's actually faster than his or not....I've seen it happen) and allows me more opportunity to do so.

I think it's a net positive from damned near any perspective.

Will people spend cubic $ to build all out efforts for this? Probably, but not many more than are doing so in other classes or at GG & OUSCI....and if the do? So what. I'll still be having fun. Besides, what are the odds that a region is going to bone 99% of the participants in a class to "equalize" the 1% car?


Now....I just gotta get back to work on my car before my wife completely buries the darn thing in the garage.

As the great Phil Edwards once said, "Contests? Who cares? The guy who's having the most fun is the real winner."


.

[SSLance]

At our local Region awards banquet last weekend there was quite a lot of talk about CAM there and everyone seemed pretty excited about it. One veteran even said "I've never owned an American made muscle car...but this class has me thinking it's about time to".

This excitement level is the reason behind the class in the first place, something new and different to try to spark some interest. I said something to the effect that "as long as we can keep the SCCA types from mucking it all up" and got a big laugh from everyone. I guess it might happen eventually but for the meantime, the wide open run what you brung concept should be fun. I don't see many people building cars just for this class until it becomes national class eligible, then all bets are off.

[rustomatic]

For Nor-Cal people looking for some motivation, the American Auto-X series is supposed to start up in March . . . just in time for me to take my engine out again and put it back...

[IndyDave]

Talked to Raleigh last night. He said CAM is THE hot topic within the SCCA right now and it's all positive. People are very excited about the entire concept. One of the funny common themes is how astonished many are that the SCCA could write a set of rules that's only two pages long! LOL! I'm not kidding! Doug Gill has been fielding tons of calls from regions about the class. Really looking forward to this season.....