The club with which I autocross starts the 2014 schedule on January 26th; so I’ve been getting the Crossfire ready. Thanks to the Solo Events Board’s rational decision, the NA Crossfire remains in D Stock for 2014. As most of you who autocross probably know, there are now two stock classes in SCCA events. The new class, which uses street tires (140 wear rating for 2014 and 200 wear rating for 2015), is termed “Street.” The old stock class, which allows race tires, is now “Street R.” An interesting rule change in Street class allows a one inch deviation from stock in rim/tire diameter, but there is no change in rim width allowed. So I decided to go with 17 inch front rims and 18 inch rear rims, hoping to lose some weight and mount a wider tire than stock. I chose to purchase two Sparco Assetto Gara 17x7.5 for the front, mounting 245/40/17 B.F. Goodrich Rivals (200 wear rated). The Sparco’s weigh 18.7 pounds versus the stock 24.5 pound rims. For the rear, I chose OE Wheels LLC replica Mercedes 18x9 rims (about 28 pounds) that were on clearance for $53 each. On them, I mounted 275/40/18 Nitto NT-05 (200 wear rated). I chose the 200 wear rating so that I could use them in 2015 as well (assuming that they’ll last two seasons).
Additional modifications to the 2005 Base Coupe had included a cat-back exhaust, 30 mm H&R front sway bar, K&N filter, and Koni yellows on all four corners. I haven’t had a chance to try the new tires yet, but I’m expecting considerable improvement over the stock sized Michelin Pilot Super Sports, on which I autocrossed last year.
I’ll let you know how the car works after the autocross on the 26th. Then I’ve scheduled a mini race school at Harris Hill Raceway in San Marcos for February 7th. Then on February 23rd, I’m driving an Audi R8 for three laps on Harris Hill Raceway, courtesy of my younger son’s Christmas present. I feel blessed!