ANyone see the new issue of Grassroots? They mention a Crossfire owner bending the rules to sneak into a slower class.

Is that anyone on here?

 

If it was truly "bending the rules" and therefore totally legal, then hurray for them.

 

It was, so I agree. But I want to know who's car is pictured so I can offer some TVT goodies and a decal.

 

Received my issue in the mailbox today.

In the letters section, Jason Piazza posted:

“I was reading your magazine a while ago and came across a blurb about a guy who found a loophole in the rules and was able to run a Chrysler Crossfire in a slower class than its Mercedes counterpart. It bothers me enough to see a lot of people choosing a sports team or a car or what have you based on what other people say is “best” rather than what they really like. But to go as far as to purchase a new car just because it will give you a one-up on other people in local autocross? Come on...”

It’s merely gaining a competitive advantage within the rules, imho. Successful competitors have been doing it since forever. Sounds like sour grapes to me. Jason must have been spanked by a well-driven Crossfire.

 

If I remember the original reference in GRM correctly, it was comments made by my co-driver to the author about my car.

It's not at all a "loophole" in the rules. The Crossfire is in D Stock and the SLK is in B Stock. It may seem weird that they're in different classes, but it certainly doesn't require any rule bending to run a Crossfire in DS.

btw, the "rule bender" is for sale...nationals this year will be its last event...see the classifieds

 

ok, I've been out of town and didn't realize I had this issue in my pile of mail...just found the letter and the picture...that is indeed my car!

also, buying the xfire had zero to do with one-upping anyone at any local autocrosses. I do far more national events than local events...and, yeah, if I'm going to spend a lot of money and time travelling all over the eastern half of the country to do this stuff, I'm going to try to field a competitive ride. Attend one of those events and you'll find plenty of people who use autocross capability as one of the top criteria in buying a car.

 

Wish I had gotten my issue already but I am still waiting. I got asked by no less than 10 people yesterday at the local autocross if it was my car pictured in the magazine. I guess it is close enough since Bryan and I have identical cars and seem to be the only two people running them Nationally in DS. Glad to see we can cause a stir.

 

Talk about sore losers.

 

what other cars where you competing against in the crossfire, that it caused so much trouble?

 

Well congrats on the success so far and a big thumbs up for drawing more attention to these cars.

 

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Lists/2006/stockc.html

 

it hasn't caused any trouble at all...this is just one random guy who doesn't even autocross seriously...there have been exactly zero complaints from anyone I know

the other good DS cars are
BMW 135 (looks like it may likely be the new "car to have," but boy is it expensive and a tire eater)
BMW 330 (incl. ZHP)
Integra Type R
R32
TT (old and new, but haven't seen any new ones compete yet)
WRX (non-STi)
Talon et al turbo/awd
SRT-4

The Crossfire has shown to be very appropriately classed (while the SLK hasn't a chance in BS against RX-8's, 350Z's, and 968's).

 

That comment in Grassroots Motorsports is simply some sourgrapes hater who just does not like Crossfires. It's not like the D/stock class is suddenly overrun by Crossfires. I mean seriously, there are probably something like six or seven people running Crossfires in SCCA events in the entire COUNTRY ! Plenty of people buy a particular car to be competitive in a given class. I'm pretty sure a couple of thousand Minis and Civic Si sales are the results of that !

I'm sure a SCCA member could do a search of posted solo event results and verify this. When the Crossfire first appeared the stock rim size rule in SCCA stock class was a big handicap. Until a couple of years ago, decent R compound auto-X capable tires were not available in the odd-ball 19 inch size to fit the rear rims. That's why it's only recently we have seen ANY Crossfires at SCCA events ! We finally have appropriate competition tires to use on the car. Look up the review of the Crossfire in the Grassroots Motorsports magazine online archives and they make mention of this issue.

Slim