The latest version of the ST re-org proposal seems to have met with mostly positive feedback as far as STF (the "ST-new" class) is concerned, so it seems likely that it will go to the BOD in that form and get the rubber-stamp. Assuming all that happens...who's in for STF? As a member of the STAC that shepherded this effort, I'd like to see it succeed, so a thread to get interested folks talking seems useful. Heck, I may jump into the fray myself. :)

So, if you're thinking of running there, jump in and tell us about here.

--Andy

PS: Let's keep this from decaying into a political discussion of the merits of the re-org, what other classes should be created, and the like. Thx.

I will definitely be there in my Corolla!

Brian, I chatted with you briefly at Nationals about the Corolla, I ran a ~95 Corolla in HS regionally in the early '00s, and had a lot of fun with it (except for fuel starve on runway turnarounds, they still do that?). IMO there will be some STF migration from the modern strong HS cars, Mini and Mazda3. I was actually wondering if anyone had thoughts about coming into STF from the lower end, like an older Focus, or an earlier eligible Civic or Corolla? If I were to build up an STF entry I'd have to do it on the low end, anyone have feedback on which of those cars would be more attractive? I think we'd be looking at aftermarket support, donor availability and price, and of course performance potential. Some of these cars represent uncharted territory, but I have to say I've thought about them all when I read the proposal. I'm not looking for 'the answer,' just discussion...

I haven't really kept up on this since the July Fastrack, but this was the list of proposed STF vehicles, correct?

Acura RSX
Acura TSX
Honda CR-Z
Honda Civic (2001-2005, all)
Honda Civic (2006-2011, non-Si)
Honda Fit
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus (all)
Kia Forte/Koup
Lancer (non-turbo)
MINI Cooper (non-S)
Mazda 2
Mazda 3
Mazda 6
Scion tC, xA, xB
Toyota Corolla (1998-2011)
Toyota Yaris
VW Golf 2.5

^That was the list I was working with, I do believe it is the latest list of proposed eligible cars in STF.

Edited: the VW Golf is listed as Golf 2.5, which would be the I5.

I'm sure the STAC had good reasons for the proposed car classifications in STF and STC, but I'm curious what those reasons might have been. It just seems like a lot of the cars proposed for STC might be a better fit for STF. I'm guessing most people wouldn't want to end up competing against civics in STC. So does that mean the proposed STC cars are destined to be underdogs? I have a feeling that the "no class-hopping" concept is going to leave a lot of cars without a place to play. I could be wrong.

All this is a really thinly veiled attempt to drift from the topic at hand, IMO. Do you drive a Sentra or a Neon? The proposal should be supported as-is and write-ins for (re)classification should be submitted. I also see some cars which may have been omitted, but at this point I don't find it necessary or productive to even mention it.

You're right. Hard not to drift in that direction. I apologize. (No Sentra or Neon, but a 1st gen Protege)

Webby459: The Focus deserves some research. Its a pretty nice handling car in stock form and there are plenty of choices for front and rear swaybars, springs, shocks, wheels and more. There are at least 2 companies that specialize in making the Focus go, stop, and turn better.

Edit: spelling

Very gracious, NP. My wife had a P5 craptomatic, that trans destroyed that car. Good handling though.

I just found 2-3 suppliers for the Focus, TY. I just took a really quick look at: '00 Focus ZX3, 99 Corolla, 03 Corolla, 01 Civic DX. Amazing the apparent parity at least in the power/tq to weight, and they are all within 140# of one another if the internet spec sheets are to be believed. The ZX3 has a slight edge in stock torque. Moving to the 01 Civic EX brings +12hp, but only 4 lbft and a 150# penalty. Looking at it now the '04 ZX3 Premium had at least 12hp more. Anyway, the class intrigues me.

All this crap started for me when I drove a Fit on course a few weeks back. Automatic on street tires, it was more fun than it should have been.

All the rules change proposals go in front of the BOD in October. November and/or December FasTrack should have the list of changes the BOD approved and did not approve.

Thanks Brian.