Whats my SCCA Autocross class?

[Lof8]

I've only autocrossed with other groups so far.

I glanced at the classes and decided to post instead of read through pages and pages of classification.

'87 325i w/ S50 (stock), bilsteins, IE3s, urethane bushings, falken azenis rt-615.

thanks

[Ian F]

An engine swap usual equals street mod.

[z31maniac]

Yup, SM.

[Lof8]

thanks guys

[Jean]

Welcome to SM....bring $$$

[10/10ths]

Yours might be a fast E30, but running in that class is going to be tough.

[Hick]

Ohio Valley has a class that uses SM rules and street tires. It goes by 'SMS', other regions are adopting the class, you may want to talk to the guys in charge and see if they are up for adding the class. I think its a national class as of this year, FWIW

[Philo]

Yeah, SM is a tough class for E30s. Here there are a handful of Evos running in that class. STX is one of the best classes for E30s to be competitive.

[Lof8]

Its all good. I'd like to be competitive, but I'm mostly looking to drive the car hard legally.

[Jean]

SMS class doesn't make much sense...when you build a car for SM you'll want to get the best tires you possibly can and not compromise it with street tires? I bet it's just an option for those who mod the car then arrive and have to run in SM due to their mods, and to keep them 'away' from the regulars in the class? iono

[AlarmedBread]

SMS makes a lot of sense.

Not everyone who is into cars, adds boost or swaps an engine wants to hack up their fenders and run 10" wide tires or had autocross in mind when they did whatever mods to their car.

SM + street tire pax is good and gives 'car guys' who would not normally autox a place where they can have fun and be competitive, not intimidated that they are running against that fully built car on bigass hoohoos.

[Jean]

That's what I was saying, but it's a little different than say a "Stock" class and having a "ST" for the same class. This is SM, where people spend lots of time and money and the ones that aren't regulars don't really care that they are running against fully built cars. If they did, they would pick the correct mods and build a car for another class ;)

[Hick]

SMS is still very fast out this way. I dont know what you guys are seeing, but OVR has some fast drivers and cars.

[Ian F]

I think its a national class as of this year, FWIW

Nope. Although there is the National Street Tire Challenge series. Some regions also have an ST'O' class that is similar to STX, but allows more engine tweaks (although a swap will still put you in SM). Of course, an E30 in that class will still get mauled by an equal driver in a boost-buggy. Unfortunately, ST class options do little to negate the fact there are few ST tires for the E30... Right now, the R-S3 looks like the best (widest)option, but the 225/45-15 size won't be available again until Aug and apparently needs an 8" (or preferably 9") wheel to get the best contact patch.

Even going to a larger wheel doesn't help much as there are still few choices for tires with a 24" and shorter overall height.