Just checking to make sure I am reading the GCR correctly. Seems like the only classes where the 1st gen can play are either ITA or EP...am I correct? Spec7 notwithstanding.

 

I actually just bought a car and am building it for IT7. You can check your SCCA region for classing as well. The IT7 car is an ITA Spec car but for the class is only for first gen 12A cars. You can certainly run your car in ITA but be prepared for the spanking you're about to receive. haha!!! The Miata is a "rocket" in ITA. You can run E Prod but that depends on how serious of a build you're looking to do. EP and ITA are two different beasts. EP will definitely get a bit more spendy.

 

In addition to IT and Production the first gen RX7 can be run in Super Touring L, Super Touring U, GTL, GT3 and GT2.

Of these classes the first gen has been proven to be competitive in EP. Although EP is not a "budget" class the RX7 is the cheapest car on the grid in that class.

The Super Touring L class was recently given national status and the 12A engine was just classed at 2200lbs. This could be a really fun class for an 12A RX7. You get to do a few mods that will make the car faster and you won't break the bank.

Make sure that you are looking at the latest GCR. The GCR is updated monthly - currently the Dec 2011 version is available at SCCA.com>Club Racing>Cars and Rules.

I ran my RX7 in ITA and IT7 in the MidWest division. Since Fall 2009 I have been in the process of converting the car to STU.

 

Thank you very much for that info...I had no idea STU or any other was an option....based on the year limitation....but will look at the GCR.

 

Keep in mind to run any of the Super Touring classes you have to be 85 or newer so only 1 year of first generation RX7 is legal in ST classes

*Edit* Nevermind, just double checked the above and they recently changed it so if one year of a generation is 85 or newer the entire generation is eleigable so all first gens are eligable.

 

Not true. Read the rule regarding age limits carefully. It states that cars series produced through 85 are also legal. This means that 1st Gen RX7’s from 79-85 are legal in the ST category because the production run includes the cutoff year. I asked for and received this clarification in 2009 from the SCCA CRB and that is why this language exists. Also, I have competed in STU in my 1983 RX7 with no issues regarding it’s age.

 

Read my edit, as recently as this years runoffs the wording was still that the car had to be 85 or newer which meant only 85' first gens could run excluding the rest of the generation. If the CRB told you in 09 that anything in that generation could run they didn't change the wording in the gcr until recently

 

This is veeeery interesting. I am currently in ITA. How competitive have you been in STU? Just off the cuff what other mods can you run?

 

When the age cutoff was changed from 89 in to 85 in 2009 I wrote a letter to the CRB and asked if this meant that my 83 RX7 would be allowed. I was told in writing that it was eligible because it was a part of a model run that ended on the cut off year. According to the CRB this how model runs have always been handled in Show Room Stock. I later asked for and received the clarification that is in the current Super Touring rule set. I believe this was added in early 2010 but I don’t recall for certain.

This is from the GCR as of June 2011:

No chassis or engines older than 1985 will be eligible, except that cars from model runs began before 1985 are eligible (e.g., if a model was produced in 1983-1988, the 1983 and 1984 cars are eligible).

 

I read the GCR for STU and I definitely think i'm going to switch classes. How competitive have you been?

 

Well, considering that my car has been on jack stands and in pieces since fall 2009 not very! At the time when I ran the car in STU there were no serious competitors in the division and I was running the car in ITA trim. I did experiment with a cold air intake and a lighter flywheel and this made a 2-3 second per lap difference.

I think a 1st gen can do well in the class. How well depends on on the engine you run and how well developed the car's chassis is. My build has been focused on the chassis and suspension. For an engine I will be building a street ported 13B with an IDA carb. Ultimately, I am building a 1st gen for the oldest reason there is - it is the car I have.

I think a rotary powered Miata is the way to go. The Miata's chassis and suspension is better plus the car is light. I would run a rotary because they are very reliable and more cost effective than the piston engine. Another option would be an FC but they are a little heavy.

All that said if I were starting over with an ITA RX7 I would build an STL car not an STU car. The STL rule set is more approachable while still allowing a person to build a fun car.

 

If Im reading the STL rules right 12A's come in at 2280lbs minum weight

2225*.025= ~55+2225=2280lbs

 

LOL, sorry I didn't realize. That's the info I was looking for though. I can always run STL until I get the mods ready to jump to STU (brakes, ported engine, etc...).