Autocrossing an xB? Does your local group allow it?

Improbcat · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 86 Location: West Hartford, CT

I'm about to try and convince my local autoX group to allow me to run my xB. I'm not concerned about placing well as I want to develop my autoX skills first before I worry about improving the Box.

The problem is they say it isn't allowed by SCCA rules in stock. They will allow it in STS or STX, but won't say specifically what I would need to qualify. I keep getting a general "tighten up the suspension" or "lower & tighten the suspension" without specifics. They seem to think it is a rollover risk. And no one thus far has given me a minimum required modifications list.

This is doubly frustrating because the first time I tried I was told by a club organizer over the phone that a stock xB was allowed, then at the event was told it wasn't. I'm trying to nail down something solid so I don't waste my time/money on mods I don't need to qualify to run.

So for those of you who do run your xBs I am curious what suspension mods(if any!) you have done, and what group you run with. And if your local group had any specific requirements those would be awesome to know too.

Thanks in advance.

TheCCBox · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 239 Location: Corpus Christi, TX

I run autocross in CC TX at waldron field and I run in the STS or the STX it depends on what they really tell me what class because the only ones that are in the updated book is the xa and the tc. I have drop springs, h brace, and headers, and top strut mount. But i have plans for alot more LOL!!!

ack154 · Posted: 8/28/08 7:00AM Post subject:

This is what the 2008 Rules say:
Quote: Unstable vehicles with a high center of gravity and a narrow track, including SUV’s, minivans, and 4WD pickups, must be excluded (e.g. Suzuki Samurai, Scion XB, Jeep CJ series, and GEO Tracker/Suzuki Sidekick). Extra caution should be exercised with nontraditional vehicles, e.g. trucks using racing slicks.
I think if you went for some lowering springs and sway bars, you would have enough to run in STS. Though that passage reads to me like it's not allowed at all.

Some regions are different though. Even with standard rules. :)

TheCCBox · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 239 Location: Corpus Christi, TX

The place that i run at i can run my xb all the time because i dont have a lot of sway thats what they told me when i first went that they would see how much my body rools when i turn. Then after i did my first pass they said to me that they dont see hardly any roll so they are going to let me run. Also i have seen someone run a ford expidtion there to just so he can get points for that event and it was one of the people that run it there LOL!!!

ack154 · Posted: 8/28/08 7:09AM Post subject:

An Expedition? :eyebrow:

That's a bit much, IMO. We do have a Silverado short box that runs at our events... but he has quite a bit of work done to it and is a hell of a driver.

CDogbert · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 1353 Location: POWAAAHH!!

The only reason you can't run in Stock class is because R-compound tires are allowed, and the xB will roll with them on. Regardless if you run with them on or not, the rules specifically the xB can't run Stock class.

STS is street tire, so you're relatively safe from a rollover. Also, there is no real qualifier to actually be in STS; just like I can run my STS legal car in SM if I wanted to because SM doesn't require anything. For all intents and purposes, you can say "fine, I'm running in STS" and they can't say "you have to have..." Classing just doesn't work that way.

snowromance · Posted: 8/28/08 8:27AM Post subject:

oh no attack of the LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!! again.

TheCCBox · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 239 Location: Corpus Christi, TX

poop i put 205/55/15 on my steelies and i am running firehawk gt tires. I am always mostly in the sts but i am moded a little LOL!!! But the expidtion was completely stock LOL!!! He is a bad butt driver to he beat a lot of peoples times to LOL!!! But not mine LOL!!!

CDogbert · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 1353 Location: POWAAAHH!!

snowromance wrote: oh no attack of the LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!! again.
LOL!!!

TheCCBox · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 239 Location: Corpus Christi, TX

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! This is stupid!!!

xB_Crew · Posted: 8/28/08 10:23AM Post subject:

I helped get the SCCA to allow the xB in the STS class, I have all the paper work, and direct emails from the SCCA allowing the box, I offer them free to who ever needs it. My local autocrossers would not let me run, until it was SCCA
approved, that is the usual rule with all auto x events and it is aproved for STS with the SCCA, with suspension mods that lowering your CG preferred.
It is also stated on the SCCA site if you search.

PM me your email for your copy of the official word from the SCCA, after you show them that, you will be asked for your registration money :)

we are working on the R compounds as well, because lowered xB's WILL NOT flip with these..

CDogbert · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 1353 Location: POWAAAHH!!

xB_Crew wrote: we are working on the R compounds as well, because lowered xB's WILL NOT flip with these..
Sounds like a wager to me... :lalala: :P

Improbcat · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 86 Location: West Hartford, CT

Sweet! That is awesome. PM sent, and thanks.

xB_Crew · Posted: 8/28/08 10:33AM Post subject:

PM response sent..

xB_Crew · Posted: 8/28/08 10:35AM Post subject:

CDogbert wrote: xB_Crew wrote: we are working on the R compounds as well, because lowered xB's WILL NOT flip with these..
Sounds like a wager to me... :lalala: :P

:P

one day..

TheCCBox · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 239 Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Kool for you doing that talking to them to get every auto x that scca does tyo let the xb run LOL!!! If there is anyone in CC TX that needs help running there xb let me know because i know all of the guys here LOL!!!

xB_Crew · Posted: 8/28/08 10:47AM Post subject:

^ definetly wasnt just me.. but I spent evey day for multiple months talking with them, at the same time a few others
were as well. Then finally one day, I got the ok for STS..

it bugged me that a BMW can hit 3 wheels, with the right rear up 8 inches off the ground and its okay, an xB goes up
one inch, and "ITS GONNA FLIP!!!" lol.. no justification, its barely taller than most of the field.. people letting the looks dictate the function.. reality tells otherwise

Gonzo · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 73 Location: charleston, SC

Thanks XB CREW for the leg work! We run ours in sts also here in SC.

snowromance · Posted: 8/28/08 11:28AM Post subject:

can someone please explain to me what is so funny? i'm not getting it and would really like to.

bB2NER · Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 11048 Location: God help us now

I feel they won't let the xB into the stock class because the xB has a large advantage. :P