Elise Autocross Solo Classing
Autocrossing Your Elise :: Classing
The official SCCA Rule Book is a good investment. It will tell you about legal modifications, rules on re-runs, and many other topics. You may look through the region's copy to see what's there.
Currently the Lotus Elise has not been classed by the SCCA for competition. Classification should be made shortly but due to the Elise's late release date and Lotus' reputation for building fantastic handling cars the Elise will probably be placed into a very tough class for the first season. It's possible that the Elise will get classed in stock if so it's likely to be SS or AS. Most likely the Elise will be placed in ASP (class A, street prepared) for 2004. ASP is a very strong class that allows for many suspension and engine modifications. Last years class winners were all very well prepared, the cars were Corvette ZO6, Corvette C5, Lotus Elan, Porsche GT2. Stock
Almost all un-modified cars start out in the stock category. Although the class is called “stock” some modifications are allowed. Some of the most popular allowable modifications include replacement of tires to any DOT allowed tire (R-compound tires are allowed, the best are considered to be the R compound tires from Hoosier and Kumho, tires must be mounted on stock sized wheels), air filters may be changed or removed (no modifications can be made to the airbox), any “cat-back” exhaust may be used, replacement shocks are allowed (as long as they mount to the stock location and do not change ride height), front sway bar can be changed, alignment, and a harness may be added.
Any non-factory installed options unless allowed by the stock rules are not allowed to be used in stock (ie: if a turbo kit was offered by Lotus as an option but installed by the dealer).
Here's a list of the different stock classes with the trophying cars from the 2003 Nationals.
SS Really fast sports cars (Corvette ZO6)
AS Powerful sports cars (Corvette C5 / Boxster S )
BS Lightweight sports cars (S2000 / Boxster / Z4)
CS Light weight sportscars (Miata / MR2 Spyder)
DS Small coupes, mostly (330ci / TypeR / Talon / WRX)
ES Small/older sports cars (MR2 / 924S)
FS Muscle cars (Mustang / Camaro / Firebird)
GS Small coupes & sedans, mostly FWD (Mini Cooper S / CRX / Celica GT)
HS Everything else (Mini Cooper / 318 / Impreza / Focus)
From Stock classes, each car moves to a designated Street Prepared or Prepared class when it has modifications made to it, and from there, with more modifications, on to a Modified class.
Sometimes cars in different stock classes will end up in the same street prepared class once they have go-fast goodies added. The reason is that modifications may equalize the cars.
Street Prepared
Any and all Stock Category vehicles are eligible for Street Prepared. You're also allowed to make modifications to the suspension, ignition, intake, and exhaust to further enhance the performance of the vehicle. No internal engine modifications are allowed, but minor changes to the bodywork to accommodate larger wheels and tires are permitted. Please refer to the Solo Rules for details on the allowable modifications.
Prepared
You'll find high performance, production based non-street-driven vehicles here. Cars retain their original design, structure, and drive layout unless otherwise specified in the Solo Rules. Minimum weights are specified for all cars as part of the classing structure. Please refer to the Solo Rules for details on the allowable modifications.
Modified
These vehicles are heavily modified specifically for the purposes of competition. You'll see excessively altered Prepared Category vehicles as well as formulas, single-seat specials, dunebuggies, and kit cars. Please refer to the Solo Rules for details on the allowable modifications.
Street Touring
A new concept started in 1997, which is optional for Regions to offer at the local level and is part of selected National events. This category allows sedans (four seaters) with a maximum displacement of 3.1L, normally aspirated. This category is for the popular street cruisers with lowered suspension, air filter systems, and wider wheels. Please refer to the Solo Rules for details.
Street Modified
Another optional class for Regions at the local level, but offered at selected National Solo events. Similar to Street Touring except that extensive drivetrain and suspension modifications are allowed. Please refer to the Solo Rules for details.
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