TTS/ST2 class bump - The Downside...

Whether I race or not; a class like TTS/ST2 where it's completely open to mods can be very enticing. I just have to meet a modified power/weight ratio based on the size tire I run - and I can slide the power/weight up or down to my liking! 95% run in the 3050 - 3301 lb range as anything below that starts to get heavily penalized on low weight; plus would involve a lot of expensive weight reduction components!

TTS/ST2 can definitely be $ though. There's always going to be a part that's a little bit lighter or newer or possibly better out there. Do you buy it, test it, screw it? You know someone will...

In TTS/ST2 you also run into:

1. Full out engine builds. While they are legal, 400whp / 600wtq engines do run - and I'm mostly talking Vettes.
2. Full out developed aero
3. Full out carbon fiber bodies - or at least doors, hood, roof, trunk, fenders.
4. Full out developed custom suspension. We're talking 3-way, 4-way, remotes, nitrogen loaded, $7k-15k Penske, JRZ, Moton setups. Not to mention sways, endlinks, axles, lightened & stiffened rotating mass assemblies and every possible bushing upgraded.
5. People running the max 250 lbs of ballast in all the right spots and still on their minimum weight!
6. Vettes, Mustangs, Porsches with 335 Hoosier A6's on 13" wide rims! The Evo can maybe squeeze a 285-295 under stock modified fenders, but nothing past a 10" rim so it won't be ideal. Now per the rules, anything above a 245 or above 275 has to run less HP. But still it's menacing running head-to-head with a 245 tire for example!
7. MORE drivers with teams of people behind them; who never turn a wrench and pay others to.
8. Obviously.... bigger budgets!

TTS/ST2 - 2012 NASA classing change??

Playing with the multipliers and possible 2012 racing setups.  There's always the possibility that NASA can update the base class for your vehicle or change the value of certain mods that you are currently using.  Either of these updates can effectively bump you up to the next class.  Likewise, it's just fun to go faster; and that happens in higher classes!

2011 we ran in TTA.  The next class up and logical progression would be TTS.  It employs the same 8.7:1 modified power/weight ratio; but with unlimited mod options.  So there are lots more options and scenarios to build up your car which really helps, but also can really increase the costs to compete.

ST2 is a racegroup, it mirrors the TTS (Time Trials) ruleset. So I could prep and do both orswitch midyear as I work into wheel to wheel racing (w2w) or whatever. Both are 8.7:1 modified ratios.

Here are some example power & weight ratios based on the option of a 245 or 275 tire:

lbs  - ST2/245 - ST2/275
3301 - - 418 - - 395
3251 - - 406 - - 387
3201 - - 400 - - 381
3151 - - 391 - - 372
3101 - - 382 - - 364

• The numbers across the top (245/275) are the tire size I'd run. You get more hp for smaller tires - less hp for larger ones. The cutoffs are those numbers and smaller so you run the widest you can.
• The weights are post-race minimums. Meaning if you're going out for 30min you need to carry enough fuel (aka ballast weight) to still make your post-race minimum after the race. Same for the 15min TT session.
• The power numbers are dynojet whp. Torque is not checked.

Average Speed Per Lap

My Traqmate GPS data is good for a lot of things, probably a lot more than I use it for.  But one of the neat things it'll calculate is the average speed per lap.  So I pulled up pretty much every track that I have data for and here's how they stacked up.  This is using my best lap at each. 

• 74 mph - Gingerman (Old) - TTB setup
• 77 mph - BlackHawk Farms - TTB setup
• 79 mph - Gingerman (Long)
• 81 mph - Autobahn
• 83 mph - Mid Ohio (Club)
• 85 mph - Putnam Park
• 85 mph - Gateway Int'l - TTB setup
• 86 mph - Mid Ohio (Pro)
• 89 mph - VIR Full - TTB setup
• 97 mph - Road America

Note my older TTB setup is usually 2-3 seconds per lap slower than my 2011 TTA setup.

2011 Season Recap!

2011 NASA Midwest Region TTA Champion
2011 NASA Great Lakes Region TTA Champion
2011 NASA Nationals 3rd place TTA (out of 14 competitors)
2011 TT Most Improved - Midwest Region
2011 TT Perseverance - Great Lakes Region

16 Regional Events

• 10 1st place finishes
• 5 2nd place finishes
• 1 3rd place finish

5 track records in 2011

My last 38 NASA events dating back to 2009:

• 29 wins
• 12 track records

25,000 miles and 83 track days in total on the car, all with the stock motor, cams, turbo, bottom-end, etc. 
As always a huge thanks to AMS Performance, AMSOIL, Forgeline, Hoosier, Hawk, Boostin Performance and Buschur Racing.