I'm thinking about doing some solo events with my RX-8, and I just have a few questions about what class I should expect to be performing in.

My only 'mods' are my Mazdaspeed front (someone crunched my stock front, so I no longer have it), and AF shifter, but I'm guessing this puts me in STU, right? Even though it is still a Mazda front bumper, does the MS front alone take me out of BS?

If I can still perform in BS with the MS front, should I switch out the shifter to enter in BS? If not, should I buy another stock front to swap out the bumper and the shifter to do BS?

Or, looking at how the STU results for the last local event were pretty much the same as the BS RX-8s, should I just stick with that?

And, finally, if I'm going to go forward with STU, what else should I look at upgrading on my 8? Struts/sways first?

 

As your car currently sits, you're eligible for STU in '08, but STX in '09 (RX-8 has been moved to this class).

To run in BS, you'll need to remove your short shifter and replace the front bumper with the standard one from the factory.

To be decently competitive in STX, you'll need some 9" wide wheels, competitive 140 treadwear summer tires (up to 265 width) and a coilover suspension. You can also add an ECU tune (such as Cobb AP), intake, full "EPA legal" catted exhaust (read rulebook to get full mod list).

 

I think that if you're just starting out, don't worry about changing anything and just run in STX/U. You won't be competitive in ST without the mods that Chike listed, and you won't be competitive in BS without R-compounds, so you should just go out there to have some fun and learn about your car. When you get more events under your belt, then you can start spending some money to get your car up to competitive trim.

 

Thank you for the input, both Chiketkd and Kenneth. Staying in STX/U and upgrading from where I am at sounds like a good option (I love my short shifter too much to take it out).

Chiketkd, you mentioned using 9" whells to be competative in STX, but the rules state wheels no wider than 8" for STX. Does this change for '09, or were you just thinking of STU still?

And do coilovers count as "Lowered suspensions using standard-type springs" (from STS rules)?

Further, I noticed you didn't mention the sways/struts in your mod recommendation. Do you not recommend them?

 

Searching is good. There's 3 or 4 very good threads discussing STX builds and the new rules for STX on the front page here.

Nudge: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-racing-25/rx-8-stx-159603/

 

Searching IS good if you know what you are looking for.

P.S., thanks for the nudge, good info!