STS #8: Busted for a duck

[nostatic]

Final STS race of the year. There were clouds in the sky and it was cool this morning. We would be running the full track CCW with the bowl, having done this the first time (for POC) back in June. Turnout was good again, and following the morning driver's meeting we were off to the races. My previous best time from June was 1:34.6 and first session I got black flagged for a front trunk that popped open. Track was cold, tires were cold, pulled a 1:36.

I had a different student this time, Roger in a 996 C4S. Just a tad different than the Toyota Corolla GTS from yesterday. Went out with him first session and got a feel for the course. He was on his 4th and final sign off, so had a pretty good feel, although throttle and brake were still pretty abrupt (then again, he's got plenty of each to play with ). I did feel the joy of ABS and traction control at a couple of different spots in the track. After the session I told him we should work on really smooth feet, and he should be in good shape. I asked if he wanted to ride with me in my 2nd session and he said "sure."

So second session I go out with Roger and after a lap we're up to speed. I was hammering pretty hard, but there was a very slow Boxster S that was just killing me (softly with his song) in the corners. I never did get a clean lap, but was able to do some nice smooth brake/throttle transitions. Then we got black flagged again. I pulled in wondering what I did wrong. Turns out the got the wrong car . I dropped my student off and headed out to try and get in a fast lap. Managed one or two, getting a 1:35.

For my students second session he was *way* smoother and was lapping pretty quick. Then he started realizing it, and started getting not so smooth. I know that story. Then we got black flagged. I was beginning to think that the gods were conspiring against me/us. This time is was for real: coolant leak. We pitted and he must of kicked up a rock and cut this rubber hose at the base of the engine (the equivalent of the "S" hose sort of). So his day was at an end. Luckily is wasn't a huge leak so the track wasn't affected. Good news is he shaved 4 seconds off his lap time from the previous session.

3rd session after lunch the track had warmed and I was determined to pick up some time that was on the track. The first two sessions I really didn't have a clean lap, but luckily 3rd session was different. I found some space after passing a few cars and snapped off some fast laps, pushing pretty hard. When all was said and done I managed a 1:33.1. Works for me.

Then I had an interesting time inbetween 3rd and 4th session. The rules committee members came over to speak to me. Turns out that someone lodged a protest over my car. Specifically, my ducktail. Now I know the rules, and know that in fact the ducktail is "out of spec." The rules state that my class (II) must use a decklid/tail that came in production. That means either a plain decklid, or a Carrera tail. Now I don't like the look of the Carrera tail, and know that in fact the ducktail is *less* of a performance improvement than the Carrera tail. So to my thinking, I'm within the "spirit" of the GCRs. I have a modification that provides *less* advantage than an allowed one. And this is entry-level racing for gawds sake.

At any rate, didn't matter. I was officially bumped to IP class, competing against cars that could have any t-bars, fg bumpers, hood, 17s, etc. Originally they said that my Saturday times would be moved to IP, but then changed their mind, as nobody had protested on Saturday (and they don't really police these things too closely). I suppose it is a sign...you know when you're stating to get quick when people begin to complain.

Kinda left a bad taste in my mouth, and as a result, 4th session I was driving with a bit of an edge. Pushing very hard, but the track was a bit slower and the best I could get was a 1:33.5. But at least I had a smile on my face. Fifth session (not timed) was great, as I chased down and passed an E46 M3, Boxster S, and chased (but never quite caught) a V4 914/6 that weighed 2100# with the driver.

So now it is decision time. For the time trial in December I either have to find a Carrera tail and swap to run II, or stay in IP and start doing mods. The budget will determine that one. I'm getting somewhat close to the point where I can use the suspension work and get something (ie a lot of time) out of it. But the dollars will determine.

Bring on the big track in December. Well, actually next is Sears Point

MMastro clicked off a 1:34 so he's cooking

[RSBob]

Sure sounds like time for the evil Carrera tail. Unless this car is track dedicated, then you could switch tails or every day use.

[}{arlequin]

looks like you're competitive enough to rattle some people.... i say do what they ask for- stick on the 'legal' tail and kick their ass even further

[nostatic]

Rulez is rulez. You could get a tail on an SC that went through a couple of changes over the production run. It seems that all they were concerned with was that it had a metal frame (one of the "legal" tails was all fiberglass except for the rails) and "looked like" a whale/Carrera tail.

Don't mention "backdate" and rules...that's a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

I got the last laugh, at least for today. Won IP and posted new track record for the class. Won't last long though...

[Zeke]

I think the Carerra tail is better for racing anyway. I foollishly sold one that came on my car, all glass, no rubber tip. I would like another when the chance presents itself. But, I digress.

So, by what you say, a narrow body early car can't have duck either, only one with RS flares. Pretty stupid, if you ask me. (You didn't )

Good job on your win!

[emcon5]

Originally posted by nostatic
Rulez is rulez. You could get a tail on an SC that went through a couple of changes over the production run. It seems that all they were concerned with was that it had a metal frame (one of the "legal" tails was all fiberglass except for the rails) and "looked like" a whale/Carrera tail.

Just argue the ducktail was available through "special wishes" program, and appeared on factory race cars of the time, like this winner of the Tour de Corse in 1980:



Tom
(who can't stand rules lawyers)

[nostatic]

good point. In addition, the at least some of the SCRSs had a ducktail.

Was that tail all fg? Or did it have a metal frame? I'll bet if I found a metal frame ducktail I'd be allowed to run it (with special dispensation from the rules committee).

[Jeff Alton]

The SC's that ran the Safari Rally in Kenya in the late 70's also ran a duck. There is one of them in the Porsche museum...... This was a factory race effort, my father helped on one of the support vehicle during the 78 safari.....

Cheers

[racerdoc911]

I am looking to change my Carrera tail for a duck. Anyone interested? I am located in Santa Monica.

[450knotOffice]

Why could you use a Carrera tail on an SC, but not a ducktail?

I don't think either one was available from the factory on a production SC.

The 84-89 Carrera tail hadn't been invented yet, and if you could use a backdated 75-77 Carrera tail, why couldn't you use a backdated 73 Carrera RS ducktail?

The SC had a couple of different versions of the whale tail during its production run.

Nostatic, why don't you just buy the whale tail and use it for racing only? Keep the duck for the street like Jack does.

[RSupdate]

Hey Static, that's a bummer.... clearly the tea-tray style of rear deck lid provides more "lift reduction" than any factory duck tail. What you are suffering from is what I have been told happens as soon as you begin to even look like you are going to win ....your situation hits close to home for me.

On another note, and I got called on this a couple of years ago 'cos I was using the term to describe what I was doing out on the track as well....I'm not trying to bust yer b@ll$ but the STS is not "racing", it's time trialing. I know....I know...!!! you're racing against the clock, I argued that point as well until I was blue in the face.... but racing is wheel to wheel not against the clock.

That's why there is POC Club Racing and PCA Club Racing - completely different from the POC/STS or POC/PCA TT events.

Again, I'm not trying to hammer ya....look at me as the guy who is discreetly & quietly tapping you on the shoulder and whispering "psst...hey buddy...."

I got into this subject with a couple guys who actually had poc & pca "Club Racing Licences".....I lost that debate

In anycase throw some more $$$ at your 911 and like your driving ability, move up a level and forge ahead.

good luck.

[nostatic]

I understand the difference. W2W is my goal, but I have to work through the system to get licensed. POC takes a long time to get to where they'll let you dice it proper. I should have put "racing" in quotes (like I just did).

So what are my alternatives to get W2W quicker? I think I'm pretty good in traffic...

[RSupdate]

Alfa club is a good place to start. I like 'em and plan to do some of thier events next year.

http://www.arosc.org/

go to their race school and then your out on the track. I am over simplifying it but compared to the POC regimine, you are out on the track MUCH sooner.

They are very safety oriented, but not so "high strung" of an organization...there's usually several 911's out in their races fellow pelicanite "Ted" has been out there a couple of times.

I just raced this past weekend at the Pantera Challange Cup Race at Big Willow, got 4th place out of 19 and had open track sessions all day long both days.

[emcon5]

Originally posted by nostatic
So what are my alternatives to get W2W quicker? I think I'm pretty good in traffic...

Go to an SCCA regional licensing school. Once you have your SCCA novice permit, you can apply for a NASA rookie permit, and race W2W immediately with both NASA and SCCA as a novice/rookie. Two races with SCCA gets you a regional competition license, 4 races with NASA gets a competition license. My SCCA school with San Francisco region was ~$500 and I got ~ 6 hours track time, plus 2 races over 3 days.

When you put the cage in your car, make sure is complies with SCCA Improved Touring specs, and you can probably race in regional Improved Touring "E" class, even though a 911 is not a touring car. I know in the San Francisco SCCA region ITE is pretty much open, the only rules are any tub chassis production vehicle running with DOT tires, and the car must meet Showroom Stock or IT safety requirements. You can read the SCCA rules here.

Unfortunately CalClub (SoCal SCCA) is much more restrictive for ITE class, with limited mods, and a Fuel cell required, but still doable for a street driven car. Details here.

Tom

[}{arlequin]

todd,
nasa is a pretty quick way to get a comp. license and they have this series in it:
http://www.gtschallenge.com/

german cars only, classified purely by pwr to weight so you won't have to sweat your duck, or any other upgrade, for that matter.

[Howard Agency]

Hey, Static. Nice meeting you this weekend. My stock 914/4, all 95 roaring HP, went from C/S right thru to C/P because of glass hood and front bumper. Car got hit in a parking lot and it was easier and cheaper to do this than find replacement steel.

I'm so slow it doesn't make much difference, but cars in my class could have another 600cc of displacement and 60hp. Oh well. Your tail is pretty conservative...

[Por_sha911]

Don't feel bad. Many gentlemen have found themselves in serious trouble over a tail.

[jmz]

I remember SCCA not allowing a duck on ASP cars if it wasn't a factory $$$ duck back many years ago.

[TRE Cup]

The guru speaks:
Congratulations on getting fast enough that some members feel a protest over a ducktail is warranted.
The 911SC DID come with a whale tail; the Weissach edition.

You do need to talk to the head of motorsports to argue the lack of downforce afforded your car with a duck vs whaletail. He should sign off on it- you have elected to use an "inferior" factory fascimile part ,rather than the superior whaletail

SCRS did not come with a duck- they had the whaletail - all fiberglass version of the weissach (NOT to be confused with the iroc rsr tail which is larger)
If weight differences are brought up, then the club is responsible to weigh the car too.

[nostatic]

I need to reread the book because now I'm worried about whether I need to put the rear seats back in (and any other stupid details like the fact that the car came with AC but we removed it) and we'll have to make sure I'm within weight with a full tank of gas...as I recall we are.

This is probably what set somebody off...times from Saturday :

Class II

Todd Richmond - 1:16.931
Matthew Bickell - 1:18.894
Jackie Ginsburg - 1:19.138
Matthew Herrill - 1:19.805

And just for the record, my previous best in June for this configuration was 1:18:426 and we did *nothing* to the car since then except for new tires...and in fact Saturday they had zero heat cycles in them. The only change was more seat time for me at different tracks (3 days at Laguna didn't hurt )

I'll take the whole thing as a compliment and learning opportunity.