[nostatic]

as for the classes, as Mike said, stock means just that. Improved allows some very minor tweaks (eg with my SC I could run bigger sway bars, but not touch the t-bars) and R-compound tires. Prepared allows more suspension work, weight loss, and you have some "points" to play with depending on what mods you want to do. Certain things (like coilovers for older cars) as well as more than 13 points will bump you into V-class. Then it is all about the number and type of mods...and the cars start to get very expensive.

I think Improved class is a great place to run for a couple of years. You can get to really know the car, then move up to R-compound tires and shave some more time, and basically drives the wheels off the car. once you move to Prepared it costs more money and you also have to really get serious about driving. For instance with my car running in Improved I ran a 1:38 lap at Willow. There was time left on the table, but I was on the ragged edge quite a bit. When I upgraded my suspension I actually got slower as I had to relearn the car. Today was the first time I got below that time, and the good news was I did it with almost no wing. But that's no excuse...I still have a lot of work to do on my driving. And now on open passing ;-)