2020 Proposed SP3 Rules Changes
 

Ideas?

My usual:

Make a class for cars that are more like E than SP3. Of course, lower the weight from E a bit. Kind of SP1 for the SP3s but not as strict.

Thanks for the suggestion. I get where you are trying to accomplish.

But after 18 successful years of developing the 944 Cup, elimaninating the class would not be a practucal option for racing the 944. In fact, quite a few SP 3 model cars origanilly came from E class and they left that class for better racing the 944. Evidenced by the fact that a 944 in E is a rare sight. Proof of concept.

As to the rules of SP3, aka Super Cup, the rules originally started out very similar to SP1, much closer to spec rather GT. Fact is that the class was not successful in that configuration.
The class was close to be eliminated just a few years back. In a last ditch effort to save the class, we opened up the rules to allow for more mods. That's when the class, now called SP3, took off. Asking the SP3 drivers to detune their cars would be class suicide. At best it would split the cars for those models into two classes.and dilute the competition in class. This would be counter to the 944 CUP objective of fewer classes, bigger fields. And that is basically what happened with SP 1 and SP2, which was not a desirable effect overall.

sp3 rule changes
 

I'm fine with the rules as they are.

Another vote to leave as is.

T

Thanks for the input. Currently no changes in the works. If something is proposed outsude of this forum, will bring up here for discussion.

Good, I'm slowly chipping away at an eventual 944S entry as per current rules and I'll tell you, it was a tough decision.
The 2.5 16V will be the mini-mouse of the entire class and I'd hate to see something drastic change now to make me any less confident that this platform can be competitive.

T

Understood! Looking forward to seeing a S out there .

Single-Vendor Products
 

I'm generally not a fan of single-vendor products. For the 951, I'd like to see alternatives to the Lindsey waste gate. Tial?

Understood. If you have other vendors that can meet the same stock specs, then I would recommend to make the case to PCA during this open season.

Just curious, why aren’t you a fan of single vendor products? Doesn’t make a difference to me but just curious.

SP3
 

IMHO, SP3 is now separated by "aero" and non-aero cars. At some tracks, proper Aero makes a difference, and in the true spirit of a spec class I not sure Aero belongs in SP3. I'm not talking about a good front splitter, but the huge wings that are common. It would level the SP3 playing field.

Well, in general, if you have problems with quality or availability, and there is only 1 supplier, you are royally stuck. The more supply options you have, the better.

^^ +1

I recognize there are some drivers that this doesn't make a difference. They are simply that good. However, I completely agree regarding "the true spirit of a spec class." The larger rear wings don't seem to make sense.

SP3, formerly Called Super Cup", is just that. Never intended or designed to be a Spec class even though PCA choose to call it such with the SP designation. For those who want to race on the tightest budgets and with near identical cars, there is SP1. If you bought or raced a car that came with more mods above SP1 from a PCA letter class, NASA , or SCCA, there is SP2 that allows some performance upgrades. But if you have a need for speed and still wanna race a 944, there is SP3.

For many years, SP3 struggled with small fields. The class was almost ended. But in a last ditch desperation move to save the class, the rules were changed. Trying to find the right level of allowed mods to attract more cars, the rules were loosen up to allow for building more of a race car with options for the driver to find the best alternatives for performance. Once we made those rules changes, the class took off and the class now averages the largest fields of the 3 PCA SP944 classes.

Specifically about the wings, maybe the fastest and most successful driver in SP3 up to now has been Karl Poeltl . He drives SP3 cars that basically have no aero beyond stock. Karl wins just about ever race he enters in SP3. That's says to me that club racing these cars is still much more about the driver and less about the aero mods on the car.

However, for those who want to race in the true spirit of a spec class in a 944, there is SP 1.

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