MazdaSpeed 3 SCCA Classification

griswold · Oct 2, 2006

So, what's everyone think regarding where the MS3 will wind up in the SCCA classes?

I'm figuring D stock, but that'll be tough for us MSP'ers.... Think they'll move us down to G stock as a result?

Dave

aMaff · Oct 2, 2006

doubtful, they'll probably be in DS. This is kind of like the situation with the old Z06 and new Z06 in SS.

That being said, the MSP should be a good bit lighter than the 3.

griswold · Oct 2, 2006

aMaff said:
doubtful, they'll probably be in DS. This is kind of like the situation with the old Z06 and new Z06 in SS.

That being said, the MSP should be a good bit lighter than the 3.

Figured something like that would happen. I think the new speed 3 should be about 300 lbs heavier (I recall reading about 3100lbs vs. the MSP's 2800).

We'll have to see if that's enough weight to offset the 93hp and 100+ ft/lb torque advantage!!

I'm just hoping the speed 3 isn't wheel spin / torque steer central even with it's counter measures against that.

aMaff · Oct 2, 2006

but the counter measures against torque steer are basically reducing engine output. It'll probably have an edge on larger, wide open courses where you can keep the wheel straight for a few seconds, but on tighter courses, I bet the MSP (given comprable drivers) would beat it. At least after nats we know the MSP's on par w/ those pesky ITRs. Now if I could only find a few more seconds somewhere to keep up *daydreams*

MSP Pro · Oct 6, 2006

Yes, DS is the expected classing for the MS3. While the curb weight is listed at 3100, it should be interesting to see what it is in race trim: light wheels & tires, lighter cat back exhaust, no spare or tools in the trunk. My MSP in race trim is 2720 with 3 gallons of gas, race wheels & tires, but the heavy stock exhaust still on. For performance comparisons, look at the current SRT4 ACR ratings of 250 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque coupled through a Quaife mech lsd with a race weight of around 2875. MS3 may be faster but is going to need enough negative camber to match the ACR which allows camber bolts. I don't think Mazda allows camber bolts... too bad.

low_psi · Oct 6, 2006

IIRC the SRT4 is now in CS, so I'd expect to see the MS3 in CS aswell. If the MS3 does does go into DS it'll need to shave some weight(echoing MSP Pro here). You can't downsize wheels in Stock class either, so fitting decent rubber on the MS3's 18x7 wheels is going to be tricky.

griswold · Oct 6, 2006

low_psi said:
IIRC the SRT4 is now in CS, so I'd expect to see the MS3 in CS aswell. If the MS3 does does go into DS it'll need to shave some weight(echoing MSP Pro here). You can't downsize wheels in Stock class either, so fitting decent rubber on the MS3's 18x7 wheels is going to be tricky.

Unless this site is wrong, the SRT-4 is still in DS.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Lists/2006/stockc.html

I hear you on the tires...it's a shame they didn't fit 8" wide rims from the factory....

khaosman · Oct 6, 2006

griswold said:
Unless this site is wrong, the SRT-4 is still in DS.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Lists/2006/stockc.html

I hear you on the tires...it's a shame they didn't fit 8" wide rims from the factory....

And 17" or 16"... stupid big wheels.

SuperProtege5 · Oct 6, 2006

not to be off topic but what class would a Protege 5 be listed under? I looked at the site and it seems it would be under H class.

khaosman · Oct 6, 2006

SuperProtege5 said:
not to be off topic but what class would a Protege 5 be listed under? I looked at the site and it seems it would be under H class.

Correct. H Stock for stock P5s. Check this thread out for good info: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123615560

low_psi · Oct 6, 2006

griswold said:
Unless this site is wrong, the SRT-4 is still in DS.

Nope, its probably right. I heard it was bumped up but I guess not. Thx for the clarification.

dmitrik4 · Oct 7, 2006

you might be thinking of its *SP classification; it's in CSP, which is a little odd, IMO.

Lt. Dan · Oct 7, 2006

Idunno, I think it's gonna stay in Dstock.... MotorTrend did a test of it against a WRX, and it beat the scooby around the course by about a second.... The only real reason is because the WRX is on a much less aggressive tire... put them both on R-compounds, and it'll be fun...

Dan

BigB · Oct 16, 2006

I think the MSP should be in GS and the MSP3 should be a DS car... they are much better aligned that way.

That being said, you will have a hard time fitting good *wide* tires on the MSP3. It will suffer the same issue as the SRT4 in DS, not enough tire for the power, no enough camber....

SuperProtege5 · Oct 26, 2006

sorry to be off topic again but after looking at the Classification by Make, I noticed that there was the Protege MP3 and then right under it a Protege NOC. What does the NOC stand for?

aMaff · Oct 26, 2006

Not Otherwise Classified. Basically, "any other Protege" that isn't listed anywhere else.

122 Vega · Oct 26, 2006

IIRC, my brother was able to get -1.5 all the way around on his 3 with the stock suspension. With the MS3 being lowered, you might be able to get more.

Britt

dmitrik4 · Oct 27, 2006

BigB said:
That being said, you will have a hard time fitting good *wide* tires on the MSP3. It will suffer the same issue as the SRT4 in DS, not enough tire for the power, no enough camber....

7" wide wheels are teh sux0r...i'll be interested to see how much space is under the flared front fenders for those who go out of Stock class.

moxnix · Nov 20, 2006

New fastrack is out and the MazdaSpeed 3 is a DS car

http://scca.com/_FileLibrary/File/06-12-fastrack.pdf

RacerXGirl · Nov 20, 2006

We were just talking about this on Saturday at the autocross. Our consensus was it would end up in DS.

MazdaSpeed 3 SCCA Classification

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