FSP is my favorite auto-x class, but it’s not exactly an easy class to prepare a car for. FSP is the slowest of the Street Prepared classes, and that means that it is always growing. As new cars are manufactured, previously competitive cars in faster classes become deprecated and are bumped down into FSP. This does at the least, create great diversity. No car really dominates FSP, at least not historically. This certainly makes it an appealing class to follow and watch… especially for old car fans like me.
In 2009 FSP champion was D. Fauth in his 1968 BMW 2002. His co-driver I. Mannix also trophied, with 5th position. Looks like 255/40 13 for rubber… don’t know much else about this VINTAGE car. Mr. Fauth also pulled out the win in 2008.
Second place was J. Tipple in this EK Civic. Also looks like 13″ tires, and I’m pleased that they fit inside the fenders. It looks nice. I’m not sure what engine options are available for the EK, but certainly the EG was considered the favoured Civic a few years ago.
And that’s what J. Jordan piloted to the third spot. EG’s are LIGHT. A well prepared FSP EG will weigh right around 2000lbs and some of them manage to squeeze 130+ whp out of “stock” D16’s.
Gotta love FSP. The BC6 fits here too. This is J. Storm in his Impreza Brighton. Fourth place and 1.8L of naturally aspirated boxer noises. Looks like the car is pictured on the horrid 275/35 15’s, but talk on the SCCA Forums suggests that 13’s are always in the trailer should the course design dictate. !!
G. Zimmer drove this Rabbit to sixth spot. Back in the day Rabbit’s and Scirroco’s were the car to have in FSP. It’s a little bit sad that they aren’t quite as competitive as they once were. This was the only VW that trophied in 2009. What a nice, clean car too… very nostalgic.
Notable mentions for me are V. Townsend in this AE86. Here is is sporting the 255/40 13 Hoosiers, but I noticed on a Club4ag thread, that he has since switched to the 275 wide 15’s. There was an image of his mutilated fenders and quarters to go with it. No thanks. I must say… if that’s what it takes to be competitive in FSP, then count me out.
Steamroller. Does any part of you want to drive that? No part of me does… but that has nothing to do with it being a Neon. Competitive people say, the 275 35 15’s are often good for about a second over the 255 40 13’s. That’s a pretty huge margin. If that is indeed true, and more and more guys make the switch, I’ll have to think about competing in a class that Hoosier can’t ruin… like the street shoe’d and width limited ST classes.
Photo Credit: STOLEN! I found them on an unknown forum last year, if they are yours let me know.
jeez autoX is gay. That neon looks awful!
I would have given the BMW the championship just for looking the best.
Original Mini is also in FSP as far as I know. I imagine they can be made competitive, or can they?
I dunno… I’ve never seen a competitive one. Their suspension is toootally ancient, and it’s not really rectifiable in SP. Beyond that though… tire size selection? Can they run 13’s even? Maybe… but 30lbft of torque isn’t really going to turn them, even if the car is only 1400lbs.
FWIW the FSP VW’s can get down to 1700lbs… with more the double the motor.