Formula FX SCCA?????

[Jerry Poole]

Could anyone provide any insight on Formula FX in the SCCA? What type of cars run in this group? Have heard there are historic open wheel cars such as Super Vees and older Atlantic/F2's allowed? Any insight would be appreciated and THANKS!!! Jerry

[John Nesbitt]

Could anyone provide any insight on Formula FX in the SCCA? What type of cars run in this group? Have heard there are historic open wheel cars such as Super Vees and older Atlantic/F2's allowed? Any insight would be appreciated and THANKS!!! Jerry

FX is a Runoffs-eligible class for certain winged open wheel classes, with less than FB/FA speed, that no longer muster numbers sufficient to have their own Runoffs class.

It includes FM, F4, USF2000, and others. See GCR 9.1.1.J.

[RussMcB]

Could anyone provide any insight on Formula FX in the SCCA? What type of cars run in this group? Have heard there are historic open wheel cars such as Super Vees and older Atlantic/F2's allowed? Any insight would be appreciated and THANKS!!! Jerry

This is copy/pasted from the January 2021 GCR (so may not be up to date). Note: It includes Super Vees but not "older Atlantic/F2's".

J. FORMULA X PREPARATION RULES

A. Purpose and Philosophy - The Formula X class is intended for winged, open-wheel formula cars ofmodest power and performance (sub FA/F3/F1000). The class is to include cars which a) are built insignificant numbers, but not sufficient enough to populate their own class; and b) may not have beenconstructed to existing class formulas within the GCR. The class may also include cars which havebeen built to a recognized SCCA formula but are not running in sufficient numbers to warrant theirown class. The class is not intended for unique one-off or prototype open wheel cars which are notwidely available; those should be classed in FS. Power, size and weight of cars which are proposedfor classification will be considered together with their respective performance. It is recognized at theinception that parity among the various cars that are eligible, or which may be classed, may not existor be achieved by reasonable means. No car shall be considered for classification until all specificationsof the chassis/tub, aero devices and wings, suspension, brakes, body, engine, ECU and all associatedcomponents have been submitted to SCCA. The party seeking classification shall be responsible forsupplying, at their expense, all necessary technical specifications for the car along with evidence ofperformance as may be required by the appropriate committees and boards. The petitioning party shallfurther provide, at their expense, all necessary software, cabling and other peripheral devices requiredfor inspection of electronics and measurement of unique engine and vehicle attributes. Cars classifiedin Formula X may, at the discretion of SCCA, be subjected to periodic adjustments in performance byand through various means including, but not limited to weight and intake restriction. Cars may bede-classified at any time by SCCA.

B. Eligibility - the following cars are approved for competition within Formula X:
1. Formula Mazda – Shall comply with GCR 9.1.1.E (2019)
2. Formula 4 – Shall comply with FIA Formula 4 Technical Regulations (2015) and all subsequent safety requirements as issued by the FIA and/or SCCA.
3. USF2000 (tube frame) – Shall comply with FRP F2000 Technical Specifications (2018)
4. Pro Formula F2000 (tube frame) – Engine must be prepared to current FC rules.
5. Ex-Pro Formula Super Vee - Shall comply with notes in Table 1.
6. FormulaSPEED - Shall comply with notes in Table 1.
7. Formula Ireland / Formula FX - Shall comply with notes in Table 1.
8. 2010–2017 Formula Renault 2.0 – Shall comply with notes in Table 1.

[Marty Nygard]

I have no intention of participation in FX but if:
"No car shall be considered for classification until all specificationsof the chassis/tub, aero devices and wings, suspension, brakes, body, engine, ECU and all associatedcomponents have been submitted to SCCA. The party seeking classification shall be responsible forsupplying, at their expense, all necessary technical specifications for the car along with evidence ofperformance as may be required by the appropriate committees and boards. The petitioning party shallfurther provide, at their expense, all necessary software, cabling and other peripheral devices requiredfor inspection of electronics and measurement of unique engine and vehicle attributes. "
Does No Car apply to each individual car or to all cars within a class?? For instance, if there is a formula ?? out there wanting to participate, is it incumbent on the owner/driver to submit all the stated documentation? How about if you have a FM, do you individually have to submit all the documentation or can you assume STAR Mazda will do it? How easy will it be to obtain all data for a Formula Ireland?
Seems a bit hard to enforce.
M

[Jnovak]

This class sounds pretty good to me!

I wonder if there will be any attempt to equalize the performance of these classesu as to provide some great racung in one or two classes! It seems to me that this might be possible but but srill politically fraught with issues. I hope that this is considered to provide for very low cost adjustments are possible with WEIGHTS and inlet RESTRICTORS, as im f500. Leave the intake systems as is except for minor adjustments an then use intake restrictors as used with great sucess on the motorcycle powered F500 cars where there are very simple .06" thick flat plate restrictors berween the intake manifold and the cylinder head! Easy peasy

[lowside67]

I have no intention of participation in FX but if:
"No car shall be considered for classification until all specificationsof the chassis/tub, aero devices and wings, suspension, brakes, body, engine, ECU and all associatedcomponents have been submitted to SCCA. The party seeking classification shall be responsible forsupplying, at their expense, all necessary technical specifications for the car along with evidence ofperformance as may be required by the appropriate committees and boards. The petitioning party shallfurther provide, at their expense, all necessary software, cabling and other peripheral devices requiredfor inspection of electronics and measurement of unique engine and vehicle attributes. "
Does No Car apply to each individual car or to all cars within a class?? For instance, if there is a formula ?? out there wanting to participate, is it incumbent on the owner/driver to submit all the stated documentation? How about if you have a FM, do you individually have to submit all the documentation or can you assume STAR Mazda will do it? How easy will it be to obtain all data for a Formula Ireland?
Seems a bit hard to enforce.
M

I don't think you are interpreting that correctly. That is the data that is required for SCCA to consider adding a formula to FX, not data required for existing cars which are already classified in FX. As FM is already classified in FX, a FM competitor does not need to have that.

-Mark

[BeerBudgetRacing]

This class sounds pretty good to me!

I wonder if there will be any attempt to equalize the performance of these classesu as to provide some great racung in one or two classes! It seems to me that this might be possible but but srill politically fraught with issues. I hope that this is considered to provide for very low cost adjustments are possible with WEIGHTS and inlet RESTRICTORS, as im f500. Leave the intake systems as is except for minor adjustments an then use intake restrictors as used with great sucess on the motorcycle powered F500 cars where there are very simple .06" thick flat plate restrictors berween the intake manifold and the cylinder head! Easy peasy

There is NO attempt to equalize. It's simply a 'national class' that 'unfit toys' (per scca) can run in compliance with their original class rules. USF2000, F4, FM, etc cars all follow their own rules. No adjustments, no changes. Frozen in time.

[djones]

FSV can run 1600cc or 1800cc engines. Fuel injection or carbs. All must use 6" and 8" wheels
I think a 1800 would do really well in this class. Might look the FC class of the early 80's

[Bob L.]

Believe you'd have to update safety features to make "old/vintage" cars acceptable. Likely, SV's are best with vintage groups if you want to keep in original configuration...much like older Fords in CF....front hoops, intrusion, tethers, etc... Check current GCR and ask National?

Bob L.

[djones]

I ran my Anson in FA in the early 90's. Not sure what has changed since then. My current car is a tube frame based on a FF2000 chassis. Perhaps easier to make compliant than a tub car.
Will check into it. Thanks

[Charles Warner]

FSV can run 1600cc or 1800cc engines. Fuel injection or carbs. All must use 6" and 8" wheels
I think a 1800 would do really well in this class. Might look the FC class of the early 80's

I don't have a dog in this hunt, but the 1800 Super Vee (IIRC) ran 8" and 10" wheels. The 1600 cars ran the 6" & 8" wheels.

[RussMcB]

A few quick quick thoughts:

Formula Super Vees are currently able to run in Club FA (I'm pretty sure), so therefore their chassis would not need any "updated safety features" to run in FX.

I've seen several Club Formula Mazdas run in FX down here in the southeast. I think it is as simple as registering in the class (like you do for every race), then show up with 'FX's on the side of your car.

I don't know much about all of the eligible cars (F4, Formula Ireland, etc.), but it seems to me a Ralt RT-5 could do great. I'd like to see some at the Runoffs.

Per "Table 1", the Pro FSV cars must use (F) 6 Min, (R) 8 Min. <-- I did not notice the "Min" part earlier. My apologies.

[Lotus7]

4. Pro Formula F2000 (tube frame) – Engine must be prepared to current FC rules.

I am curious why they included cars that already have their own specific Runoffs class.
Seems a needless opportunity to further water down FC entries.

[djones]

True but the GCR indicates the use of 6 and 8's for both engines.

[Bob Wright]

Or to allow FC's to enter 2 classes...As they did at Homestead in January

As another note- the Renault 2.0 is the class killer, IMHO.

[CGOffroad]

3. USF2000 (tube frame) – Shall comply with FRP F2000 Technical Specifications (2018)

Just out of curiosity, could this car be run on the FC spec tire? Or is there a requirement for another tire? If so, what is that tire requirement?

[Bob Wright]

Its confusing and difficult in some ways. The USF2000 (MZR) must run FRP 2018 rules, and that would include tires if you adhere to the rules exactly. That tire is no longer made....and there are some other issues when you peg a set of rules to a specific date when the FRP rules are not static, but change every year to meet a changing environment. FRP is on a radial Hoosier tire

The Pro Formula 2000 was the car before the MZR/5 speed was introduced (IIRC) and was basically a FC, using the LD200 4 speed, with either narrow or wide gears and, depending on the year, either 6/8 or 8/10 wheels. The way the rule is written, I suspect you could show up with 8/10 wheels as long as the motor met FC Zetec rules.

[RussMcB]

True but the GCR indicates the use of 6 and 8's for both engines.

I assume you're referring to the FSV cars.

I've gone back and edited my last post. I read the GCR Table 1 too fast and did not notice the 6" and 8" are Minimum widths.

[stonebridge20]

I'm thinking that an 1800cc Ralt 5 would be a VERY big hammer to bring to a FX race.

[John Nesbitt]

Its confusing and difficult in some ways. The USF2000 (MZR) must run FRP 2018 rules, and that would include tires if you adhere to the rules exactly. That tire is no longer made....and there are some other issues when you peg a set of rules to a specific date when the FRP rules are not static, but change every year to meet a changing environment. FRP is on a radial Hoosier tire

The Pro Formula 2000 was the car before the MZR/5 speed was introduced (IIRC) and was basically a FC, using the LD200 4 speed, with either narrow or wide gears and, depending on the year, either 6/8 or 8/10 wheels. The way the rule is written, I suspect you could show up with 8/10 wheels as long as the motor met FC Zetec rules.

I would not be surprised if the no-longer-active FX classes became a bit like ITE (aka IT Everything). This is a Regional class, which started life as a home for orphans from old pro series like World Challenge, Escort Challenge, Corvette Challenge, or Firehawk etc.

Supposedly, cars had to conform to their original series rules. But enforcement fell by the wayside. Pretty soon, we saw current builds to old series rules. Now, it is frequently a catch-all class for cars not fitting any other class. Between technical specs that cannot be met (e.g. specific tires) and Tech's unfamiliarity with obscure series rules, compliance is mushy and largely done on the honor system.