25 replies to this topic

[RJ-19]

Ok, so here come the first questions... IT = ??? I take it this is another less restricted, or more open classification? Or something that will help me from a cost standpoint? I don't see myself racing outside the Midwest as I don't have the travel budget or free time for more than a 6-8 hour one-way drive to the track on a regular basis.

Thanks for the advice about posting to the region. I just figured better to tag on to this thread and not be the new guy putting up yet another "new guy" thread.

Technical question related to this site - What browser do most you use? Like every three or four clicks with IE8 the site crashes my browser. It usually reloads itself, but still kind of hastle.

Ryan J

[Caveman-kwebb99]

IT stands for Improved Touring. It is regional only racing, no national class, very grass roots IMO. We actually did a race this year in SM that was combined with IT, that normally doesnt happen as they typically run IT seperate from SM so that you can run both classes if you wish. The guys in IT were actually ver good racers although most of their cars were a bit slower than soem of the top SM's. Now I do not race in IT and do not profess to know alot about it, but it is far more open than SM, many different makes of cars racing each other. Nothing stopping you from racing IT, then if you want to race more seriously (when I say seriously I mean races with more cars all in the same class) you prep your car to SM trim.

If you plan your racing right and your just out to have fun you race IT with SCCA, and PT with NASA. The rules are different for IT and PT, but from what I have seen tech is non existent, so as long as your not out to intentionally cheat and you just let people know you are coming out for the fun, I seriously doubt you will have anyone raise any hell over it.

Running in IT or PT helps some from a cost standpoint as you can use aftermarket parts, open tires, if you want to put perforamnce enhancements into the car you can it just might bump you up to another IT or PT class.

I dont think anyone will get angry no matter how you post to your region! Welcome to MazdaRacers!!!!!!! and Racing in general!!!!!!

[granracing]

Hey Ryan, I've been racing in an ITB car (may come over to SM for a bit for different reasons) and would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Yes, it is currently a regional only category but don't let that fool you. My personal hope is that the majority of the guys with the big buck continue thinking this category is just a lowly regional category. Fine with me. That's actually one of the reasons many of us IT racers don't want IT to become a National Class and be included in the ruboffs. Of course there are more politics involved and it's a much broader discussion.

In the end, popularity and competition breed an influx of money to keep up. You will find some seriously built cars in IT, just like you can in SM. Same thing with talent. You can find some great drivers in SM, and some in IT. You can also find some....other sports may beckon, in both. The two categories are different, not necessarily better or worse.

Absolutely don't feel bad about posting a new guy thread. We all need to start somewhere! Not sure what other info you might find helpful, but over the course of the years I've assembled a site to help the new guys get into this sport which you might find useful. I kinda feel bad about plugging it but since it's all free and SCCA really supports it, I guess it's okay. www.GoAheadTakeTheWheel.com

[Bench Racer]

Ryan, you location shows central Wisconsin. Where in central Wisconsin?

[davew]

IT started as place to race old worn out Showroom Stock cars. Sound familiar. The name actually makes sense, as the car is IMPROVED over stock. Basicly you are allowed bolt on mods. Header, gear ratio, shocks, springs are all open within oem configurations. The catagory was very popular until SM came around. Price of IT cars dropped as the price of SM soared. At least around here, IT fields are down to a few cars per class.

In IT you can spend little money for large gains. A $200 header may get you 6 hp. Front running SM guys are spending thousands to gain 1 or 2 hp. The trade off becomes competition. Does your ego need to win, even if there are only 2 cars in class? Or is having a great race for 13th acceptable.

A 90-97 SM can run in ITA. Many areas have passed a rule specificly saying this. Areas that have not, usually have SMT or something similar as a second race group for SM. Only a couple items make a SM illegal for ITA, changing from a 1.6 to 1.8 diff, disabled p/s, subframe braces and something else that I never remember. Most people ignore the minor differences.

99+ SM's run in ITS with no real issues. In Midwestern Council, I passed a rule many years ago, allowing any SM, no matter what year, to run ITA if they run 100% SM legal. Weight, plate, tires etc.

Ryan, between Midwestern Council and SCCA, you can race about 15 weekends and only travel 2 miles outside of Wisconsin. Between Road America, Milwaukee Mile and Blackhawk (just over the border into Illinois) you can wear out a car with very little travel time. No need to drive 6 hours each way unless you really want to.

Dave

[granracing]

As with many categories, participation number certainly vary by locale. In the North East and the WDCR, we have strong fields including driver talent. Maybe not as big of a field as SM, but big enough (18+ cars in ITB). In the end it's about having someone to race hard with and have fun. IT and SM also have different styles of racing, again for better or worse.