olaaf Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 Hi All Sorry for the rookie question. I have 4 LeMons races under my belt and I’m looking to get into 944 spec racing. I don’t quite understand if 944 cup and 944 spec are the same thing- The NASA event this next weekend at NJMP has 944cup and 944supercup listed, but not 944 spec. I’m based in the NYC area and would like to know which is the best series to get into.. Also, NASA school would be recommended for one getting into 944’s? Thanks very much, olaaf Quote
Weston Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 944-Spec is NASA's official class. 944-Cup is an independent series that has control over it's own well-being, and can run with NASA or other clubs. It's my understanding that out East, pretty much all of the 944 racing is in Cup. Check out http://944cup.com for more info. Quote
jaje Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 944-Spec is limited prep - low cost Porsche racing series where all cars are limited in modification and run on a spec Toyo RA1 tire (225/50/15). PCA has this class too called SP1. 944 Cup allows you to run significantly more modifications (i.e. spend more money on the car). PCA also has a class that allows them SP2. You can run a 944-Spec car in 944 Cup which gives you the greatest latitude with what you want to run as you can run the Spec car in 944 Cup with a lower weight. 944 Super Cup allows Turbos, S and S2 model cars. You can run a 944 Cup or Super Cup car in NASA in the GTS class (hp/weight ratio). Hope this helps. Quote
Sterling Doc Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 944 Spec is moving East, with the Great Lakes region just having had their first event with the new 944 Spec group there. Joel (Jaje) explained things pretty well. One other point is that only 944 Spec runs at NASA Nationals. 944 Cup is its own series, that has it's own independent championship. There are some Spec out east, but not an established class. We're looking for pioneers! Quote
mcmmotorsports Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 olaaf, let me know which event you are attending next in the NE. I am the SE 944-SPEC Director, but I live in Connecticut. I will be more than happy to meet up with you at an upcoming event and tell you all you need to know. Quote
Members Jim P. Posted April 13, 2011 Members Posted April 13, 2011 944Cup has faded away in the SE and MA regions, 944Spec is the new favorite. Quote
944-Spec#94 Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Olaaf, I have been in 944 spec since 2002 when the class was first created in Arizona. The 944 spec class was based on taking a 944 and building it to a race car such that was optimized for low cost to build and operate and as equal as possible while maintaing them as fun cars to drive. Our rule were created from the ground up for the 944. 944 cup and super cup rules are based on PCA Club racing stock class rules with a series of adjustments. As such 100% build costs tend to be higher and when you allow bigger stickier tires operating costs go up. Over time PCA Club racing went and adopted 944 spec rules for its racing rathar having us conform to them. Now low cost is always relative when it comes to racing. Being competitive still takes money as you need to achieve at least a minimum prep level and need to feed the car tires at least twice a year. However our cars are intented to be built at home and maintained at home with any reasonble competent person. We avoid special tricks in the rule set to ensure you don't need to have special guy to be competitive. We also are very good as class sharing information on both build and driving. As class the goal of our drivers is to have more people to race. Sure winning is great, but number 1 is having fun racing each other. That is more fun with more cars and when more and drivers are up to speed. That is why we help each other. Quote
olaaf Posted April 14, 2011 Author Posted April 14, 2011 Thanks very much for the information, this makes much more sense now. 944 spec seems the way to go. mcmmotorsports, i'll be in contact about my next track visit, very much appreciated. --olaaf Quote
joecycles Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 I would not say it has faded away in the east. I think there is a major point of friction between 944cup and NASA-se (not a topic I am privy too but I personally think it was soemthing that has been coming for while even before I started running with NASA or Cup). I think in the NOrtheast it is still strong, but for 944cup guys the SE schedule has been made very difficult due to combination of organizations you have to run with to be in the series (PCA, SCCA, Nasa). I like a lot of people in the SE are now running GTS and Cup when I can get to events. If you want to do a little more to your car, run in 944Cup or GTS. If you want the spec prep rules then run Spec. The nice thing is SPec cars can run in cup though they don't seem to be very competitive (but the tire rule changing will make the Spec cars more competitive due to the Hoosier Tire). I think you should go where you have fun! I tried NASA GTS for the first time this year (my car is cup prepared so I am not eligible for Spec) and I got to see the old guys I have raced with for the past 3 years. IN the NYC area you will probably find more Cup guys, I know the NASA-MA group is a great group (Chris Cobetto is a super nice guy and likes to sing in the morning!). Have fun and enjoy racing your 944! Quote
schwank Posted April 19, 2011 Posted April 19, 2011 Ask the question on the 944 spec forum and you have already guaranteed you will be pushed to spec. That much is obvious. From my experience the people involved with both series are great and it more or less comes down to what groups run in your region. Much of the information you read is applicable to setups in either series. Cup is great too and as other have said spec can run in Cup. You can run as SCCA, NASA, or PCA in Cup. That is the beauty of it. Run wherever you can get the most seat time... if you want to be in the run for a championship in any series you have to evaluate your local classes, your car, and your wallet. Quote
TexasRider41 Posted April 27, 2011 Posted April 27, 2011 Nothing but 944 Spec in Texas! -=- Todd Todd: I am trying to play catch up and giddy up as fast as I can to get up and race with our Texas guys. I might not make it in this year , but I will be ready for next season. How many more races are there in Texas this season? Quote
Members Al F. Posted May 2, 2011 Members Posted May 2, 2011 We have three more points race weekends in the Texas region for this year, plus one other weekend that is still undefined. Quote
kbrew8991 Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 hell, if it runs and is track worthy it would never hurt to get it out in the TT group for some additional shakedown Quote
olaaf Posted May 19, 2011 Author Posted May 19, 2011 olaaf, let me know which event you are attending next in the NE. I am the SE 944-SPEC Director, but I live in Connecticut. I will be more than happy to meet up with you at an upcoming event and tell you all you need to know. Hi Michael Will you be at Summit Point June 18/19? I'm running in the Lemons race there, but i see it's also a NASA event.. i'd love to meet and talk about the 944's.. thanks, olaaf Quote
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