Technical Bulletin--TT3 OEM Aero 5-4-16

[Greg G.]

TECHNICAL BULLETIN 5-4-16

TT3 "OEM Aero" Modification Factor

 

7.3.2

D) TT3 Only Production Vehicle Aerodynamics (does not apply to TTU, TT1, or TT2)

 

Production vehicles that maintain their unmodified OEM trim model body lines and do not have non-OEM aerodynamic aides or modifications may assess the Modification Factor for “OEM Aero” in calculating the “Adjusted Wt/HP Ratio” (7.4). Under this specific rule, an aerodynamic aide is considered non-OEM if it did not come configured on the vehicle from the manufacturing factory on the competing vehicle's trim model. There is no updating or backdating across trim models or the addition of dealer installed OEM options permitted.

 

Some examples of items not permitted under the "OEM Aero" Modification Factor would be the addition of Z06 or Z07 Aero aides to a base trim Corvette, or the Laguna Seca Aero package on a Mustang GT.

[braknl8]

I don't have a dog in this fight and mean no insult by the question: What is the catalyst for the change? Seems to make little sense, both from a business and competitive standpoint.

[Greg G.]

Multiple e-mails from competitors in the past few weeks questioning putting functional, factory tested aero parts from much higher level trim models that could never compete in TT3/ST3, onto TT3/ST3 base models--basically using a loophole to gain functional aero mods while still assessing the +0.4 Mod Factor for OEM Aero (as listed in the examples). The OEM Aero rule was originally written (and continued in '16) to allow some of the higher HP vehicles in ST3/TT3 to stay in the class, but without significant Aero mods. Now that the rule was going to be pushed way past the intent, we put a stop to the progression, before those competitors proceeded with those modifications. We don't like making mid-season adjustments like this, but this one was about to get out of control.

 

If there are any competitors with currently built cars that have already been competing who are immediately affected by this Technical Bulletin with events upcoming very soon, e-mail me the specifics so we can see if something can be done from a hardship standpoint. It will depend on the circumstances and the modifications present. Our survey of TT and ST Directors is showing that this Modification Factor is used by a small minority of TT3 and ST3 competitors, with an even smaller number that have any actual factory aero on the vehicle.

[Varkwso]

Casualties are light mean little if you are the one shot....

[Bnjmn]

Greg, what vehicles are you thinking of when you say that there are vehicles that "could never compete in TT3/ST3?"

Isn't any vehicle eligible (tube frame or mass produced), if it is compliant with the rules?

[Greg G.]

Greg, what vehicles are you thinking of when you say that there are vehicles that "could never compete in TT3/ST3?"

Isn't any vehicle eligible (tube frame or mass produced), if it is compliant with the rules?

650 hp trim models would never be able to compete in TT3/ST3 without a big downgrade motor swap.

[Greg G.]

Casualties are light mean little if you are the one shot....

That is true, but we are talking about taking some parts off of a car that generally is worth over $30K, or adding 120 lbs to a 3000lb+ car, or changing the ECU tune to decrease the Avg HP by 12 hp, or bumping from a 10:1 to 8:1 class, not getting shot. And, once again, we have found that if we try to make allowances to assist some of those who were adversely affected by series rules updates/revisions, those allowances are eventually taken advantage of by some of those same competitors, or their customers, or their friends, (or others). Since we don't have control over what a manufacturer may end up developing as a "factory" option, this type of rule was probably always going to end this way, but it did help to bridge the transition for many drivers from PTA/TTA to ST3/TT3. We've now reached the point that it is no longer fair to the 98% plus who cannot get functional, factory tested aero mods while competing at 9.6:1 instead of 10:1.