Minitub SCCA SM2 Legal or not?

[JakeL]

I've seen yesses and no's, so I don't really have any idea at this point.

I've been doing reading over on SCCAForums.com, and posted all the info I could find here:

http://www.sccaforums.com/ubb/ultima...ic/42/231.html

but I'm still not sure if it's legal or not to do a full minitub, versus just cutting some out of the inner fender liner for clearance.

Any help?

-Jake

[DJWorm]

Jake,

My opinion is yes, they are legal.

I would not worry about it at the local or regional level.

If you are competeing at the National Tour or Pro Solo Level then I would email Howard Duncan at the SCCA and ask him directly.

www.scca.org

[JakeL]

DJ - thanks. I decided to just send a letter off to the SEB and see what they say, we'll see how it goes. At least that way we'll all know once and for all.

I do compete in national level events, (although not at a trophy level, yet), so I want to make sure I'm not going to shoot myself in the foot...

It's looking as though it is legal though, from a few folks "in the know" that have responded.

-Jake

[DKTZ06]

It's a gray area. SM2 is basically an evolution of SP. Under SP regulations, you cannot modify the fender linings. If they get worn down from rubbing, the rule of thumb is that you should make earnest effort to replacing the linings. However, any complaints filed as such would definitely fall under "weenie protests".

In SM2, there's no clarification, but, if you use the philosophy for the class, I would think that a mini-tub would be perfectly legal. The car still retains the stock appearance. The car is still streetable. And assuming the rest of the car's modifications still fit under the current regulations, I see no reason for someone to complain about doing a mini-tub.

That aside, it is more cost efficient to flare your fenders than it is to mini-tub the rear.

-Don

[JakeL]

Don -

There isn't really a way to flare fiberglass fenders though, is there?

I've seen DIY minitubs that cost no more than that of the materials for the re-fiberglassing, and it seems like the cost for flaring (or rebuilding?), and then repaiting a fiberglass fender would far outweigh the few hundred bucks that a mini-tub might cost.

Hopefully it'll turn out to be legal, I think it simplifies my approach for having a car I enjoy on the street a great deal. Hopefully the SEB will clear it up before too long, and from the responses I've got, it appears to be likely they'll respond in the affirmative.

-Jake