I bought this Mazda 2 with the intention of tracking it at autocross events. It is not a daily driver so I can do whatever I want with it. I use a Honda Fit as a daily.
I sold my Porsche Boxster last year. Before I sold it, I tracked it at NJMP raceway and autocrossed it once at an SCCA event, where I was the fastest in my class (CSP C-Street modified) that day. But my time was still a few seconds slower than the autocross prepped NA Miata's. That day, I got hooked on autocross. I later test drove a 13' MX-5 Club at the dealer. I put on it's first mile on the odometer, which included a burnout in the dealership parking lot. I fell in love with that car. But I ended up with the more cost effective Mazda 2. I daily drove a 96 Protg for 8 years and that was a 2378 lb car that handled better than most cars and that car was dirt cheap to run.
So this April in Philly region SCCA, I will be trying out a few autocross events in the HS stock class on mismatched worn tires that came with the car. The car is completely stock. I'm a little disappointed with the car's handling on these tires. They squeal when I'm exiting or entering a highway banking at 40mph. My Porsche was able to handle 60mph before losing grip. I hope to reach the same speeds through a corner with better tires and sway bars.
I know little about the rules and classes. Can you please help answer my questions below?
1. In the HS stock class, what changes to the car are allowed, if any? Can I remove the back seats and spare tire in the HS class?
2. Can I use light weight rims like RPF1's in the HS class?
3. If I buy a B Spec kit from Mazda Motorsports, and install performance brake pads and RPF1's, what class would the car be in? The B Spec has a long list of suspension parts (sway bars, adjustable shocks, etc), cat back exhaust, A/C delete kit, and performance air filter.
4. In any class, am I allowed to get wider wheels and tires? 195mm or 205mm instead of stock 185mm.
5. In any class, can I change the diameter of the wheels? From stock 15" to 16".
6. Are wheel spacers allowed in any class.
7. In my first SCCA event, they had helmets that I was allowed to borrow for my runs. Do SCCA events always have these helmets available? Or do I need to buy a helmet now?
8. Is it just me, or is the ABS in the Mazda 2 very sensitive. It activates in my car often, especially when I slow down on a bumpy road. The feeling and loud ABS sounds makes me nervous. Any easy way to turn off ABS?
I sold my Porsche Boxster last year. Before I sold it, I tracked it at NJMP raceway and autocrossed it once at an SCCA event, where I was the fastest in my class (CSP C-Street modified) that day. But my time was still a few seconds slower than the autocross prepped NA Miata's. That day, I got hooked on autocross. I later test drove a 13' MX-5 Club at the dealer. I put on it's first mile on the odometer, which included a burnout in the dealership parking lot. I fell in love with that car. But I ended up with the more cost effective Mazda 2. I daily drove a 96 Protg for 8 years and that was a 2378 lb car that handled better than most cars and that car was dirt cheap to run.
So this April in Philly region SCCA, I will be trying out a few autocross events in the HS stock class on mismatched worn tires that came with the car. The car is completely stock. I'm a little disappointed with the car's handling on these tires. They squeal when I'm exiting or entering a highway banking at 40mph. My Porsche was able to handle 60mph before losing grip. I hope to reach the same speeds through a corner with better tires and sway bars.
I know little about the rules and classes. Can you please help answer my questions below?
1. In the HS stock class, what changes to the car are allowed, if any? Can I remove the back seats and spare tire in the HS class?
2. Can I use light weight rims like RPF1's in the HS class?
3. If I buy a B Spec kit from Mazda Motorsports, and install performance brake pads and RPF1's, what class would the car be in? The B Spec has a long list of suspension parts (sway bars, adjustable shocks, etc), cat back exhaust, A/C delete kit, and performance air filter.
4. In any class, am I allowed to get wider wheels and tires? 195mm or 205mm instead of stock 185mm.
5. In any class, can I change the diameter of the wheels? From stock 15" to 16".
6. Are wheel spacers allowed in any class.
7. In my first SCCA event, they had helmets that I was allowed to borrow for my runs. Do SCCA events always have these helmets available? Or do I need to buy a helmet now?
8. Is it just me, or is the ABS in the Mazda 2 very sensitive. It activates in my car often, especially when I slow down on a bumpy road. The feeling and loud ABS sounds makes me nervous. Any easy way to turn off ABS?
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Street tires don't do well when wheels are over-tired. Stick with 195 if possible, 205 at the most for stock size wheel IMO. Depends on what tire model you're wanting to get. ZII Star Specs, RS3V2, RE71R, and Rival S are all good tires and probably can't go wrong with any of them. 
