one more track car question: miata related...

Main difference between the spec miata and mx-5 for those that know? Thanks

 

Are you referring to the current generation NC chassis Miata (2006-up)?

 

to be honest, I'm not really too sure in general. I have been looking at spec miata's to perhaps get as my first track car but ran into some mx-5 ads too. I also believe Skippy runs the MX5 so I was curious as to the overall difference between the two. I guess my question would revolve around HP, handling, both are momentum cars (i assume)?

 

The current generation NC chassis Miata can be ordered in a strip down version for club racing or for the purpose of converting it to run in the arrive-and-drive pro racing series (MX5 Cup) that Mazda sponsors. Typically these cars have stock engines, but utilize some bolt on parts from Mazda Competition Parts. Specifically, they have an ECU reflash, AEM intake and AEM header. The power increase is not very significant.

Suspension is fully adjustable coilovers. During the first year in the pro-series, Eibach was the spec suspension. That changed by season two and I don't know which company has the program now.

If you go to the SCCA discussion forums there is more information on the MX5 Cup. If you want additional info on regional MX5 racing, including the older generation cars, go to specmiata.com.

These are great cars for budding racers and experienced guys alike. I started in a Miata back in 1990 when they first came out and still own one today (1999 model.) They handle like go-carts! And yes, they are momentum cars, not HP cars when the motors are left normally aspirated. Perfectly fine for me as I am used to 250GP bikes like my avatar.

 

MX 5 Cup has sealed engines, ecu trans, uses the latest car & all parts must be bought by mazda, assemble yourself, as close to spec as you can get with a doorslammer

Spec miata covers the 1990 to 2002 with weight breaks & mods allowed to equalize btween years. You must buy a suspension kit from mazdaspeed. BUT cars are far from spec. For example my 1990 car w116 stock hp was running 124 @ the wheels & I didnt have the latest stuff & was 100% legal. My car was the first miata to break into the 1.22's at roebling road & its still winning in the midwest today.I sold it for 22k in 2007. A good car is now a 35k to 40 k build with the 99 being the car to have.
A MX5 cup is 45k used 60 new.

 

That's the difference.

www.specmiata is now www.mazdaracers.com, I believe.

 

Wow! 50K! So much for cheap racing. Are these prices for front running cars? For SCCA T1 the best T1 car in the country just sold for less than $50k! It was a viper and was 2nd this year only to the 430C T1 car that was moved to the next higher class for 2011. The 430 never belonged in T1.

 

cheap racing is an oxymoron.

As for "inexpensive" T1 race cars, it is not the cost of entry, it is the cost to run that is even worse. Figure a modest season of racing will cost 1- 2X the cost of the car in the first place and you may be covered.

On the topic, the MX-5 has always been a Miata designation. 1990-93 are 1.6 liter cars, '94-97 are 1.8 liter versions of the same basic car, 1999-2004 are updated cars with fixed headlights and many other more subtel changes, and the 2005-up cars are simply called MX-5 and raced in MX5 Cup or other SCCA club classes. You can get a decent starter car well under $10K for an early car, and go from there. A brand new MX5 cup car with all bells & whistles is probably near $60K, turnkey

 

I have been tracking and racing a '99 Miata now for 10 years and like anything, you can spend what you want.
I bought my car brand new in March of 2000 as my 2 seater, convertable mid life crisis Sunday driver and then in fall of '01 discovered the gateway drug of "Driver Education."
After 9 years and about 150 days on track, moving up the ladder, becoming an instructor, doing the 3 day Skippy School, I decided to convert it to a full race car eligible in the Spec Miata class for NASA and SCCA. After my first full year of competition, I am a mid-packer moving toward the podium and having a blast.
I am also a cheap SOB and would guess that I have spent around $10K on the conversion to race car...cage, suspension, safety etc. I have spent much more than that on the enclosed trailer, tow vehicle, entry fees and travel associated with touring the great tracks of the east coast and Canada.
Like anything, if your expectations are high, it will cost more money but if you want to have a ton of fun, be somewhat competitive, you can easily find a SM car in the $15-$20k range.
PS, a set of 4 rotors for my car is under $75. If you include pads the total is about $250!

 

True dat.

Awesome! It's a GOOD drug!

You're early in the curve and on the right trajectory!

THAT'S the ticket!

I work with a LOT of people who've chosen this route and they're all happy they did. Best of luck on-track in 2011!

 

LarryF,

Zach Skolnick's Rossini-built car (SM spec 1.6 Miata) is for sale for about $15K on the Chin Motorsports forum. He finished 2nd with fast lap after starting at the back at the American Road Race of Champions at Atlanta.

I don't know about you, but I've bought cars based on demonstrated lap times for two and half decades and NEVER been disappointed!

No connection with the seller or car but been on track with both and been impressed. Looks like a great deal.

 

I bought a SM 1.6 car for a student of mine, I paid $11k for it and we placed second in the SARRC series first year of racing, when he was 17.

The 99 cars are considered the cars to have as if you make a mistake it is less traumatic in the higher torque car, you mess up in the 1.6 and that is your lap! Only problem with a 1.6 is you can not win the runoffs in a 1.6 as it is a hp track. most other races you have a 50/50 shot with a cheap car if it is prepared well