Track Car Advice for New Addict?

I have to agree but as a frequent competitor with the SM and SSM classes I would like to add this "other" perspective. Being relatively inexpensive, many of the Miata drivers are either very inexperienced or suffering from an overdose of some chemical or other. They have no race craft, no mannners and essentially expect to run a version of dirt track dodge-em cars. I understand the need for energy management in these low torque racers but many of their pilots do not and hence are willing to swap paint for a place, any place that is higher than the one they occupy at that point. Furthermore, while learning to take a corner with your foot planted is a hoot (and I enjoy it like the next guy) - it seems that the Miata guys very often believe that once they figure out how to do that they always have to take that corner the same way - irrespective of traffic. Unless you know your track and fellow racers, this is plain dangerous and every event finds more wrecked Miatas than any other group.

So I like to steer clear of them and their events. I had to mix it with a couple of guys in P-930s this weekend. We were all over eachother but we all knew that taking the lead had to be done safely AND in such a way that we could hold it long enough to exploit conditions or traffic to retain it. Watch Pobst and Cunningham in the Speed series, that's how it ought to be done. For me anyway - most Miata drivers are going to be in a shunt, just when is the question.

 

Basic problem when you run a bunch of equal cars with total equal engines and track numbers. The same reason why in F1 the first corner is the most accident proned. Once the field spreads they run safe.

If you want to avoid contact as much as you can go NASA racing. Fun and safe (to 99%). No contact tollerated. If you go SCCA SM you will see the occasional contact. This may vary from region to region as well. Have not seen much in our SE Florida region to be honest. Had lots of fun in my SCCA races to this point.

 

some pictures of the 355 in Daytona at the CHRA race.
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Martin, what is CHRA? Looks like fun being at Daytona.

 

Probably out of the budget, but worth a mention....

S1's are soooooo sexy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-Lotus-Exige-Series-1-EXTREMELY-RARE_W0QQitemZ4633837896QQcategoryZ6312QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

just another thought...

having raced for quite a while, i have to say that the best value in racing by far is the skip barber race series...the rt2000's are vastly superior to the school cars, the competition is awesome and the comradery is for life...check it out...