I Drove a Spec Miata

Gotcha. If you need a plan to improve your driving skills (or would like some coaching in the Northeast) send me a PM. We'll get you going fast in no time.

 

FUN FUN FUN!!

 

Kevin,

http://www.sedivracing.org/SMRules2003.htm


You can run either a 1.8 engine or a 1.6. The 1.8 means you have to run a restictor and run a little more weight on the car. The 1.8 makes more torque but most people here in the DC and SEDiv run the 1.6 which seem to be faster with less weight.

To give you an idea of lap times since you have been to Summit Point, a SM does about 1:30 for the fast guys (1:29.XX is the lap record). The average is about 1:32 or so. Most of the MARRS races have huge fields. Average is about 35-40 but 45+ is not uncommon. At VIR they had 70 something.

My Grand Am Integra does lap times in the 1:28's and the 355 C was around 1:19-1:20.

If you remember turn 3 from your ride, the Acura is only 2 mph slower coming out of that turn.

Regards,

Jon

 

SM specs are about 112 rwhp for a fast regional car, probably over 120rwhp for a front-running pro car, 2300 lbs with driver minimum weight in the '90-'93 1.6l cars.

TWS long course times are low 2:01s, perhaps near 2:00 is possible, I am not aware of a sub-2:00 lap. MSR track record is a hair under 1:26, you have to run consistent 1:26s to run up front.

The fields are large and racing is very close. I disagree that IT is better in any respect, at least in the SWDIV. The fields are small and IT cars require constant development. If you wrench on your own car and love tweaking it all the time, then great. The SM can literally sit for two months and have literally no prep and you can still get in and race competitively. The SM will cost more to build than an IT car, but I think the cost in time and/or money to race SM regularly is cheaper than IT.

I have run FM and SM and I can't leave SM behind; it's that much fun.

An while I don't like Miatas as street cars, I get perverse pleasure from outrunning most other sports cars on track, including most F-cars!

Add a Turbo to a Miata and then things get very interesting . . ..

 

Jon, thanks.

Is turn 3 the slightly uphill sweeper where you set up for the esses? I think you gave me nightmares about that one. I still wake up crying occassionally

 

Dale, how tall are you? I've been eyeing SpecMiata but haven't yet sat in one. I'm 6'2". Sounds like a great car.