Interest Check: Spec-Miata Series

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CodeRedR51

CodeRedR51

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I'll finally be getting the internet in the next couple of weeks, so looking at starting an online racing series. The first thing that popped into my head was an obvious choice for me since I used to work at Flyin' Miata.

Who would be interested in running a Spec-Miata series, based off the SCCA rule book? I don't have everything quite planned out yet, but depending on how many people are interested I can get started on that as early as this weekend. I just printed out the rule book, and will be taking it home to do some testing to see how close I can make the cars.

We'd probably do races once a week, on the weekends (Sunday?) during the day so it's easier for people with full time jobs to compete. I'll get a list started here for those 100% committed. 👍
 
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110% into it ! :)

But how will you be able to be sure that everybody is following the SCCA tuning rules ?

I'm more like taking a not tuned Miata from our own garage (since the Miata is not in the online recommended list :( ) and put sport soft tires on it...
 
I am interested.

I think there is not much to it; stock engine & ECU, Intake/header/ehaust mod, full suspension mod, LSD, chassis ridgitity mod, stock body, sport soft tires, stage 2 weight, clutch mod, flywheel mod, stock transmission. I think under SCCA rule different year can have different engine mod rule.

I don't think you can add a cage in GT5 and I wish there is no ballast system in the game to level the field out.
 
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Rocket Punch
I am interested.

I think there is not much to it; stock engine & ECU, Intake/header/ehaust mod, full suspension mod, LSD, chassis ridgitity mod, stock body, sport soft tires, stage 2 weight, clutch mod, flywheel mod, stock transmission. I think under SCCA rule different year can have different engine mod rule.

I don't think you can add a cage in GT5 and I wish there is ballast system in the game to level the field out.
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It's a bit less modification that that, actually. Intake only for certain cars, no header, lsd or flywheel mod allowed, etc. I'll figure everything out this weekend and get it all sorted. According to the SCCA rules, these cars are pretty much bone stock except for the suspension.
 
R1600Turbo
It's a bit less modification that that, actually. Intake only for certain cars, no header, lsd or flywheel mod allowed, etc. I'll figure everything out this weekend and get it all sorted. According to the SCCA rules, these cars are pretty much bone stock except for the suspension.
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You are probably right, I think for the newer cars they can't do much on the power side, but the older ones, you can do quite a bit. There might be something about cylinder over bore and compression also. I am pretty sure you can strip the interior and use a hard top. Obviously you will need a cage also.
 
Yeah, 1.6 cars are allowed to have a cone filter, but 1.8 cars have to use the factory air box, etc. No modifications allowed to the engine internals at all. I'll go through the rules tonight and spec out a 1.6 and 1.8 car and see how close they actually are, then we can try and regulate from there.
 
R1600Turbo
Yeah, 1.6 cars are allowed to have a cone filter, but 1.8 cars have to use the factory air box, etc. No modifications allowed to the engine internals at all. I'll go through the rules tonight and spec out a 1.6 and 1.8 car and see how close they actually are, then we can try and regulate from there.
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I forgot which miata is a premium car (I think the gen 1), or may be all of them? Whichever car have the cockpit view, I will use that one. :dopey:
 
Rocket Punch
I forgot which miata is a premium car (I think the gen 1), or may be all of them? Whichever car have the cockpit view, I will use that one. :dopey:
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It's the 1.6 car, so it'll probably get a few mods to even it out with the 1.8 cars.
 
When you create a room, private or public, you can choose a car by clicking on the garage button. This car will be the one everybody who enter the room have to race. If you take a car from your favorites, is this car will be the one the others will have to drive ?

Or do they have to take the same car from their garage ?

Hope my questions are clear enough...

I was like the host could take a tuned miata from his garage, like this everybody will race with the exact same car. And you could still do some suspension tuning (if authorized by the host)...
 
I'd like everyone to be able to use their own car, so we can have some variety. This series might be based on trust really. Trusting you not to cheat! ;)
 
I'd be in depending on the time. I have a '93 in my (real life) garage that I'd love to race one day but my wife would not allow it I'm sure.
 
I had a '91. I sold it the day I became a father. But I always said that one day, I will buy again a first gen Miata... :)

I had all kind of cars, even big american convertibles from the sixties. Miata is still the car number 1.
 
nurburgring
I'm waiting for the details to prepare my Miata... :)
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Working on it right now. Cars are currently within one second of a real spec miata around Laguna seca, and within half a second of each other. so this might just work ok.
 
i would be interested in this as well. Actually sounds fun after having just done the roadster endurance race without a lot of extra power.

The online races allow you to limit the horsepower, so whichever spec has the highest could easily be placed as the cap, it would help ensure things a little bit...

PSN is csisac.
 
You might be better off regulating it by requiring people to use the premium 1.6 miata with like mods. Those mods will be up to you, of course. I'd be interested in a spec series where you have money to spend.
For example:
Full chassis lightening/rigidity
Stg 1 Engine mod, ecu
Full Intake
Full Exhaust
Racing flywheel, twin disc clutch, drive shaft
5-speed short transmission
Fixed Sports suspension
Sports tires

Going by the rule book is pretty unnecessary since it's relatively easy to regulate the parts in the car. I haven't played online recently but if there's an hp/weight restriction that pretty much sets you up for making necessary restrictions to power by calculating how much horsepower the above mods give you on this car and keeping it at that coupled with the weight given after mods.

The only tough part are the transmission, driveline, and suspension modifications. I'm not sure if you have a way to regulate that online.

Edit:::
Now that I think about it you could seriously just have full race on everything except tires, power, and weight.
This'll give you the adjustability a person would like for setting the car up to their own tastes.
 
@ filphil89: If we don't follow the rule book, then its no longer spec miata...

After testing a 1990, 1995 and 2001 I have them all within a half second of each other. Haven't tested a 1999 cause it hasn't shown up in the used cars yet. Close enough?
 
R1600Turbo
@ filphil89: If we don't follow the rule book, then its no longer spec miata...

After testing a 1990, 1995 and 2001 I have them all within a half second of each other. Haven't tested a 1999 cause it hasn't shown up in the used cars yet. Close enough?
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Yes.
 
Spec simply means that the vehicles are of a particular configuration. I suggested this because of the inherent difficulties involved in regulating something like this aside from the honor system.

So what's the current ruling looking like at the moment that you have drawn up, in particular, for the restrictions in power on the 1.8 miatas. Depending on said restriction I might have to look for a new miata to buy. :)
 
Forgot to add the rule book from scca.com.

Eligibility: The 2006 - 2008 Mazda MX-5 is eligible for competition at 2600 lbs (w/driver).

Note: Ballast is permitted to be used to achieve the minimum weight for a vehicle. Ballast may be mounted anywhere in/on the car provided that it does not perform a non-approved function. All ballast shall be mounted in such a way that tools are required to remove it. Holes may be drilled in the chassis and the chassis may be reinforced in order to safely secure ballast provided that the reinforcement does not perform a non-approved function.

Approved Modifications

Engine Modifications: A Mazdaspeed cold air intake system is required. A turn at the end of the exhaust pipe may be used in order to meet decibel limits. Drivers are also allowed to substitute ignition wires and spark plugs, in addition to batteries - provided that the replacement battery is of similar amp-hour capacity, size and weight. Any clutch disc and pressure plate of stock diameter and weight may be used, provided that they are bolted directly to an unmodified stock flywheel.

Chassis Modifications: The 3-piece front strut tower brace (p/ns: NE57-56-48X, NE57-56-48ZA, and NE57-56-49X) that comes with the sport package shall be used.

Transmission/Final Drive Modifications: The stock OE 6-speed gearbox and ratios shall be used by all cars. The gearbox is a serviceable part.

Suspension/Steering Modifications: The MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development MX-5 Cup kit must be used in its entirety. Double adjustable, threaded shocks are included, as are anti-roll bars and end links. The end links may be disconnected when rain tires are being utilized, but under all other conditions must be correctly connected to the anti-roll bars and control arms as designed. Suspension alignments (camber, caster, and toe) are unrestricted within the limits of the unmodified factory adjustments. There is no minimum ride height.

Brake System Modifications: Brakes must maintain stock brake rotor specifications. Backing plates and dirt shields may be ventilated or removed. Lines may be replaced with steel lines, or Teflon-lined metal braided hose.

Wheels: All wheels shall be one of the three OE Mazda Miata 17”x7” wheels (p/n: 9965-38-7070, p/n: 9965-36-7070) or (p/n: 9965-45-7070). All wheels cost and weigh the same.

Tires: The series spec tire is the BFGoodrich g-Force R1 (size: 225/45/17).

Body Modifications: Convertible tops and all attaching hardware shall be completely removed. Hardtops are not permitted.

Safety Modifications: All MX-5 Cup cars will run with full saftey equipment, including an eight-point rollcage that must be welded into the car. Other safety equipment includes a racing seat, full-face helmet, head/neck restraint, multi-layer suit, fire resistant shoes, gloves and underwear, as well as an electrical shut-off switch and an incorporated fire-extinguishing system.
 
i'd like to have ago when the GT5 spec rules for this series are up that SCCA stuff confuses me lol
 
EnD22: Those are the rules for the mx-5 cup. Different class. The NC is not allowed in spec miata....yet. Since I have to use my phone for internet on the weekends, I'll have to post the rules etc on Monday.
 
In essence, it's a specific suspension set up, sway bars, tires, fully stripped interior with dash and cage, hard top, 15x7 wheels, 205mm tires, intake up to the throttle body, exhaust past catalytic converter with a minumum weight(I forgot the number), and a restrictor plate for 1.8 miatas. There's a little more to it but that's the gist of it.


For anyone who would like to see the rules for the 1.6 and 1.8 miatas

http://cms.scca.com/documents/Club Forms/2010 Tech Forms/sm-jan.pdf
 
filphil89
For anyone who would like to see the rules for the 1.6 and 1.8 miatas

http://cms.scca.com/documents/Club Forms/2010 Tech Forms/sm-jan.pdf
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This document will help us a lot about what we can modify on the cars. We just have to agree for the oncoming races (next week and week-end ?).

So this is the way I see it:

- To keep it simple and near the reality, I would tend to change the suspension with the better one that is not ajustable. The ajustable one seems to be way off the original Mazda ajustment. And it will be more drivers than cars that will make the difference on the track.

- Tires could be Sport soft (racing are too sticky and unrealistics in my mind).

- We could change the diff and put cone air filter style (1.6 liter only).

- If the car is bought used, we could be allowed to do everything to restore the body and the engine to their original specifications and performance, including oil change :)

For the weight, maybe the first reduction stage could be allowed.

Pressure plate and flywheel cant be modified. But clutch disk can be. But i dont remember if we can modify the flywheel only...

I'm maybe forgot something.

What do you think about that ?
 
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R1600Turbo
I'd like everyone to be able to use their own car, so we can have some variety. This series might be based on trust really. Trusting you not to cheat! ;)
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Concur. I think it is essential for people to use their own car, mainly because of settings.

I am getting excited.....:dopey:
 

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