Spec Miatas

  • Thread starter Thread starter Boz Mon
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Boz Mon

Boz Mon

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So, I have been racing karts for about 8 years now and it has been the most fun I have ever had. Today we went to a karting expo and there was a guy there with a spec Miata. I have been saying to the guys that I race with for awhile that we should all buy miatas and go racing in SCCA or something like that. Well today I realized how affordable this could actually be, it could probably be priced around the same as karting to be honest.

The car is pretty much a stock miata, gutted with some suspension work, and a cage. The guy I talked to said that there are even people who daily drive the cars and on the weekend just change the tires. I think this would be a great step up from karting but I need to find a way to finance this. Anyone actually do this that can give me some input? Or any opinions or comments are welcome.
 
All you would really need is a set of wheels and tires, and probably some safety equipment to meet regulations.

This is what sport compact car had to say when some guy wanted to buy a 350z for a track car with no prior track experience.

SCC
Here's your answer in three words: buy a Miata. -snip- The Miata is so inherently good as a track car that all you need is some streetable track tires, a pair of racing beat anti-roll bars, a hard dog roll bar and an oil change. A Miata in this trim has amazing grip, perfectly neutral handling balance that can withstand years of track flogging with no mechanical consequences. And the whole car will cost about as much as that set of Cosworth heads you want for that Z.
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I'd say the best thing to do for a cheap Miata tracker is to buy an early NA model, and just do as that little paragraph from SCC said.
 
TopHat
I'd say the best thing to do for a cheap Miata tracker is to buy an early NA model, and just do as that little paragraph from SCC said.
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Actually the "best" one would be a 94. This was when they started coming with some underbody reinforcement, an LSD ( I'm not sure if all of them did) I think a few other parts, but still the cheapest since it's the oldest model that cam with them.


Basically a Miata is cheap, and has great value for the money.

EDIT: And fun to drive. Go into a corner without any brake or throttle input, and you'll coast through it perfectly neutral. Step on the gas a little, slight understeer. Brake into a tight turn and the rear breaks out a bit. Just a blast to drive.
 
Boz Mon
The car is pretty much a stock miata, gutted with some suspension work, and a cage. The guy I talked to said that there are even people who daily drive the cars and on the weekend just change the tires. I think this would be a great step up from karting but I need to find a way to finance this. Anyone actually do this that can give me some input? Or any opinions or comments are welcome.
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There's a strong Mk1 MX-5/Miata/Eunos following for racing them in the UK too. It's a very cost effective way of going racing, with well prepared 2nd hand cars going for about £5k.

Do you have any sponsorship for your karting? - if so, perhaps contact them and see if they'd transfer their sponsorship to circuit racing?

If not, you could maybe try getting sponsorship from a local Mazda specialist or dealer.
 
Like TheCracker said, sponsorship. If you can't find anyone from Mazda willing to sponser you, then try local shops/stores. Maybe your employer might be willing to part with a few hundred dollars? Ask anyone and everyone as a last resort.

It'll make your Miata look like a proper race car, too :)
 
What exactly is allowed in that class, and is there a way to just go all-out crazy on the car within the rules?
 
Its a stock miata, gutted interior with a roll cage, and suspension work. No engine work, its a spec class.

As far as sponsors go, I have some hookups that I could look into. I may just save some $$$ this summer and buy a car in the fall, work on it over winter and race next year.
 
At every autox event I am at it seems Tire Rack sponsors just about anyone who races a lot, I would check with them to see what they can do for you. Even if it's 10% off of tires or free shipping it's better then nothing.
 

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