Anybody race or ever raced spec. miatas?.......
12-10-2008, 01:53 PM
#34
Race Director
.. An absolutely great car for becoming a better driver because they do not tolerate mistakes...one slight error and you'll easily lose .3 to .5 seconds. They're very frustrating because to run with the quickest guys you need to be PERFECT all the time....
...The cars handle and brake remarkably well, and they are generally so evenly matched that it comes down to your ability to be consistent and race well.
...The cars handle and brake remarkably well, and they are generally so evenly matched that it comes down to your ability to be consistent and race well.
The cool thing is that it forces you to race and think about how to pass rather tan just using speed. It can take 3-4 laps or even an entire race to set-up a pass and some times It can take 3/4 of a lap to make it stick.
Fun stuff...
12-10-2008, 01:59 PM
#35
THIS is what people don't understand when looking in from the outside. THIS is the cause of most of the major contact at the pointy end of the field. You simply can't afford to back off the throttle when the car in front of you gets a little out of shape or you'll give up 3 positions in a heartbeat...maybe more if you get left behind in the draft. I've watched cars go from 2nd to 12th in half a lap.
The racing is incredibly competitive. Yes, there are some guys with no regard for their car or anyone else's, but for the most part the people I run with do care and aren't idiots.I think Spec Miata is an absolutely great way to get into racing. From what I've seen, it'll be about $13K to get a decent, competitive car. Some people spend a lot more, others spend a lot less ($8K maybe) and then generally have to build up from there if they want to run mid-pack or higher. But $8K is a cheap way to start racing and learning if you're not at the point yet where you're worried about being ultra-competitve. And the cost to continue to run is, again, relatively cheap. $99/axle for rotors AND pads. $800 for a set of new Toyos. $125 for a replacement fender, painted. But beyond the cost factor, I think it's also a great way to become a better driver. As has been said, these cars are frustrating because they don't tolerate mistakes, they don't have monster torque to rescue you you if you over-brake or make a stupid pass attempt, and they're generally difficult to drive really well. At the same time, they're easy cars to drive in that they're very predicatable and controllable. So you never feel out of control; you just spend a lot of time getting annoyed because you feel like you're driving at the limit and people are still passing you
.Last but not least, for me at least there's a lot less stress involved in racing a Spec Miata than a GT3. I honestly didn't care if someone made contact with me in the Miata (and they did, the last race!). Instead of spending time worrying about "not hurting" my car, I spent all my time trying to become a better racer. It was a huge attitude difference, at least for me.
12-10-2008, 02:01 PM
#37
12-10-2008, 02:07 PM
#40
Platinum Dealership
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but- if you expect to win nationals with a spec car- you better be prepared to learn the political process of racing.
was that better?
12-10-2008, 02:09 PM
#41
Nordschleife Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
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See my avatar pic from Laguna last August. There's a growing contingent in the bay area of Spec Boxsters. The PCA will be hosting 2 races next year at Thunderhill and 1 at Buttonwillow and perhaps more. Additionally a local shop there built a few to rent out next year which sounds perfect for you. The Boxsters are 97-99's with stock 201 HP motor and trannies plus some suspension mods. They're a mid-engine platform that handles very neutral and are a blast to drive. What cup car?....
The point man for the series in Nor Cal is Bill Pickering. He can be reached at: wmhpickering@yahoo.com
Here's a link to the Spec Boxster Forums: http://www.boxsterspec.com/index.php?showforum=2
And the official site with rules & Regs: http://www.boxsterspecracing.org/hom...?location=home
The point man for the series in Nor Cal is Bill Pickering. He can be reached at: wmhpickering@yahoo.com
Here's a link to the Spec Boxster Forums: http://www.boxsterspec.com/index.php?showforum=2
And the official site with rules & Regs: http://www.boxsterspecracing.org/hom...?location=home
12-10-2008, 03:29 PM
#42
Three Wheelin'
[/QUOTE]An absolutely great car for becoming a better driver because they do not tolerate mistakes...one slight error and you'll easily lose .3 to .5 seconds. They're very frustrating because to run with the quickest guys you need to be PERFECT all the time.[QUOTE]
This pretty much describes the Spec Box to a T as well. You need to be very clean to turn fast times. No horsepower crutch.
(2700 Lbs./185> hp at the ground)
This pretty much describes the Spec Box to a T as well. You need to be very clean to turn fast times. No horsepower crutch.
(2700 Lbs./185> hp at the ground)
12-10-2008, 03:51 PM
#43
Drifting
Join Date: May 2003
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Spec Boxster: 2700 pounds / 200 hp = 13.4 pounds per hp
SM: 2400 pounds / 115 hp = 20.8 pounds per hp.
The Boxer isn't as bad as you think. It has a greater advantage in pounds per hp over a SM (7.4) than our 2550 pound, 380 hp M3 has over a Spec Boxster (13.4 - (2550/380) = 6.7).
12-10-2008, 04:04 PM
#45
Three Wheelin'
