7 replies to this topic

[nick]

Hello i just got a 1999 miata and im interested in racing spec miata. Im just not sure how to get started. I know i need a roll cage and a helmet. So if you could just tell me what the first step to actually racing is, it will really help. PS i live in portland oregon if that matters.
thanks
!

[Keith Novak]

Nick,
Unless you want to get started within the next month, come over to PIR some time the weekend of March 11-13. It's the annual drivers school and 1st race for SCCA. There will be lots of friendly helpful people there, cars to look at or sit in (not many 99s though), you can see what sort of gear we use, stuff we bring (the range between drive the car to the track and tow the garage behind a land yacht), etc. It's a really friendly group, and people can get you pointed in the right direction quite a bit quicker than trying to type it all up here. Probably can't think of everything to tell you all at once and you won't have all the answers yet, but you can sure make some contacts that can make the process less confusing. I had a heck of a time trying to figure out lots of things.

There will often be a couple clusters of SMs and a few scattered around. Best bet would probably be poking around areas where there are a cluster of them. I'm in the red and silver #88 and I'm pretty approachable as is everyone in the general area.

[Lance Snyder]

Nick, welcome to the party. Coast to coast SMers for the most part are a great group of guys. Keith gives some good advice, goto a race and look around. You will need more then just a cage and helmet, HANS would be very good along with the a good firesuit, tools, parts, etc.

[Dudley]

kieth is correct. come out an see us. i am with the red/white/blue number 01 miata. looking foreward to meeting you.
ps
we are having our yearly spec miata party at ken sutherlands the 26th of this month. it is listed on this site. you may lite to attend and meet some of the miata group at that time.

[Randy Thieme]

Check the topic under this forum for the SM party thread. Send Ken SM94 a private msg to RSVP and get directions.

[Terrell Garrett]

Bring a good attitude and be ready to accept help because it will be given freely. Also, don't forget to give up your play budget and then some. It is well worth it. With this group you can choose to just have fun, to go really fast and get very serious, or to do both. I have not found a rotten one amongst them, that is except maybe the author of this reply (Keith will say that because we have a great friendly rivalry going in which neither of us seems to get a conclusive lead). Come and enjoy.

[Team Cochran]

Hello Nick,

First to be able to drive in a race you will need to attend two racing schools with at least one being an SCCA school and get a novice license (assuming you have no previous race experience). Like mentioned above the Oregon region school is being held early next month. Unfortunately, Oregon SCCA only holds one per year. Cascade holds several per year here in Portland. I'm an instructor for both SCCA and Cascade. Also, have been racing in SM for 8 years. Feel free to contact me at geoff_cochran at hotmail.com and we can talk more. You will also need to be an SCCA member. There is a lot of info on their website too about how to get started, requirements to get a license, SM rules, etc.... check it out here: http://www.scca.com/home.aspx

It can be a bit over whelming taking on getting your novice license and trying to build a car that is raceworthy and SCCA legal. A suggestion might be to rent a race ready car, attend the March school to get that out of the way and see how much you like it. From there you would have a good idea where to go next.

[TheFence]

When your ready to have a cage installed, give me a call or come on down. I have a finished car sitting here you can look at.

PROFAB Racecars
Spence Gatrell13793 Ehlen Rd Ne
Aurora, OR 97002

503-678-2948 shop
503-932-6239 cell