136 replies to this topic

[Steve Scheifler]

Mazda's letter was interesting and positive but there has been very little reaction to it. So just how much weight should their opinion carry when writing the rules?

[Mike Collins]

Voted...

[mellen]

voted, and also surprised by the muted responses

[Bench Racer]

voted, and also surprised by the muted responses

Why, we'll have a bigger fox in the hen house.

 

Should Mazda be directly involved in defining Spec Miata rules?

 

1. Yes, but only by providing the detailed Mazda head manufacturing process information.
2. No, their motives may be pure but this is best left up to the members of the class, the SMAC and CRB.
3. I'm not sure I know enough about it to vote with confidence

 

[Caveman-kwebb99]

what does mazda motorsports know about machining a cylinder head?  do they build sm engines even?  You would have to speak japanese and get their engineering department in on this especially on their professional racing side and im sure they have nothing better to do then worry about the world of SM...

 

Dont get me wrong they are very nice people to deal with when I buy my parts most helpful as a matter of fact, but I personally dont feel they have the expertise on this one to weigh in.

  just my.02

[FTodaro]

I think we are all extremely grateful to have such support and sponsorship from Mazda, they truly make a BIG difference in the success of the class. They do a wonderful job at it and are heads and shoulders above anyone one else in my opinion. They certainly have earned a seat at the table, and our respect. Having said that, i am not sure to what extent, It is kind of like Hoosier wanting to come in and write the tire rules. I think we should pay attention to whatever their opinions are but they do stand benefit from it all, so If it were me I would participate in any way that i was asked to but not force the situation.

 

But what do i know.

[Glenn]

what does mazda motorsports know about machining a cylinder head?  do they build sm engines even?  You would have to speak japanese and get their engineering department in on this especially on their professional racing side and im sure they have nothing better to do then worry about the world of SM...

 

Dont get me wrong they are very nice people to deal with when I buy my parts most helpful as a matter of fact, but I personally dont feel they have the expertise on this one to weigh in.

  just my.02

I think you GROSSLY underestimate what they know and how much they care about our class.....

[GROOTS]

Voted !

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I think you GROSSLY underestimate what they know and how much they care about our class.....

 

I do not question in the slightest that they care about our class, I know they do and it is in the best interest to.  

 

My point was and is they do not build SM engines and to my knowledge never have built SM engines, we all know they deliver stock engines via mazda motorsports to people in our class that wish to buy them.

 

we have umpteen engine builders all using their own processes to build what is now concidered a pro built motor all built the absolute best specs available in every measures engine part essentually all perfect mazda motors now rather then a mass produced mazda engine that came from the factory with fairly large tollerances of what was acceptable.

[Johnny D]

I do not question in the slightest that they care about our class, I know they do and it is in the best interest to.  

 

My point was and is they do not build SM engines and to my knowledge never have built SM engines, we all know they deliver stock engines via mazda motorsports to people in our class that wish to buy them.

 

we have umpteen engine builders all using their own processes to build what is now concidered a pro built motor all built the absolute best specs available in every measures engine part essentually all perfect mazda motors now rather then a mass produced mazda engine that came from the factory with fairly large tollerances of what was acceptable.

 

So this guy doesn't know a guy that could help do oversight ??

JOHN DOONAN

 

Doonan, John

As director of motorsports for Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), John Doonan develops the overall strategy and manages Mazda’s motorsport programs in North America. Programs include, the American Le Mans Series, GrandAm GT/ST Programs, SKYACTIV-DIESEL Racing Engine program, World Challenge Touring Car, Mazda MX-5 Cup, Mazda Road to Indy, the Mazda Motorsports Driver Career Development Ladder, Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda.

 

Doonan joined Mazda in 2003 as the regional advertising manager in the Midwest region. In 2005 Doonan became manager, motorsports and team development and in 2011 was promoted to director of motorsports.

 

Doonan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Augustana College and an MBA from Western Illinois University. Doonan lives with his wife and three children in Plainfield, IL.

 

(144 KB)

 

http://www.mazdausam...1623&item=30656

 

J~

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I'm sure he knows someone.  where did I say he didnt know anyone?

 

SCCA brass know people also do they not?  maybe even the same people?

 

The letter sent was PR from scca IMO.  

 

I bet Mueller knows people also... Think he didnt turn over quite a few rocks before he put out the response to this?  

 

Involving Mazda was a great PR move by SCCA!  it will also drag this process out IMO and most likely will not change what will transpire in the long term ruling on this.

 

Its My opinion we are all entitled to our own.  

[Johnny D]

Just a FYI.

 

There was the comment of "Fox in the hen house"

J~

[Caveman-kwebb99]

its just reality of life that the fox is always guarding the hen house.  typically only people with skin in the game are willing to give up their time to work toward the overall health of any group.  

 

Maybe Jimmy Carter can be called upon to lead a rag tag bunch to re write the rules that were already laid long ago by our forefoxes...

[Johnny D]

Did Mazda just get a Black eye from this publicity, IDK?

 

Is it worth them to maybe check how good Tech is and show concern to SCCA if it not up to snuff ? IDK.

Just saying.

J~

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Did Mazda just get a Black eye from this publicity, IDK?

 

Is it worth them to maybe check how good Tech is and show concern to SCCA if it not up to snuff ? IDK.

Just saying.

J~

 

Ok Johnny Im sure you have it right, I am all for have Mazda supply tech advisors in the shed at any events.  will that happen IDK but probably NO.  Did they get a black eye IDK maybe its like when your 18 year old son gets a speeding ticket in town...

 

We ahve taken countless poles on this site over the years, we still dont have adequate tech at most events I attend, even though most want more.  

 

its ok if you beleive mazda will straighten this all out, I hope they do but in the mean time we might want to use ** for any in class winner as nobody knows what the hell they should do in regards to racing or not at this time

 

I aplaud Mueller for making that purfectly crystal clear for the Mazda West Camps. A real Champ will be crowned at this event and thats why we race! 

[Johnny D]

I'm just saying Mazda is focused and concerned about the class and appears willing to help.

 

Now's the time to bring up all the short comings of the class if possible and see if some could get fixed, if for just a short while.

IMO,

 

Now if tech is supposed to be like that, as part of the games we play, that's a differnet story.

J~

[RazerX]

I would like to see Mazda as an advisor that a commitee or sanctioning body can reach out to when they want or need information or perspective.  But I would not give them a seat at the table or voting authority.  

 

They have their own agenda and while the current people at Mazda may have the highest integrity their replacements may not.  By way of example rumors have gone around that Mazda would like so see the NAs fade out have more modern Miata's run, now that a 4 generation is about to be released where does that put the NB.  

 

A long time ago, I ran in the IJSBA Budweiser World Tour for jetski racing.  We were televised and the sport was growing.  The manufactures had controlling interest in the IJSBA.  So this was when the standup Jetskis were popular.  So the sitdown jetskis came out and were easier for many to ride and opened up the market and profits began to soar.  So the IJSBA flipped the World Tour so that 80% of the races were sit downs and the marquee races.  Well they[sit down jetskis were boring to watch, less skill, no endurance, and lack of babbles meant that the holeshot person unless he messed up won.  You can't draft in Jetski racing, it is a hydro-dynamic principal.  So instead of understanding that the stand-ups were exciting and a bit of 'halo' version of watercraft they essentially killed them.  Within 2 years Bud dropped the series, TV stopped covering it, and sales plummeted a few years after that.  

 

Hence my viewpoint that I would love to leverage Mazda's resources and knowledge but not give them a seat. 

[MPR22]

Mazda has been more committed to this class than just about any of the participants.  Without their continued support the class would cease to exist or at a minimum be a shadow of its current glory.  

 

Make no mistake Spec Miata is a jewel for both the SCCA and Mazda.  Mazda benefits from their $$$ spent on both pro and amateur racing, if they didn't they wouldn't spend the money.  Don't think for a minute if they feel their investment in SM  is in jeopardy that they will sit idly by.  And for all you guys that want this class to quit evolving and be a 1.6 only class, how does that benefit the main sponsor of the class.  SM5 integrated into SM or SM5 alone is the future of the class.  Corporate America is just as responsible for the growth of SM as the participants.  Don't believe me then go buy an oil pump or oil cooler at retail.  Wouldn't happen.  DD would say, "that's great then we all have to buy junk yard engines and the costs go down."  What a great class that would be, mismatched engines that make 105 HP because they are all used up.  Can't re-ring or bearing the things because Mazda stopped supporting the series and selling the rings and bearings............  DD would say, that's great now we can use aftermarket parts which are cheaper."  And the not so spec class just became less spec.  Pretty soon we are back were the class was in the beginning, non spec'd parts, an arms race to put in cheated up parts inside, to find the cheaters you have to tear down engines or just take your lumps.   

 

but I digress.  

 

Mazda has earned a seat at the table and should help keep the class moving into the future.  

[Tyson Schwiesow]

I was surprised when we didn't hear sooner from Mazda, and in fact think that not only would their opinion be appreciated, but it should be respected.  I'm sure this is being discussed thoroughly on the marketing side and will, would, should be brought as high as is appropriate up the executive chain.  No fun to spend marketing dollars and have something like this happen. 

 

It seems they are handling it in a very professional manner.  I enjoy racing and promoting their products.  As soon as they come out with an updated CX-9 I will be buying one. Good chance I'll also buy one of the new miatas.

 

A good example of how important this is to them. 

 

http://www.autos.ca/...rk-auto-show/3/

[Bench Racer]

Mr. Ross, if your referencing me find your facts and post them or take a deep breath and give it a rest. Fact less post filler is just that.