dstevens, you miss my point. I was responding to the comments about "the masses" and such. They understandably advertise to people involved in racing or in that very small niche (compared to NASCRAP) of road racing enthusiasts. More of a contstant reminder of what we already know rather than to reach a broad audience. If I ask 10 random people in the office which import car maker is most involved in road racing the first response from at least 9 will be "what's that?".
As for their expertise, I think you grossly over estimate what is required here. Say what you will about the rules, people almost always know when they are breaking them. People are the biggest problem, not the rules, and at this amateur level it is impractical to enforce whatever rules they or anyone can dream up because there isn't the time, money, will or expertise for constant invasive tech. You may be able to fix a couple of those, but not all of them, and I for one don't much care what happens at the Runoffs or even the "Majors" when it is a free-for-all the rest of the season.
I get your point. I just don't think it's well reasoned position. Mazda invests non trivial amounts in motorsport marketing and while your opinion discounts it, I don't see that as holding up to what is actually happening. Asking your coworkers if they know about it is a strawman argument and doesn't change the fact that Mazda invests in promotion that highlights club racing. Those same people probably couldn't tell you that Hinchcliffe changed teams or Verstapen was going to STR because that's not what they are into. What they know or don't know has no bearing on Mazda's efforts to promote itself through racing. Mazda uses other campaigns to advertise to those that aren't racing fans in that way.
To say there can't be invasive tech is a cop out. Every weekend during race season even the smallest short tracks pop the tops off of motors and take parts out, clutches, rear ends, etc. When I was running hobby stocks we almost alway had to show carbs and cams, sometimes more internals as well as suspensions. In the bigger dollar classes it wasn't uncommon to have a teardown to a short block if they though it warranted. In short course off road it's much the same with a bigger emphasis on suspensions. I can be done. The SCCA just isn't doing it.
I see the issue as more organizational than people. For the most part the situation with the SCCA are club volunteers that have little to no experience doing this but they seem well meaning and have a genuine desire to help. Some do have experience but others from what I've seen have the best intentions but when something that has actual experience though has a commerical position get involved then people start crying impropriety. Then some of those same people claim that other are cheating and there is no tech. They can't have it both ways. There is a lot of money in Spec Miata racing. Not perhaps as a profit center for most businesses but the participants spend a lot of money to participate. They shouldn't have to spend money to get the sanction to enforce the rules.
Like it or not, SM is pro level racing in terms of budgets and commitments to run at the top level. One can get a $10-15k car and race and have fun, but that ship sailed in the pointy end years ago. The NAs have been taken out by the market and really aren't part of that mix anymore. There is a place for the "everyman" but it's no longer the "everyman's class" and hasn't been for a while. For regional races only it's a different matter but for nationals and the Runoffs the SCCA needs to step up and enforce the rules in this manner but the governing structure of the SCCA is hindered by archane protocol and procedure that it's difficult to get anything effiecently done. Case in point is the NASA response. Quick, simple, effective. Even with the best intentions that is not what the SCCA has been. There isn't a technology problem, it's a structural management problem.