7 replies to this topic

[Goodname4id]

I am a newbie that has been racing in Europe and am considering driving in Spec Miata next year.

I have only raced in right drive cars and will continue to race right drive cars in the future.

Are Right Drive cars legal to race in Spec Miata???

Does anyone currectly race a Right Drive car in the series???

Thanks,
Lee

[Danny Steyn]

Not sure about the legality (maybe somone else can post here), but I can tell you as someone that grew up driving right hand drive cars, that the switch from shifting with your left hand to shifting with your right hand is incredibly intuitive, and will happen very easily. It's not something to worry about at all. Just sit in the car and do it. Dont even have to think about it.

[davecarama]

I am almost certain that the rule over here is "US Spec cars and parts only". So no right hand drive cars.

[Marc Cefalo]

As an owner of a Eunos Roadster (rhd miata) that I drive on the street, I can tell you that the 2-3 upshift is much easier. BUT our rules require a US version with the steering wheel on the wrong side....not the right....

Just like Danny replied, only in reverse so to speak. it was very easy to drive sitting on the right while i have grown up driving on the left my whole life.

[Jerry Cabe]

The few times I've driven a right-hander in Europe, it does not come natural for me. I have to concentrate on my shift pattern and my coordination is off. But then I can't swing a baseball bat or golf clubs the opposite way with any coordination either.

[Goodname4id]

Thanks for the replies. Seems RHD not allowed.

I actually grew up in Missippi driving on the left side of the car and have only been driving on the right side of the car for the past few years.

I have only ever raced while sitting on the right side of the car, shifting with my left hand, and never missed a shift.

I will just try racing a left drive car and become an ambidextrius race car driver!!! I have also only raced mid engined cars so getting adjusted to a front engined car will be more difficult than the LHD system.

Cheers,
Lee

[DHois]

At least in a race prep'd car there is no armrest to rip off while trying a 2-3 shift!

[Bruce McNutt]

Hi Lee,

As a long time racer (and street driver) in Canada, I have had the opportunity to drive both L&R positions. Our Government allows us to import RHD cars from Japan & England once they reach 15 years old. Canada is full of RHD cars. I've had a couple of them including a CRX VT from Southhampton that I imported here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The biggest issue that I have had driving RHD cars on the street was trying to pass the car ahead of me as I would be in the driving position along the shoulder. This of course isn't an issue on the track. The other problem was going thru the drive-through windows. I found the transition very easy. Actually my shifting became much better and smoother as I paid more attention shifting the car. You will be fine with it.