291 replies to this topic

[Jim Drago]

To all Spec Miata Competitors,
For the last several months, the SMAC team has been working diligently on further refining the Spec Miata restrictor plate and minimum weight specifications for each of the four key Miata groupings (‘89-‘93, ‘94-‘97, ‘99-‘00, ‘01-‘05). In doing so, highest priority was placed on reducing the large differences in weights between the cars, while also reducing the horsepower & torque differentials. The team believes that this strategy offers the greatest opportunity for achieving utmost parity for the wide range of tracks that the class races across the country.

The SMAC worked with John Mueller and Ryan Flaherty at NASA to get both bodies back on the same weight and plate rules, I think both organizations worked well together and put the needs of the class above all else. We are proud to announce both organizations will run the same weights and plates


The team relied on input from multiple sources of statistical data and drivers’ feedback from SCCA National & Regional, as well as NASA from a wide range of tracks from all regions. Furthermore, significant computer simulation work was performed, taking into account over 50 input factors including, but not limited to: full dyno runs from multiple dynos (not simply peak HP/Torque), weights, rev limiter points, differences in drag coefficients, weight affected rolling resistance, road grades (ie. hills), and much more.

While no scenario is perfect, it is clear that achieving parity for SM’s of all vintages is the best way to promote, grow and maintain the health the class for the future. The team strongly believes that the proposed weight and plate rules set will allow for the greatest opportunity for competitors in any vintage SM to compete for victories at any and all racetracks. As such, it is the intent of both the SMAC and CRB that these rules are implemented for 2012 and remain fixed for a period of three years, barring any unforeseen circumstances requiring major adjustment (ie. greater than 2mm plate or 50lbs). We are all looking forward to the most competitive racing ever in the 2012 season!


New restrictor plates will be available from SCCA enterprises on or before 12/15/11.


Sincerely,
Your Spec Miata Advisory Committee:
Mike Collins, Sam Henry, Dave McAnaney, Louis Thibaut, Dan Tiley

SCCA and NASA SM Restrictor Plates & Weights (Effective 1/1/2012)

Years Min. Weight Restrictor Plate
1990-93: 2300 None
1994-97 2350 45mm
1999-00 2400 38mm
2001-05 2400 40mm

[john mueller]

It was a pleasure to work with SMAC to get this done for the class. So, I give a huge personal thank you to Jim Drago, NASA & SMAC!

Last year NASA & I took a lot of heat for the decisions that were made AND we still had a great season of racing. We may not have been 100% perfect, but it demonstrated a different way of looking at parity. Moving forward, the 2012 plates & weights address areas in NASAs rules that I feel needed a tweak... The competition should be even closer now.

I can hardly wait for next season!

[Charlie Hayes]

Awesome. Thanks!

[Jim Boemler]

What numbers (hopefully both coefficients and areas) did you use for aero on the four groups?

[FTodaro]

Good job guys, Glad that I can put one set up on the car and not have to change it week after week. I too am excited about next year to see if this puts the 99 back in the mix. I am sure that you will find some who are not happy with either the giving or taking away but I applaud your efforts to work out a fair compromise on parity and to make the rules between the organizations the same.

This should give us something to talk about for awhile.

[Keith Andrews]

So the SCCA change from 2011 to 2012 is:

SCCA SM Restrictor Plates & Weights (Effective 1/1/2012)

Years Min. Weight Restrictor Plate
1990-93: 2300 None Change from 2011...........+25lbs.
1994-97 2350 45mm Change from 2011..........-2mm and -15lbs
1999-00 2400 38mm Change from 2011..........-3mm and -50lbs
2001-05 2400 40mm Change from 2011..........-3mm and -50lbs

[john mueller]

The NASA change from 2011 to 2012 is:

SCCA and NASA SM Restrictor Plates & Weights (Effective 1/1/2012)

Yrs: MinWeight / RP Change from 2011 NASA
90-93: 2300 / None .............. +15lbs.
94-97: 2350 / 45mm ............. +10lbs
99-00: 2400 / 38mm ............. +1mm & +10lbs
01-05: 2400 / 40mm ............. -1mm & +10lbs

[Keith Andrews]

Sorry about that John, I had tunnel vision. I was thinking this is going to be a bigger deal for those that didn't run with NASA last year.

[Lee Tilton]

Bravo guys!

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Very unfair right before the holliday season! 1.6ers can go back for seconds and possibly thirds while the rest of the guys run on the treadmill for hours with a drum stick hanging there just out of our reach! Merry Christmas Mueller you Grinch

That's what I call parity!

[dtfastbear]

I'm very very happy to see that two organizations back in sync. Being from a region where we have active NASA and SCCA racing, it gives the racers easy options for where and when they want to race.

Nice work, guys!

Cheers,

Dean

[Adam Molaver]

great news John / Jim. Very glad to see standardized weights and plates between the two organizations! Thanks for all your efforts to come together and produce a unified ruleset!

ahm

[Todd Green]

The NASA change from 2011 to 2012 is:

SCCA and NASA SM Restrictor Plates & Weights (Effective 1/1/2012)

Yrs: MinWeight / RP Change from 2011 NASA
90-93: 2300 / None .............. +10lbs.

The 1.6 is listed as 2285.00 in http://www.nasaprora...miata_rules.pdf
That'd be +15 lbs unless I'm missing something?

Which means I'll have something close to 100 lbs of ballast. So the SM rules say:

ï‚· Ballast must be made of solid metal, and must be installed securely.
ï‚· All pieces of ballast must be bolted within the passenger compartment, through the floor pan on
the passenger side of the cockpit.

But the general CCR says that you need 1 bolt per 10 lbs. So would we really need 10 bolts? Seems a bit excessive. I currently have my ballast bolted using the factory seat mount holes, is this acceptable in NASA? (It'd only be 4xM12 bolts IIRC, but I may be confusing their diameter with the wheel studs.)

[john mueller]

The 1.6 is listed as 2285.00 in http://www.nasaprora...miata_rules.pdf
That'd be +15 lbs unless I'm missing something?

Yes, thanks for the catch... Corrected now.

[john mueller]

Very unfair right before the holliday season! 1.6ers can go back for seconds and possibly thirds while the rest of the guys run on the treadmill for hours with a drum stick hanging there just out of our reach! Merry Christmas Mueller you Grinch

That's what I call parity!

HAHAHAHAHAHA !!! You always get me laughing Kyle.

[Rob Burgoon]

Let's remember that it wasn't just a little flak that NASA took for this last year, it was a metic f* ton of whining.

Also, as nice as it is to have the two groups synced up, these weights WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED without NASA taking the initiative to test the water and do the R&D while SCCA got to sit and watch NASA get screamed at by a bunch of butthurt 99 drivers.

So thank your local NASA region and its racers for being the guinea pigs and doing the work to get the weights closer.

Edit: Especially the NASA 99 guys that stuck it out despite the screams

[William Keeling]

hail hail the king, long live the king.

RIP 1.6.

[Speedycrw]

Excellent Job both Jim and John!

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Great portrait Mueller

[Alex Bolanos]

2 weeks to tune the cars for nationals...

Guess I'll be fabbing some plates up soon! Great job getting the rules realigned guys, this is going to help NASA FL a good bit.