14 replies to this topic

[smbstyle]

Well after recently attending the Bondurant 3 day grand prix school, I am now determined to get into wheel to wheel instead of just DEs. The only problem is... I'm not sure what route I should go with my current Miata, if I should change it around to fit into a specific class, or just sell it and buy an already sorted SM/IT car.

It is a 1990 w/ a 6 point cage, koni shocks/FM springs, a 1999 1.8L motor, 02 sport brakes, and a few other things here and there. To get into SM, it will need all new suspension (coilovers, swaybars), I will need to change the brakes back to the 1990, and unless I am mistaken, I cannot run a 1999 1.8L motor in the 1990 chasis. I will also need to add a few things like doorbars on each side, rear tray, and a few other misc. items to get it to meet the GCR for either NASA or SCCA.

With NASA, I could probably run PTE with the current setup, but apparently there isnt much action in PT in Florida. Is there an equivalent class in SCCA where I can run a motor swap'ed Miata where I'd be somewhat competitive, or have a chance in hell at keeping up?

Any advice would be appreciated, as I am not sure what to do at this juncture... sell the car and buy a SM car or some other IT car where there is some competition.

Thanks everyone,

-Scott

[Cnj]

Sell the car, buy a built SM. You will lose time and much money trying to modify it to SM. If you lke to build cars, still sell the car and buy a donor and build it to SM from the ground (but this is more expensive than buying a build SM).

Cnj

[Tom Hampton]

Sell the car, buy a built SM. You will lose time and much money trying to modify it to SM. If you lke to build cars, still sell the car and buy a donor and build it to SM from the ground (but this is more expensive than buying a build SM).

Cnj

+1

[trey]

If your attached to your car , you can run 99 motor in a 90 chassis in SCCA STL

If your not attached to it , sell it and buy a lightly used SM

[smbstyle]

If your attached to your car , you can run 99 motor in a 90 chassis in SCCA STL

If your not attached to it , sell it and buy a lightly used SM

Hm, I like that idea... sounds like it may be cheaper than selling mine and buying an SM, at least to get my feet wet with wheel to wheel. Plus, I think I overpaid for my car, and I dont think I could get what I would want for it ($6,500).

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

You want to race in the SM class. That's where the competition is, and that is why we are all racing these cars. Bite the bullet now, sell the car and try not to rethink decisions you already made. JMHO

[smbstyle]

You want to race in the SM class. That's where the competition is, and that is why we are all racing these cars. Bite the bullet now, sell the car and try not to rethink decisions you already made. JMHO

Yeah, looking at the number of entries in the NASA and SCCA SM classes down here in FL, there is plenty of competition.

The one thing though is the huge difference in prices between cars; anywhere from $7k for a stock motor spec miata to a $32k championship winning car, do you really need THAST much coin to be competitive? I'm hoping to spend in the $10k area and have something that is capable of being mid-pack.

[Alberto]

+1

+2

[James York]

Sell the car, buy a built SM. You will lose time and much money trying to modify it to SM. If you lke to build cars, still sell the car and buy a donor and build it to SM from the ground (but this is more expensive than buying a build SM).

Cnj

Exactly. Go for a lower end, but safe and reliable SM. No need to go for the upper rung until you find out if you really do like running nose to tail, wheel to wheel for 40 minutes with groups of 30-40 crazy miata drivers. If it's for you, you can upgrade after you get some time under your belt. Seat time is way more important than having a top flight car in the beginning.

[trimless]

Sell the car, buy a built SM. You will lose time and much money trying to modify it to SM. If you lke to build cars, still sell the car and buy a donor and build it to SM from the ground (but this is more expensive than buying a build SM).

Cnj

+3.
And $10K will buy a well build SM that will be competitive at the level you are looking for. In fact, that money will buy a nice 1.6! The most important factor to search for in any car is the cage.

[pitbull113]

You already have a car.Run the car in STL plenty of competition in that class and run group. If you decide you want to keep running wheel to wheel then decide what class to run and what to buy/build. Alot of guys have bought cars and sunk alot of cash to race only to find out 1 or 2 years down the road it's not for them.

[wheel]

STL is going to be one of the top classes in SCCA in the near future. A Miata built to the rules will be a very good car. Read the rules and see what can and cannot be done.
wheel

[tLinder]

You already have a car.Run the car in STL plenty of competition in that class and run group. If you decide you want to keep running wheel to wheel then decide what class to run and what to buy/build. Alot of guys have bought cars and sunk alot of cash to race only to find out 1 or 2 years down the road it's not for them.

+1
While racing a Miata is on the low end in terms of cost, time involved, etc., it's significantly more of an investment than DEs, so unless you have deep pockets and unlimited to time to spare, testing the waters in STL isn't bad advice.

That being said... the SM crowd is suberb. I wouldn't be able to make it if wasn't for the advice, guidance and generosity of my fellow Texans SM'ers.

[smbstyle]

I did a bunch of checking today, and it looks like I will need the following to meet the GCR safety rules for both NASA and SCCA:

Add doorbars, seatback brace, fire extinguisher, HD rollbar padding, master cut-off switch, window nets, a transponder, and a fire suit for myself. I figure about $1,500 - $2,000 for all of that, just so I can run wheel to wheel, which isn't bad.

Right now, the car "fits" into STL, although isnt built to the top of the specs. I've got some room for more suspension modifications, aero, and some engine work. I'll focus on getting the car to meet the safety standards first, work on my driving and getting my feet wet with wheel to wheel, then as I go, add on more modifications.

[pitbull113]

I did a bunch of checking today, and it looks like I will need the following to meet the GCR safety rules for both NASA and SCCA:

Add doorbars, seatback brace, fire extinguisher, HD rollbar padding, master cut-off switch, window nets, a transponder, and a fire suit for myself. I figure about $1,500 - $2,000 for all of that, just so I can run wheel to wheel, which isn't bad.

Right now, the car "fits" into STL, although isnt built to the top of the specs. I've got some room for more suspension modifications, aero, and some engine work. I'll focus on getting the car to meet the safety standards first, work on my driving and getting my feet wet with wheel to wheel, then as I go, add on more modifications.

sounds like a plan