32 replies to this topic

[Jim Boemler]

If it's not a tube frame car, I just can't find that much weight savings -- show me. But if tube frame Miatas are already in the class, then the stripped-production cars have to compete with them, which is gonna make somebody very unhappy. The whole thing seems ill-conceived. But hey, if they make the rule, so what? I don't see anybody going there.

[Rob Burgoon]

If it's not a tube frame car, I just can't find that much weight savings -- show me. But if tube frame Miatas are already in the class, then the stripped-production cars have to compete with them, which is gonna make somebody very unhappy. The whole thing seems ill-conceived. But hey, if they make the rule, so what? I don't see anybody going there.

Yep. Let them make the rule, then charge in with SM cars and raid their prize money until people build proper GTL cars.

[Jim Boemler]

Well, they wouldn't be SM cars anymore -- no double dipping would be possible.

Right here, right now -- is there anybody here who would build a car for GTL?

[Glenn]

Seems like they should be trying to idenify the next fun car that could turn into Spec Miata or E30. Escorts? Mitsubishies? Celicas? GTIs? Soemthing a little differnt for people who want more (power? room? FWD? Not having to explain to women why a Miata is a great race car?)...

SM-5!

[LarryKing]

Or for about the same money as a bells and whistles SM you could go GTA racing. Now that's a manly ride.

[Glenn]

Or for about the same money as a bells and whistles SM you could go GTA racing. Now that's a manly ride.

Turming $$$ into noise!

[LarryKing]

Music to my ears.

[Jim Drago]

You can go racing for the same money as Sm in a lot of classes, you can't win and in most cases won't have a race, but sure you can do it
Then you could take the same arguments about what is wrong with this new class from all your experience in pointing it out in your old class.

[davew]

Here is what I have sitting on Jack stands

1.6 Miata with 1.8 engine, Megasquirt ECU
Header with Sd exhaust
My standard Miata roll cage
SM suspension
Stock control arms with aftermarket bushings
plastic dash cover only, Autometer gauges
heavily gutted doors
gutted trunk lid
fiberglass hood with built in fake headlite doors, still tooo heavy for my liking. but it was cheap.
gutted bumper supports
custom wire harness by Dave
Stock fenders, 1/4s and bumpers
Lexan front and rear windows, fiberglass aftermarket roof.
with driver 2100 pounds

This was supposed to be a play toy, engineering mule for some other projects.

Local guys know that Voytek has been running FP races this year. We are converting this car into an FP and plan on running it at the runoffs.

Cage suspension, safety, etc costs the same as a SM Engine, header ECU etc will end up being about $12k (figure $6k for a SM)

There is a bunch of extra labor. Building a wire harness, gutting the excess weight from everything you can. But this is all stuff that anyone capable of building a SM in their garage can do themself.

Us SMers love racing door to door. Not having to tinker with the car is a positive.Finishing 12th in a 30 car field is an accomplishment. Having a top speed at the fatsest track of 130mph is enough. But there are a lot of people who want to drive faster cars, who are not there for the thrill of "almost crashing" every corner. Who like to tinker! This not an attack on SM, not a ploy to drag down SM numbers. It is "OFFERING" an option to some competitors to do something different. It would be adding a line in the rule book, not a new class.

I am all for it.
Dave

[MPR22]

One thing i have noticed in my short time racing, some people like to work on their cars as much or more than they like wheel to wheel racing. Not my cup of tea but more power to them.

[LarryKing]

Here is what I have sitting on Jack stands

Pics?

[DrDomm]

I think it would be awesome to have a "GT" car...I know how I would paint it.

But, GT3, GTL, STU, STL, ITS, ITR, EP, FP, SM5....too many classes. I think the energy should be focused on ST. Try to incorporate as many cars into that set of classes, and get rid of the others.

[xczach]

If they're going to do a spec GT option, it should be something other than a Mazda. Maybe Honda or Nissan could come up with something that would be competitive with the tube frame cars.