88 replies to this topic

[Bench Racer]

I would buy a 99 if that no plate, low weight class was available.

 

What would it take to get that started?

AWESOME idea...

 

Driver, your in fat city. It's started and it's called SCCA E production, no plate @ 2075 pounds.      

[Jim Drago]

I posted mine in parity thread. Keep the parity stuff there please or I will have to delete

[Jim Drago]

Driver, your in fat city. It's started and it's called SCCA E production, no plate @ 2075 pounds.      

Sm with no plates and E production are not exactly what most would call  "similar"  

[Brendan O]

I said the idea is floating around...

 

Would you put probability of it happening before 2015 at < 50%? < 20%? <10%?

[Bench Racer]

I would buy a 99 if that no plate, low weight class was available.

 

What would it take to get that started?

AWESOME idea...

I understand the political affiliation emoticon.   

 

Please find the word "similar" in this ^ post. Implied I'm sure, but not stated.

 

There currently is a SCCA step ladder process for many cars to race at a lighter/faster speed.

 

Or is it required to have a special class for the front running Spec Miata few after you demote the 1.6 and 1.8 crowd.

 

If you wouldn't pick at every opportunity, I would have no reason to respond towards you. 

[Jim Drago]

Not picking.. clarifying.. The proposal. which this thread is about..  Was 99/05 SM in majors and runoffs.  

You said there is EP ?  I said EP is a far cry from a class ( whether you agree or not) of SM from 99/05 no plates. That was the point.

If I didn't pick at every opportunity, what would you have to do all day?  

 

 

Likelihood <15%

[wheel]

"Would you put probability of it happening before 2015 at < 50%? < 20%? <10%?"

 

0%

 

wheel

[Forrest Landy]

In 2015 the newest Miata you will be able to buy as a donor or a racer will be at least 10 years old, this to me is getting on in age if your trying to reforge a class. I feel as if the 2006+ is the elephant in the room, it cant really be ignored forever by SM racers. I think what is most likely to happen is SM will continue in its current form eventually dropping the 1.8 and 1.6 to the ranks of SM2 and SSM. SM will continue but slowly, slowly, slowly shrink over time and SM5 will grow inverse to this change. I do not think they will ever combine the two cars into  one SM group the 06+ is as others have said a radically different car and would not play well with the 99-05. I think the bottom line this proposal will evolve naturally over time anyways without intervention. 

 

Of course you could say this is ridiculous and note that Srfs from the 70s are still racing and competitive and as long as there are numbers the 90-97s are not going anywhere and neither is SM.

 

Either way I don't think the basis for the success this class was founded on one basic chassis (the miata). It's success was more from the support that Mazda provided and the dedicated community that built around it that made it work. As long as this community wants to keep racing and Mazda wants to see us racing their cars we'll have something fast, fun, safe, cheap and fair to race with. Of course all of this just my opinion.

[Rob Burgoon]

If SM slowly slowly shrinks and SM5 grows, THIS IS A GOOD THING.

[DrDomm]

Will there ever be enough (cheap) MX5's to be an entry spec class?  Or is it better for that car to focus on STL (clearly not spec).

 

Afterall, part of the allure of Spec Miata is that there are so many cars and so much competition.  The same goes for SRF.  While the MX5 may be a great spec car in SM5, if there aren't enough cars/parts...it may never get to the participation/competition level of SM.  I hope I'm wrong, but that's time impression others here have given me.

[Michael Novak]

Will there ever be enough (cheap) MX5's to be an entry spec class?  Or is it better for that car to focus on STL (clearly not spec).

 

Afterall, part of the allure of Spec Miata is that there are so many cars and so much competition.  The same goes for SRF.  While the MX5 may be a great spec car in SM5, if there aren't enough cars/parts...it may never get to the participation/competition level of SM.  I hope I'm wrong, but that's time impression others here have given me.

 

There are about 100,000 99-2005 NB cars out there and about 80,000+ NC cars.    So there should be plenty in the future---Many are autos though, but production wise the fine..

[LarryKing]

Many are autos though, but production wise the fine

 

I can't argue with that, mostly because I have no idea what Michael is saying.

[Michael Novak]

Sorry if I wasnt clear..  80,000 cars sold in the US from 2006 t0 2012 will provide enough cars to turn into race cars in good numbers.  There were 100,000 NB cars around, so the numbers look fine if you compare how many NB cars are racing now.  NB cars were mainly manual trans cars. I DO NOT have a accurate number of the 80,000 NC sold how many were manuals/autos---The world has been changing and manual cars are disappearing...     

[DrDomm]

There are about 100,000 99-2005 NB cars out there and about 80,000+ NC cars.    So there should be plenty in the future---Many are autos though, but production wise the fine..

 

Well, that's reassuring then.  Awesome.  I think SM5 will take off if we see commitment from all the big SM teams.

[Forrest Landy]

In regards to price. We bought our donors from insurance companies after the floods in New Jersey a couple of years ago, since we changed out the engine and stripped the interior out the fact they had water damage wasn't an issue. I believe then, on the insurance website, they were going from between 4-7 or maybe 8 if its a nice one( sort of guessing here). So I think they are there cheap if you want them and when the 2014 car comes out they are only going to get cheaper. The issue right now is if you ding the body work up as the fenders and other components are a little more expensive then they are with the Miata. 

[Rob Burgoon]

Is the quarterpanel replaceable? 

[Jim Drago]

Well, that's reassuring then.  Awesome.  I think SM5 will take off if we see commitment from all the big SM teams.

 

 

I am skeptical.. We are still now complaining about 1.6 v 99, obviously there are still plenty of 90 miatas to race now or that wouldnt be so. In 10 years there should still be plenty of 99 miatas. I think SM will stay healthy for awhile and the health of SM will slow the growth of SM5. Also, look up the parts prices on front and rear bumper covers and fenders on an SM5. It is much more expensive than a miata. 

Jim

[Sebastian Landy]

I still don't see anything that stops big SM teams committing or testing the waters.

[Jim Drago]

I still don't see anything that stops big SM teams committing or testing the waters.

 

Competition right now. Not much in SM5 and more than you can handle in SM 

[Sebastian Landy]

Competition right now. Not much in SM5 and more than you can handle in SM 

That's perfectly fine, increase competition by building some cars. Problem solved.