Wow, a lot has happened in our community since the 2014 NASA Spec Miata Eastern Championship race! In this email I’ll address the latest controversies, how they will be addressed at this event, outline what is expected of you and what you can expect at this years Western Championship.
Most have run one of these big events so much of this will be familiar, but there are some important points and times in this email so please read it carefully.
For those who don't know me, I'm the SM National Director for NASA, I'm the jackwagon who works on the rules and parity of our wacky class. I’ll be your Series Director for the event in charge of car/class questions and technical inspections. I will not be racing at this event so my availability should be pretty good.
Contact info at the event:
• Cell & Txt: 818.439.7436 (best way to get me)
• Email: John@Weekend-Racer.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.mueller.167 (please tag me on your posts)
EVENT FORMAT:
• Thursday - Open testing (7:30am drivers meeting)
• Friday - Qualifying and Qualifying race #1 gridded by the morning qualifying
• Saturday – Warm-up & Qualifying Race #2 gridded by Friday's fastest lap in the Friday Qual race
• Sunday – Championship Race will be gridded by points from Qualifying Race #1 plus #2
ON-TRACK SCHEDULE: (SM is running in Group A)
https://nasa-assets....ps_schedule.pdf
MEETING SCHEDULE:
• MANDATORY Race Drivers Meeting will take place 6:30pm Thursday November 6th at the Driver’s Lounge.
• The entire class will meet as soon as the Race Drivers Mtg concludes, this as well is a mandatory meeting.
• NOTE: There will be an automatic penalty of being moved to last starting position for the first qualifying race for missing either of these meetings without giving prior notice to me. So, print this email off and keep it with you for my contact info in case you have travel delays.
RACE DIRECTOR:
We are very fortunate to have Tom Clayton as our race steward. Tom is an accomplished racer, he understands all issues from all angles, including in the SM world.
Tom will handle all issues and questions regarding on-track conduct and race results (not me). Tom will be conducting meetings at the event, I will be attendance giving reports from Tech. These meetings will be the key vehicle for distributing information to you, attendance will be mandatory unless you make other special arrangements with Tom or me.
Let's make Tom's job easy by making high percentage moves while on-track. If we collectively keep the red-mist at bay and make good decisions everyone will be able to drive your cars up on your trailers and remember this as an awesome time.
RANDOM ITEMS: (some are repeats, sorry)
I’m not going to go really far into what is expected from you guys because all of you should know already how to conduct yourselves on a race weekend.
• Event Regs (read them and check back often for updates): http://www.nasaproracing.com/nationals/Regs_West_Champs2014.pdf
• Parking Map & Traffic Plan: https://nasa-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/content/upload/4967/2014_Champs_Map_Combined_10-25-14.pdf
• SPEC FUEL: Use the 91 track fuel only.
• SM is great because we race really close and hard but good sportsmanship is a requirement throughout this entire event. If you stray from this there will be consequences ranging from grid penalties to expulsion from the event or worse. So, keep your cool, be reasonable with everyone and you’ll be okay. No BS will be tolerated.
• Be on time to meetings or designate a proxy to attend for you. If you can let me (txt) or our Race Director know if someone is standing in for you.
• Mind the flag stations and don’t pass under yellow, for if you do you’ll be DQed for that session.
• Say no to stupid dive-bomb passes! Reckless and dumb-low-percentage moves that result in body contact will be dealt with swiftly and you’re not gonna like what happens to you if you caused it. Read the CCR section on passing, know it and follow it. See section 25.4 of the NASA CCR (http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/ccr.pdf)
• If you have the ability to record video please do so every session. It may keep you from getting DQed when you did not pass under yellow (when indeed you didn't) or may exonerate you from an avoidable contact situation.
• Be on grid with at least 15 minutes early for our sessions and know your starting position. If you don’t where you start you may end-up starting DFL. This happened many times at the Easter Champs a few months ago, don’t fall victim. If you are Supersizing let me and both of your race directors know and we’ll work something out.
TECH:
Compression Testing: For this event and all future events NASA will be Whistle testing SM’s with the valve cover removed. If you’re held in impound at anytime during the event be sure you have a 10mm socket nearby to pop that valve cover off.
Short Turn Radius (STR): This one got messy. It is a common machining practice to slightly clean-up the edge at the STR after where the tool has cut the heads aluminum (deburring after plunge cut). Some machinists and engine builders have taken this standard practice too far and have smoothed the edge with intent on gaining a performance advantage. Initial testing shows an advantage from intentional smoothing to be around a 2hp gain.
As much as NASA would like to implement a way to make the STR a fully objective measurement the reality is it would open other doors for rules creep and acquiring one consistently from head-to-head is difficult. Due to time constraints the 2014 Western Champs will have a more inclusive allowance on this particular item and will institute the following for this event:
- There will be a moratorium on protests of the Plunge cut and the STR, they will not be accepted.
- If you‘re held in impound post the Championship race on Sunday be ready to remove your cylinder head and valves (after Whistle). If you cannot or do not remove the valves from your head you will be DQ’d.
All technical questions should be directed to me at this event, not the guys working in the tech area and not our race director.
- Don't monkey around with the rules, it's just not worth it. Please bring a clean car, earn your finishing position and have fun.
- If you are concerned about someone else not having a compliant car then read up on the protest process and move forward as you see fit. Refer to Section 17.5 of the NASA CCR (http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/ccr.pdf). I respectfully ask that you consider giving me a heads-up that such a thing is coming. With all the class has been through over the past few weeks I’d like to understand all the what’s and why’s before a protest moves forward.
- We will be sending cars to the Dyno - if you are sent you probably won't be allowed anywhere near your car during that process. And wont be able to know the results until a time when all will be given out. Don’t ask and tell your builder that goes for them too.
- Don't be surprised if at sometime your ECU is requested by tech.
- Don't be surprised if a NASA official puts a self contained Traqmate unit in your car. If it is tampered in anyway you'll be DQ'd from that session.
- If you are held in impound or sent to the tech bring tools. Cars will need to be put in the air and be ready for anything.
- If you finish in the top four or five for the Championship Race send some folks to go get A BUNCH TOOLS. This includes a way to remove valves from your cylinder head.
Please feel free to email a reply with any questions.
Have a fun and safe Championship!