29 replies to this topic

[nessus]

Hi everyone,

 

I have recently purchased a 92 5-speed miata. The plan is to slowly build it up to be a spec miata so I can race competively, but along the way I want to take the car to more track day events to bring up my racing experience.

 

Konwing the goal I have decided to keep the car as close to spec as possible, except for the time being, I want to use regular street legal tires first before moving on to slicks.

 

The spec miata wheel I have picked out is Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 25mm offset. This seems to be the popular wheels pop up in almost all wheel related posts. Another one is D-Force, which seems be to out of stock everywhere.

 

The idea is to keep these wheels later for Hoosier spec miata tires. But for my current track day usage, can anyone recommand a set of rubbers that I can use? Perferrable street drivable, I would like to drive my miata to work as long as I possibly can. Love the car!

 

 

[Bench Racer]

Hi everyone,
 I have recently purchased a 92 5-speed miata. The plan is to slowly build it up to be a spec miata so I can race competively,

I do not know what you mean when you say, race competively. If you were to look at the cars entered for SCCA events you will find that the cars at the pointy end are overall no longer pre 1997 models.
Other than that, welcome to the Spec Miata racing world.

David Dewhurst

[Johnny D]

Do you have to pop his bubble on the 2nd post, Dave?

 

NA's are competitive on the West coast, regionally.

 

Maybe take a look at the Toyo R888, pretty slickish for track but still DOT for street.

J~

[Jim Drago]

You will enjoy the car and Sm. You might also look at the TR motorsports wheels at the tire rack. thy are nice looking wheels and probably the least expensive wheels out there. 

 

Jim

[CARacer]

The Toyo RA1 was the SM tire for many years. It is still the spec tire for some SCCA regional classes and the rain tire for NASA SM. It's also fine as a street tire, or at least I assume so since there's a street car in the parking lot of my office wearing RA1s. 

 

And +1 to what Jim and Johnny said. Plenty of people are competitive and having a blast in '92s. Welcome to SM. You'll love it.

[nessus]

I do not know what you mean when you say, race competively. If you were to look at the cars entered for SCCA events you will find that the cars at the pointy end are overall no longer pre 1997 models.
Other than that, welcome to the Spec Miata racing world.

David Dewhurst

 

Ha, my words are misleading.

 

Entering SCCA event ---> racing competitively

Entering a track day event ---> not racing competitively

 

I think I used the word incorrectly (English is my 2nd language). To me drving in a track day event, where passes are only allowed in designated sections with leading driver's permission, is not "racing competitively".

[RussMcB]

The TRM wheels are great and relatively cheap.

 

Maybe you could find someone to sell you their used Hoosier SM7 race tires.  Supposedly, they are good for a larger number of heat cycles.  That might be a win/win/win...

 

Good luck.  There's a great chance you're going to love SM racing.  Great cars, great competition, lots of opportunities to have fun.

[nessus]

Thanks guys for the inputs!

 

Before posting this question, I did a bit research. It seems there are two schools of thoughts on this:

 

a ) Get a set of tires as close to spec tires as possible to get a feel how its going to be.

b )Get less grippy tires, say a set of high performance summer tires. This is more for beginner racers, to reach the tire's limits sooner to get a feel how the car reacts when it reaches the limit, where with spec tires its more difficult to do.

 

Is b ) non-sense to you guys? The reason I ask is because this option is more appealing to me, I am a beginer racer (about 7 track day worth of experience so far), having summer tires also means street drivibility and cheaper to buy. Mind you that I only plan on taking this car to track day events for the next 1 or 2 years before I consider entering SCCA event.

[nessus]

You will enjoy the car and Sm. You might also look at the TR motorsports wheels at the tire rack. thy are nice looking wheels and probably the least expensive wheels out there. 

 

Jim

 

If its cheap I am all over for it. But I only see them come in as 30mm or 20mm. I thought 25mm was the best fit.

[Bad Rusty]

 

The Toyo RA1 was the SM tire for many years. It is still the spec tire for some SCCA regional classes and the rain tire for NASA SM. It's also fine as a street tire, or at least I assume so since there's a street car in the parking lot of my office wearing RA1s. 

 

And +1 to what Jim and Johnny said. Plenty of people are competitive and having a blast in '92s. Welcome to SM. You'll love it.

 

I too have a street car with RA 1's, and they are just fine for daily driving.  When you go to the track just make sure your tire pressure is right, it helps keep them from chunking (I assume you will order full tread, I would).  Welcome to Spec Miata, please disregard every other part of your life now:)

[James York]

If its cheap I am all over for it. But I only see them come in as 30mm or 20mm. I thought 25mm was the best fit.

You will never be able to feel the difference in 5 mm per side.....

[ChrisA]

I'd say go with something like the Dunlop Direzza summer tires for now. Get yourself a set of whatever the spec tire is just before you are ready to start racing to get comfortable with them. 

[nessus]

You will never be able to feel the difference in 5 mm per side.....

 

Good to know. I will probably go with this setup then. Buy both wheels and tires at tirerack, get them mounted and balanced before shipping here. Saves some money!

[FTodaro]

If its cheap I am all over for it. But I only see them come in as 30mm or 20mm. I thought 25mm was the best fit.

They are about 90 or so per rim unless you know a vendor who gets a discount and willing to pass on, they do come in a 25 offset and are a solid option.

[RazerX]

I do not know what you mean when you say, race competively. If you were to look at the cars entered for SCCA events you will find that the cars at the pointy end are overall no longer pre 1997 models.
Other than that, welcome to the Spec Miata racing world.

David Dewhurst

 

there is 94 out here winning SCCA events in CA...

[Bench Racer]

Ha, my words are misleading.

 

nessus, my words were not to bust your balls and these guys know that. The trend within SCCA Spec Miata racing is for new builds to use a 1999 plus year car. The overall build cost of a non pointy end 1999 plus car versus a pre 1997 other than the original car purchase is minimal. There is no question the 1994 car mentioned on the west coast is a very good car with a STRONG driver, there is also another STRONG driver that entered the Runoffs with a 1991 car. AH, when it's Runoffs time, what year car will they be in. Please notice the guys making comments do race 1999 plus cars. Also ask any of the guys commenting if they would prefer the torque of a 1.6L miata or a 1999 plus Miata.  

[MPR22]

Ha, my words are misleading.

 

Entering SCCA event ---> racing competitively

Entering a track day event ---> not racing competitively

 

I think I used the word incorrectly (English is my 2nd language). To me drving in a track day event, where passes are only allowed in designated sections with leading driver's permission, is not "racing competitively".

Your words and their use were understood by all, even Bench Racer.  He just chooses to use any excuse to start a long running cry about parity between model years.  The NA 1.6 (ie 1989-1993) Miata are some of the most fun cars to drive.  If you can go fast in a NA 1.6 then you can be fast in any of the other cars.  Yes I drive a 99 and am building a 01 and I own and have raced a 92.  I can honestly say I am a better driver today for starting with the 1.6 and my end goal was to be a better driver.  

 

Welcome to SM and all that it offers.  My choice of wheel and tires would be TR Motorsports and  full Tread toyo RA-1.  They will last you quite a while at the pace you are likely to be running.  I have driven them both on and off the street and they perform well in either environment.  

 

If you truly want to maximize tire life the Dunlop Direzza DZII Star Spec is a good alternative. The RA-1 is much closer to a tire you will race and still gives audible and kinesthetic feedback in the full tread variety. 

[Jim Drago]

News bulletin: 

The trend in racing is to build newer cars

[Bench Racer]

And my initial comment is/was for those that don't have unlimited funds. Over a few bucks or a false start I'd hate to see someone that has serious intentions with Spec Miata racing start down a path of few returns. MRP22, I have not used that WORD in a long time. If Jim Drago thought he could be faster in a 1.6 car, he would be in one.    Hey, I have a 1990 Miata, and it has more talent than me.

[ccrowel5]

Don't waste your money on track day tires! If your current street tires are round, black and hold air run them.