Not super active in SM this year due to Kids in College and business concerns and Def. a mid pack guy on a good day.
But what has happened to SM.
Why does the word PRO- engine have a place in SM.
Why does a guy need a racing budget to be in SM.- 3- sets of Sticker tires.
Is not the point of this class, low cost, stock engines, stock cars, how could a discussion on spec cars evolve into a discussion of head plunge cuts, some call this rules creep, but most would call it pro racing.
You either have a SM class or a pro racing class, let the pros, have at it with pro tricks, and race each other. No place for it in a spec- run what ya brung class. I know guys will always find a way to cheat, that is why the only engines should be factory or crate mazda engines, or seal and certified engines. Sure the pro shops would hate this as 5-7k for pro motors is a good money maker.
Why are there no 1.6 cars in the top fields anymore?, If it is only weight that separate these cars, ( the 1999 car are better looking, that's it) this class has become as political as DC, with lobbyist and deal making and tricks up everybody sleeve. This is not a nascar race with 1m at stake.
Who would want to get into this class at this time not knowing what is expected of them or legal, or allowed or hush, hush everybody is doing it.
Simple, stock- Spec Class, lets get this back on track, so the guys who wanted to bring his 8k Miata and race and have fun can, and not say I can't keep up with jones with a 9k motor and 4 sets of new tires for a weekend. Even formula one regulates sets of tires now but not spec Miata.
Maybe two classes, stock and pro, or spec. and pro., seems some northern groups already have ssm, which is closer to the original idea of the class.
Regards- Flame suit SFI rated on. Not saying I am 100% right in all of the above but its my opinion and I do not want to have a great thing go by the way side.
MT