14 replies to this topic

[AFlockhart1865]

Hey Y'all,

 

I'm not new to racing, I've raced Karts since I was 7 through high school and stopped when I went to college; so thats my racing background. I've been thinking about getting into racing spec Miata because I just got one on my lot as a trade (I run a small dealership) and loved the way it drove and handled even though I've never been a huge Miata fan, I was impressed! I wouldn't use the car I received on trade however (It's a green 2001, owned by an older man so it's in great shape even though it has 129,000 miles!), I'd be looking to just buy an already built car and start from there and maybe build my own down the road once my feet are wet. 

 

Anyways what Im asking is: What are the steps I need to take to get into racing miatas

 

Do I go NASA or SCCA, What kind of license do i need, where do i sign up for events, etc. Just the basics of what it takes to get me from behind my keyboard to behind the wheel! 

 

Thanks in advance!

[Alberto]

One of the best resources to get started is this:

http://goaheadtakethewheel.com/

[Johnny D]

Hi, welcome.
So you can search this site , upper right box, newbie, you'll find a lot.
 
All depends on how fast and how much money you want to go really.
 
Track day in your car almost as is.
To Lic, at the next school, Race.
 
www.scca.com mostly racing only, they have a track night too for total beginners. http://www.tracknightinamerica.com/

 

NASA does soup to nuts, just about anything, with a ladder system.

www.nasaproracing.com 

 

Check out the tracks, people, clubs, events in your regional.

J~

[Mike Collins]

What would your home track be?  There are some great SM vendors in Florida.  You may want to check them out.  BSI, Autotechnique, Old Dog to name a few.   Look at peoples signatures here on the site and you can normally see where they are from and if they race with a team or vendor...

[AFlockhart1865]

What would your home track be?  There are some great SM vendors in Florida.  You may want to check them out.  BSI, Autotechnique, Old Dog to name a few.   Look at peoples signatures here on the site and you can normally see where they are from and if they race with a team or vendor...

Sebring is the closest track to me I believe, Im about an hour north of Tampa so Its not too far away. Thanks for all the info so far everyone

[davew]

Since nobody else chimed in, I have to toot my own horn. Buy my book, The Spec Miata Constructors Guide. Available at the website below. Read it at least twice. It will give you a bunch of info on what to look for. And more importantly, what not to look for.

 

Use the search function. We have not had a new question in years. All the answers are all ready posted.

 

Read the rule book. Know what is and is not legal, BEFORE you buy.

 

read my book again.

 

Read the rule book again.

 

Go to the track and make some friends.

 

Buy or build, keep preferences in order; Safe + reliability = fun. Fast is the last thing on your shopping list.

 

dave

[Tom Hampton]

http://mazdaracers.c...-sm/#entry75855

[Johnny D]

Tom, the link my not help that much with him being in florida and the posts pertaining to Northern CA.
 
But thanks for posting
 
How about this link?
http://mazdaracers.c...l=+greek +bread

J~

[Tom Hampton]

Actually I was specifically linking to my post within the thread, which is not region specific (okay....it does say SFR, but hopefully someone can translate that to "insert your region here"...if not, then step away from the racecar.).  I suppose I could have cut&pasted the content.  But....didn't see the point in duplicating the content.

[Johnny D]

Oh Sorry, I see that now, that's good.

 

Like I control what's posted.

 

Carry on,

J~

[Tom Hampton]

It's all good.  I barely pay attention to moderators anyway.  Oh wait....

[Greg Kimble]

I can speak to SCCA in Central Florida, your region would be CFR.  To get a competition license, you generally need to complete two driving schools.  You may be able to get one or both waived based on previous experience.  The region holds two drivers schools annually, one was back in April at Daytona and the other is in July at Sebring.  You can certainly travel to other regions to fulfill the school require as well as use other schools such as Skip Barber.  There is a club race at Sebring June 13 & 14 on the short course.  You should make plans to attend.  As Mike mentioned above there are some top notch car builders here in Florida.  We work with Jeff LaBounty at Autotechnik, he is down in Cape Coral so a bit of a drive down I-75 but well worth the trip.  I live to the south of you feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

Greg

[davew]

I can speak to SCCA in Central Florida, your region would be CFR.  To get a competition license, you generally need to complete two driving schools.  

 

Greg

 

I just love it when people quote the rule book without knowing what it says. 2 years ago SCCA changed the rule to a single drivers school. Back in the 1960's you had to be invited into the club, then do 3 schools.

 

You can also join any region you wish. San Francisco Region would be logical choice for a Floridian.

 

dave

[Danica Davison]

Like others have said above, Jeff Labounty and Cory Collum at Autotechnik Racing are great guys and I have been with them since 2012 when I bought my 1990 spec miata from them.  I recently just sold my 90 and they are helping me build my new '99.  Not only are they extremely competitive in SM, they are very knowledgable, honest, and fair.   The Autotechnik team will be at the SCCA june event in sebring and would be worth your time to go ask questions and meet the great people in the Central Florida Region.     

[Jim Creighton]

I suggest you go to the next Central Florida Region SCCA race which is at Sebring on June 13 & 14. Go speak with Jeff at Autotechnik and Stu with BSI. They know the answer to every question you can ask. Both have rental cars .You can get your license in one weekend at an SCCA school or private school. There is a SCCA drives school put on by CFR at Sebring on July 18 & 19.

 

I suggest you rent a car to go to school. It will take the stress off prepping the car and doing the school. It will also give you a chance to rate the performance of the different year cars.

 

The state of Florida has more than 100 SM drivers so you will never run a race with a low car count. Most CFR races have 50 to 70 cars. The SEDiv also has several race series including SARRC. No need to register since you automatically accumulate points.