29 replies to this topic

[Jamz14]

Mazda announced a new factory hardtop for all models. Does anyone know for sure whether this is legal immediately? I assume so as it is an OEM factory hardtop.

[Johnny D]

It's not OEM.
http://mazdamotorspo...gId=-1&button=y

J~

[Jamz14]

OK, let me change what I said; There is a new factory hardtop out from mazda and their press writeup seems to indicate it is usable for SM though it isn't quite clear that is the case. They state it is a racing top, so I don't know who else it would be designed for except SM ( at least for the NA and NB models ).

 

Does anyone know if they are or will be legal for SM?

[chris haldeman]

As I see it those new tops are not and will not be legal for sm use.

[davew]

Mazda claims a weight of 16 pounds, while the top we all use is about 45 pounds. Sounds like an advantage to me. Not legal by my thinking

 

dave

[FTodaro]

If anyone can get a rule change it would be Mazda, Tell them to write a letter, Lol

[Tom Hampton]

As I see it those new tops are not and will not be legal for sm use.

Unless you believe in a vast Mazda / SCCA conspiracy.  In which case, Mazda pressures the SCCA to make the new top legal...and everyone runs out and has to buy the new top or be instantly uncompetetive...and Mazda makes a quick quarter-mil fom the sale of 3000 new racing hard tops. 

 

Not that I subscribe to such things....but, other more sinister conspiracies have been proffered on this site before. 

[Jamz14]

I seriously doubt this top will instantly make people uncompetitive. But it sure will help with guys struggling to make weight right now. And easier on our pocket books, though not by much.

[john mueller]

It's not OEM.
http://mazdamotorspo...gId=-1&button=y

J~

 

Nuffsaid...

[Jamz14]

Nuffsaid...

Oh, ok then. Its official.

 

Too bad, NASA could have taken the lead on this as we don't require an aggressive letter writing campaign to get a rule change. And seeing how we are trailing on the plate for the NA,s , why not differentiate ourselves further?

[Tom Hampton]

I seriously doubt this top will instantly make people uncompetitive. But it sure will help with guys struggling to make weight right now. And easier on our pocket books, though not by much.

 

I think you need to check the oil in your sarcasm detector.  Its not working today. 

 

You have observed the 1 or 2 occasions where this forum reacts somewhat excessively to rules issues, yes? 

[Jamz14]

I think you need to check the oil in your sarcasm detector.  Its not working today. 

 

You have observed the 1 or 2 occasions where this forum reacts somewhat excessively to rules issues, yes? 

I really wasn't being sarcastic though my friend. I was serious. NASA can do things differently than SCCA and I thought this might be a good area to do it. Less money, supports our car manufacturer, helps fat guys........ ETC. And we have shown we will do things different than SCCA occasionally.

 

But you have to want to do it. I don't want anything in SM bad enough to write a letter. I am fine with the OEM hardtop and making weight with ballast in the car so cool. Just checking.

[Tom Hampton]

I didn't say YOU were being sarcastic.  I said that you missed the fact that *I* was being sarcastic. 

 

That said...moving 25-30 lbs of weight from the highest point on the car to the lowest....might be exploited by the pointy end, and is not negligable.  If you are bothering to measure fuel and roll across the scales several times through a weekend to make sure you can end the race at +1 lbs.....lowering the center of gravity that far MIGHT be worth the trouble. 

[Johnny D]

Just mount the ballast to the roof of the top.

 

Now back to, but, but,..what if,..how about... 

J~

[FTodaro]

I didn't say YOU were being sarcastic.  I said that you missed the fact that *I* was being sarcastic. 

 

That said...moving 25-30 lbs of weight from the highest point on the car to the lowest....might be exploited by the pointy end, and is not negligable.  If you are bothering to measure fuel and roll across the scales several times through a weekend to make sure you can end the race at +1 lbs.....lowering the center of gravity that far MIGHT be worth the trouble. 

Like most of the advantages that we come up with, i would argue that not much of it shows up on track in the actual finishing positions attributed a specific rule change. 

 

On a more practical note, i think maybe Mazda is forward looking into understanding that the hard tops are getting harder to find and us races are eating them up, not leaving them behind for the car crowd.

 

So it may be a win win, win for us in not getting gouged on a top and good for Mazda keeping the car crowd happy.

 

Hey this is an NA benefit, BENCH ALERT

 

Bench, guys who do not race an NA because they cannot make weight in it will now be encouraged to race the NA

 

SEE how easy it is to turn this into a parity campaign.

[Todd Lamb]

OE hardtops are still readily available on the market for the same or lower price than this one (if you are patient), so I don't see any reason these would need to be legal.

[steveracer]

Copied from the description for those patience impaired and not willing to read the whole article...

 

 

With models for both NA/NB (not legal for Spec Miata) and NC MX-5s, the hardtops are produced specifically for racing. - See more at: http://mazdamotorsports.com

 

 

Sheesh!

[Tom Hampton]

Copied from the description for those patience impaired and not willing to read the whole article...

 

 

With models for both NA/NB (not legal for Spec Miata) and NC MX-5s, the hardtops are produced specifically for racing. - See more at: http://mazdamotorsports.com

 

 

Sheesh!

Stop raining on my conspiracy theory!

[Jamz14]

Copied from the description for those patience impaired and not willing to read the whole article...

 

 

With models for both NA/NB (not legal for Spec Miata) and NC MX-5s, the hardtops are produced specifically for racing. - See more at: http://mazdamotorsports.com

 

 

Sheesh!

Totally right. Sorry. Will read better next time.

[Todd Lamb]

I'm 99% sure they added "not legal for Spec Miata" after the fact....because I looked for some type of wording and I didn't see it.