47 replies to this topic

[Ron Alan]

I hear through the grapevine that NASA has made it illegal to pop up your NA headlights during the Western States championship race tomorrow. No idea why...maybe someone official can come on and explain?

[Johnny D]

Wow, Epic 4 car battle with all of them leading at some point. Congrats to the winner (I won't spoil it)

J~

 

https://livestream.c...ideos/139055309

[True North]

Great race guys.....I won't spoil it either!

[Ron Alan]

Spoil? Its over! Congratulations to Nick Sommers for a great drive and the Western National championship! Justin Casey and Tristan Littlehale rounded out the podium. Matt Cresci finished 4th in the 4 car battle. 

 

It was basically a Norcal/Socal entry list with no one(fast) outside either region showing up. I dont think Buttonwillow would be considered a "bucket list" track and maybe had something to do with this. 

[Bench Racer]

Damn, it's fun to watch all those ugly pop-up head light cars.

[Johnny D]

Results,

https://racehero.io/...ults/1073743764

J~

[Rob Burgoon]

I hear through the grapevine that NASA has made it illegal to pop up your NA headlights during the Western States championship race tomorrow. No idea why...maybe someone official can come on and explain?

 

Some of the teams were wondering how headlight gaps would be policed.  In order to avoid having to bicker over headlight gaps in tech, the folks in charge elected to mandate headlights down and tape over the driver's side top headlight gap.

 

The NA 1.8 got screwed over a bit by that but the NA 1.8 folks are used to that, having already been passed over for turn signal removal

[Johnny D]

 

IRVINE, Calif. (October 16, 2016) – The final, preliminary invitation to the 2016 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout, the NASA Western States Championships presented by Toyo Tires, concluded today with another six championships earned by Mazda racers.
The Mazda-powered NASA Western States Champions are as follows:
•    Nick Sommers, Nevada City, California - Spec Miata
•    Brian Lock, Santa Cruz, California – NP01 Mazda MZR
•    Jon Van Caneghem, Marina Del Rey, California – Super Unlimited Elan-Mazda MZR
•    Joshua Allen, LaVerne, California – PTC Mazda MX-5 Miata
•    Charlie Hayes, Walnut Creek, California – PTD Mazda MX-5 Miata
•    Dan Howard, Columbus, Ohio – PTE Mazda MX-5 Miata -

 

 

John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations, said, “The gateway to our professional race programs, via the Mazda Road to 24 Shootout, is club racing.  We salute our six latest Mazda-powered NASA champions.  I can’t wait to see who earns the $100,000 Mazda scholarship.”
Winning a club racing championship with Mazda-power is the primary entry channel into the Mazda Road to 24 Shootout.  This post-season shootout will award a $100,000 Mazda scholarship to compete in the 2017 Battery Tender Mazda Global MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires. The 2016 Shootout will take place November 15-16, 2016 at the New Orleans Motorsports Park.  A complete list of the eligible racers will be announced at a later date.
About Mazda Motorsports
Mazda Motorsports boasts the most comprehensive auto racing development ladder system of any auto manufacturer in the world. The Mazda Road to 24 program offers a number of scholarships to advance drivers up the sports car racing ladder, beginning with the Global MX-5 Cup series and culminating with the Mazda Prototype team. The Mazda Road to Indy is a similar program that includes Mazda-powered categories of USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights. In grassroots road racing, more Mazdas race on any given weekend in North America than any other manufacturer. Mazda is also the title sponsor of the renowned Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. Follow all of the latest news at MazdaMotorsports.com, @MazdaRacing on Twitter, and MazdaMotorsports on Instagram and Facebook. -

 

[ECOBRAP]

Here is my video, sorry I totally butchered the crop but it took four hours to render so I'm not doing it again lol. Four car battle for the lead throughout the entire 40 minute race.

 

Three 1.6 (Cresci, Sommers, Casey) vs One VVT (Littlehale)

 

Note that this was only Littlehale's second ever Spec Miata race weekend, very impressive drive.

 

[luvin_the_rings]

topgear, great race!

[Chris Ashcraft]

topgear, nice drive...why are there so many more 1.6's upfront out west vs here in the midwest?

[Bench Racer]

topgear, nice drive...why are there so many more 1.6's upfront out west vs here in the midwest?

Nobody told them how ugly they are.

[Ron Alan]

Thanks Matt for the post up!

 

Some tight racing and what looked like for the most part very clean driving on everyone's part! The VVT car hands down had the power advantage on this day...I think maybe tires in the 2nd half of the race kept Tristan off the top step. 

 

As for the whole headlight deal...if NASA really feels a need to create a rule in the middle of a championship...they should re-write this officially for next year! Whether this was initiated by driver complaints or NASA officials, and was because of some trying to gain a cooling advantage or not fixing their headlight and hood gaps well enough(crash damage), it doesn't matter. Please clarify moving forward so all are extremely clear what is allowed and what is not?

[Rob Burgoon]

Thanks Matt for the post up!

 

Some tight racing and what looked like for the most part very clean driving on everyone's part! The VVT car hands down had the power advantage on this day...I think maybe tires in the 2nd half of the race kept Tristan off the top step. 

 

As for the whole headlight deal...if NASA really feels a need to create a rule in the middle of a championship...they should re-write this officially for next year! Whether this was initiated by driver complaints or NASA officials, and was because of some trying to gain a cooling advantage or not fixing their headlight and hood gaps well enough(crash damage), it doesn't matter. Please clarify moving forward so all are extremely clear what is allowed and what is not?

 

How does SCCA handle it?

[Johnny D]

To be clear to do this on a 1.6 is completely asinine. Tape behind the light opening.

Like taping the windows (body gaps) of your house with the front door open (removed turn signal)

 

And yes the 1.8 got screwed out of the deal.

J~

[Ron Alan]

How does SCCA handle it?

Putting up your headlights is not illegal. Body gaps are defined as 6mm I believe.

[Rob Burgoon]

This is defined where?

[Bench Racer]

This is defined where?

FSM, hood, trunk and door. 5mm +/- 1.2mm. Didn't find a spec for the pop-up to hood but by common sense extension if the hood to body is specified, why wouldn't the pop-up to body and hood be the same.

[Rob Burgoon]

FSM, hood, trunk and door. 5mm +/- 1.2mm. Didn't find a spec for the pop-up to hood but by common sense extension if the hood to body is specified, why wouldn't the pop-up to body and hood be the same.

 

You know what they say about assumptions!

 

Nothing in the FSM about the headlight gaps, other than "make it flush".  I think there will likely be a rules clarification on the way in the NASA rules for 2017.  

 

And maybe a turn signal delete for the NA 1.8?  Maybe? Please?  NB 1.8 looks like it gets a lot fresher air than the NA 1.8.

[Bench Racer]

You know what they say about assumptions!

 

Nothing in the FSM about the headlight gaps, other than "make it flush".  I think there will likely be a rules clarification on the way in the NASA rules for 2017.  

 

And maybe a turn signal delete for the NA 1.8?  Maybe? Please?  NB 1.8 looks like it gets a lot fresher air than the NA 1.8.

No assumption, make the pop-up flush with even gaps and it becomes common sense.

 

You want to learn more about the NA 1.8 air intake search for Saul's posts on same subject. You may not need to beg and plead.