My next race car... not sure what to do...

[unclebilly]

After our local track closed in 2011, I’ve done some endurance racing at some big name tracks with WCMA, Chump and Lucky Dog as well as some karting in my Rotax Max Evo kart. I have an SCCA Full Competition License and could race nearly anywhere...

We have 2 new local tracks opening here next year and I’m very excited.

I have my 911 race car and am part owner in a very developed Ford Escort race car that hasn’t run in 4 years but was a podium car back then. All of my co-owners have miata race cars and prefer this platform (as do I).

I’ve done 3 endurance races in Spec Miatas, and turned consistently faster laps than the car owners and codrivers who race in Spec Miata (like 3 seconds per lap faster). I really enjoy the platform, these cars are so predictable, forgiving, and have loads of potential.

One friend put a 2.4 ecotech engine into his miata (no longer Spec Miata), a custom front crossmember, and handily got the overall win at our last Lucky a Dog race at Area27. On day 2, they screwed up their pit strategy and had to come in for an unscheduled driver change, regained the top spot before getting a flat tire and finishing 3rd overall and 2nd in A Class on a flat tire.

I’m torn what I should do. The 911 is too valuable now to race wheel to wheel - I’m not comfortable walking away from it should an on track incident wreck it. I really like the miata platform but don’t like the 120ish HP in an endurance race. I am used to having a front running car in A Class. That being said, there is nothing wrong with being a front runner in C Class and being able to race in spec miata. This would also be my sons first race car in 3 years when he moves from karts to cars.

I am strongly considering a pro built NA miata that has been a front runner. I’m also considering a Focus race car (I know of one for sale locally that hasn’t raced in years). It was apparently a factory race car but the cage install looks ametureish.

Have any of you raced in spec miata? What would you do?

[1990C4S]

The guys from Project Binky went low end spec car...

[Cajundaddy]

Find a highly active series with a fairly large car count, do that. For many that means Spec Miata or LeMons. Maximum for and great competition at least in the Miatas. With unlimited funds I would consider a GT Cup series but I am not that guy.

[gchappel]

I raced spec miata for years. I think I quit about 2014 or so. It was a blast. Great group of people. We would put about 60-70 cars on sebring track.
It is ok if you are near the front. I would qualify and finish about 10th. Only win was in the rain.
Racing was close and clean.
It is seen as many as a learning class- from about positions 20-40 they all thought they were the next F1 drivers- lots of metal on metal.
Great memories, still have some friends from those times.
gary

[mattdavis11]

Sell it all and move on. More important things in life.

[ted]

Racing a production car like the Miata is affordable fun.
If you enjoy leading a pack of Miatas then read no further.

Why not consider a dedicated tube chassis race car of some sort?
Consider a platform that from the start was designed for racing.
A tube chassis car will be safer.
A tube chassis will be much easier to work on as it is designed to be serviced often.
Lightweight body panels are easy to R&R and allow open access to all parts of the race car.

You can find some nice race cars for about the price of a very nice Miata race car.
https://www.racingjunk.com/category/Road-Racing-Cars/4

GT-1 race cars are fast and fun.
If the tire budget is tight stick to cars with the more affordable 10 inch wide tires.

[unclebilly]

^^^ that’s the other idea I have running around in my head. Pick up a retired NASCAR race car road course roller, run a mild ~500 HP LS engine. That would put me in the top class and since I’m not pushing the chassis, should be relatively cheap to run.

[ckelly78z]

With a retired NASCAR chassis, you could potentially run vintage events, and also have a hell of an engineered track day car. The shops that built many of them had nearly unlimited budgets to get things correct.

[RonDent]

ted,
Thanks for the wave at the starter stand. Missed not having the Reunion this year.

[ted]

Originally Posted by RonDent

ted,
Thanks for the wave at the starter stand. Missed not having the Reunion this year.

Hi Ron,
Was looking at you every time I approached the bridge.
It was reassuring to know you were the starter!
Let's do it again this August.
Ron and Mike bench racing between Reunion races.

[ted]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

With a retired NASCAR chassis, you could potentially run vintage events, and also have a hell of an engineered track day car. The shops that built many of them had nearly unlimited budgets to get things correct.

Something like this but built to fit your local race rules.
My buddy developed and is now selling his Nascar.
Pump gas 500hp, bigger rims and less expensive slicks, lots of aero work.
https://www.emotivedirect.com/inventory/ford/fusion/061135/

[dsfnctn]

I live in Seattle and am in the same position. I was instrumental forming a multiple car program with LuckyDog.. We use Miatas and have been at the pointy end of C class for two years. Since this is a Porsche forum I will say that I am a Porsche guy and have 6 Porsches including 2 944 race cars built for PCA 944SP1. I have thought of inserting one into C class in lucky dog but resist knowing the costs to maintain a 944 have the possibility with stupid drivers to be way more than the same repair in a Miata. I have no doubt that the 944 is a better car. With the speed creep in Lucky Dog we run the Miatas pretty hard just to keep pace. I would love to run a 944 with a stock 868 motor or S2 and I think the car could dominate class C and not have to run the piss out of the motor.
Lucky dog is great racing. I really like the format with the shorter enduros and some mini enduros and multiple sprint racews

I think the spirit of the cars that started with lucky dog as well as evident in the video shown at thunder hill the old NASCAR based cars do not fit the formula

[unclebilly]

^^^ I gotta think they would just run you as a super dawg.

I will send an email to Chris and ask. I first met Chris and Cathy in 2010 in Chump when we built the Chump 911.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by ted

Something like this but built to fit your local race rules.
My buddy developed and is now selling his Nascar.
Pump gas 500hp, bigger rims and less expensive slicks, lots of aero work.

Link says Sold? What is something like that worth?

[ted]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Link says Sold? What is something like that worth?

I think he was asking just over $30k, not sure what the selling price was.
Other affordable cars would be a Super late model set up for road racing.
Or a 3 year old TA2 car would be fun, modern tube chassis and body, 500hp and 10 inch wide bias ply slicks.
https://howeracing.com/pages/road-race-chassis

My local shop makes/sells tube chassis race cars.
Maybe look for more info at a shop like this in your area?
https://www.bryansracing.com/

[dsfnctn]

The super dog class Is like not racing at all. It’s just getting in the way

[ted]

This one does it for me, next track day 11/7 Fontana.
Easy to work on, affordable parts, no nannies.
A 92 Pancho Weaver Trans Am spec chassis, 18 degree 358 V8, Weismann Dog ring H pattern 5 speed. 2700lbs, 730hp.