Spec Miata Sears Point race video

[logician]

I know this isn't Porsche racing, but I thought some might like to see what a Spec Miata race looks like. This video is of last weekend's SCCA race at Sears Point.

There were 58 cars entered. 54 cars started, 49 took the checkered. Mark Kirberg took pole with a time of 1:54.619, two seconds faster than last year's top qualifying time by Justin Hall.

The cars were very close together, with only an 8 second spread between 49 cars, and then three stragglers that were very slow. That includes 12 newly licensed rookies. The middle of the pack was 4 seconds off the leaders. The field is sure to tighten up later in the season as the rookies learn the ropes.

Here's what it looked like from my driver's seat fighting for 43rd position (note 30 minute length and 111MB file size):

http://www.logician.com/Videos/SCCA_SP_4_4_04.wmv

The thing about SM is that there are good battles pretty much anywhere in the field. The front of the pack tends to attract some very quick pro drivers. So there's lots to learn.

Enjoy!
-Juan

[cstreit]

I haven't even seen the video yet and I can only imagine what an incredibly intense and amazing race it was. Can't wait to download it.

Almost 50 cars racing that close must be so incredible....

[bigrubberjeep]

Spec Miata is the way to go if you cant afford to walk away from your Prosche in an accident or if you get a blown engine. For restrospec, a crate miata motor is $800 and a totally done up race spec miata can be built with $13k

[bigrubberjeep]

I just watched it, what an adrenaline rush!

[logician]

The racing is really good in SM, and people like the class for that reason. Also because the little cars are quite capable and corner like a gokart, even if they don't have much power. The budget is nice too, so you are not so worried about breaking it. Maybe that's part of the reason the competition is intense too.

BTW, a new crate engine from Mazda is more like $2,000, not $800. A used engine in good condition is more like $500-$800. You can indeed build a car for around $13K if you do a lot of the work yourself.

-Juan

[logician]

I just watched it, what an adrenaline rush!

And that's at the back of the pack -- 43rd position out of 49 finishers. Note how fast the two leaders come by as they lap me in bump draft formation.

-Juan

[bigrubberjeep]

Seemed like oyu had a blast Juan, I was very close to getting a MIata for racing just last summer, but then I got a bonus at work and wen twith the Porsche. Fortunelty I can still get the miata too, I might be going that route this summer. (Your right, I ment a replacement used motor for about $800, not a crate motor)

[lateapex911]

Spec Miatas are indeed the killer class these days. But they don't call them "Wreck Me Otters" for nothing....

The race at the ARRCs last year was a classic. Half the top ten gone before the first turn! Great training ground though, as there is little in the way of excuses. It is obvious why some cars are faster than others.

[zero9nine]

If anyone is interested I have a PRO Spec Miata Forsale. It is set up to run the SCCA Pro series but can easily be converted to Spec Miata. E-mail me for 26 pictures.

Thanks
John
zero9nine@aol.com

[Jack Olsen]

Great video!

[surflvr911sc]

Great video Juan, looks like you are having tons a fun.

Though for those Porsche purists, the POC has new 944 spec GT class, 12k for a competitive 944 race car. If I were to do something other than 911s, the 944 spec is where I would go.

[project935]

"... an 8 second spread between 49 cars, ..."

Sounds too much like my daily commute to work ...

[APKhaos]

Outstanding clip, Juan. Congrats on your first rookie race.
Mine's at Daytona in a few weeks, and hope it ends as well as yours did!

Spec Miata too small for me, but decided on the 994Cup [NASA 944 spec] as the best way in. Loving the new car, learning to drive a FEWC, and getting ready for action.

Have a great season, and keep the clips coming.

[MarkP]

Juan, Great first race! I could see your confidence building with each lap, you made some great first race passes.

I to have thought long and hard about adding a spec miata to my stable. Sure looks like fun and relatively inexpensive seat time.

[E30Mracer]

great video and congrats on the first race!

[logician]

Thanks guys for all the encouragement!

Regarding other Porsche spec classes, like 944 spec, that is a great idea who's time I think has come. The primary benefits of spec classes is that a) the primary differentiator is the driver, b) the costs are somewhat controlled, and c) you spend more time and energy on improving your driving, as opposed to tweeking your car.

Because everyone is dealing with exactly the same configuration, there is a lot of information that can be shared about both driving and car setup. Thus spec classes are a great learning vehicle. A non-spec racer at a recent event was lamenting that he had very few people that he could consult with to learn about setting up and driving his front wheel drive civic.

In Northern CA, there are about a dozen, "Toyo Spec" 911s that race in PRC/NASA. It's a really tight and friendly community. Originally, that is the way I wanted to start racing. But I couldn't justify the economics for my budget right now. This racing stuff is expensive!

Another consideration in deciding to race SM at first is that I thought learning on a lower powered "momentum" car would develop good driving discipline. You learn quickly in a momentum car just how slow you will go if you don't use all the road or don't hit your apexes just right. It's all about optimizing the line. That is a disipline that can be applied to all racing classes.

-Juan

[Danskman]

Juan; did you just graduate from SCCA school on March 7? I was there helping a friend in a formula car. I took lots of pics of several Miatas. I may have some pics of you going through school. I didn't watch the video, what color and number is your SM?

[logician]

Mike,

Yes, I did just complete that SCCA school at Thunderhill. My car was red, #91 in white leters in group 2. However, there was another red #91 running in group 1, so it might be hard to distinguish us. My Miata had the organge rookie patch on the window behind the driver. It also had license plates and a small blue San Francisco parking sticker on the left side of the rear bumper.

For your added amusement, here are some links to the school races on the last day. No spectacular moves here, but it's fun to see all the rookies out there mixing it up.

http://www.logician.com/Videos/Juan_SCCA_school_race1.wmv
http://www.logician.com/Videos/Juan_SCCA_school_race2.wmv

The second race is more interesting, as the first race was cut short due to a wreck. Also the second race has a fun ending that features a well known 911. And there is another GT3 class 911 that comes buzzing by periodically.

You will notice that the course uses the old 9 turn track configuration. They used the shorter configuration so that they could keep a better eye on us. After driving it for the weekend, I really got to like it as an alternative to the longer 3mi configuration. I like the quick repetition, especially for racing. I like racing close to other cars.

Here are two interesting blooper videos from the school:

http://www.logician.com/Videos/Juan_goes_agricultural.wmv
http://www.logician.com/Videos/dive_bomb.wmv

-Juan

[trj911]

In that last video, it looks like it ends just as you catch up to a '63 split-window Corvette. That thing would be a beast to drive! Thanks for the videos.

[naparsei]

What is the camera set up to make this movie (which was quite cool by the way!). Trying to get an idea of the most feasible way to get in-car video (thinking regular vid camera with I/O mount camera - that's $100 since I already have a camera).