So I sold my Spec Miata and got this weird knot in my stomach as it got loaded onto a trailer heading for Houston, TX....

Go figure within a week I bought this one ( a 1995 1.8 ) from Dallas, TX and the truck just delivered it today:

 

so what was the point of selling one SM and buying another?

 

my previous SM was a 1990 and a 1.6

This one is a 1995 and a 1.8 so it was a bit of an 'upgrade'

 

was 1.8 any faster ? just wondering, because the rules were supposed to "equalize"

 

it is supposed to be equal of course but depending on the track, either the 1.6 or the 1.8 has an advantage

at a bigger track like Road America, the 1.8 has a slight advantage for example but a smaller tighter course means a lighter 1.6 has a slight advantage

 

I know that car. Very nice.

 

Same thing I have heard. Long Road Racing has one of each, a 1.6, NA8, and NB8. Not sure exactly why they have two 1.8s, perhaps the NBs have a slight power bump due to the higher compression and what not. They said they take whichever one(s) are most competitive for that particular track. Or perhaps they take them all, I can't remember really. Interesting though, I sat in the NB and checked out their cage work. Every SM I see has a different cage which is really interesting!!

This one is unique, it managed to keep its right side door intact lol.

 

= heavy door.

 

have you w2w raced along side it?

 

If you look at the results of the last couple of Runoffs, almost everyone in the top 20 has a '99. Apparently the NB8 has a decent advantage at a course like Road America.

 

The rule changes for 2012 are supposed to help equalize things and not give the 99 NB as much of an advantage

The nice thing about the 2012 is both SCCA and NASA will have the same weight and plate restriction (the 99 had a disadvantage with NASA in 2011)

 

hehehe, good to hear! I bought the right miata then. lol

 

What are the tire rules in 2012? SCCA is all Hoosier now right? How much more expensive is that going to make National level SM racing?

Guys/Gals running both NASA and SCCA are going to have to have Hoosiers and Toyos?

 

Toyo is a sponsor for NASA so I seriously doubt the Hoosier rule will apply there.

I only know the weight and plates are going to be the same for both in 2012 and that is all I know.

Weight (lbs) Restrictor Plate (mm)
90-93 2300 n/a
94-97 2350 45
99-00 2400 38
01-05 2400 40