NASA drivers, thoughts on Kit Cars in TT?
 

I know we have quite a few guys here who are running Miata's in TT (E correct?).

Reading through the rules, it states already unclassed kit cars/purpose built race cars will default to TTU until individually reviewed by the NASA TT director.

I'm strongly considering building an Exocet next winter and I'd eventually like to get in to TT. Obviously it would get murdered in the higher unlimited classes until reclassified lower. I figure even a well built, NA NB1 engine with driver is going to put the car around 10:1 lb:HP ratio.

Thoughts?

Okay.

It's a massively lightweight Miata with no windshield. Good luck getting it out of TTU, especially after you tell Greg that it's NB-powered.

Lulz of the day.

Thanks, that's why I was asking.

If you really wanted to do it, expect a tax of something in the 2.5:1+ point range (i.e. if you wanted to class it as a TTB car where the class minimum is 10.25, expect Greg to ask you to submit a dyno classing in the 13:1 range).

Thanks for the extra input.

I'm not too concerned with W2W racing (out of the budget thanks to the wife's travel demands), and I really like the idea of the Exocet as FUN (no window, exposed, lightweight) HPDE and possibly TT car.

So I was curious if there was any possible way it could be competitive. It wouldn't appear to be the case.

And if I say with the '90 because of the base model add-ons, I'd have to read back through the classing and TTE threads to see if I could just build it to one of those classes to scratch the competition itch.

if youre going to stay with a 90, swap in a 99 engine (or 01 if you want, slightly more work), dyno reclass, and itll be a killer TTE/D car. it teeter-totters between those classes pending what mods you do, but makes for a front runner--pending the driver mod.

I happen to think that a 01-swapped '90 chassis is quite a good PTE/TTE car ;)

Excellent. I'll do some more rules digging and read the few threads regarding it on here about what potential impact my chassis stiffening mods make and if the 6spd is worth the points.

You will hate the aero disadvantage in basically open wheel carwithout downforce. Light weight helps you in slower speeds. If tracks demand higher than 100 mph, stock Miata body may have advantage in straights. You will eat them in braking and acceleration from low speed corners. I had to downgrade my brakes to 1.6 to get them heated enough for track pads. (And have $20 used 13" slicks).
If you are in South-East (Road Atlanta, Roebling with mile long straights, forget exocet.

My local track, ~35 miles from my driveway, is Hallett. Very slow, tight course.

Even on my sport bike top speed going into the braking zone for 1 was only ~125.

I'll make it easy - neither are worth it.

Yeah, I came to that conclusion last night reading through the PTE/TTE Adventures and TTD Discussion thread.

Since I originally only envisioned my car as an HPDE car and was building it how I wanted, I've done some things that aren't ideal for TT classing:

FM Rails and Butterfly, Frog Arms, Sport Brakes, V8R Upper Front Control arms

But after doing some reading here over the last few months, I've realized I can still build a fun, fast HPDE car, that should still be fun to compete in TTE/TTD with.

Ugh, I also see my power steering delete is another point.

How do you figure? Its not a base model option.

From I. h. (NO Point Modifications)

12) Steering rack replacement or modification (without geometry change unless taking points for E.18). Rack ratio change is permitted. Change from BTM power steering to manual, and/or modification of the power steering pump requires the point assessment for engine pulley in C.10).


We pulled apart the rack and did the Flyin' Miata "proper depower" and removed the power steering pump and all associated lines.

Am I interpreting this incorrectly?

Yes. PS is not standard on any BTM model 90-97 Miata, ergo, no points assessed.

http://www.miata.net/faq/Miata90-97A3.pdf

Excellent, thanks for the clarification.

It's effectively a rack ratio change.