Last week, Mazda Motorsports launched new communication platforms for the Spec Miata community, announced on the Inside the SCCA podcast with Brian Bielanski. In the lead-up to the episode, we invited the broader Spec Miata community to share their thoughts and questions about the current state of the class and its future direction.
We’ve addressed most of these questions below, with additional insights shared during the podcast, which you can watch here:
- Will they do anything to make the NA cars capable of winning at every track against the NB cars?
- As discussed in the podcast, in 2025 we will be on track testing a mass air flow sensor replacement for the current airflow meter. Modernizing the AFM allows for a dramatic increase in the consistency of fuel metering, which will result in better race-ability, with less time & money spent on the dyno.
- Can we add a brake master cylinder brace as part of the spec parts? Better brake controllability is safer and better for everyone.
- At this time the SMAC does not have any active letters in the system for a request like this, so we are not actively discussing it. It likely would not pass simply because “brake controllability” and “safer” is subjective not absolute, and these cars have been racing for over 20 years in this configuration without any problems. If we were to approve it, many might feel compelled to purchase and install the components which un-necessarily increases the cost of racing to the competitor. If someone wants to submit a letter for this, I would suggest data and video to go along with the letter. When is the brake master cylinder moving around? Every braking zone? Some braking zones? At what pedal pressure does it flex? How much does it flex? On back to back laps (with/without) how does it effect braking distances or pressures? Give us tangible data to help approve the request.
- What are the plans for NA6 and NA8 going forward? Is there a date to phase them out of the SM field?
- There are ZERO plans to ever exclude the NA platform. As per the discussion in the podcast we are working on improving the BOP/raceability for the NA platform compared to the current NB BOP. There are still many active winning NA 1.6’s running up and down the West coast under the current rule set.
- Tire Limiting Rules? Yes please…
- As stated in the podcast, for the 2025 Hoosier Super Tour events, there will be a tire limiting rule in place for Spec Miata.
- What are the items under consideration for change?
- Several discussed on the podcast, but it is important to note that Spec Miata has a very stable rule set that really does not change much. Over the last 9 years the rule set has averaged just over 1 rule change per year and 1.5 rule clarifications per year. Keeping a stable rule set keeps costs to the racers down and encourages more participation.
- Some parts are becoming rare (e.g. Torsen). Are replacements available or will substitutes be permitted?
- Mazda Motorsports and the SMAC are consistently looking at parts that are or could be problematic in the future. Regarding your Torsen example; Torsen units are still available through Mazda coming out of Japan. We have an active plan in place that if those were to ever dry up, Torsen US can replicate the product for us as they currently make the SMX Torsen (doesn’t fit Spec Miata) for us. As parts become obsolete the rules will need to evolve to work with the market conditions.
- Please allow full suspension/steering interchange between all years. NA suspension parts are getting harder to find in good condition.
- Ideally, we could interchange everything besides the engine/chassis itself and use race weight to level the field. NA suspension and spindles are still available new from Mazda. Opening up full suspension interchanges will lead to either a real or perceived change in BOP, which is not good for class stability.
- I’m a very heavy guy compared to all the younger racers. I cannot come close to minimum weight. I feel like that should be considered.
- Raising the minimum weights of the cars will have an adverse effect on balance of performance. We have seen drivers at 240lbs make weight in the NA6 platform. The NB’s weigh more so larger drivers may find the weight easier to meet in the later platform cars.