Spec Miata/Rally Miata questions

As my automotive ADD starts to go down, I have come to the decision that I will probably go back to the Answer. I love the Boxster but iffy engine and parts cost plus racing league is smaller. I thought about Spec E-30, and the racing looks great but once again smaller classes, Spec E-36 is the Boxster and E-30 problems combined.

So the Answer is the Answer prepped.

I know Flyin' Miata has a Targa package (which I might have to piece mill as opposed to buying the whole kit) but I want this car to be a swiss army knife. so here is my idea if possible.

Build a Spec Miata car, with a cage set up that will allow for co-driver seating.

This would rarely see street driving use, so it would have to remain street legal but I think this might be the new "second" car.

What say you Hive, seen a co-driver friendly Spec Miata cage?

Keith your input would be especially appreciated.

Where do you plan on competing? IIRC Miatas and other convertibles are not legal for stage rally in the US. They used to be, because one person wanted to rally a Miata badly enough that he had the rule amended, but then it was slammed shut again.

Even with a hard top and a cage?

Let me clarify - Road rally, not stage rally. Although the rules state a steal roof so in theory one could put a sheet metal cap on the cage and then install the hard top to cover it.

Maybe do a Targa. I am in DC so I have a few tracks with in a couple of hours.

Might make it down to VIR for the track day challenge next year.

from Nasa Rally rules...

Exterior bodywork - All the entirely suspended parts of the car licked by the air stream

"snicker" licked.

I may have something of interest for you - a caged '95 Miata with 2 seats, harnesses, track proven FMII turbo w/MS1PNP ECU, etc, etc.

Been sitting for 2 seasons, going to market next spring. PM me for details if interested.

In reply to Dashpot:

might just do that. Thanks what class did you run it in?

Time Trials with COMSCC. Ran mid-pack in SPB.

With any racing, it starts with the rulebook. Consider picking up one of the newly obsolete MX-5 Cup cars. They're NCs with a full cage and decent suspension.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

You think those are going to be absorbed into SM with a few mods?

Knurled wrote: Where do you plan on competing? IIRC Miatas and other convertibles are not legal for stage rally in the US. They used to be, because one person wanted to rally a Miata badly enough that he had the rule amended, but then it was slammed shut again.

They are legal in NASA (last time I checked).

EvanB wrote:

Knurled wrote: Where do you plan on competing? IIRC Miatas and other convertibles are not legal for stage rally in the US. They used to be, because one person wanted to rally a Miata badly enough that he had the rule amended, but then it was slammed shut again.

They are legal in NASA (last time I checked).

Technically legal for NASA rally, but you have to put sheet metal OVER the cage and UNDER the hardtop. I can't recall ever seeing anyone do it, but could be wrong. Then the issue of trying to fit a driver, co-driver, all your necessary gear, tools, full-size spare, and all your other stuff into the little trunk (last weekend we managed to jam one of my 14" e30 rally spares into a MIata trunk for weight, and it pretty much took up the whole trunk).

So yeah, it's technically legal. But doesn't seem very sensible for a stage rally car. Plus IIRC it is definitely NOT legal in most other rally series like Rally America.....

http://173.254.108.73/main/Can%20I%20rally%20in%20a%20convertible

For Road Rally, you are fine. You don't need a cage.

I can confirm that CARS doesn't allow convertible's for Stage Rally.

Flight Service wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: You think those are going to be absorbed into SM with a few mods?

No. You'd have to give them a restrictor about the size of a McDonald's straw.

Do you want to race SM? If so, then you want to buy a SM.