I'm building a '94 Miata for the $2009 Challenge and am looking for recommended cage builders or MiataCage.net installers in the central Florida region. Any suggestions?
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June 18, 2009 12:23 p.m. blackm3sedan None
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June 18, 2009 1:16 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director
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June 19, 2009 9:51 a.m. blackm3sedan New Reader
Thanks Per. Have you had any experiences with them yet?
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June 19, 2009 3:45 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director
Nope, just heard good things--going to visit them soon.
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June 19, 2009 10:48 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork
For a $2009 Challenge car?
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June 20, 2009 9:27 a.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director
Yeah, BGB Motorsports recommended Stoked Metal Works. They're just a bit north of our office.
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June 23, 2009 7:29 a.m. blackm3sedan New Reader
MrJoshua wrote:
For a $2009 Challenge car?
Safety equipment is not included in the build price.
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June 23, 2009 7:48 a.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director
rollcages, however, are included in the budget.
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June 23, 2009 11:38 a.m. Nashco SuperDork
Yup, note the rules:
The MAN said:
The following safety gear can be installed on the Challenge vehicle or used by the driver without counting toward the Challenge Budget: seat belts or safety harnesss and their mounting hardware, window nets and their mounting hardware, arm restraints, fire extinguishers or fire extinguishing systems, SFI-rated scattershields, helmets, drivers suits, shoes and other personal safety gear. Rubber or steel brake lines, master cylinders and brake cylinders/calipers and brake pad linings may be replaced with stock pieces. The items may only be used as intended for safety purposes and have no performance advantage. It is recommended that you purchase your safety gear from our sponsors.
Note that things like the cages and seats that could possibly offer a performance advantage ARE included in the budget. As with all events, it's really important to read the rules and know them. I made a point of printing the $2009 rules out and posting it in my garage. That way when I have a genius idea at 3 am after 18 hours in the shop, I don't have to rely on my memory, I can just look at the wall and it tells me I'm an idiot in a matter of seconds.
Bryce
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June 23, 2009 9:08 p.m. Tom Heath Production Editor
David S. Wallens wrote:
Yeah, BGB Motorsports recommended Stoked Metal Works. They're just a bit north of our office.
I saw BGB's new M Coupe race car last week at Palm Beach International Raceway, and the cage is the most attractive I've seen in any race car ever. The mandrel work is like secks.
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June 24, 2009 7:11 p.m. blackm3sedan New Reader
Per Schroeder wrote:
rollcages, however, are included in the budget.
I'm planning on running 11.99 or quicker in a convertible, which I believe in order to meet NHRA rules, needs a minimum 6-pt cage. Am I interpreting it wrong? That would be counted in the budget? I know I need scattershield and arm restraints too, I believe.
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June 24, 2009 8:41 p.m. dyintorace Dork
A roll cage is counted toward your budget, even if it becomes a "required" item based on the ET you plan to run. It is one of the interesting rules when it comes to the GRM Challenge. If you can't fit the cost of a cage in your $200x budget, it may be a better strategic move to spend the budget money on making the car handle better and/or look better, thereby picking up points in the other 2 aspects.
In any event, a Miata running 11.99 or better will be a quick Miata!
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June 24, 2009 10:37 p.m. STOKEDMETALWORKS None
Just wanted to send a thanks to you Tom Heath for coming to check us out at StokedMetalWorks, and to anybody interested in talking shop or just getting to know us we will see you Saturday at the open house!
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June 29, 2009 8:33 a.m. Tom Heath Production Editor
As he mentioned, I went by their shop to take some pictures of their work. In the shop at the moment they were finishing up some modifications to a Spec Miata cage that was built by another shop. They cut out the door bars and a couple of cross pieces, and reinstalled much wider bars.
I think what impressed me the most was that the bends are performed on a mechanical bender. They look perfect, so I'm guessing there's a lot of practice involved.
They also do custom exhaust pieces, like this manifold/downpipe/charge pipe arrangement. GORGEOUS!
