Flight Service
Flight Service MegaDork
10/27/15 12:02 p.m.

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.

Knurled
Knurled GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
10/27/15 12:14 p.m.

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.

Flight Service
Flight Service MegaDork
10/27/15 12:34 p.m.

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.

Flight Service
Flight Service MegaDork
10/27/15 12:39 p.m.

from Nasa Rally rules...

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

"snicker" licked.

Dashpot
Dashpot Reader
10/27/15 12:43 p.m.

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.

Flight Service
Flight Service MegaDork
10/27/15 12:44 p.m.

In reply to Dashpot:

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

Dashpot
Dashpot Reader
10/27/15 12:52 p.m.

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

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/27/15 1:20 p.m.

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.

Flight Service
Flight Service MegaDork
10/27/15 2:14 p.m.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

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

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
10/27/15 3:17 p.m.
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).

irish44j
irish44j PowerDork
10/27/15 4:16 p.m.
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

NGTD
NGTD UltraDork
10/27/15 6:13 p.m.

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.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/27/15 7:22 p.m.
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.

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