Racing a "Spec Miata"

You may be asking yourself, "What in the world is a spec miata?". In short, a Spec miata is an entry level way to become involved in road racing, in the ever popular Mazda Miata. Spec miata racing provides some of the best racing and competition in the country, with races often decided by only a few thousandths of a second. Even better, spec miata is also one of the more affordable ways for you to begin your racing career.

Racing in a spec miata can be done with many different organizations, coast to coast. You will want to become a member of a racing organization first. Here on the west coast we have a few. The SCCA (Sports car club of america) is the largest of them. Also NASA, (National auto sports association), and ICSCC (International conference of sports car clubs) are very good. There are also many websites that can help along the way. Both www.specmiataclassifieds.com or www.specmiata.com are very informative for learning about the racecars. While www.scca.com, www.icscc.com and www.nasaproracing.com have important information, such as when and where you can find races in your area.

After you have selected a club to race with, even before purchasing or building a racecar, it's off to the track. Find a track that you can drive out to on a race weekend. This is very exciting, after some 20 years of my summers being spent at race tracks, It still excites me to drive through the front gates. These races, while very structured and organized, are run by some of the most friendly people you could ever hope to meet. Most drivers will be more than happy to talk with you about your interest and their passion. Talk to many people, and listen to what they say. These are the people you will end up spending many weekends with, should you decide this is for you. Ask lots of questions. Everything going on around you can look very complicated if you don't understand how it is organized. It's pretty simple once you do.

One thing you will have noticed at the race track you visited, there are many different types of cars. Spec miata quickly becomes a very attractive choice. The rules package makes the cars very evenly matched, providing for some extremely close racing. It also helps keep the costs down by limiting preparation to only authorized modifications, check out the rules here www.specmiata.com/specifications.htm. That said, auto racing isn't cheap, some people spend as much as two thousand dollars in a weekend. Other people say this is the only way to have a chance at winning. Maybe, maybe not, but many people have a very good time and do fairly well on as little as four or five hundred in a weekend. Maybe you can for less. Usually, there are more spec miata's at any given racetrack than any other types of car. This means lots of competition and you'll always be racing with other cars not just driving around the track by yourself.

It's time to get on the track. Ask 10 people if it's cheaper to buy a racecar ready to go or build one, 8 of them will tell you it's cheaper to buy one. A car can be purchased for as low as 8000 dollars. Last years national championship winning car is selling for $23000. Classifieds can be found at the previously mentioned websites. Another option is "arrive and drive" rentals, and while more expensive in the long run, they provide the car, fully prepared, each weekend you decide, so you can try this out before you buy one of your own.

You will need to check with your sanctioning body about licencing requirements, One thing they all have in common, you will need to participate in a competition driving school, which are very fun and informative. Follow the instructions of your instructor and you'll soon have a novice licence. Follow the requirements of the perticular program you a racing with, which is usually just a few races, while being observed for safe actions. You are now a licenced race car driver.

The first time you strap on your helmet, and belt in to your racecar, you'll know you made the right choice. The blend of excitement, adrenaline, concentration and many other sensations you experence are overwhelming. I once read a sticker that said "racing makes a heroin addiction look like a mild craving for salt". I believe this to be true, it is very addicting. The wheel to wheel racing provided in this wonderful class is second to none, and more "bang for the buck" than any other type of racing in my opinion.