2012 Spec miata specifications

[shane]

We had some confusion over weights and restrictor plates. We are supposed to be in line with the SCCA and NASA.

These are the specifications:

Years Min. Weight Restrictor Plate
1990-93: 2300 None
1994-97 2350 45mm
1999-00 2400 38mm
2001-05 2400 40mm

Everyone should be clear for the next race.

Shane

Shane

[vichang4]

The new restrictor plates should be purchased from
SCCA Enterprises
303-693-2111

I called today and they will be shipping the 1999 SM plates out by Wednesday. For the 99 it will be 50# less weight but 2 mm smaller restrictor.

How about we phase this in. Let's run less weight for the February race, and then less weight and the smaller restrictor for the March race???

[shane]

Reggie you are WRONG, we have always followed suit with SCCA and NASA. Not doing so discourages other racers from coming to race the GCRS. It would also force those who want to race elsewhere to rescale their cars and change restrictor plates. We approved an exception for tires only to allow people to use up their RA1's and permit testing of the Hossiers.
I discussed this Chris Carver today and he agreed that we are using the 2012 SCCA and NASA.

[Flying Tiger]

EDIT: See my posts above, dated today for the REAL new rule!
The following is not correct:

I emailed Chris Wilken this morning, informing him of your questions and misunderstanding, and here's the thread:

"We have to use the rules for the current year in which we start because they do not release rule changes in August when we are preparing for our season. This is done to not burden our racers in midyear with changes that may or may not have a bearing on their personal performance. Chris "

--- [e-mail] wrote:

From: "Reggie Simmons" <[e-mail]>
To: "Chris Wilken"
Subject: SM rules misunderstood
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:50:22 -0600


You might not have noticed it yet, but there is a thread in the SM forum in which someone has questioned whether we (GCRS) are running under the weight/restrictors of the 2011 SCCA rules in effect in September when our season started, or whether we are running under the 2012 SCCA rules. As you told me in November or December, I believe we are running under the 2011 rules: 2450lbs minimum and 41 mm restrictor plate. The new rules are 2400lbs/38 mm.

Your input to clarify would be helpful, as some members think we are now using the 2012 rules. Thanks, Chris. Reggie

[chris]

Before the start of this season, it was decided, with the agreement of all SM drivers we talked with, to keep all of the rules for our race season current with the 11 rules with the exception of race tires using the thought process that if someone wanted to use a lesser tire than hoosier, how could it give them an advantage. This was done to not impose changes that at the time were proposed weight and restrictor plate sizes and keep our specifications the same for everyone.

We put this series on for you guys to run and have fun and if rules changes are necessary for safety, I have no quams about mandating them immediately, but we have always stuck with the rules as they started and made changes at the end of the season. With regards to next year, decide how you as a group want to do it and it shall be done.

Thanks for your time and effort.

Chris

[shane]

Chris,
we should vote on using the 2012 rules for the remainder of the year. It only really affects the 99-00 cars (90-93 have to add 25lbs). As far as I know, Reggie is the only one that is opposed. The other 99 cars participate in SCCA and NASA events and would prefer to not have to change specs just for GCRS.
Who wouldn't want to shed 50 lbs and 75 lbs in Reggie's case.
The expense is minimal, but makes EVERYONE competitive. The 1.6 cars have no chance against the 99's on the straights in 2011 specs.

[ccarver]

RULES As POSTED
Spec Miata
Spec Miatas must be prepared as specified in the latest SCCA GCR. (Typically, Spec Miatas will be given their own run group.)

A driver may choose to enter and compete in more than one class, so long s those classes are not on track at the same time. Each additional entry will require an additional and separate entry form and fee.

Updated 8-28-2011- For the 2011-2012 race season SM cars may race and qualify on either RA1 Toyos or Hoosier SM6 tires until January 1, 2012, when all cars must race and qualify only on Hoosier SM6 tires. However, SM cars may continue to practice (only) on RA1 Toyo tires for the remainder of the 2011-2012 race season.

The Governing body voted, agreed and published these rules in August.
What is there to discuss?

[shane]

Reggie,
Glad to hear your not opposed. That was not the impression I got from you at lunch.

I still don't think I am wrong, according to the rules.

See you on the track!!

[vichang4]

I will run a number of SCCA events this spring and will therefore have my car set up with the smaller restrictor plate and 2400# for the next race. I'm sure Stan and Bob Jelly, who will be running SCCA events also, will do the same.

By the way looking at Mylaps, Ben Cherbonnier finished 4th AND 10th! Will the real Ben please stand up.

[stangley]

I am really disappointed we are even having to discuse this. It is a no brainer to me that we should be under the 2012 rules in 2012. What is the big deal? Who wouldn't want to race with less weight? Maybe someone who can't make weight I'm thinking. I just spent some cash on a new build to be disquailfied in 2012 because of 2011 rules. This really sucks. I have a limited amount of money I can spend on racing every month and it seems I should start racing SCCA or NASA only again. Each SCCA or NASA event cost more than CGB, but when I go to a race it will count. I will also be able to count on the rules. Everybody (Reggie) knew I was not going to make weight (2450lbs) Sunday. It would have been nice to know I was going to get booted in advanced so I could have not raced the last race and saved my tires for another day. How is this kinda stuff going to draw SCCA & NASA spec cars to CGB? I am thinking someone would rather they not come race at CGB . Is it because they would eliminate any chance of him ever winning a race? This really takes the fun out of it!

[stangley]

I know everyone is trying to be nice about all this but I couldn't hold back anymore. I guess my wife was correct in calling me a "WHINER"

[shane]

This is the most excitement on the forum in quite some time.

I just want to RACE, fair, very close, and consistent!! I like the ease of GCRS, but....

[Flying Tiger]

For what it's worth, some of you at lunch will remember I did tell EVERYONE at the lunch table, and again told the guys discussing it in the pits near the staging area, what the rule was to the best of my knowledge, and everyone there appeared to have heard me, discussed it among us, but no one wanted to believe me. I didn't argue with everyone, but remained firm in my belief of what the rule was, according to what Chris had told me. I had presumed that everyone already knew the Rule!! Anyway, running the lighter weight under the 2012 SCCA rule necessarily also requires the smaller 38 mm restrictor plate for the '99s, as weights and plates go together per the rules.

[Flying Tiger]

Jan 17, 2012 11:51:35 GMT -6 vichang4 said:

I will run a number of SCCA events this spring and will therefore have my car set up with the smaller restrictor plate and 2400# for the next race. I'm sure Stan and Bob Jelly, who will be running SCCA events also, will do the same.

By the way looking at Mylaps, Ben Cherbonnier finished 4th AND 10th! Will the real Ben please stand up.

Ben is the only guy I know who can drive two cars at the same time, Roman style.

[Ben - SM03]

Well, since I am driving a 1.6 in the middle of the pack not much of this discussion applies directly to me but here is my thought after reading all of the post. It seems that all agree on the 2012 SCCA rules now that they are final, regarding weight and restrictor plates. I think we should agree that we can run Hoosiers or RA1’s. I talked to a few of the new drivers and they don’t want the extra expense of the Hoosiers as they are still learning and tires will not help them no matter what they run. We don’t want to run anyone off, the more cars the more fun. We were all in there shoes at one point.

It is our series and our run group, so if we all agree on the 2012 rules with only the tire option change everyone should be happy and no one will have an advantage.

I feel sure Chris and Chris will not object to a mid-season rule adjustment if it makes everyone happy. All they want from us to agree, have fun, race hard and be quiet!

Last thing, I only drove one car in the feature race, 10th place was my position. I have no idea who the number 4 car was.