Because SpecE30 exists. More power, not a convertible, stock motor builds only allowed, spec exhaust, and spec suspension. Plenty of good race winning examples available for between $10k and $15k.

 

Or we just have a few screws loose and you were blessed with more sensibility

 

spec e30 is pretty big in NASA FL, not as big as spec miata of course but is another option relatively low cost car

 

Some of us don't fit in it
I had hard time fitting in s2k and one of the reasons I sold it. Replaced with M3 and looking for E30 as well.
Currently doing Lemons with e28. It is fun but if you looking for good clean racing and quick lap times Chump/Lemons are not it.

 

I've been asking myself this question for a long time.

 

I cant drive such a poorly engineered machine and enjoy it...

 

Justin, as you may know I race the MGA in vintage. Not competitive in VFP, but it is still way more fun than doing track days - and also the few time trials that I've run. There is something about chasing someone down, making a pass and making it stick that you simply can't get running against the clock. And even if you can't make the pass, close racing is always a hoot so long as you can trust the guys you're running with.

Nothing wrong with a spec Miata as far as I'm concerned if it gets you racing sooner rather than later. It isn't like you are forever married to it.

I'm not saying I'm any good at it but just for a lark, here I'm racing for something like 30th spot in the SVRA race at the Glen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEDB3qV2tT4

 

Crappy cars lots of failures
-No. Like any track-prepared car, failures are mostly dependant on how well you nut and bolt the car. The only things that really fail that I've seen are the control arms when you get hit because they're stamped. Everything else is pretty damn stout.
Too much money on body parts
-No. Buy a parts for 500 bucks. That's what we do.
Too dangerous
-No. Ever try open wheel racing? Ever race an S2000 with a supercharger (the question is rhetorical, obviously)? SM is one of the safest form of racing mainly because of the low power, high cornering speed nature of the cars. Yes, you're often in a crowded field of cars, but like any form of wheel-to-wheel racing there is an inherent risk of contact that can be minimized with seat time and situational awareness. Bump-drafting is a big thing in this class because of the low power of the cars, so there's that as well.
Too expensive, $50k+ to be competitive
-No. Pay someone to put a cage in, buy a good engine, paint and bodywork, etc., and do all the assembly yourself and you're looking at spending around 28-30k for a very competitive race car. Engine builders are a big part of this. Look to spend around 5-8k on a competitive engine from Autotechnik/Rossini/Drago etc. The expensive part, like every other form of racing, is the tires and consumables, not to mention the logistics. I won't go into that, because I'm sure you're familiar with it all.
Too much about racecraft and not about driving/cars
-No. Plain and simple, if you want to go up against the best SCCA drivers, especially on the east coast, there is no better or more competitive class than SM. If you can drive an SM to a podium finish, you are a very fast, talented driver.

People who say they can't fit in it haven't met guys like Jim Drago (350 pound mountain of a man), who races and wins. Plain and simple, if you want to go up against the best field of drivers at the club racing level, race spec Miata. There are guys that spend upwards of 60k on a car and barely crack the top 5, and there are guys that spend under 30k on a car and are regularly on podium. Depends on who builds the car, and how it is set up, but mainly on the driver's proficiency.

Experience: I've spent my whole life at race tracks, and have been working with Alex Bolanos (SCCA 2014 Majors Champion, 2014 NASA SM Champion) on his car for the last year and a half, currently building one of my own. Otherwise surrounded by people in this class.

 

Also, IRT the cheating issue, last year's champion ran the entire year on a legal engine, and his new car is a second a lap faster with a stock (non-deburred or cut) head, which is what led to the whole fiasco with Drago and Tyspeed.

 

Wow thanks for the reply's guys!

Want to make it clear I'm not going out and buying another race car mid build. That said I may rent a spec Miata to race in, but am also having a tremendous amount of fun with them in IRacing! Went door to door with another guy for an entire lap the other day, man what a blast that was!!

As for vintage or open that seems way to dangerous to me! Lemons or Chump is missing too much of the art of driving for me.

Watched the 2013 runoffs at Road America and man just spectacular, also the 2014 at Laguna first min of it just totally narly! seeing elivan/Dragos/ autotechnic team glued to each other lap after lap then breaking apart trying to make the passes was totally nail biting! It was racecraft it was great driving, and in a fashion that seemingly is affordable.

That said I think ive also realized one race car at least for me is way more then I need, am able to take care of, and can afford without doing anything stupid.

Will be interesting to see how this new MX5 cup turns out, but also keeping my eye out on the NASA prototypes and Caymen gt3's! More then likely I'll be enjoying my Honda for a long time before any other race cars outside of some karts come into my life.