Mazdaspeed Miata in B-Stock...

AlexCisneros · 06-02-2004, 07:36 AM

So I was reading through the latest Sportcar and noticed we will have sibling rivalry in B-Stock competition.

Anyone drive or better drive against one yet?

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Shocka · 06-02-2004, 08:28 AM

thats interesting the 350z and MS Miata are both in B Stock

AlexCisneros · 06-02-2004, 01:46 PM

Well the 350Z is to be expected, but the MS Miata?

Makes me want to go test drive one

Parmer8 · 06-02-2004, 02:11 PM

I hope we're talking about the SCCA classification or I'm reading the post incorrectly:p . I thought the RX-8 are now placed in the STU class.

clyde · 06-02-2004, 02:14 PM

The RX-8 is eligible for STU, but does not have to compete there.

XDEEDUBBX · 06-02-2004, 05:16 PM

the MS mx5 is not much better..only by a little bit..it pulls like a mazda3 but handles just like the old miata..but stiffer...also sounds nicer..

GeorgeH · 06-03-2004, 07:54 PM

Actually, it's supposed to handle better than the '99 sport, which was considered the best handling Miata the factory ever produced, up until now, of course.

I have a lowered & stiffened '94 Miata, with (more or less) factory power levels, and it's pretty darn fast on an autcross course. Add a supercharger or turbo (even a low boost one) and it would be even faster. Wether the MS Miata can be a serious competitor in BS remains to be seen - there are tire issues (I don't think you can get good Kumhos or Hoosiers that fit well on the 16" rims) and perhaps gearing issues as well. But I wouldn't write it off yet.

Shocka · 06-04-2004, 11:43 AM

well arnt the classes based on a weight to power ratio

what is STU and what class wud i be in if i install the MS springs and shocks

AlexCisneros · 06-04-2004, 04:15 PM

STU is a new "Street Touring" Class. Basically, it allows more modifications than stock class and removes the need to buy Hoosiers in order to be competitive. The street touring classes require a tread wear of >=140.

To answer your question (kinda) Shocka, the MS shocks alone would not knock you out of Stock class, but the springs would. Also anything that alters the intake box will knock you out of stock. Green/K&N drop in won't, K&N Typhoon/RExt. will.

After stock you can go either STU or BSP. BSP allows DOT slicks, STU doesn't. BSP allows cat removal, STU allows high flow cat but not removal. There are other small differences.

It should also be noted that STU (as far as I know) is still only a regional level class.

TybeeRX-8 · 06-05-2004, 03:34 PM

The latest C&D has a comparo between the new Elise, F5 Cobra, Caterham7, S2000 and the MS MX-5. The S2000 is a new one so it will move to AS from BS but the MX-5 was outclassed by all in every comparison BUT still came in 3rd overal behind the S2000 and the Elise. From an autox perspective, I don't think it will fair well in BS unless tires and a front sway bar make a BIG difference. In all, it's performance is a little underwhelming to me and I have compete with my '02 SE on AVS100s. And I've seen a STOCK RX-8 beat stock S2000s (all with OEM tires). Bearing all that in mind, drivers do make a difference.

clyde · 06-05-2004, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlexCisneros
the MS shocks alone would not knock you out of Stock class

Are you sure the shocks are stock legal (same travel, etc)? I'd expect that they would be, but I don't know.

Quote:

It should also be noted that STU (as far as I know) is still only a regional level class.

The SCCA is running STU and STS2 in the Tour and ProSolo Series. They are optional classes for the regions. Not sure about Divisionals, though.

clyde · 06-05-2004, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TybeeRX-8
Bearing all that in mind, drivers do make a difference.

If I learned one thing from my first National Tour event last week and two very. very wet rounds of a ProSolo earlier today, the driver is damn near everything. I knew that before but didn't really have a full comprehension of it until this time last week.

GeorgeH · 06-06-2004, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TybeeRX-8
The latest C&D has a comparo between the new Elise, F5 Cobra, Caterham7, S2000 and the MS MX-5. The S2000 is a new one so it will move to AS from BS but the MX-5 was outclassed by all in every comparison BUT still came in 3rd overal behind the S2000 and the Elise. From an autox perspective, I don't think it will fair well in BS unless tires and a front sway bar make a BIG difference. In all, it's performance is a little underwhelming to me and I have compete with my '02 SE on AVS100s. And I've seen a STOCK RX-8 beat stock S2000s (all with OEM tires). Bearing all that in mind, drivers do make a difference.

So, the BS car came in third, behind an AS car and a SS car. That's to be expected.

And yes, tires make all the difference. Unfortunately for the MS Miata, the only Kumho or Hoosiers that would appear to fit are 205s (stock size). I think you'll need more tire than that to win. You can go wider, but you'll pick up gearing as well, which normally is bad. So, tire selection may relegate the MS Miata to an also ran in BS. But then I remember hearing that the MS Miata has short gearing, so maybe a bit of extra sidewall would be a good thing...

As far as the car being underwhelming, many people have said that. They have said that about the "regular" Miata, and the RX-8 as well. Mazda has a habit of making cars that are much faster on the track/autocross course than they should be.