New option for Club Cranky!

[DanElam]

NASA announced a new Time Trial format. Want to test your car on the track, but not comfortable in wheel to wheel racing with those crazy FFR spec racers? Think cones are boring? The new NASA Time Trial format might be just your ticket. Compete against the clock on some of the nation's top race tracks. This could be perfect for the Crankoids who don't want to race wheel to wheel!

You do have to be certified for Solo driving in the intermediate NASA HPDE groups (group 2), but other than that, it is pretty straight forward.

There are NASA events around the country with the new format. Visit http://www.nasaracing.net/timetrial.shtml to learn more about the events for VA/OH/IN or visit http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/2003_tt_class.pdf for the complete car classification rules.

[klayfish]

Dan,
That sounds like a lot of fun. Do I need dual roll bars to run the Cobra at the open track events?

I do want to try racing wheel to wheel, just not with the Cobra. I'm still hoping someday to turn my MR2 into a racer, or buy a spec Miata to run around with. Problem is I don't have a trailer or tow vehicle, so it would have to be street legal.

Steve

[DanElam]

I don't know the answer about the roll bars. It will probably take a little time to sort out.

There aren't a lot of MR2s out there racing. Those are wonderful cars, but the lift-throttle oversteer in them makes for some, um, exciting track time.

Not to sound too much like a shill, but look at one of the FFR spec cobras. We're finding that it is cheaper to run the Miata and only a little more expensive to purchase. The spec rules have really kept the costs down and I really can't think of anything with better performance for the money.

[coyled]

I ran that new nasa transponder format at willow springs, group 4. Everyone in the group gets a transponder, so you know your exact times at the track. That way, each time out, you can see your time versus your buddies or your own improvement. The only rule was that there is no passing under the brakes. There were still point by's when passing so it was sort of like an advanced group, just timed. I think its a great idea for those of us that want to have fun, see our improvement, but not go wheel to wheel. Scott

[klayfish]

Dan,
That's why I haven't turned the MR2 into a racer yet. For some reason, the back end likes to lead the dance. Sure is fun for autox though. Easy to get around those tight turns.

Anyway, is it really cheaper to run a spec FFR than a spec Miata? I thought a spec Miata could be picked up cheap. Do they break parts that much? How often does bumping happen during a normal race?

I'll definitely try to give the NASA time trials a shot this year. Hopefully I can make it to a track besides Pocono.

Steve

MUST GET TO THE GLEN!!

[DanElam]

Originally posted by klayfish
Dan,
Anyway, is it really cheaper to run a spec FFR than a spec Miata? I thought a spec Miata could be picked up cheap. Do they break parts that much? How often does bumping happen during a normal race?

Yeah. That has been somewhat amazing to a bunch of us. I think there are a couple of reasons. First, we don't have any bumping. No one likes fiberglass work and you just don't see any bumping with the Cobras. Except for Bob Bondurant and my encounter with the wall during the VIR enduro, my only taps come when I race SCCA. The Miata guys tend to bump a bit more, but not as much as the RX-7 guys.

There are three things that have really helped the Spec Cobras. First, the tires (Victoracers) really do a nice job with heat cycle resistance. My Dad and I typically run the car twice as much as anyone else during a weekend since one races and the other instructs. Even with that, we can get close to a full season on a set of tires. It really helps keep the costs down.

The second advantage is that the brakes are cheap. We run the stock Mustang rotors (about $40) and Hawk pads. With the car doing double duty (and usually giving some rides too), we can get through 3 weekends or so. For normal driving, figure two sets of pads to get you through the season.

Finally, because it is a spec series, the parts really aren't on the bleeding edge. We're running an engine that puts out about 225hp. It's the same block that some guys can get around 400hp out of. The tranny is a stock t-5. The car weighs almost nothing. The bottom line is that we just don't see the kind of wear and tear that you get on a typical race car. The Miata engines, by contast, need a little more baby-sitting. (They're great, just not as low maintenance as these 5.0L.) In many ways, I am embarassed at how little maintenance work we do. For VIR, we pulled it (dirty) out of the trailer from last fall, checked the lug nuts, and promptly ran off a two lap lead over the BMWs, NSX, Corvette, and others (before I went into the wall). We try to be disciplined and at least check for loose bolts, but we find so few that we tend to be slack. Bottom line: the stuff isn't taxed and it just lasts.