Miata Mailing List: February 1994, Message #134
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   From: tkacik@adtaz.sps.mot.com (Thomas Tkacik)
Subject: Re: Autoxing the Miata
   Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 21:00:17 -0500


>Anyway, I'm thinking about trying autox for the first time this spring.
>Problem is both of the two likely candidate cars ('92 Miata, '86 Civic Si)
>have been modified enough to bump me out of the "stock" (CS?) class.
>Staying in this class seems to be a big concern for those Miataphiles
>that autox.  Perhaps a silly question, but why?  Does adding
>non-stock springs, or rear sway bar bump the Miata into some sort
>of open class with the NSX, Corvette LT-1's, Caprice Wagon, etc?

Those of us who race in CS are concerned about changing too much.
Doing so will not put you up against Corvettes etc., but it
will put you up against others who have made (perhaps) more
(and more useful autocrossing wise) modifications to there cars.

There are several simple (obvious) changes you might wish to
make that alone are enough to put a car into an SP class.
Putting 6" wheels will put the car in CSP.  So will putting on
a different rear sway bar.  Both of these are something that you
may wish to do.  And neither will make the car competetive in CSP.

Those of us racing in CS must avoid making changes as those above.
To make the car competetive in CSP is a more costly undertaking,
so we stay in CS because we are cheap.  Also, the Miata is
a fun car to drive as is, and minor changes are all that is needed.

There are those who have gone to the effort to make a competetive
CSP Miata, and are successful.  However, it is more costly than
staying in CS.  Whether the cost is worth the enjoyment you
get out of the car is for you to decide.

Tom Tkacik
tkacik@adtaz.sps.mot.com