Miata Mailing List: February 2000, Message #254

sponsored by

Thank you Steve.  At the time I wrote this, I didn't realize there was a strong feeling among the Spec Miata folks  who advocate the hardtop.  Regardless of there "feeling" or advocacy, I still think to mandated top is "just a rule."

If its aerodynamics, let the racers take advantage by putting the optional hardtop on.  Racers have to make many decisions to make their cars "faster."  The top consideration should be among those personal decisions not mandated by rule.

I don't "buy" the safety argument.  Look at other open cockpit cars and tell me that story.

If its the added safety of the hardtop, I don't agree necessarily that it provides any additional strength in a roll-over incident.  Fiberglass top vs. enhanced roll cage (ie. taller to accomodate the head-to-bar clearance issue--I'll take the steel anyday over glass). 

I don't buy the "what happens to the windshield in a roll-over without a hardtop" argument either.  Assuming the cage is constructed to meet SCCA's strict safety standards, the windshield frame will probably by braced somehow by the cage.  The glass, however, wouldn't be influenced either way.  If its coming out in a wreck, a hardtop isn't going to matter.

If its 'cause the Spec folks (and I support the Spec movement) don't "want" the rules changed for fear it would cause any undue delay that someday SCCA HQ would recognize on a nat. level, that's an ego trip going nowhere.  Top up or top down should not be the deciding factor at HQ--as I am sure it isn't.  I give HQ more credit that that.

One of the founders puts it like this:  "...[we] made these rules and like it or not they are RULES so let's race and have fun." (emphasis in original).  I don't know who the "we" are, but it doesn't matter.  The ego must be able to set itself aside to rationality.  

Please forward this as well.  Thanks.

>>> Sven Pruett <SPruett@compuserve.com> 02/02 10:57 AM >>>
Mike,

I have forwarded your input to the Competition Board for their
consideration.

Regards,

Sven Pruett