Miata for ITA

[wepsbee]

So my previous choice of a car did not seem like a good move. Would an earlier year Miata be a good choice for an ITA car. I like the 1.8 BP engine and I am somewhat familiar with it so I thought staying with it would be good. I think the BP is also in the early series Miata so what do you think? ( I can not wait to see these responses)

[gran racing]

Dan, you have a car that's already built. Forget the Miata, forget spending a lot of money on the Escort. You've also mentioned that your budget plays a factor. So, work on improving your driving! You don't have a competitive car, which can honestly play in your favor since you shouldn't be as tempted to keep developing it. After you've improved your abilities, then start looking at the car.

I look back at how my car was classed in ITA where it had absolutely no shot and realize that wasn't the worst thing that happened to me. AFTER I had some time to improve the driver, I was then able to start improving the car. The driver should come first.

[wepsbee]

Dan, you have a car that's already built. Forget the Miata, forget spending a lot of money on the Escort. You've also mentioned that your budget plays a factor. So, work on improving your driving! You don't have a competitive car, which can honestly play in your favor since you shouldn't be as tempted to keep developing it. After you've improved your abilities, then start looking at the car.

I look back at how my car was classed in ITA where it had absolutely no shot and realize that wasn't the worst thing that happened to me. AFTER I had some time to improve the driver, I was then able to start improving the car. The driver should come first.

Dave I fully under stand what you are saying. However the condition of my car is such that I cannot even add the most basic adjustable sway bar to get the car so it can handle properly. Extensive welding repairs are required. Not a smart move on an Escort. I am attending track days and schools this year as much as I can, end of this month at NHMS to start, both a track day with a school followed by a regional. I have been told that if I drive a car that does not respond correctly I will not learn to drive properly. So I am in a quandry as I want to learn but I want to learn in a car I can trust and have confidence in. This is a long term goal as there will be no new car this year but next year I had hoped to be in a position where my driving could be improved with a better handling car. Sorry about the long winded answer...

[Andy Bettencourt]

The answer is YES. The Miata has prven to be an excellent choice when you build teh power and develop the suspension.

[trhoppe]

Its THE car to have for the class. On some tracks (Roebling, Lime rock) its absolutely a class killer, beating ITS in the right driver's hands. No other car in ITA can say its a "you bring one out you win" like that. On other tracks (VIR, Road Atlanta, Daytona) it's not as dominant in a sprint race, but still the right driver in that car is close to unbeatable. It would dominate ITA in an enduro as its by far the easiest competitive car on all consumables.

-Tom
who loves his Integra, but if he had to do it all over again would have a 1.8

[Andy Bettencourt]

Its THE car to have for the class. On some tracks (Roebling, Lime rock) its absolutely a class killer, beating ITS in the right driver's hands. No other car in ITA can say its a "you bring one out you win" like that. On other tracks (VIR, Road Atlanta, Daytona) it's not as dominant in a sprint race, but still the right driver in that car is close to unbeatable. It would dominate ITA in an enduro as its by far the easiest competitive car on all consumables.

-Tom
who loves his Integra, but if he had to do it all over again would have a 1.8

Maybe if you had the right final drive, a better rear bar and a good header...

Seriously, the CRX, Integra and 240SX can win anywhere as well. The common thread for all of these cars is excellent handling. If you don't have that, you need the HORSIES like the NX2000, Saturn and SE-R - which also can win when you put the right effort in.

[IPRESS]

Its THE car to have for the class. On some tracks (Roebling, Lime rock) its absolutely a class killer, beating ITS in the right driver's hands. No other car in ITA can say its a "you bring one out you win" like that. On other tracks (VIR, Road Atlanta, Daytona) it's not as dominant in a sprint race, but still the right driver in that car is close to unbeatable. It would dominate ITA in an enduro as its by far the easiest competitive car on all consumables.

-Tom
who loves his Integra, but if he had to do it all over again would have a 1.8

Tom, Sell the Teg....buy the car to have......and win all the races. It is a perfect plan. We want you please join us!
Those Honda guys might hate you but we are a "kindur" "gentlur" group..we embrace the artisitc female aspect of racing. A girly car that kicks butt in your hands would be almost unfair. Come on join the goood guys.

Your friend, Former ITA Girly Car Driver

[mossaidis]

blah...

[JeffYoung]

You guys are nuts. You all need to be racing TR8s. Geez!

[Jeremy Billiel]

You guys are nuts. You all need to be racing TR8s. Geez!

I think I just vomited in my mouth Jeff!

[trhoppe]

Maybe if you had the right final drive, a better rear bar and a good header...

Seriously, the CRX, Integra and 240SX can win anywhere as well. The common thread for all of these cars is excellent handling. If you don't have that, you need the HORSIES like the NX2000, Saturn and SE-R - which also can win when you put the right effort in.

Hehe, all 3 on the list for the May VIR race. You're bringing your beast out to that event, right? right?

I don't think anything FWD is gonna beat an equal prep/drive/setup Miata at Lime Rock or Roebling

-Tom

[lateapex911]

Really???? OK, so, really, want me to call my buddy Scott at king and have him talk Joey (moser) into a Lime Rock race? Bring the ARRC prep package?

Who are you putting the money on, Joey or a Miata?

[trhoppe]

Joey vs Andy at Lime Rock? Andy all day long.

[tnord]

what happens if tom gets in a miata? jordan+bulls, wooden+ucla, lombardi+packers, ppppsshhhh.....a more dominant package the world has never seen.

i'm half tempted to sell him mine just to watch what happens.

[gran racing]

Who are you putting the money on, Joey or a Miata?

Ah, see this is where you go astray. Joey vs a Miata; not CRX vs a Miata. At LRP with equally talented drivers, I'd take the meoter if the driver can resist the wrecking nature of the beast.

I'd love to see Joey, Sr., Ajah and Andy at LRP.

[lateapex911]

Joey vs Andy at Lime Rock? Andy all day long.

Andy is going to love you! If you're saying that because of Andy's skillz!? So, you are, right?

[R2 Racing]

Andy needs to come to IT Fest. I'll (probably) be there. Mosers will be there. /discussion

But I still think there's a good 10 different chassis in ITA that can win. Some just need the level of driver, preperation, and money put into one that the usual suspects have seen.

[gran racing]

Andy needs to come to IT Fest. I'll (probably) be there. Mosers will be there. /discussion

Mosers home track equals /discussion? LOL

[R2 Racing]

Mosers home track equals /discussion? LOL

Andy's home track of Limerock is different how?

Point being, bring it to one of the big events where the best are racing. ARRC would be even better, but I'll be the first person to admit it's more of a power track than a handling track. Mid Ohio's the opposite - it greatly favors well balanced, great handling, well driven cars over anything else.

[gran racing]

It's difference since this was being discussed and debated.

I don't think anything FWD is gonna beat an equal prep/drive/setup Miata at Lime Rock or Roebling