Should the NB miata be move to STS?? Anyone like this idea?? i think that "should" make the STS be faster than ST....or else there will be no point to seperate STS & ST...and i do belive CRX is faster than ST Civic

The NB would destroy the other cars in STS. I can't imagine why the SEB/STAC would want to totally disrupt a class that's proven to be very popular. [^o)]

-Steve

p.s. Probably somewhat of a moot point anyway, as the anticipated move to subjective classing for the ST category will likely result in a somewhat different landscape.

Oh HAIL NO! We M1s has enough to deal with....

Another Steve

It was only a matter of time before the "my NB is getting killed in STR!" thread showed up.

Yeah, that move would be a bad idea IMO. Why upset what is a pretty stable class with good participation both locally and nationally? Not that that's ever happened before [:(]

It's a great idea if your goal is to kill off the NAs and CRXs. I vote no way.

Cory

I'm surprised we don't see more NB's being prepped for STR.

I think it would be a good car for the class.

FM

Agreed. A 1999 base or, better still a 2003 Club Sport fully prepared could be quite competitive I'd think. Unfortunately in that form they would be far less desirable as a DD than the prime contenders.

Not enough tire, not enough power and brakes suffer to the NC.

The NB's approximately 250 lbs lighter "race weight", shorter wheelbase and narrower width will make up for most if not all of these deficiencies to the NC on a typical Pro or Tour course. I don't think we have enough quaility data points yet to call the NB uncompetitive in STR. The same can be said for the MR2 Spyder.

Chris Harvey

GRM/Tire Rack MX5 - STR

No and no.

Especially if you were to engineer an ECU solution within the rules (which *is* possible) to control the VVT on the intake cam.

Much of the disadvantage of the Club Sport versus the 99 Sport goes away in ST trim. For example, you lose the heavier wheels/tires and can lower the car.

--Andy

Nope (for reasons stated above). As for what is the point to separate STS & ST classes? I'd say none, anymore. Merge them and open ST* to more classes - like sub-ST and STX/STU tweener. Maybe we will see something like this in a couple weeks. Until then, there is not much point to discussing any of this yet except for giggles.

I still think the base model '99 has an advantage over the Club Sport. The weight difference is enough, but the lack of really good engine management for the '01+ cars gives the nod to the '99.

I think one reason is because the class would be too big. I'd combine and then re-separate into rear and front/all wheel drive categories though to reduce condition dependency. Combined or not shouldn't really impact the merits or value of another ST* class. If it makes sense to add one between ST/S and STX it should be explored regardless. The ST* concept is popular and should continue to expand IMO.

Amen, brother.

I may be just a sentimental fool, but I do beleive the NB could be more competitive in this class than many think.

Considering this would be my choice of STR cars to build I'm guessing it woudnt be a good idea to move it to STS. [:)]

Why is big a problem? I ask because I'm competing in SS at nationals this year. I've gotten used to the idea that I have to compete with those itsy bitsy elises.

ST and STS are already each on the large side for Nationals class entry numbers. As a practical matter the combined class would have over 80 entries and wouldn't fit in one heat of average size. I also think it might discourage participation for the class to be so large.

In STS just the Miata's registered for Nationals would be a large class all by themselves. I'd guess that number would rise further if the class were rear drive only and the Miata was the car to have. The Civics and CRX's make great AX cars and would make a great class by themselves as well.

Looking at the Nationals results of the miatas in STS vs the STR field would seem to give an NB-lover hope. I know, I know, STR is in its infancy and the cars will get quicker. But a 1.6 NA with a stock silly-putty limited slip differential bested all but one of the STR cars. And it wasn't just a single freak anomoly....three other N/A cars (2 of them 1.8s with open diffs) posted times that would have trophied in STR. One would think a similarly prepared 99 or 03 miata could be a fair bit quicker.