How to Spec Miata: The long road to the license

"HNBAS" (HNBAS)
11/06/2014 at 18:50 • Filed to: MIATA, RACING, DIY, SPEC MIATA, NASA, SCCA

You can't go racing without a competition license and each sanctioning body has its own process for getting one. For NASA, the group I plan on racing with, that process involves participation in HPDE until the regional director allows you to do competition school. Comp school happens at a HPDE/Race weekend and consists of proving yourself on and off track. You don't have to be fast, you just have to show that you have proper track awareness and can pass/ get passed without killing someone, including yourself.

I've worked my way up to HPDE 2 group already with a couple of track days so I went to Memphis International Raceway to hopefully move up group 3, which is the entry point to competition school. At this point, my Miata has only been driven around Walmart parking lot and an autocross.

(also pictured is my new truck... 'Merica!)

Long story short, the car did great. The track was cold both days in the morning, and had a ton of grip later in the day. The Miata is such a well sorted car. This is my first Miata and my first experience on a road course with slicks (Hoosier SM6 and SM7's). One session into Saturday and I felt like I finally knew why the answer is always Miata.

I didn't change anything but tire pressures the whole weekend. The car was neutral when it needed to be, it was loose when you needed it to be, it pushed when you made it push. I was blown away. So the weekend went on being great and full of awesome. The problem arose when I wanted to move up to HPDE3. This process is traditionally done with a "check ride." An instructor rides with you and makes sure you've got what it takes to be in group 3 (which allows for a more free passing experience). Sooo... how does one get a "check ride" in a single seat car?

Like this... like the NASA MidSouth Region Director in his American Iron Mustang running me down for about 7 or 8 straight laps. The Mustang is a much much faster car, and in any spot on the track other than the "M" on the back side he was all over me. I knew he wasn't going to pass me, but he put an immense amount of pressure on me, diving inside at braking points, trying to set me up on the outside of turns, just generally being a mirror-full. I held it together and he passed me on to the HPDE 3 group.

So, I'm on track but it takes a while. Next event is December 5th and 6th at Memphis again. I'm ready. The car is ready. I can't wait.

Here's some gratuitous video and pics...

I just like that I can see my face in that one. I have no idea what I'm doing with my face most of the time in the car.

DISCUSSION (9)

Raphmoe > HNBAS
11/06/2014 at 18:54

Did you buy the car pre race prepped or did you build it up yourself? Great write up, thanks for this.

HNBAS > Raphmoe
11/06/2014 at 18:56

I bought the car. These NA's are getting cheap enough there's no way to build one. I found a ton of good donor cars and looked into cages and building everything, but for the money, it's hard to beat a used race car.

Vicente Esteve > HNBAS
11/06/2014 at 19:12

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

There, this is what the title should be

HNBAS > Vicente Esteve
11/06/2014 at 19:20

I'm finally at a point in my career where I can finance my dreams on a very small scale. That's really all I ever wanted.

Vicente Esteve > HNBAS
11/06/2014 at 19:38

I salute you sir, and hope I end up in the same boat as you

ITA Hondaboy > HNBAS
11/06/2014 at 21:08

Sweet, good luck on the comp license. I didn't go through NASA for my license, but I did start in the HPDE with them.

Louros > HNBAS
11/06/2014 at 21:48

Sweet. Refreshing to see someone here that is actually doing stuff with cars and not just talking about them on the internet.

HNBAS > Louros
11/06/2014 at 22:04

Thanks. This is my passion, and I just wish that I'd started working on it sooner in life.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > HNBAS
11/27/2014 at 11:46

Nice! I have a couple friends who did comp school this season, and some more doing it next season. I dunno, I'm content just doing track days, mainly because my car is too much my baby to risk banging up in wheel to wheel.