Spider VS Miata

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

In a message dated 10/13/2002 10:02:30 AM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:



> Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002 20:29:04 -0400 (EDT)
> From: "Mark Manley" <WarpOMatic@domain.elided>
> Subject: Spider VS Miata
> 
> On Sun, 13 Oct 2002 00:48:17 +0000, alfa-digest wrote:
> 
> >Yes the Miata is very similar in form to an original Elan (its bigger 
> >though). The copied a lot from the Lotus,  that's true. What did not 
> >get copied was the sense of aliveness that Elans exhibited, but then, 
> >they didn't have Colin Chapman, did they? ;->
> 
>      I think the Miata weighs significantly  more than the Elan, losing the
> livelyness posessed by the Spider and Elan. 
> 
> 
> 
>                                     Mark Manley
> 
> Tulsa,Ok
> '84 GTV6
> 


       According to the 2001 SCCA GCR rule book, the 90 to 93 Miata runs ITA 
at 2205 pounds with a 1597 cc engine.  The 94 & 95 Miata runs ITS at 2200 
pounds with an 1839 cc engine.  By contrast, my 1984 Alfa Spider runs ITB at 
2400 pounds with a 1962 cc engine.
       All weights are WITH a driver, who is assumed to weigh 180 pounds.  
Obviously, SCCA thinks the Miata has more competition potential than the Alfa 
so they are in a faster class.

       The SCCA IT or Improved Touring classes are stock based classes 
allowing suspension modifications, but little can be done to the engine & 
driveline.  The race weights are based on the manufacturer's shipping weights 
with no adjustments for competition potential.
       As an example of the lack of competition adjustments, Richard Welty is 
racing an Alfetta sedan in ITB.  His sedan has to weigh 2605 pounds with 
driver.  My Alfa spider with the same engine is 205 pounds lighter.  If SCCA 
were to adjust competition potential, all Alfas with the same engine should 
weigh the same.

       The Oklahoma Chapter of AROC runs a day at the track known as Alfa 
Rodeo.  We have more Miata entries than Alfas, but they help to pay the bills.
       As an instructor, I have had occasion to drive several student's 
Miatas.  They definitely make more power than the Alfa.  Plus they seem very 
tossable.  I drove one with a super charger that was wonderful.

       I race in the same race group as the Miata and especially the very 
popular Spec Miata.  My spider is way down on horsepower = straight a way 
speed, but will out corner the Miata.  Thus our lap times are very similar.  
If I can out qualify them, I can stay ahead, unless we have really long 
straights.  At the last race at Topeka, I drafted a group of three Spec 
Miatas down the drag strip the last half of the race.
       By the way, Spec Miata requires a restricter on the newer 1839 cc 
engine and there may be weight restrictions.  They are trying to equalize 
performance between the early and late Miatas.  For more information, go to  <A HREF="http://www.specmiata.com/";>
Click here: Spec Miata : The Official Spec Miata Website - www.specmiata.com</A> 
       If I were to race anything other than an Alfa, I would consider Spec 
Miata.

       I have maintained for years that the Miata is the car Alfa should have 
built.  I think Alfa's perceived lack of reliability and the perception that 
Japanese cars are very reliable came into play here.  Plus the lack of 
advertising / marketing hurt Alfa.

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City
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