NASA-Spec7 89

Hi,

I am a Regional Class Director for NASA TX. I am trying to get all SCCA Spec7, IT7, Pro7, etc classes together to get a national class running. If you race your first generation RX7 (or know someone who does) and are tired of the same old tracks, same old run groups, and want to compare yourself on a national level --- EMAIL me. NASA is short for National Auto Sport Association. Texas is the region I live in. NASA national has just worked a deal with Mid-Ohio to do a "Runoff".See Press Release

I hope to put together a SPEC7 or PRO7 class loosely based on SWDIV SPEC7 (txspec7.org) rules (to include all 1st generation RX7 racing classes) which has a "low cost" attutude. Mainly we are about FUN. We in Texas have about 15 cars - all who are interested in this. We need to get input from others around the country that may want to get out of the REGIONAL rut. Let's make a set of rules that allow everyone to run there current setup or upgrade just a few things that help make it fun.

Spec RX-7 (SRX7) is intended to be an affordable regional class that emphasizes driver skill rather than the ability to outspend the competition or to find that secret, magic setup.

So lets revive the First Gen's out of retirement (wheel to wheel fun - no trailer queens please) and have a great time in the process. I will need a little help - send me your class rules - so I can see what differences there are.

Email me

kc@appliedgeo.com

Kenneth Carpenter
TX SRX7 89

NASA-Spec7 89

Does anyone still Club race anymore?

lovintha7

I do, but just for fun. The problem I have with NASA's SPEC7 series is that I have to buy my parts from specific places. I've got tons of suspension, and I bought th car with RB exhaust, but can I use that? Hell no. $800 worth of exhaust that CAME with the car, and I can't use it. Another thing is that in the NASA events I've participated in (AI and AIX) there wasn't crap for money handed out. As big as NASA is, you need to pay these racers for their effort HEARTILY. The series I belong to now pays in excess of $900 to win, and pays all the way to 5th place with around $100. Plus we have sponsor who give free brakes and tires.

Come off some money, and let us use whatever parts we want that don't interfere with the rules, and I may come play.

lovintha7

Oh yea, and the NASA director around my area is also a giant dick.

He promised us 1/2 our money back if we had 25 cars show up. 27 showed up, 3 broke during the first race. 24 started the second race. Did we get our money back? Nope. Who kept it? The NASA director. He's a greedy little bitch. It's ok though, NASA is becoming ever so much more unpopular in these parts. This past season they had 7 AI/AIX guys show up. They had to add them to the F-body challenge, or whatever it's called just to make the field look bigger. What's that tell you about NASA?

NASA-Spec7 89

Thats what I am trying to fix - get the rules set that all of us FB race car owners can run by just for fun. We in TXSRX7 run the RB header (with up to 3" exhaust) - we don't have to buy from specific outlet just have to have the same brand and model equipment.... cars that are similarily prepped. I want to open up the rule set just to help get guys like you interested in joining us. Suspension/exhaust/ interior parts - all these things can be addressed in the rules to help include everyone. We need to work together to make this happen. I understand wanting prize money --- What amatur road racing governing body pays prize money? I may want to join! Sorry to hear that NASA in your part of the country left a bad taste. I wish I could help with that. We have some really good people in this region that want to do everything they can for the racer. We realize that racers are our customer base. You tell us what you want - we try to make it happen.
As far as combining groups - it sometimes makes sense to combine to save time. SCCA in my region does it all the time. If the cars are of like weight and speed - Why not? Just don't try to race me to the corner if you aren't in my class. I hope to convince you to join us and get all your FB buddies up in the North East to join us as well.

I can bring any suggestions to the table (NASA National) - Can't hurt to ask, right?

I am open to all suggestions.....

Rx7carl

That sounds good, but I'd be good to make all our regionals. Too much time and $ right now for me to get back into it. But I wish you luck.

lovintha7

I understand you want to make things happen. But as I stated in my first post, I don't want to be manufacturer restricted in aftermarket parts. The prices are very similar for most parts, so I don't see why a $20-$40 difference in a set of springs, for instance, would matter. I don't know if you got the point, but you wrote "we don't have to buy from specific outlet just have to have the same brand and model equipment"- This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. I have Racing Beat springs. I don't wanna go out and have to buy ANOTHER set of Suspension Techniques springs just cause the rules say that's the only spring I can have.

As far as pointing out which Amateur Road Race series is paying out a hefty amount, I still belong to that group, and I don't want word going back through NASA and then to the director of the series I belong to. That's just bad ju-ju waiting to happen. I'm not here to cause a fight, or a rivalry I just want to have fun, and possibly get paid in the process.

But as I pointed out previously, the rules make it difficult to play in your game. Especially when someone has already purchased a slew a performance parts that aren't the brand that sponsors the series. If I come there with a stocker 12A, stock intake/carb, RB SP exhaust, RB suspension, RB Sway bars and springs, and a RB front strut tower bar, a CP racing Roll cage, and let's say, Kumho tires on 15" rims, I'm not gonna be able to race.

What's the point in that? I've spent all this money on parts that are comparable to your sponsor's parts, but I can't use them. I think you need to reevaluate the parts section of the rulebook.

1985_RX-7

Id be interested when i get my license and some expereince... So, about .5 of a year. Good luck on this.

dirty86

lol nasa sucks at rally too....

NASA-Spec7 89

Lovintha7,

I think we can get a set of rules that we can all live by and have fun.. We are not tied to the current SWDIV SRX7 rules... hell those are regional class rules that don't even match any other divisions. I want to make a rule set that includes those things you have .. the things I have and things other "7" classes run. I don't want to buy any more parts than you do. (or have to) But there has to be a way make the cars similar enough to be competative with each other without adding to the money factor. I do this for fun.. I just want to be able to have fun with lots of other people on track. The passion for the sport and for this wonderful old car makes families and friends out of strangers. Would it be possible to control some of the performance limits (say -1.5 degrees of camber on the front for example.. ) and other things that all cars can meet, without specific parts? I think so. But what I really want to see how many ppl would be interested and what rules they run, compare the two, and have a discussion on where we can meet in the middle.

"What's the point in that? I've spent all this money on parts that are comparable to your sponsor's parts, but I can't use them. I think you need to reevaluate the parts section of the rulebook."

(confused look - whats a sponsor? ) I don't have the a sponsor - unless you count the company that pays my salary. You have sponsors and win money - I would love that. I joke ... that's a great gig.

This is what I am trying to do - reevaluate the rules. Lets make a set of rules that include as much of our two worlds as possible - if there is a performance advantage- we try to manage it with some other way without getting to complicated. Lets face it ... there are fewer and fewer 1st gens out there. The regional classes are getting smaller and smaller - lets get bigger fields and have a blast for a week in September... really thats what we are talking about. The national "run off" event would be a FUN week for everyone. As a regional only drivers - we are the Rodney Dangerfield of racing... no invites to the big SHOW. This gives us a chance to compete with others of like interest all over the country.
Personally, I would love to see a 40+ car field of 1st gen 7's at the national. Have you seen the Spec Miata series fields after they went national in SCCA?

I appricate the responses - positive or negative -

We have a chance to make this our own and unite for a common cause.

Lets continue this discussion - what set of rules are you running? Can I get a copy or a link?

camocarl

iTrader: (5)

SCCA Club Racing is all Ill do. I don't feel comfortable running with the "run what you brung" boys, for the safety aspect.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

Why not feel safe? Don't you have to get tech inspected to get it on the track?

My problem with sanctioned racing is the rules... One of the guys here sent me a SCCA Solo II General competition rules (2000) book and the thing's got so many different classes and rules, I don't know where to start... And they spec a lotta **** out. They have no mention of 2nd gen subframe swaps or carb to EFI conversions or anything like that.


I just want to put my car on a track and drive. I care not about who wins or not, I just want to have fun. So long as I can afford it. A good track time to cost ratio is key.

RacerX7fb

If I had more money I'd be more involved.. it's always the issue.

camocarl, do you run in IT?

Pele, simply find a NASA HPDE or club that puts on track events. For Solo II, having a converted subframe would place your car in some kinda "incredible" car class just sign up in Novice Class for fun and some seat time.

NASA-Spec7 89

NASA does tech inspections for ALL classes. You have to meet the saftey requirements to get on the track. Just like SCCA. Did I mention that most of the people that are NASA racing are also SCCA. In my regional group we run SCCA events and NASA events as our schedule. As far as track time - the price per minute is a little better with NASA. Plus we get to pick how we use our time - as a group. Saftey is a number one.

Money issues... its a common problem in racing - 1st gen RX7's are "economical" from a relative standpoint. Thats why I chose this class. I don't have a boat load of expendable income - I make what racing I can - its a hobby. But the idea of running Mid Ohio with loads of other 7's from all over the country is appealing to me. I guess thats why I took this on.

HPDE is the best bang for the buck for street cars or solo cars. Those classes down here are huge.