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Introduction

Everything You Wanted to Know About NASA's Spec Miata Racing Series

The Mazda Miata is the most-raced car in North America, and for good reason. The platform itself is compliant and predictable, which makes it a great car for learning to drive well. At the other end of the learning curve, it takes every last ounce of technique and error-free driving to get the most from the car, and if you watch some of the videos at the end of this feature, you’ll see what that looks like. If you’re on the fence about racing in Spec Miata, read on to find out what it’s like. Then come join the fun.

Affordable, reliable, great-handling cars and a spec rulebook attract some of the best drivers to participate in incredibly close racing. Relatively simple cars make Spec Miata a class where a new racer can support and maintain a competitive car in a home garage with minimal tinkering throughout the season. Large fields and close racing mean drivers of all skill levels have someone to race in Spec Miata.

The diverse paddock often has racers from hobbyist weekend warriors to teenage karting prodigies on their path to professional racing careers. 

The first two generations Mazda MX-5 Miatas, 1990-1997 “NA” and 1999-2005 “NB,” are eligible to race in Spec Miata. Small differences in performance between generations are balanced through the use of minimum weights and restrictor plates in certain years.

With an incredible number of eligible vehicles produced from 1990-2005, cars remain easy to find and parts are readily available. 

The lone ineligible model from the NA and NB generations is the 2004 and 2005 “Mazdaspeed” turbo Miata.

Everything from free on Craigslist to about $5,000 for a nice, clean donor. Availability is still plentiful, although rust can be a problem in some regions.

Spec Miata runs largely “stock” engines, with a rulebook that explains specific tolerances and allowed building techniques. Skilled engine builders with a lot of experience building legal engines for the class often can make upward of 10 horsepower more than the typical “junkyard” engine. Top-build engines are typically in the 120- to 125-horsepower range. 

These tight rules and conservative build allowances mean Spec Miatas not only race on an even playing field, but also have reliable, long-lasting power plants. 

Year Min. Weight (lbs) Restrictor Plate
1990-1993
2,275
None
1990-1993
2,290 (w/.010”overbore)
None
1994-1997
2,400
None
1994-1997
2,415 (w/.010”overbore)
None
1999-2000
2,400
38 mm
1999-2000
2,415(w/.010”overbore)
38 mm
2001-2005
2,450
40 mm
2001-2005
2,465(w/.010”overbore)
40 mm
Fuel usage is restricted to unleaded gasoline commonly found at retail pumping stations (Shell, Chevron, Citgo, etc.). Octane is limited to a maximum of 94 (R+M)/2 and a maximum of 12% ethanol. Race fuels such as, but not limited to, ERC brand are prohibited. All fuel additives are illegal, per the CCR. Note- event supplemental rules supersede this section.

$10,000 to $15,000 for a tight budget self-build. Plan on spending significantly more for a front-running, Championship-caliber car. Many shops around the country build turnkey cars for racers with a higher budget. 

Occasionally, older cars are listed for sale under $10,000, and they sell quickly. Average cars sell in the $10,000 to $20,000 range, with Championship-caliber cars often selling for upward of $30,000.

  • There aren’t many modifications allowed. In Spec Miata, if the rulebook doesn’t explicitly say that you can do something, then you cannot do it.
  • Be sure to fit all required modifications like the spec suspension kit listed in the Spec Miata rules, as well as required safety modifications (such as seat, window nets, fire systems, and electrical kill switches) found in the CCR.
  • Some modifications are allowed, but not required. For example: extended lower ball joints and offset upper control arm bushings for more camber adjustment range. 
  • Legal size 15-inch x 7-inch wheels are available from several manufacturers, and a minimum wheel weight of 13 pounds keeps wheel purchasing and replacement costs relatively affordable.
  • An engine built to the maximum spec of the rules is very helpful to running competitively in a class with cars running so close together. 

Spec Miata is one of the most affordable racing classes in road racing. Light, reliable cars are easy on consumables and hardware. While some racers hire crew to constantly check and adjust things like alignment through a weekend,  most racers kick up their feet and enjoy the weekend with friends.

Average cost to run a weekend — $1,000, all in, with some spending less and some spending significantly more. 

With lighter low-horsepower cars, and long-lasting tires like the Toyo RR, Spec Miata drivers typically enjoy long life from consumables. 

Some drivers run entire seasons on cheap or free used tires. The more extreme racers may replace tires after two events, or one. The typical Spec Miata racer uses two sets of front pads per season, and one set for the rear. Brake rotors are cheap blanks that typically cost more to ship than to buy.

Tires, size, brand and prices

  • Toyo Proxes RR, 205-50-15, $225 from Phil’s Tire Service, Cragsmoor, N.Y.
  • Toyo Proxes RA1, 205-50-15, (wet), $225 from Phil’s Tire Service, Cragsmoor, N.Y.

Brakes, brands and prices

  • Hawk DTC 60 front $115
  • Carbotech XP10 front $160
  • G Loc R10 front $150

Check the NASA Contingencies page for the latest programs.

Notably, Mazda has significant contingency prizes for top finishers in local season points, as well as the NASA Championships race.

Mazda’s support of Spec Miata is the gold-standard of factory backing in club racing series.

Generous contingencies are offered at the local season-points level, as well as for the NASA Championships race. Mazda’s support of Teen Mazda Challenge within Mazda racing classes helps support a pathway to professional racing for aspiring young racers. 

Mazda also continues to support Spec Miata with production of factory parts, engineering and production of new parts, and general support of the series with knowledge/publications/etc.

  • Respectable fields in nearly all regions. Big fields in most regions.
  • There’s usually someone to race with anywhere in the field.
  • Genuinely affordable cars if you just want to race and have fun. 
  • The best factory support in all of amateur racing.
  • Miatas are good racecars for rookies and experts alike. 
  • Huge knowledge base.
  • Spec Miata is a rung on the ladder to pro racing.
  • With large fields, running very closely, Spec Miata has a bit of a reputation for the occasional car-to-car contact.
  • Occasionally, teardowns at Championships can be invasive.
  • Spec Miata is a rung on the ladder to pro racing.
  • 1.6-liter vehicles may use a cone-type air filter assembly. The air filter assembly may include integrated or attached components that may serve the purpose of shielding ONLY the air filtration element and air intake tube prior to the AFM from radiant engine heat. 
  • For 1.8-liter cars, any filter may be used, providing that it is comprised of components and materials other than air cooling systems, cooling chemicals, or cooling chemical compounds.
  • Any adjustable mechanical fuel regulator may be used, but it may not be adjustable from the cockpit.
  • Any front and rear camber is allowed within the normal limits of adjustment. The only modifications to increase or decrease camber allowed are the inner suspension bushings on the front upper control arms and/or the extended lower ball joints.
  • All cars are permitted to use the “R” model tie rod ends part # N021-32-280A.
  • Steel braided brake hoses may be used.
  • To improve driver exit through the window area, the driver vent window and vent window supports may be removed.
  • Power steering rack may be converted to manual.
  • All cars now use Penske nonadjustable shocks. Bilstein Shocks are legal for regional competition use only. Penske non-adjustable shocks are mandated for National Championships. 
  • New for 2025: All cars shall display their minimum weight [with decals] for their specific year and engine (overbore or not).

News

Latest Spec Miata News Around The Country

Reviews

What Spec Miata Competitors Say

Videos

Get On-Board with Spec Miata Drivers

Contact Us

Spec Miata Series Contacts

Spec Miata
Ben Miller
Region: Northeast
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email
Bradley Widhalm
Region: Arizona
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email
Eddie Yakin
Region: Arizona
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email
Jim Tramontano
Region: Northeast
Title(s): National Series Director
Series: Spec Miata
Email
John Poppenhouse
Region: Great Lakes
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email
Robert Rose
Region: California-Southern
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email
Tommy Lo
Region: California-Northern
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email
Trevor McCallion
Region: Texas
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email
Xavier Calderon
Region: Mid Atlantic
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email
Yan Dia
Region: Southeast
Title(s): Regional Series Leader
Series: Spec Miata
Email