A field of compact sports cars roars to life as the green flag drops. 16 Mazda Miatas scream down the front straight towards turn 1, millimetres between them as they wrestle for position. Gasps and cheers from the crowd as the field remains bunched together throughout the remainder of the race, ferociously battling with no car having a clear advantage, bringing out every driver’s true skill and bravery. The Caribbean Spec Miata Series is the quintessence of close, affordable circuit racing.
The car that makes it all possible, the Mazda Miata, (also known as the MX-5 in North America) is a lightweight roadster built by Mazda purely aimed at driving enthusiasts. The car sold so successfully and performed so capably that it quickly became the most raced car on the planet while only evolving 4 times, beginning with the NA in 1989, NB (the Caribbean’s spec car), NC and finally the ND. The nimble handling, 50:50 front/rear weight balance, low kerb weight (approx. 2300 lbs) and responsive 1.8L engine (approx. 130hp) coalesce to make one of the greatest driving experiences of all time while remaining attainable to most car enthusiasts.
The Caribbean Spec Miata Series pushes these cars to their maximum “near-stock” potential, with minimal allowed upgrades and extremely tight rules, designed for the closest possible racing. The spirit of a Spec Series is quite evident, with the entire field of cars running within 2 seconds of each other at most events even considering the varying levels of driver skill. Each car is so regulated, that the engine tolerances must be kept within THOUSANDTHS of an inch, the exhaust must be identical in diameter to the rest of the field, the aftermarket suspension components must be identical (same model and company) and all cars must run a single specified tyre. Even with these rules, teams naturally find ways to exploit the cars, as one horsepower more can make a massive difference in a Spec Series.
With relatively low running costs and promises of close racing, this series has become the most popular Spec Series in its own variations around the world, and while being a new experience to us in the Caribbean, it has already proven itself as an instant classic. Sponsors and teams also gain massively from the advertising it brings as the cars all have unique liveries which show off their respective businesses and accentuate the beautiful styling of the Miata, creating quite the spectacle for racing fans. The standardized pace of the cars, the skill required to get the most out of them and the lessons that a lightweight, rear-wheel drive roadster can teach you make the Caribbean Spec Miata a top-tier choice for anyone who would like to enter circuit racing on a budget while enjoying some of the most competitive racing imaginable.
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