Bermaz Auto Philippines, the official distributor of Mazda vehicles in the Philippines, has officially launched a new era in Mazda’s Jinba Ittai philosophy. Organized by RaceGAS Dynamics and Allan Uy, the Miata Spec Series is a celebration of the Mazda MX-5’s 30th anniversary as well as the promotion of sportsmanship and grassroots motorsports.
However, unlike the Miata Cup, which is one of the longest-running motorsports events in the Philippines open for all MX-5/Miata owners, this event requires you to specifically own a Miata Spec Series race car.
For P2.5 million, the Mazda MX-5 Miata Spec Series is a fully road-legal fourth generation (ND) MX-5 soft-top MT with Cuco coilovers, Cusco front and rear sway bars, Cusco power brace, Concept One wheels (17×7.5) and 215/45 R17 Nitto NT555 G2 tires. A tow harness is also equipped outside the MX-5.
Inside, the MX-5 Miata Spec Series race car features a six-point roll cage, driver’s footplate, Sparco steering wheel, Sparco race bucket seats with four-point seatbelts, and a Sparco kill switch. Interestingly, creature comforts such as the Mazda Connect infotainment system, power windows, passive entry with push button start, instrument panel with a multi-information display, and even the air conditioning are carried over into the Miata Spec Series race car.
Pop the hood and you will see a Mazdaspeed strut tower brace while the 2.0-liter inline-4 Skyactiv-G petrol engine carries over unchanged. It still produces 184 hp @ 7,000 rpm and 205 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Miata Spec Series race cars, however, have an upgraded exhaust for a livelier engine note on track. There’s also the addition of steel-braided brake lines for improved stopping power.
RaceGAS Dynamics, the organizer of the Miata Spec Series, says that the inaugural season will start in May of next year and all four rounds will be held at Clark International Speedway. Each round will have 12 laps and a minimum grid of nine cars.
Go Flat Out’s own Jerald Valdez notes that the Miata Spec Series race cars feel much more capable than the standard MX-5s. Due to the upgrades made to the suspension, tires, and wheels, the Miata Spec Series cars have a much higher handling limit. It truly delivers on the Jinba Ittai experience, but at an even higher level as the car manages to rotate much more willingly and eagerly at every driver’s input. It’s all perfectly tuned in a way that the car feels neutral through the turns at it exhibits a lesser degree of understeer or oversteer.
Furthermore, all these thrills aren’t limited to the track. As mentioned, the Miata Spec Series cars are road legal, which means all of the car’s tangible handling benefits can also be experienced through twisty sections of road. Also, at P2.5 million, it costs even less than the MX-5 RF Club Edition we reviewed and it includes a racing suit, gloves, shoes, as well as all the MX-5’s stock parts.
Luckily, for those who already own a 2019 MX-5 soft-top, owners can convert their cars to meet the Miata Spec Series requirements, even if it has a 6-speed automatic. However, the organizers will have to evaluate the car first if it still adheres to the race series rules and regulations.
0 comments on “A Mazda MX-5 Race Series Is Going To Happen In The PH On May 2020”