BoP Lab / Drivers / Marc Cefalo
Against the front of the class, by track and class
Gap is the driver's best lap in a session against the fastest lap in their class in that same session (zero is fastest in class), shown as time lost and as a share of the lap, so conditions cancel out and tracks can be compared. Typical is the median session.
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (2.54 mi)
Road America (4.05 mi)
Watkins Glen International (3.40 mi)
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (2.40 mi)
Hallett Motor Racing Circuit (1.80 mi)
Virginia International Raceway (3.27 mi)
Sebring International Raceway (3.74 mi)
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (2.53 mi)
NOLA Motorsports Park (2.74 mi)
Portland International Raceway (1.98 mi)
Pittsburgh International Race Complex (2.78 mi)
Unknown track (3.27 mi)
Circuit of the Americas
Circuit of the Americas (3.41 mi)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.59 mi)
Unknown track (4.05 mi)
Unknown track
Sonoma Raceway (2.52 mi)
Unknown track (2.52 mi)
Unknown track (2.59 mi)
New Jersey Motorsports Park (2.25 mi)
Letters to Fastrack
SMX5 Allow Penske T4 shock in SMX
#39588 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2026-02 Fastrack)
SMAC does not recommend this change at this time. SMAC believes that keeping all competitors on the same (not similar)
equipment is the best path moving forward for overall success and growth of the class. Penske does offer a path to take the T4
non-adjustable shock and convert it to a sealed SMX adjustable shock for those wishing to convert.
T4 Remove Spec Line for 3.7 Liter Mustang in it's Entirety From T4
#39177 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2025-11 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see letter #39251 in current Fastrack.
T4 Remove Spec Line for 3.7 Liter Mustang in it's Entirety From T4
#39176 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2025-11 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see letter #39251 in current Fastrack.
T4 Remove Spec Line for 3.7 Liter Mustang in it's Entirety From T4
#39175 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2025-11 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see letter #39251 in current Fastrack.
T4 Remove Spec Line for 3.7 Liter Mustang in it's Entirety From T4
#39174 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2025-11 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see letter #39251 in current Fastrack.
T4 Remove Spec Line for 3.7 Liter Mustang in it's Entirety From T4
#39173 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2025-11 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see letter #39251 in current Fastrack.
STU T2-TCR TCR cars must race as homologated, unless otherwise noted in the spec lines.
Make Model Transmission Power
A specification table follows in the original; it is not shown here.
T4 Remove Spec Line for 3.7 Liter Mustang In It's Entirety From T4
#39172 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2025-11 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see letter #39251 in current Fastrack.
SM Steering Rack Bushings
#37460 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2025-06 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. At this time we do not see opening up steering rack bushings as it may cause a perception that it is a
needed upgrade costing the racers money for a perceived benefit. Steering racks are very much available on the open market
for very reasonable money if a competitor damages their steering rack bushings beyond repair.
SMX5 Clutch Pedal Bracket Bracing
#37103 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2024-12 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. At this time SMAC does not feel this change is necessary as broken/damaged components are
covered in the GCR with language that states "It is permitted to use industry stnadard procedures to reapir damaged
components"
T4 Hood Vents in T4
#37102 from Marc Cefalo · Recommended to the Board · Minutes (2024-12 Fastrack)
In GCR, Section 9.1.9.2.D.8.a.7. change as follows:
"Touring 2 and 3 only: Hoods may have a maximum of 2 vents installed for cooling purposes. The maximum combined total area
of the vents shall not exceed 200 square inches. The 200 Square inches includes any area that deviates from the factory hood
profile. Vents may not protrude above the OEM hood profile more than 25mm (1 inch)."
T4 Weight Reduction Across All T4 Cars
#37101 from Marc Cefalo · No action required · Minutes (2024-12 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The touring committee isn't prepared to decrease the weights of all contending cars in T4. We feel
that the BOP is too close to risk such a drastic change. We will consider the concept that the cars are too heavy when making
future adjustments. We can focus on lightening to help slower cars. Thanks.
SMX5 SMX Alternate Clutch Allowance
#36605 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2024-10 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. This change is not needed at this time as the OEM clutch disc is a full face design with softer
engagement. The kit referenced in your letter uses a different pressure plate than what is legal and included in the bespoke
Mazda ACT clutch kit allowed in SMX.
SM Request to Allow 90-97 Cars to Space the Steering Rack
#34879 from Marc Cefalo · Recommended to the Board · Minutes (2023-12 Fastrack)
In GCR, Section 9.1.7.3., add the following:
"w. Steering rack on 1990-97 cars may be shimmed between the rack and subframe at its two mounting locations. Each rack
mount utilizes two bolts; both bolts must pass through each shim at that location. Shims must be the same dimensions and be
made from aluminum or steel. Total thickness of shims can not exceed 12.70mm (0.50 inch) in thinness/width."
SM Request for Substitute Connecting Rod Bolts
#34878 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2024-03 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter.
Spec Mx5 National Status
#34573 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2023-11 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see response to letter #35107 in current Fastrack.
T4 Parity - BOP adjustments for 2023
#33282 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2022-12 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see letter #32933 in current Fastrack.
Lack of green flag races at super tour events
#32584 from Marc Cefalo · No action required · Minutes (2022-09 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The Club and Road Racing program leadership acknowledges opportunities for improvement, many of
which have been captured with the launch of the Green-To-Checker initiative. This includes actionable items for officials,
organizers, rules makers, race workers, and drivers. Some items can positively influence the quality of driving immediately, and
some are longer-range projects.
SM Tire limit rule
#32583 from Marc Cefalo · No action required · Minutes (2022-10 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Please see response to letter #32554 in current Fastrack.
SM Variable Inertial Charging System check valve reliability issue
#32453 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2022-08 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The part number referenced in your letter has been superseded by Mazda with a different updated
part.
T4 Reduce Weight of T4 06-15 Model Year MX5 Back to 2650
#31716 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2022-01 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The performance adjustments published are the result of thoughtful consideration, data collection,
and analysis from all of the touring races throughout the 2021 season. Decisions are not based solely on a single event but all
touring races throughout every region. No BOP decision is made quickly or without careful consideration. We ask that you bring
out your cars and race. Without data on the adjusted cars further corrections can't be made. Please participate. The more data
we get, the better our corrections will be.
SM Allow Slotting of Front Subframe for Ease of Engine Installation
#30785 from Marc Cefalo · Recommended to the Board · Minutes (2021-12 Fastrack)
In GCR, Section 9.1.7.3.t., change as follows:
"t. For purposes of making engine installation easier, it is permitted to create a vertical slot between the top 2 factory mounting
holes on the driver’s side of the subframe to match the existing slot on the passenger side. The subframe is comprised of a top
and bottom layer of sheet metal. The only modifications permitted are to the top layer of sheet metal to match the bottom layer
of sheet metal which is already slotted. The slot may only connect the two existing holes and shall not exceed the width (.43”) or
height of the existing OEM holes. No material may be added.
t u. NA 90-97 cars may use the OEM Mazda 99-05 (NB) model year rear uprights. NA Cars upgrading to the OEM Mazda NB rear
upright must use the NB rear upright on both sides of the car. Miss matching of rear uprights is not allowed.
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u v. On the upper control arms, the original outer mounting holes may be slotted to obtain additional camber. The max slot size
shall not exceed 0.433” X 0.600”. No material shall be added."
SM Coil-over Sleeve Trimming
#29063 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2020-12 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The CRB does not feel this is a necessary change at this time.
SM competition adjustment on spec line for Na1.8
#29040 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2020-12 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The CRB does not see this as a viable parity resolution path.
SM Request to Reduce Weight of 94 Through 97 Model Year Cars
#27604 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2019-05 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The SMAC has extensively reviewed multiple forms of data regarding
performance and believes that balance of performance for the entire class is being achieved at this time.
SM Request for Billet Rear Hubs.
#27591 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2019-12 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. This change is not recommended but will continue to monitor.
SM Restrictor Plate Sizing
#27574 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2019-05 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The SMAC has extensively reviewed multiple forms of data regarding
performance and believes that balance of performance for the entire class is being achieved at this time.
SM Request to approve additional hardware allowances
#26881 from Marc Cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2020-01 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Additional hardware allowances are not recommended at this time; however,
we will continue to monitor.
Request for rain lights on all cars
#26858 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2019-07 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. See letter 26766 posted in the July Fastrack.
SM Alternate Valves for 01-05 VVT Engines and Shimming of Springs
#26543 from marc cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2019-04 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The Spec Miata Advisory Committee does not recommend this
modification at this time.
Request to review on track incidents and officiating
#26270 from Marc Cefalo · Taken care of · Minutes (2019-07 Fastrack)
Improving On-Track Driver Conduct
Plan:
- Develop Facebook post to keep members up to date on current process (See below for
latest post in italic)
- Discuss at the face to face BOD / CRB / staff meeting in May.
- Use SM as the catalyst for improvement and standardize common in all classes.
- Get SMAC and possibly the CAT (collision avoidance team) to identify possible ideas to
help educate new (and experienced) drivers to establish common expectations.
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- Continue to evolve, educate, and standardize race operations on how to deal with on
track incidents and car damage.
On track behavior- Working towards cleaner, safer race events.
Contact between racers- a metal to metal incident, whether minor or major, is a hazard
that comes with our sport. We all want close, hard racing, but we also want to load our
car up at the end of the weekend without the hassle and expense of damage. This is a
particular concern in our large fields, where it is easy to cross the line or get caught up in
another on track event. In fact, we have received recent and specific feedback from
the racing community that many believe there is a disconnect between each drivers
interpretation of the conduct rules.
The GCR in section 6.11.1 On Course Driver Conduct attempts to define the parameters
of on track conduct, most notably with this phrase: Drivers are responsible to avoid
physical contact between cars on the race track….(It goes on to lay the groundwork for
corrective action)…… If a driver is involved in significant body contact, the driver and car
shall stop at the designated incident investigation site for review of the incident by the
stewards before going to their paddock area…… “Significant body contact” includes but is
not limited to:
contact resulting in 2 or 4 wheels off course, spins, loss of position, or repairs to
suspension or bodywork. The Clerk of the Course at Hoosier Super Tour events will be
coordinating with Race Control and the Safety Team to present disabled cars involved
contact to Tech.
Currently, our leadership is looking into the best way to establish a common and uniformly
understood interpretation of this part of our rules- essentially, our expectations for on track
conduct. While SCCA provides a safety infrastructure and Stewards to deal with these
issues, these steps only deal with the fallout of poor conduct - at the expense of valuable
track time and potential repair costs.
One idea is to increase the driver awareness and education level by setting up a library of
videos that use a known driver doing the narrative on what they see and how things
should have been done (are you reading this, Randy Pobst). Other ideas involve more
punitive measures including maintaining a centralized database of contact logs of repeat
offenders.
If you have any thoughts on this topic, please write letters to crbscca.com. Let’s all work
together to improve our on-track racing experience.
SM Request OEM hardtop for reduced pricing
#26269 from marc cefalo · Not recommended · Minutes (2019-03 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. Your request is not within Spec Miata advisory committee’s authority
to question a vendor’s price on a product.