SCCA Project Spec Miata, Part 2 – Keeping the driver safe

With the installation of the MiataCage.com roll cage squared away in the first installment of this series, there was still much work to be done inside the project Spec Miata before it could hit the track. To get you up to speed with the project, past SCCA autocrossing champion Jennifer Isley decided to build a racecar with the goal of competing at the 2017 SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sept. 25-Oct. 1, and she picked the ultra-competitive Spec Miata class.

Back to the project build, when it comes to installing a race seat, the second-generation Miata does not have the roomiest of cabins, with many drivers opting to notch out the transmission tunnel, or even lowering the floor to get a comfortable seating position. That said, if you pick the right seat, you eliminate many of the clearance issues.

Jennifer did a lot of research comparing seat exterior dimensions and picked the Momo Super Cup seat based on its compact exterior shell dimension and the brand's reputation for safety. It was even narrow enough that the transmission tunnel didn't have to be notched.

Despite the positives, fitting a race seat is never straightforward.

• SCCA Project Spec Miata, Part 1 - The draw of IMS

"I figured seat installation would be a slam dunk," laughs Jennifer. "How hard could it be to bolt a seat to the floor using the existing bolt holes? That task was an all-day adventure."

A Momo Mod 88 steering wheel, which features a flat bottom for increased legroom, was bolted to an NRG quick release and replaced the stock wheel. A few more finishing touches included a Schroth Profi II 6-Hans harness, CorkSport aluminum shift knob, Longacre kill switch, and Safety Solutions center net.

Even though class rules allow for the use of a handheld fire bottle, Jennifer opted for the added protection of an OMP Sport AFFF Fire Suppression System.

Buttoning up the interior also included tasks like closing off holes between the engine bay or trunk left from removing nonessential items, like the convertible top, and securing the hardtop. Vendors like MiataCage.com offer a lot of bolt-on solutions that make finishing the interior of the Miata easier. One no-brainer was the hardtop mounting kit; the kit from MiataCage.com removes a time-consuming headache, making it a simple bolt-on affair. Another handy item sourced from MiataCage.com was the side window clips, which allow the stock windows to easily slip into place when transporting or storing the racecar.

Another part of the safety equation is what the driver wears, and when it comes to personal driver safety gear, calling it "unisex" would be generous – most gear on the market is designed to fit a man.

For some items, this is not a big deal; helmets, shoes and gloves typically come in a wide enough range of sizes. But for a driver's suit, women are often left holding (or in some cases) wearing the bag.

"A standard suit did not fit right," says Jennifer. "It was tight in some places and far too big in others."

Fortunately, Alpinestars caters to this very market with its Stella GP Pro Suit for women. The GP Pro is profiled specifically for women, making for an improved fit while offering the protection and breathability that Alpinestars suits are known for.

"Getting a suit that fit properly made me so much more comfortable in the car," she says. "There was no excess material hanging out in areas that it didn't need to be; it offers great freedom of movement, and I don't get as hot during the races. It looks good, too, which is always great."

In the third installment of this racecar build, we'll address what makes a Spec Miata "spec."