February 15, 2001

To All Star Formula Mazda Racers:

Enclosed are the 2001 “Supp Regs” for the Star Mazda Series North American Championship (formerly known as the Best Western or Pro-TV Championship). The changes from last year are few and most are just simplified wording. The only items permitted in these Supp Regs that would not be per the SCCA GCR are the brake pad shims and knock back springs. Some people want to use them, and they are okay for use in the Series races. At an SCCA Club race, however, you might get protested. Local enforcement on this is highly variable. Be careful to avoid problems if you use these items.

We have had an opportunity to meet some new people at the SCCA convention and have hopes we can improve communications to the point that simple requests can be dealt with more expeditiously than of late. Some of our requests have been denied as “counter to spec class philosophy” even with several FM owners’ letters supporting the request. We are committed to working through the club, so we will just keep grinding till we get what the majority of Formula Mazda owners want. Your letters to the Board are always helpful, whether in support or against any proposal. You need to tell them (and us) what you want.

Two of the new shock absorbers have been “broken” by someone trying to force the adjustments past their limits. This can be avoided if you remember where the adjustments are before attempting to readjust the shock and not trying to get eleven clicks when only ten are available. The normal adjustment range is 8 sweeps of rebound and 10 clicks of bump. You may damage the shock if you try for more. So far, the only two we have seen, one bump and one rebound adjuster broken, were easily repaired. But special tools are required to reassemble and repressurize the shock. If you do not force the adjuster, you can avoid the inconvenience of having to send the shock out to be serviced. Do not run a shock with a jammed or disconnected adjuster. Severe damage or a loss of car control could result.

We are still trying to fill the pipeline with the new shocks. Almost one hundred sets have already been shipped, but orders are coming in at such a rate that we cannot quite catch up. Koni is doing their best and so are we but, if you recall, we predicted this could happen last June when the Comp Board delayed approval of the shocks. We hope to catch up before the end of March. Shipments are going out in the sequence the orders came in. Our thanks to those who volunteered to “slip” a few positions to help someone behind them make a race date.

The entry form and schedule for the opening race of “The Red Line Oil Oval Championship” are attached. The Phoenix one-mile oval is always a great event. We are looking for volunteer drivers who would be willing to visit some kids at the Children’s Hospital. It is quite touching to witness the kids’ response. Let us know if you can spare the time.

See you at the races!

Sincerely,
Gary E. Rodrigues

STAR MAZDA SERIES
STANDING SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS FOR YEAR 2001

Race cars must comply with current SCCA GCR and Formula Car specs, plus:

Electrical: Only MSD 6AL shall be allowed and mounted on the front or rear of the headrest panel for easy access. Rev Chips may be removed only at select events at the direction of Series Officials.

Suspension: All cars must be fitted with current Star spec suspension parts. Including, but not limited to, the following: upright castings, lower pins; rockers, a-arms; shock legs and all common links. Russell/Hayashi parts no longer allowed.

Transmission: Blueprinting is allowed, inner working parts are not brand specific and like parts of alternate manufacture may be installed where parts are interchangeable. These parts include: Gears, Dogs, Forks, Bearings and Shafts. Performance enhancing parts are not permitted. MK5 gears may be allowed at a later date upon release by Series. Optional Gear Ratios may be fitted at select events only and at the direction of Series Officials.

Wheels: Centers may be refinished, painted, plated, or powder coated. Stub axles may be drilled for safety pins.

Brakes: All cars must have current model, two-piece hats and rotors fitted. Alternate ferrous pistons for alloy caliper, knock-back springs and shims may be fitted, but are not required.

Clutch: Only current model, diaphragm clutches allowed.

Bodywork: Reasonable trimming of bodywork is allowed for proper fit, with maximum gaps to frame rails .500”. Nose poles must be of .083” steel tubing and held in place with the use of two split collar clamps or similar devices to prevent the pole from dislodging in the event of wing loss. Maximum front wing angle of attack shall be 16 degrees measured with a straight edge across the upper surface of the wing to its trailing edge, less Gurney, and with driver seated in the car post session.

Ballast: Weights may not be bolted to the battery box for safety reasons.

Carburetion: All cars must compete with the current Weber 48mm DCOE modified to 50mm as supplied by Star. “Legalized” earlier versions of the 48mm may be allowed at the discretion of the Technical Director. Weber manufactured 50mm carburetors are not permitted.

The following restrictions shall apply:

Chokes: 44mm mandatory

Fuel Jet range: 195-230

Air Corrector jet range: 215-240

Idle Jet options: F6 – .50 - .70 / F10 – .50 - .70

Accelerator Pump Rod: Maximum length 16mm (Weber spec) or 65.5mm overall

Only K&N filter part no. E-3491PK is permitted. Additional filtration may be fitted to the outer surface of this filter.

Fuel: Only VP Racing MS-933 permitted.

Tires: Only Goodyear tires specified by Series are permitted.

Super Traps: May be removed at select events at the direction of Series Officials.

Impound: After each qualifying session and race all cars and drivers must proceed directly to impound. No changes may be made to the configuration of the car as it ran in competition unless directed by Series Officials. No covers may be added unless the car is released from impound. No car or driver is released from impound until advised by Series Officials.

NOTICE TO DRIVERS IN THE
STAR MAZDA SERIES NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Star Mazda Series North American Championship races are sanctioned by Pro Sportscar. Pro Sportscar rules differ slightly from those you may be accustomed to using.

(1) All first time drivers in the Star Mazda Series North American Championship will have a MANDATORY meeting with the Chief Steward prior to going on track for the first session of the weekend. If we are the first session of the day, the meeting will be held 30 minutes after that session.

(2) The pit lane speed for all races is 60km or 37 mph. Violation of the pit speed will result in an immediate stop and go penalty.

(3) You may not pass the Rapid Response Medical Vehicle (RRMV) unless waved by.

(4) On all starts and restarts when the pace car lights go out, all yellow flags will drop. This is your signal that you are probably coming up for a start. Be prepared.

(5) Protest procedures: See the Chief Steward.

(6) Uniforms: All crew members should wear clean, appropriate and safe attire in the pit lane. All crew members should be similarly attired for quick team identification in the pit lane.

(7) In-car radios are highly recommended.