Q: Why does Spec3 not allow the 318i,323i/328i drivetrain?
The 325i and the M50b25tu engine from the 325i/525i is extremely plentiful and sells for $300 all day, every day. If you aren’t willing to sell your 328i to buy a 325i, consider how committed you may actually be to converting a car into a full race car
The 325i is OBD1, meaning the DME(ecu) does not need to be programmed or flashed. Simply buy the Spec3 tune chip and install it on the board. This makes compliance testing simple
Weight penalties to balance engines with different power levels and torque curves have proven to rarely be successful for tight racing. Spec3 is focused on car parity and the racing is tight enough that minute differences in torque across the rev range would cause disparity for consistent/fast drivers. (See other classes that allow the 328i). Spec Miata is one Spec class that allows different engines and the non VVT NB1 engine has proven to be a complete ringer and dominates the field. All 1.6 NA Spec Miata builds were instantly irrelevant when the NB was added.
Spec E30 (325i) and Spec E46 (330i) do not allow other engines either. Need we say more?
If you choose to use something other than a 325i (including an M3), most of the parts you’ll need to swap are listed here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HLraPTno1H5gmn34nZpJ3OOsuwaK6uo6oFadOapUBuQ/edit#gid=
Q: I don’t see Spec3 racing near me, should I build a Spec3?
A: Yes! Spec3 is growing in all corners of the United States. Not seeing a field racing at a NASA event near you does not mean there are a lot of cars being built local to you. Seeing fields for a class near you also does not mean that class will be there when you finish yours! Reach out to the Spec3 community to express your interest and inquire about racers near you. Chances are, you’ll find there are several cars in progress and there will be racing by the time you finish your car. There only needs to be 2 or more Spec3 racers with legal cars who decide to register for ANY National Auto Sport Association event to constitute an official Spec3 race.
Q: Picking a number for your car
A: Each region treats car numbers differently in regard to uniqueness. Some regions require a number be unique across all racers and even TT and some don’t even require a unique number within the same group. Be sure to read your region’s rules. Here are some links to region info:
Mid Atlantic: https://members.drivenasa.com/events/4187
Northeast: http://nasane.com/northeast-reserved-number-list/
Southeast: https://docs.google.com/.../1ny0Vk9HmMi.../edit...
Great Lakes: http://nasagreatlakes.com/CarNumbers.aspx
Mid-America: https://drivenasamidamerica.com/getti.../number-reservation/
Arizona https://nasaaz.com/car-numbers/
Rocky Mountain https://www.nasarockymountain.com/reserved-car-numbers
Q: Why is “X” not legal in Spec3?
A: Rules for “Spec” racing classes operate differently than other “open” classes. The rules do not specify what you cannot do, but instead, specify what you can do. The goal is that your car is stock in every way except where the rules specify you can do something to change the car in a way that it was not from the factory. Rules to allow new things you can do to your car are only added when there is a demonstrable “need” for that rule. For a new rule to be added that allows a part to be installed on a car, thorough testing must be done to confirm that part cannot be used or abused to have a competitive advantage, the rule must be clear enough that compliance officials can easily determine if a part is in compliance with the rules at the track, and a justification needs to be present as to why it is a detriment to the class to not allow that new thing.
Q: How can I suggest a new rule for Spec3?
A: Some classes have a specific time of year where rule change requests are “open”. Spec3 does not operate that way, and instead takes requests/suggestions for new rules year round. Rule suggestions can be filtered up through your series leader unofficially, or can be officially requested by emailing the national series leader with your request. Series leader information can be found here: https://drivenasa.com/staff-directory/
Q: Who determines if a new rule is to be implemented?
A: Spec3 currently has a rules panel consisting of veteran racers from various regions. Rule change requests are reviewed, research is conducted, and rules that the panel decides are worth adding are sent to NASA National for approval and publication.
Q: How often are the Spec3 rules updated?
A: A new ruleset is published yearly in the winter, and occasionally mid-season in preparation for the NASA Championships. Mid season updates are usually limited to clarifications, not major changes.
Q: How do points work? What championships can I compete in?
A: NASA is divided into “Regions”. Each region has a schedule that spans across various tracks in its geographic area. Racers racing in a region will receive season points based on finishing positions and the racer with the most points in a region at the end of a season is the region champion. NASA also has a National Championship in September. Racers from any region can compete as long as they have completed the required amount of regional races (usually 2-3 race weekends). https://drivenasa.com/championships/
Q: How do I race with Spec3?
A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-qf_B36mnM
Q: Why isn’t the class called Spec E36?
A: While the true history and context is probably lost, the fact remains that BMW Club filed for the trademark “Spec E36” a couple years after Spec E30 took off with NASA. Spec3 is unable to call itself “Spec E36” even as the leading spec class for the E36 made by the same people that created Spec E30. For more information, read this https://community.drivenasa.com/topic/75615-what-is-the-difference-between-spec3-and-spec-e36/