Stock class legality of replacment convertable top

[Fred Sullivan]

The time has come to replace the soft top on my 2006 miata and i want to stay (rtr) stock class legal. I get the feeling from Section 13.1 that i have to use a oem mazda soft top. Is that correct? Its really expensive and i'd rather go aftermarket but i want to stay class legal. I'm not trying to get an edge but if I have to go oem I may sell the car for something else. Its just to expensive to go oem and that would be a shame.

Thanks.

[Brian Kelly]

I can't give you a definitive answer, but I would think as long as the top is of the same size, shape, weight, etc. it would be legal. I couldn't really see anybody protesting a replacement top, unless it were made of some kind of super-ultra-lightweight-lightspeed fabric.

[Ed Holley]

The time has come to replace the soft top on my 2006 miata and i want to stay (rtr) stock class legal. I get the feeling from Section 13.1 that i have to use a oem mazda soft top. Is that correct? Its really expensive and i'd rather go aftermarket but i want to stay class legal. I'm not trying to get an edge but if I have to go oem I may sell the car for something else. Its just to expensive to go oem and that would be a shame.

Thanks.

In the "Stock Category" section of the rules, I see nothing that specifically addresses convertible tops EXCEPT Section 12.6 which serves to define a Open Car. Beyond this, I think you are covered by this wording at the beginning of the Stock Category section...

Alternate components which are normally expendable and considered
replacement parts (e.g., engine and wheel bearings, seals, gaskets,
filters, belts, bolts, bulbs, batteries, brake rotors, clutch discs, pressure
plates, suspension bushings, drivetrain mounts, fenders, trim pieces,
etc.) may be used provided they are essentially identical to the standard
parts (e.g., have the same type, size, hardness, weight, material etc.),
are used in the same location, and provide no performance benefit.

That's my EXTREMELY expensive opinion. Hope it helps. Beyond this, if you are not a National level competitor, I would not be concerned at all, and even if you are, I don't think it would be a problem.

[Craig Naylor]

There are many a Miata with replacement "Robbins" brand tops running nationally across a smattering of classes the Miatas fits in. If yours came with a glass window standard for your trim, I would not replace with a plastic, zip out from factory, replace with zip out etc. Other than that, a glass replacement of a plastic would fall under comfort and convenience, same with a zip out if yours was not originally, IMHO.

P.S. I have an OEM Canvas, insulated, w/glass and defroster top on my STS car. Factory top on my base Miata was a Vinyl, non insulated, plastic w/o zip out. No one can argue a performance advantage with my heavier top, even if not original to my trim level.

Craig

[Mako Koiwai]

May you replace it with a hard top ... the 10 lb fiberglass type. }:)

[Fred Sullivan]

Thank you for all the replies. Common sense would lead me to think a robbins top would be ok but I understand the slippery slope of non oem parts on cars and wanted to be sure.

Lucky for me I got some very good news on the top. It turns out Mazda is going to replace it for me out of warranty due to a manufacturing defect with the glue they used. I had the problem documented from prior visits to another dealership while still under warranty but the repair was denied. Long story short it pays to try a different dealer and keep your paperwork, lesson learned. I only have to pay for the labor which I think is fair for a car outside of its warranty (its still cheaper than a robbins top). So I'm one happy customer!

As far as the hard top goes my last miata had a hard top on almost all the time. I liked it but I wouldn't want to have to buy a new one... I'm too cheap!

[Steve Lepper]

You don't want to buy a hard top for the NC because they are about twice the cost of the NA/NB tops!

Good news on the top replacement... I remember that being an issue in the early vinyl-top cars (mine was cloth) so I'm glad they are working with you on that.