From day one, the Club Spec concept was all about having as much fun as possible, in as many places as possible, with as many people as possible – with that, anything was possible. With the “build once, participate anywhere” mentality, Club Spec went from concept to reality in three months, with the contenders being narrowed down to the NC Mazda MX-5 and S197 Ford Mustang by late 2023, with affordable and durable performance packages making them the Club Spec cars we’ve come to love. Even then, SCCA® knew the work wasn’t done, as votes from the membership indicated there was interest in a variety of cars to receive the Club Spec treatment. With that, Club Spec introduces the Porsche 718.
Looks like it’s time to buy a Cayman or Boxster this holiday season so you're ready to compete when the class becomes an official class in 2027.
“Club Spec was received well by the membership, and over the course of the last two years, we’ve seen a number of MX-5s and Mustangs built and used in SCCA autocross, Time Attack competition, and at SCCA Targa events, as well as at Track Night in America® events – now it’s time to add to the Club Spec fleet,” said SCCA Vice President of Experiential Programs Heyward Wagner. “Early on, we conducted a poll to see which cars people were interested in seeing become Club Spec cars; of those the MX-5 and Mustang were definite winners, but there was still a sizable contingent asking for the Porsche Cayman and Boxster.”
The 718 model was chosen over the 987 and 981 due to the 718 being available both on the used car market as well as through Porsche dealerships as a new vehicle.
“The 718 Cayman and Boxster are kind of at this perfect crossroad where the chassis has been around for a while, but it’s also current, meaning parts support will be plentiful for years to come,” Heyward added. “Also, an analysis showed that while the 718 has a higher up-front purchase price compared to the 987 and 981, being a newer model, the long-term costs of the 718 should prove to be less.”
Because Porsche is Porsche, the 718 chassis covers many model years, vehicle trims, and engine configurations – Club Spec will include a specific combination of those.
Inside Club Spec Cayman
First order of business is that the official name of the class will be Club Spec Cayman – and yes, Club Spec Cayman (CSC) will include both the Cayman and Boxster models. Whether hardtop or convertible, the 718 of choice must be the Base Model equipped with the 2.0L turbocharged flat-four (MA2.2) that produces roughly 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. That means those wishing to build a Club Spec Cayman will be shopping for model years 2017 and newer. Six-speed manual cars and those with the PDK transmission will be allowed in Club Spec. Note that the Sport Chrono Package (SQ5) is not CSC legal.
Suspension upgrades will include the X73 suspension kit (which was originally developed for the 981 chassis but fits the 718) paired with front camber plates from Vorshlag Motorsports. For less than a combined $2,500, these components will place all Club Spec Caymans on equal footing.
The wheel upgrade allowance includes wheels that measure 18x9 with a minimum offset of 45 and a minimum weight of 17 lbs for the fronts; in the rear, wheels must measure 18x10 with a minimum offset of 35 and minimum weight of 19 lbs.
There will be a spec tire, although that is TBD at the moment.
Brake linings and rotors will be allowed to be changed, cat-back exhausts will be permitted, and alternate radiators can be installed that use the OE radiator mounts (the addition of the third radiator is also permitted).
Furthermore, Time Trials Level 2 and 3 safety items will be permitted, allowing for roll bars/cages, performance seat upgrades, and harnesses. Note that both the Cayman and the Boxster meet the Level 1 safety standard in stock form.
There is currently no intention to allow ECU tunes, intake modifications, or diff upgrades.
And finally (as mentioned earlier), the class will not be an official Time Attack or Solo class until the 2027 season.
Before You Buy
Before you crack open a new browser tab and begin shopping for a 718 Cayman or Boxster, you’ll first want to head to SCCA’s Club Spec page for all the details. There, you’ll find a section for each Club Spec configuration (MX-5, Mustang, and now Cayman), with each linked to a handy buyer’s guide and class rules that include things like part numbers for the X73 suspension kit and Vorshlag camber plates.
You’ll also find a link to SCCA’s Club Spec Facebook group, where you can discuss all things Club Spec with like-minded folks.
Photo by Philip Royle
(Editor's note: this article has been updated to clarify when CSC will be an official class for SCCA competition.)
