It was June 13, 2023, when the world got a glimpse of what would become SCCA’s Club Spec classes. Back then, the concept was exactly that: an abstract idea, a general notion. Soon, though, ideas transitioned into solid reality, and by November, the SCCA® revealed that the first two cars to get the Club Spec treatment would be the NC Mazda MX-5 (Club Spec MX-5, CSX) and the early model S197 Ford Mustang GT (Club Spec Mustang, CSM). Spec kits were revealed, builds began, and at the 2024 Tire Rack SCCA Solo® National Championships, running as supplemental classes, CSX saw a field of 14 while CSM boasted 23 entries. The numbers continued to grow, and one year later, the Solo Nats witnessed a total of 29 drivers across CSX and CSXL, with CSM/L totaling 44.
Now, beginning with the 2026, Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships, CSX and CSM will crown SCCA’s first Club Spec National Champions during the Sept. 7-11 event. A little more than one month later, CSX and CSM drivers will take to the track during the inaugural Tire Rack SCCA Time Attack National Championship on Oct. 23-25, 2026, where two more Club Spec National Champions will be crowned.
Earning It
“These two Club Spec classes were not simply handed National Championship status, nor were they given the designation based purely on their entry counts at past Solo National Championships – the drivers earned it through consistent participation, and the Club Spec concept fits within a longer-term vision of Solo,” says Nick Dunlap, who chairs the Solo Events Board (SEB). “The SEB has been watching the entry counts across all National events nationwide since the classes were launched, and both classes have shown strong participation and competition worthy of National Championship status."
The SEB made the decision during their June 2026 meeting, noting that participation in the classes has met or exceeded their expectations.
Likewise, SCCA Time Attack has seen consistent participation within the Club Spec classes throughout the season, with strong participation at past Time Trials Nationals events.
In short, the Club Spec classes are strong.
The Next Step
“The Club Spec concept is simple: Offer a set of rules that crossed competition types, allowing someone to build a car once, then compete on a level playing field in not only SCCA Autocross, but also SCCA Time Attack and more,” said Vice President of Solo/Rally and Experiential Programs Heyward Wagner. “When we developed the rules, top on our mind was that Club Spec cars should also be streetable, allowing someone to build a Club Spec Mustang or MX-5 and use it on the road between events.”
To date, Club Spec cars have participated in nearly everything SCCA offers that doesn’t require a full roll cage, including autocross, Time Attack, Track Days, Track Night in America® Driven by Tire Rack, HillClimbs, and more.
Want to build your own Club Spec car? Club Spec MX-5 rules can be found here. Prefer V-8s? Club Spec Mustang’s specs are located here.
Yet Club Spec doesn’t end with the NC MX-5 and S197 Mustang GT.
When Club Spec was introduced, SCCA surveyed the membership asking which cars they’d like to see get the Club Spec treatment. The FR-S/BRZ was toward the top of the list, as was the Honda Civic, but one car that piqued many people’s interest was the 718 Porsche Cayman and Boxster.
“We unveiled Club Spec Cayman in December of last year, and the response was quite positive,” said Wagner. “Club Spec Cayman is a different concept. While the MX-5 and Mustang offer a low-buck buy-in, the 718 Cayman is a little more on the pricey side. But being a newer model built for high performance, the number of modifications in order to put it into Club Spec will be fewer.”
Check out what it takes to build a Club Spec Cayman (CSC) by clicking here.
Club Spec Cayman classes will appear in SCCA’s rulebooks beginning with the 2027 season.
Looking even further into the future, the Club Spec Advisory Committee (CSAC) is working on another car to enter the fray for 2028, possibly a four-door aimed at those with families. "The CSAC remains committed to actively gathering feedback from our community on all aspects of Club Spec as we plan the road ahead," said CSAC chair Marty Montagno. "The incredible camaraderie and enthusiasm of the Club Spec family are exactly what make the SCCA so fantastic, and we deeply value the direction we receive from our members.”
Join the Fun
Club Spec’s rise to success has been one built around community. From day one, Club Spec drivers have offered advice to others looking to enter the class. Case in point, the Club Spec Facebook group has grown to more than 3,000 members, with posts running the gamut from photos to event results, setup tips, and more.
Discover more about Club Spec on SCCA’s Club Spec webpage and Facebook group:
Club Spec Webpage
Photo by Philip Royle
