Think back to when the NASA Prototype was introduced. Much of the effort that went into keeping its sticker price low and decreasing running costs stemmed from making the car as robust and reliable as possible, and from making many of the spares the same for each corner of the car.
It helps that the NP01-EVO is purpose-built for racing and everything was brand new when the cars hit the track. Production cars often have upward of 100,000 miles on them before they are repurposed and given a second life as a racecar, and that can mean bringing a lot of spares.
However, we all know there’s no such thing as “bulletproof” in racing, so if you race an NP01-EVO, you will need to carry a selection of spares to keep the car going. We reached out to NP01 drivers across the country to find out what they carry with them so they can finish the race weekends they start.
Name: Francis Hu
Region: NASA SoCal
Car: SEBECO NP01-EVO
Years Racing: 12
Spares List
Engine Mazda MZR 2.0-liter
Spark plugs
Two coils
Serpentine belt
Throttle position sensor
Cam angle sensor
Crank angle sensor
Oil pump belt
Chassis
Two brake rotors (same front and rear)
One set of brake pads (same front and rear)
Wheel hub (same for all corners)
Axle boots
Rear shock rocker
Rod ends for A arms and tie rods
Front upper A-arm (same left and right)
Rear upper A-arm (same left and right)
Brake master cylinders
Hardware
Bolts and nuts
Camlocs
Circlips
Battery
Fuel pump
Fuel filter
Q: How do you determine what spares you need to bring with you?
A: Since the NP01 is a purpose built racecar, well designed with robust parts, and it was new when I bought it in 2016, it has been super reliable. I created the parts list from past experience racing Spec Miata and thinking ahead of potential track damage from going off and from contact. Many of the spares have never been used, which is a good thing. I do a careful inspection and preventive maintenance on my car between races so I have very few issues at the track. Here are the things I had to fix at the track. Replace torn CV boot, replace dead battery, replace a broken A-arm rod end (from contact), replace a fuel pump that was a counterfeit and replace a throttle position sensor.
Q: What is one spare part you have needed at the track, but didn’t have with you?
A: Front brake master cylinder, my only DNF.
Q: What have you always had on hand, but never had a need for?
A: My theory is if I have the spare parts, I will not need it, which has been the case. Most of the spares have been there for five years.
Q: How have you built up your supply of spare parts?
A: Over time. Also when I replace a part as preventive maintenance that is still usable, that goes into the spares box.
Q: How many times have you provided a part to competitors so they can get their car back on track? Please explain.
A: NP01 is a great community so we share anything that is needed at the track. I have borrowed parts and supplies from the group many times and provided spares on many occasions. We have a great group of racers.
Name: Sam Mangiameli
Region: NASA Central
Car: SEBECO NP01-EVO
Years Racing: 24
Spares List
Brake rotors
Brake pads
Lug nuts
Upper and lower wishbones for front and rear
Rod ends for all wishbones and pushrods
Bearings
Half shafts
Windshield
Mirrors
Rearview camera system
Wiring and electrical plugs
Alternator
Fuel filter
Oil filter
Air filter
Tires
Wheels
Oil
Gear oil
Brake fluid
Camlocks
Q: How do you determine what spares you need to bring with you?
A: Most of the suspension components were determined after suffering an unfortunate accident at Daytona in 2021. That gave us a better understanding of how the crush zones work on the car.
Q: What is one spare part you have needed at the track, but didn’t have with you?
A: A rear axle shaft.
Q: What have you always had on hand, but never had a need for?
A: Rod ends. We have never had one fail.
Q: How have you built up your supply of spare parts?
A: Mainly from Daytona and over the years. Seeing what wears out through the course of a weekend. A lot of the components on the car are overbuilt for the car so you don’t have as many mechanical parts fade or wear out.
Q: How many times have you provided a part to competitors so they can get their car back on track? Please explain.
A: We have helped with small parts here and there. There’s never really been any other competitors in the NP01 class suffering a major mechanical failure, which I believe is a testament to the car itself. Any time any of us are having issues, we all try to park together so we can all work as a team to help fix and diagnose any problem someone may be having.
Name: Mark Abouzeid
Region: NASA NorCal
Car: SEBECO NP01-EVO
Years Racing: 39 years at least!
Spares List
Axle
Outer CV joint
Inner and outer CV boot kits
Brake rotors with hats
Brake pads
Front control arms
Rear control arms
Rear diffuser
Vehicle bolt kit
Wheels and tires
Radiator
All fluids
Q: How do you determine what spares you need to bring with you?
A: We determined our list of spares based on an information sheet shared with me by a good friend and competitor Francis Hu. Our NP01 group of racers is really amazing and very helpful to each other, including the NASA COO Jeremy Croiset.
Q: What is one spare part you have needed at the track, but didn’t have with you?
A: I purchased my NP01 used and I was very fortunate to have received a lot of spares; 22 wheels, spare brake rotors and hats, complete bolt and fastener kits.
Q: What have you always had on hand, but never had a need for?
A: When I look at my spare parts selection, I try to make sure I have stuff to help my racing friends so we can all make it through the weekend.
Q: How many times have you provided a part to competitors so they can get their car back on track? Please explain.
A: A couple of races ago at Thunderhill, one fellow NP01 racer Tony Brakohiapa in his Patron car had a part failure, and the group of NP01 racers all helped and got his car back together. That’s truly what makes this group so fun to be a part of.
Name: Chad Plavan
Region: NASA SoCal
Car: SEBECO NP01-EVO
Years Racing: 24 years
Spares List
TPS sensor (only replaced 2 TPS in six years (~$30 each)
GM Cadillac CTS CV joint (outer 889527233) (~$100 each) Replaced three in six years of ownership
Empi 86-1181D CV Boot Kit ($12)
NP01 Front Skids (usually replace once a year or two) ($65 Each)
Various wishbones (however, I never needed to replace at the track) ~$300+ They can fit more than one corner so you don’t need a full set
Various rod ends. These are robust, but can bend if you get tapped. (Various ~$25-$40)
We use to have to carry rear suspension rockers that would crack/tear/break. They have gone through four design changes since the NP01 launch. The latest versions are up to the task and are really stout.
Two rotors (Same rotor is used on all four corners) This is emergency only. I have only replaced six rotors in six years of racing.
Wheel hub – AC Delco FW241, GM original equipment. These are the same on all four corners, so you really only need one.
Q: How do you determine what spares you need to bring with you?
A: I just bring what I have learned over six years of racing the NP01. Most the stuff I bring is for the other racing the NP01s who may have not amassed the spares I have in six years.
Q: What is one spare part you have needed at the track, but didn’t have with you?
A: A complete rear axle would be very helpful if you ever tear a boot. It really is a chore to replace a torn boot at the track. Thankfully, that does not happen often with proper assembly.
Q: What have you always had on hand, but never had a need for?
A: Most of my suspension wishbones I carry in my trailer. They are pretty stout. I just bring them in case a competitor needs them.
Q: How have you built up your supply of spare parts?
A: My spares are mostly from upgrading or witnessing what have failed on others. The NP01 is a very forgiving car. The people that are having to replace parts are usually new to the NP01. You can’t really drive the NP01 as a GT car. Once you master and acknowledge that, the car doesn’t require “Oopsie” parts anymore, except when there are Mustangs on track.
Q: How many times have you provided a part to competitors so they can get their car back on track? Please explain.
A: Originally when the NP01 launched six years ago, we had issues with counterfeit Chinese Bosch 044 Fuel pumps. I always had noncounterfeit models of these handy. I was able to help a couple of competitors that had their fake 044’s fail. It’s not much of an issue anymore.
I also provided a wheel hub to a competitor when he realized that he had a little bearing play at the track. After a quick 15-minute fix, he was back on track.
Rear suspension rockers as noted above were also a weak point the first four to five years. I always carried those in my trailer. I also had some beefier ones made before SEBECO came on board, now SEBECO has the beefier ones that are standard spec.
Front skids. When drivers are first learning to drive the NP01, the skids taking a beating. They do their job great and protect the splitter. I have given numerous skids to competitors of the years.
