Whoo-Ho! Sounds like it's all but built!
So this will be a:
cost-limiting,
fun,
faster than FV (maybe FF),
entry-level (?),
sport-growing,
open wheel race car.
With optional P2 body!
Something you may build as a kit, or get complete as a roller. Engine may be 600cc may grow to 1000, sounds like zero-ed in on chain-drive, and tires seem to be "settled." Purchase price may be somewhere, near $20k - with/without discount - but don't tarry, you might miss out.
But don't worry, there may/may not be a classification for the car.
What say, we pack up the station wagon and all head over to Abilene?
Nahh. Maybe I'll just head to the garage, fire up the angle grinder, cut the side pods off the ex-sports racer renault, fold a new body, and have a freken-franken-formula car. (But, first I gotta get off this sailboat...)
Let see; orders for 20 cars, sounds like a start from a production stand-point. Build some chassis jigs, make some body molds, and lay on some materials. But, what will be the national/regional distribution? How long before there is a reasonable field for competetion? SRF having 800+ nationally makes for a good showing at most events (but, it did take a while and had HQ's blessings). Spec Miata too.
gcoffin:
Spec Miata is popular because it has the
perception of a level playing field, a low cost to get involved, low operating expense, and an emphasis on the drivers ability.
Sports Renault/SRF was a success because it has a
level playing field, an acceptable cost to get involved, low operating costs, and an emphasis on the drivers ability.
Both operate under strict specifications and rely on the use of
mass produced parts.
Both are
over weight, underpowered, mechanically simple, with huge power loss due to excess rotational mass, have massive unsprung weight issues, and basically from an engineering view point they are pretty abysmal.
However, this is exactly why the racing is so close and attracts so many people. Simply put
you lose less ground in underpowered cars based on driver error/ability than in faster classes.