Yep, I'm going Miata. That is for track days anyway. Picked the car up today. Its a 96 model. Should be interesting going from about 270 hp to about 138 hp. Who knows. Maybe I'll even go spec racing at some point. Zoom zoom.

BTW, special thanks goes out to Jay W. for helping me scrape the disco Nascar stickers off of it this afternoon. What a mess. Previous owner wanted it to look like a real race car I guess...

 

yep , the PO had it all decked out :

 

Yeah, I bet he won every DE he signed up for
Looked like a rolling billboard. Wonder how much all those sponsors were paying him

 

fun stuff, miatas.

 

Looks like a fun car, so which car are you going to run at ECR next weekend?

 

if it has anywhere near 136 your car isn't legal. More like 120 in a well-tuned ride

Anyway, they stick like glue and don't spin much, just understeer at the limit and drive off, so it will be a different experience. Lots of fun in a race since no one can put much on the other unless he's better.

 

Congrats, Greg!!!!!!!!!

 

No, I'll be in the 911 at ECR. I doubt there'll be enough time to sort out the miata thoroughly before next weekend. I also want to get some Ultrashield seats for it before I track it. It has stock seats. It already has a good bolt in roll bar. Eventually, it'll have a full cage.Its a 96 with the 1.8 engine. My understanding is that factory quoted the 1.8's with 138 hp at the crank. Who knows what it makes at the rear wheels. Haven't dynoed it.Thanks man. I've been jealous of Globe and Thornton's race car build projects, so I'm happy to have my own little track toy to play with now without worrying about compromising it for street or hurting its value. My plan is to ensure that anything I do to the car will be spec legal just in case I ever want to take it racing. Or sell it to someone later that does.

 

I did the same thing this year. Retired the 944 turbo to street use, and bought a Spec Miata. Have done 4 weekends so far and its a blast. Takes some time to adjust to the lower hp, but it will make you a better driver in the long run. Plan to move from DE to racing next year. And despite what is said, they do spin, I managed a flatout 4th gear loop @ Southbend at VIR a couple of weeks ago @ the Fall Fling.

Dave

 

oh, didn't mean you can't spin. hell i can likely make an Abrahms spin with my skill set.

just that the overwhelming tenancy is understeer, completely different dynamics than a P.

 

That will be a fun car. I wish I had one to play with.

If you get an Ultrashield seat please be sure to get one that has the reinforcements. I've seen the unreinforced seats deform and stay bent in a crash. Not good. I've seen pretty much every seat produced fit into a Miata. You just have to modify the tunnel a bit for some.

 

That is great Greg! Good luck with the car.

Can PCA members run other brands at the DE events down there (other than Instructors)? In my old Region (switched Regions on Wednesday), it is Porsche only unless it is an Instructor with a sick P-car.

 

That's so cute Greg.

 

Looks like a fun ride. My recent change to a lower HP car (Spec Boxster) has generated more exciting turns and very relaxing straights (plenty of time to enjoy the view and wave to people going by). I have been having a great time....I'm sure you will too.....cheers.

 

Yes, PCA members can run any car they want at LSR, HCR, and MAV events (except Mini's at LSR/HCR). We have quite a few people running non-P cars.


Welcome to the decent into total madness Greg!