I just looked over the SCCA magazine with the 98 Solo II National event results - and I notice that BS, which was ALL Miatas, was FASTER than all the other stock classes, except for SS class! So how many, and how well do they do up by you? I test drove one today, and compared to my A4 and the "M's" I have test driven - it feels like a boat anchor is chained to it. Only around 130+ HP, and it still kicks ass!<p>I also saw a 10th Anniversary edition, and it has a 6 speed trans. Are any guys up by you using the newer 99's, and if so, any comments on the 6 speed trans????

If you check the SF Region SCCA Solo I results you can see that they usually<br>do pretty well in CSP...(4-8th place). They don't usually win CSP (Navid in his chipped M3 wins....Durk in his Toyota wins....and Ed Chang in his Honda CRX wins....). I have beat several earlier in the year. AStock is usually fast with people like Rex Tener running an M3...he can beat BStock cars. If you are considering it for autox...I think it would be fun for a year...they sure are tossable...but they do appear to spin easily.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

I race a '99 Miata with the 5-speed (leather package) and usually do quite well against anything except the SS class cars; consistent with the national results I guess. Today I went to an event where I ended up with the best time on street tires and 3rd best overall. Some cars that were there included an A4 1.8T, BMW M3 (98), Mitsubishi Eclipse, several Suburu RS's. My take on the whole car comparo' thing is that it's 20% tires, 40% driver and 40% car. <p>I have driven the 10th Aniversary Edition with the 6-speed and it works well. First through 6th covers the same ground that 1st through 5th does. There isnt any extra top end to it. It makes for some interesting racing since 2nd is kinda like first-and-a-half. It also makes better use of the 140HP. <p>The power in the Miata seems a bit paltry at times, but in the 5-7K RPM range it does quite well. I haven't driven it at a track event so I don't know how it would compare.<p>My wife also races the Miata, but I've been trying to get her to take out the 99.5 A4 2.8 (since it's mostly her car) to see how it would do. I have a feeling that I could do nearly as well in the A4, but would need at least a tire upgrade to compete at the same level. Sadly, the A4 the we purchased did not have the Sport package, but looking at the specs, the upgrades would get replaced soon enough and was not that big of a deal to get the other options we were looking for. Based on what I've seen, performance parts run 2-3 times the cost of equal parts for the Miata. Does this seem just a bit high or am I just used to seeing lower cost parts for the Miata?

Looking at the 98 National Results, I don't think you would do as well in the A4. Don't get me wrong - but if Joe Goeke with WAY more time in an A4 than any of us can only get 4th place in GS, and the car & tires are perfectly setup, then I am not too sure we could.<p>And Joe's total time was 113.064, 1st in GS was 112.105 in an Eclipse. In AS the best was a 108.602 in a Porsche 968 - yet that would have been a 3rd place in BS, where 1st was a Miata with 108.293!<p>I agree with your ratio (tires/driver/car), though if the car handles great, it does give a good driver even more confidence.<p>As for the 6 speed, interesting comment. So the 6th gear really doesn't give you any more. But as you say, 2nd is kinda like 1 1/2 gear. But I wonder, on an AutoX course, would that be a benefit, or a detriment? I do like the options on the 10th Ann model, but I'd prefer a different color combo (White/Tan, Red/Tan, or Silver Black).<p>As for the prices on aftermarket goodies - well, as there really is a limited market on Audi parts, there is not a glut of it, so the prices tend to be higher. As for the Mazda, or any Japanese Import, there isn't a magazine around that does not have a ton of ads all competing with each other for your business. For me, I'd prefer the tried & true - TC Kline, Tri-Point, and best of all, Racing Beat.<p>But darn it all - after driving the M Cars - the Miata almost feels like a sled. But then it does remind me of my old Triumph/Lotus days!

Yeah, BS is usually right on pace with AS, but still a second or two behind SS. The<br>top 4 or 5 CSP cars are usually just ahead of BS and AS, of which include an M3, a<br>Corolla, a CRX si, myself, and a Civic si. The Miatas in CSP usually run from 4th to<br>9th. There was one that was really fast, but he didn't show up at all events, and now<br>he drives an OSP car, anyway. Got rid of that Miata.<p>Mike, peruse through the SFR SCCA site. All times and rankings are posted there.<p>Corey S<br>Wett 97 1.8tqm<br>'00 S4 on the way<br>99 Ninja ZX-9R

http://WWW.SFRSCCA.ORG/solo2/Results/1999/index.html

That is how they have his car listed in the 7/25 results <G>

Man, it is a bitch driving in CSP without R compound tires....10 out of 10...do you think I coulda done any worse...no..I don't think so. Kumho's are here now though...whew...<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM