My 2004 B6 A4 1.8TQ got me started onto Audiworld....
I've been over on Mid-Atlantic forum for the last year. Got intro'd into HPDEs exactly 1 yr ago (VIR Grand East, father's day wkend '06) w/ my stock A4. Got hook'd & addicted, and wrap'd 2006 w/ 4 HPDEs... trashing 1 set of pads at each event. Major $ouch$. Contemplated making brake cooling ducts, but never got to it...

Observed &amp; talk'd to Miata folks at the events, and started kicking that idea around... as it seemed to be a cheaper route &amp; a better platform for a HPDE <u>student</u>. The Audi &amp; it's Quattro system are great! It definitely recovered well (&amp; saved my butt &gt;once) from my rookie mistakes. Alas I'm not racing and its 'Unfair Advantage' might not be the best syllabus for this student driver.

Then last Sept a '96 Miata fell into my lap for cheap as a coworker sold me her overheated and blown head gasket Miata for $500. Signed up for Mazda sponsorship and during the winter installed a factory crate engine, all new suspension bushings, new shocks, required safety equipments... generally got it build &amp; refreshed as a streetable track car. But kept the powerplant &amp; suspension stock (except for KYB AGX shocks) as its mission is a mentor for me.

My plan it to upgrade components sequentially only when my driving has improved enough to exceed that components performance potential... with HP increase most likely being the LAST mod.

This yr I've done 4 events thus far, including recent revisit of VIR-GE (that caused brake fluid boil &amp; pad cracking on the A4 last yr, forcing me to sit out 2nd day of a paid wkend). All events thus far have been between VIR &amp; Summit Pt. The track car is serving me very well w/ minimal maintenance required. Plus I'm using it as my daily driver because I left the A4 parked in my garage back at my house in SoMD. (my company has send me on a temporary work assignment down in Hampton, VA for the remainder of this yr) I took the Miata since it gets better MPG, and it's summer near VaBeach &amp; it's my first convertible!

Recently I've started peeking at this forum and decided to add it to my reading list. I've already recognize a few familiar names from the Mid-Atlantic forum (Another Drew, David White, Pottomac-Greg...etc). I've also noticed a few Audi owners here who tracks Miata as well!

Here's my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=pimp2daddy">YouTube profile page</a>, where I've uploaded some incar videos from before (and will upload recent VIR-GE vids soon).

So with that, please excuse my lengthy intro and accept my advanced apology for any possible noobie Faux Pas that I might committ, while I get acquainted here.

-Dean

I agree about the Miata being a much better learning tool than an Audi. One year with the Miata made a huge difference for me.

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/665/90miataracecar_lagunaturn5.jpg"></center><p>BTW, John/TSR has one too.

miatas = fun
kinda lacking in straight-away speed though

In addition to the SM, I've got a Mazdaspeed miata (turbo) that's a track day special. It's definitely solved the 'lack of grunt' issue! It overheats very easily, though, still need to sort out how to get it cooled enough for sustained flogging.

I would like to think I'm making good progress and improvements... but we'll see! :-&gt;

... trying to keep the demand down. :-&gt;

<center><img src="http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6409/somewhatdirectionallychrj8.jpg"></center><p>
I tend to be a little more flashy - that's me in the white car, looping it at the front of a 25 car field on race lap 1 (yes...there are 23 more cars coming down the hill to the left !!!)

Yeehar.

One was an instructor in a 95 Merlot w/ FM2 kit boosting @ 11psi, SM suspension &amp; Hoosiers. I got a ride w/ him and it's pretty much a completely different animal. His son instructs in a non-boosted (otherwise identical) NA, and the turbo was only able to make gains on the long straights.

The other was a NB that was in my run group. He came out of no where into my mirror at the end of the back straight, and took off quickly after the pass at the front straight. I was feeling pretty bad about my exit speeds until I found out he was boosted!

I assume y'all seen the "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm__88baUyI">ZoomZoomZoom</a>" video on YouTube?

may it RIP, 'tis but a twisted heap now.

Fast entry to T5 is not 'backward'.

Scared the crap out of him. Beat him to T1...had a roll on the field coming down the Chute...but my late-braking was just a little TOO late....oops. Didn't get hit, though.

Now, I gotta find the shot of me driving just as, er, "well" as John/TSR with Sean's EVO going past. :-)

<center><img src="http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9462/splittherx7ok4.jpg"></center><p>...terrorizing all the slow stuff like M3's and RX-7's. End of season - Nov 05 at Summit Point...we were just practicing being immature.

Pix - I push Andre down the front straight, while Charlie G. tries the 'outside dirt line' as the three of us split/lap an RX. Charlie actually made it to T1 in front of Andre and I. Bastard.

I remember one Miata with a non-factory turbo installed. After each session the guy was re-torquing bolts holding it on the engine, cause they got so hot. Seemed nuts to me.

I'm assuming the Mazdaspeed ones stay on better. :-)

Also, I'm looking for seats for my miata... could be used seats. Know of a line on some? I've done the foamectomy on oem seats and currently sit on the sub-straps of my 6-pt harness. Would like proper sub-strap and shoulder belt setup that I could swap in/out for track days. Have access to custom fab capability. I have tested fitted myself in:
- Corbeau Forza
- Momo Start
- Sparco Evo2 (can't $afford$)
- 17" Aluminum seats

Tho I'm afraid this might be getting off the appropriate brand topic...

I've got Kirkey Aluminum racing seats in my car, and I really like them. Very supportive, and plenty of headroom. Plus they're cheap (around $200?)...

Some pix of the car build in the link:<ul><li><a href="http://www.smoe.org/jeffw/gallery-new/miata_2005-12-02">http://www.smoe.org/jeffw/gallery-new/miata_2005-12-02</a</li></ul>

Many other seats are too wide for the miata. A common mod in building an SM is to cut a chunk out of the transmission tunnel and weld in a piece that gives you an extra inch and a half of clearance. But that's only half the problem, as the shoulder wings for some seats will hit the door window.

Best bet for finding a list of seats that will fit is to search on www.specmiata.com

FYI I am also based in Boston

I got a lecture from the stewards after the Memorial day races at NHIS because of "avoidable contact" of my front bumper with Kyle D's rear. Apparently I wasn't the only who got talked too either.

"bump drafting?! Well uh, maybe he just missed a shift?"

=D

...do it where no one is watching. Since racing at Cow Hampshire is like racing in a kiddie pool...my advice..."don't bump draft at NHIS".

is it more likely to succeed than Tamworth?

Apparently the permitting process has gone pretty well for Palmer. The whole financial end of things needs to be put together, though, and I don't think that's really started. Presumably the SCCA sponsorship will significantly help. And of course SCCA events will have priority at Palmer, something that won't happen at Tamworth.

It's still a few years out at best.

I'm really hoping SCCA manages to pull this off!

I was out there in March talking to Dave about putting a cage into my Galant. He talked me out of it, but I'm going back this winter to get the full monty built since it will no longer be my daily driver and is getting gutted this fall for exclusive HPDE duty.

He was trying to get me into a Spec Miata, saying they are fun to drive, cheap to maintain, and pretty reliable. I've nixed that idea for now due to the fact that I don't have the desire to drive a tow vehicle every day, or have room to store a trailer at our current house.

He had lots of Miatas in and around his shop, and seemed a very capable cage builder. Should I look anywhere else when I'm ready to drop a few grand on my cage?

I wanted a Miata that would be great on the track, but still street legal (and comfortable enough to drive to the track and back).

Dave's a great cage builder, so I'd suggest him without any reservations. I'd also say if you're still thinking about a Miata, consider building one you can drive to the track.

They are very very fun to drive, and a tremendous learning tool. They're also very reliable, and cheap to operate (rotors are $10 ea, $140 will get you a full set of brake pads, 14" wheels are $25 ea, 14" R compound tires are $115 ea, etc).

If you'd like to see my car, you're welcome to swing over some time (I'm in the Boston area).

I've got SO much time and effort into my current car that I just can't bring myself to give it up until it's done and I'm sick of it.

Yet I'm not sure how much my driving will improve with my current AWD car. I've got at least another season in it to see if I can get the braking issue solved, and what it feels like with r-compounds.

Where are you located? I might be interested in stopping by to poke around the car a bit.

I've got a COM event at NHIS coming up in 10 days that I'm desperately trying to get a new suspension installed for. They came with rear springs that are too long...doh.

If you're going to the Glen, you're welcome to catch a ride with me.

I'm in Wakefield.

Beware...Don Pierce gave me a ride in his Miata at Tremblant, and next season I had one :-)

a guy in our local autocross club has one. Talk about a QUICK Miata...

tho Alum seats requires a back brace, &amp; the thought of having a 'spear' so near my back... I guess just need to make sure the 'flange' is welded securely to the brace bar. I have a Hard Dog bolt-in harness bar. I guess the back brace could be attached to that. Is Ultra Shield another Alum brand?

I guess for the instructor, I'll put in identical seat in the same size (17") as me...

always think of future cost/benefit, ignore sunk cost

you're always welcome to drive my miata street car

even though it's badly in need of shocks

He's built 4 cars for me over the last 4 years and probably 2 of the cars you saw there are mine. Obviously he has my confidence in running a racing shop and I'd be happy to give you more color.