The most important lesson you will learn on track
So true, so true!
Similar memory from my first event, however it was a Mini Cooper S getting the point by at Road Atlanta. I also recall a Ford Focus going by me in the pouring rain.
Similar memory from my first event, however it was a Mini Cooper S getting the point by at Road Atlanta. I also recall a Ford Focus going by me in the pouring rain.
The truth right there. I got point bys my first weekend two weeks ago by a Hemi Challenger, a bunch of Mustangs, Cobalt SS, and some imports but a Mini Cooper S was killing all of us.
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Teching In
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Tucson AZ
Why yes they are cheap! So cheap they sound like little chicks...cheep...cheep...cheep. But now here comes your worst Miata nightmare: LS2 powered, Tremec T56 6 speed and ford Cobra R rearend. Just like the 500 pound canary this thing says "Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty" in a very deep voice. You will not be bored now but you are going to be really busy trying to keep up.
Why yes they are cheap! So cheap they sound like little chicks...cheep...cheep...cheep. But now here comes your worst Miata nightmare: LS2 powered, Tremec T56 6 speed and ford Cobra R rearend. Just like the 500 pound canary this thing says "Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty" in a very deep voice. You will not be bored now but you are going to be really busy trying to keep up.
That thing ain't ****, lol.
Best thing about track days on a road course is that we get to drive our cars to best of our & its' ability. Just remember to brake in a straight line.
Best track days we ever had were when the pros showed up on open track days to practice in their race prepped cars. Talk about an eye opening experience; LS Miata what?, WOW! Those guys would show up in C5's lowered to about 1mm off the ground; not litterally, but, seemed like their asses were scraping the pavement. Track let us vote whether or not we wanted them on track with us. Of course we voted yes & then smiled every time they whizzed on by.
Best track days we ever had were when the pros showed up on open track days to practice in their race prepped cars. Talk about an eye opening experience; LS Miata what?, WOW! Those guys would show up in C5's lowered to about 1mm off the ground; not litterally, but, seemed like their asses were scraping the pavement. Track let us vote whether or not we wanted them on track with us. Of course we voted yes & then smiled every time they whizzed on by.
You guys do realize that I built & have been driving one for 12 yrs now, right? Tires are not an issue if you make room for 'em. 245 fronts/275 rears work very well; especially when they're slicks. Oh, & it's not the power limited 5.3L L33 noted in my sig.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Tucson AZ
Why would you think the 5.3 would make the car slow? I saw a Miata at Barber with a 5.3, cam, LS6 intake....made 400 to the wheels. Car was fast, it showed a Gallardo the way around for a whole session. Mind you these guys were not pussyfooting around, they were both advanced drivers.
Any Miata can put down 500 RWHP w/ the correct suspension, tune, gearing, differential, tires, right foot talent; just not in first gear & second will take some driver input. Most vetts can't put the power down in first gear either, with the traction control off. So, I don't understand how many people think it's an issue; especially when they've never built one. Too many damn kits out now, too. Mine was built before LS kits. If I had a nickle for every time I read a post on the internet about how V8 Miata's can't put power to the ground, lol.
Why would you think the 5.3 would make the car slow? I saw a Miata at Barber with a 5.3, cam, LS6 intake....made 400 to the wheels. Car was fast, it showed a Gallardo the way around for a whole session. Mind you these guys were not pussyfooting around, they were both advanced drivers.
TECH Resident
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
LS-450,
Did you at one time have a site or album of your Miata/L33 racing?
A high HP light wieght car is a whole different experience on the track, so yeah, I can relate to the "power limited" statement.
I've completed my 914/LS1 (street) car about a year ago, and managed to get it out to The Streets of Willow last March in order to learn something about what the car might need while also tuning the suspension. As you mentioned, you can't put the power down except in a few selected places (though I was surprised how well it hooked up, even with an open diff; mid-engined car helped in that regard). Performance street tires did ok, but the race tire'd guys in the advanced group killed me in the corners. That's ok, as this is after all, is a street car....driving with one eye on the oil pressure gauge (no Accusump/baffles, etc) made it a tedious day for sure.
Andy1
Did you at one time have a site or album of your Miata/L33 racing?
A high HP light wieght car is a whole different experience on the track, so yeah, I can relate to the "power limited" statement.
I've completed my 914/LS1 (street) car about a year ago, and managed to get it out to The Streets of Willow last March in order to learn something about what the car might need while also tuning the suspension. As you mentioned, you can't put the power down except in a few selected places (though I was surprised how well it hooked up, even with an open diff; mid-engined car helped in that regard). Performance street tires did ok, but the race tire'd guys in the advanced group killed me in the corners. That's ok, as this is after all, is a street car....driving with one eye on the oil pressure gauge (no Accusump/baffles, etc) made it a tedious day for sure.
Andy1
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
I also remember my first track day in my c5. Kids in Honda's were running circles around me! 2 years later I'm racing and doing well. I looked at miatas as a cheap and fun way to go racing but at 6'3" 240lbs I just wasn't fitting. Thank God because I found something so much better. SCCA GTA class in a 2004 ASA stock car. 2800 lbs race weight, 411 rwhp ls1 power. Basically a spec class so we all have the same hp, tires are $400/set and brakes last forever. Stupid simple and easy to work on. The best part is this car was $13k turn key, ready to race! V8 big bore fun on a Honda budget. Miata what?
