Sharing the track with the Targa Miata

So, I spent last weekend running the Targa Miata around MRLS for two days. Work, you know how it is. It was also the first time I got to run the big engine hard at sea level. I mean, I'd been there with the little 5.3. But not the current 6.2.

Want to see what it looked like from the perspective of other cars? Here's flyby video from another car. I'd like to point out that I was just leaving the car in 4th gear through this session, not even dropping to third for the slow turn 11.

Am I blowing my own horn here? Of course I am. I'm still giggling.
http://youtu.be/oNEcijSn6KE?t=1m53s

What was with the hazards?

Long story. Basically, they were on and I forgot to turn them off. That's how I know what session this was

Here's another game: spot the V8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsaoqFgK5uE

Oh ok, I was thinking it might be some racer thing I was unaware of.

Nothing that cool

There's something very cool about Miatas racing on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The video suggests that someone dubbed V8 noise over the Miata like some bad 70's car chase. Love it.

I was watching you in the corners thinking "eh, he's a little quicker" but then the straight....

Wow. On the straight in less than eight seconds you can't even be seen, and he was flat out. Right there should be the advertisement for the FM V8 kits.

mazdeuce wrote: I was watching you in the corners thinking "eh, he's a little quicker" but then the straight....

I thought the same thing. It was like.

then it was

Grizz wrote: Oh ok, I was thinking it might be some racer thing I was unaware of.

Only thing I know about is the "ricer flyby"

dude... that thing is nuts to just be in one gear.

mazdeuce wrote: I was watching you in the corners thinking "eh, he's a little quicker" but then the straight....

same. Holy balls that thing took off like it was shot out of a cannon. "Okay, enough playing. Time to drop the hammer."

mazdeuce wrote: I was watching you in the corners thinking "eh, he's a little quicker" but then the straight....

I was being quite conservative on the corners because, well, it's not like I need to be right on someone's bumper in order to pass and there was no prize money Goal #1 was to bring my car home. Never did take turn 10 at full chat, although I was getting through 3-6 pretty well.

Is there a build thread on this car by any chance? I need to drool more?

Keith Tanner wrote: Long story. Basically, they were on and I forgot to turn them off. That's how I know what session this was Here's another game: spot the V8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsaoqFgK5uE

You were definitely shifting in this session.

golfduke wrote: Is there a build thread on this car by any chance? I need to drool more?

http://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/targa/TargaBuild.php?UID=

"Engage."

As much as I'd like that for my miata I have a sneaking suspicion my lack of sense and marginal driving skils would cause it to end badly. Looks like a lot fun though!

z31maniac wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Long story. Basically, they were on and I forgot to turn them off. That's how I know what session this was Here's another game: spot the V8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsaoqFgK5uE

You were definitely shifting in this session.

Yes I was actually having some trouble with the closing speeds, people would move over for turn 1 not realizing I was coming up fast - and I'd just lift going over the hill, as the guys going into 2 had absolutely no idea I'd be there. Damn near lost both mirrors passing one Spec Miata along the pit wall when he moved in on me at the start/finish line.

You want a full build diary, starting from the bare frame? http://www.targamiata.com. Warning, 1129 entries. The one on the FM site starts about halfway, when the 2011 build began.

Keith Tanner wrote: So, I spent last weekend running the Targa Miata around MRLS for two days. Work, you know how it is. It was also the first time I got to run the big engine hard at sea level. I mean, I'd been there with the little 5.3. But not the current 6.2. Want to see what it looked like from the perspective of other cars? Here's flyby video from another car. I'd like to point out that I was just leaving the car in 4th gear through this session, not even dropping to third for the slow turn 11. Am I blowing my own horn here? Of course I am. I'm still giggling. http://youtu.be/oNEcijSn6KE?t=1m53s

I was running in the "B" group on Sunday with my STS autocross spec '91. You disappeared even faster from me.

The scary thing is that I was running in A, with my 270rwhp FM2 turbo car, and the Targa STILL vanishes down the straight...

Yeah, I am going to want one of those.

Well, in reality... pretty much everything else on a race track disappears in front of spec miatas like that.

I consider my self a somewhat sophisticated and educated man. That does nothing the reflect whether or not I am intelligent, and certainly doesn't shield me from delusion, especially regarding the sophisticated part...

Most of us can poetically speak of the snarl of VTEC cams coming on song, or the airbag growl of a slightly turned German masterpiece but at every turn, there is something intrinsically giggle-inducing about a punchy V-8 running through the length of its power band. The fact that you got a mention in the vid description probably mean the driver was giggling a bit too.