Lime Rock Park in Lime Rock Connecticut, USA (about 1 hour from New York City) is a 1.53 mile long road course (circuit track). Below is the map from their website. Lime Rock Park

Below is an aerial photograph from another angle. One can observe the long straight (and pits) and foot bridge over the track at the end of the straight, long sweeping corner at the end of the straight, "s" curve, crooked straight, corner at the up hill, corner before the bridge, and the downhill corner before the straight.

At my First Time Trial with the Miata and first in the gate (pole position) starting at the end of the pits. EMRA sponsored the event which includes Instructors for as many laps as you wish and if successful you may recieve an EMRA competition license. Eastern Motor Racing Association. One can observe the foot bridge at the end of the straight.

See that little white speck way back there, that is a Corvette in second place. He is finishing the first corner, I am in the "s" or "esses" corners. I was able to pass and lap the white Corvette several times. My solo lap time was 1 min 11 seconds. Best time of the day was 1 minute 3 seconds. This little thing rocks.

My next Lime Rock experience with the Miata was with SCCA NNJR TT. Sports Car Club of America - Northern New Jersey Region. Number "19" Yellow Group

The recent suspension modifications worked well and the car impressed me with strong pull in 3rd through the "Esses", reasonable power in 3rd-4th on the "No Name Straight", strong 4th gear pull through "West Bend" and through the "Downhill", and reasonably good passing strength through the "Front Straight" ending somewhere around 125 mph. The brake/wheel/tire combination allowed me to start braking at 200 yards and dive into "Big Bend" (most folks start at 600 through 300). I ran the revs through the entire range but spent a lot of time in the 4000 to 6000 RPM range.

In my first session I was placed in the �Beginner� session (group) as I have never run an SCCA TT with the Miata before. I was bumped (black flagged) from "Beginner" to "Novice" after my first two laps. My second session stunk. My "Novice" instructor (a professional Can Am driver) was incredibly impressed in my 3rd session and promoted me to "Solo". During the 4th session (my "Solo" session) I started at the back of the pack and passed everyone (in order: Corvette, Porsche, BMW, Mini S, Corvette, BMW, Porsche, Mustang GT, Cobra replica, and/or, some such, etc...) and then lapped the last four cars.

After the session my instructor came around asking how I got so much power and so much stick. I showed him the Supercharger, etc. and the shaved Kumho ECSTA V700 and he noted that I don�t have to �follow the rules� and �can get more power and stick than Spec Miatas, or even some (of his) pro cars for that matter". After the event, I was bumped to "Expert". One can see me and my little Miata way out in front and in the middle of the Esses. After racing, I can drive this little car right back out on the street, it is quiet, reliable, and loads of fun.

I'm not the only one who has found the Miata as a great car to race, and apparently a giant killer too. Take a look at this little blue Miata ahead of a Porsche.

Or take a look at this little blue Miata beating up on a big bad Vette.

On any given track, on any given day, you will often see these goofy little cars as top competitors.