Still Racing
4-15-07 The XKR-4 wins class second place at NOPI Nationals!
I did stand out among all the similar bling Lambo doored customs, and my trophies are for driving my car, not throwing money at it.
All the cuties around didn't hurt, either!
I was really suprised to win anything, I entered just to avoid leaving my car parked in a lot all day.
Nardi Classico Wood steering wheel. See page 5
This is the evolution of my 1997 M-Edition Mazda MX-5 Miata. Please see the table of contents at the end of the page if you are interested in more detail.
I've loved Miatas since they began production. After owning a variety of sports and muscle cars, I decided a sports car offered better real world performance.
Finally in June of '03 I got my chance with an MX-5. This is what I bought.
I was fortunate to find a rare "M" (1 of 3,000) in near showroom condition with only 67k miles on the clock. I have since made many upgrades and plan more. The car is equipped with ABS in addition to the usual "M" options (I.E. all of them)She came stock except for a Racing Beat Intake & a Flowmaster Muffler.
This is how she appears today. The bug bit me bad. Every mechanical system and area of the car has been improved or modified
As always, a work in progress....
To give myself a baseline, I first performed every maintinance item from soup to nuts. Anything that ages or goes bad short of chassis parts was changed or replaced. Then the chassis upgrades began. Brakes, shocks, sway bars, chassis bracing, tires, and wheels. Along the way many custom touches were made to the body, interior and engine. Then I added the JRSC supercharger kit along with yet more performance modifications. The XKR-4 was born.
I soon discovered a world of Miata clubs doing fun things with the little roadster.
On the left is a gathering of over 100 Miatas at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC and the City Christmas parade in Key West, Florida.
My Miata guru, Russ Silber, introduced me to Autocross. A force stronger than the siren allure of the Miata. Now all I care about is racing. Well, not quite.
I'm doing pretty well. Autocross is a humbling experience for those of us who always dreamed of racing, but never got around to it. I thought I was a good driver. Now I'm working on it. Weekend racers are a great group of nice people. I absolutley love this sport.
I've also been in a few (very minor) car shows. I still care about the "bling" factor, but my real energy at this point is directed at the racing.
On the left, I made an appearance at the '03 R-Speed open house in August '03. Over 200 cars, many greatly modified. Gave me many ideas since incorporated in the XKR-4. The right is a more informal show at a Mazda dealer in West Palm Beach, Florida. Won second place. I'd love to try again...
Table of contents:
1.) Cover page
2.) Lotus Elan & what makes the Miata a great car.
3.) Body Modifications
4.) Engine Modifications
5.) Upgraded Interior
6.) Comprehensive Modifications List
7.) Fun, Shows and Games & Travel Update
8.) Autocross & Racing Update
