1st Autocross with the Speed

[JonnyMiata]

I took my MSP to its first autocross. I usually take my Miata because it is an autocross put on by the local Austin-Healey and Alfa Romeo Clubs. I have been to many of these in the past and there are usually other non-roadster cars there so I figured I would see what the Speed could do. I didn't expect much from the car since I was going up against some nice sportscars and some drivers who have been doing it for a while. When I saw this guy pull his go-kart out of his truck I knew there was no way I could beat it in an autocross event but the track was very long and fast so why not.

I was very surprised on how well the Speed on the course. I keep getting faster and faster. When I went to the timing booth after my first 3 times, I was surprised on how well I scored. I had the 2nd fastest time of the day. After my next 3 and final tries I had a time of 57.59, which was the fastest time of the day just behind the kart. I think the kart was still in the 57 second range.

It was funny, I had people coming up to me after the event and asking me about the car and how much it was. Everytime I tell people that I only spent $20K for this car their jaws hit the floor. I think I will keep this car for a while, clunk and all.

 

[Newf]

get used to it Beating everyone that is.

Same thing happened with the MP3. No one knew what it was capable of, and then with a good driver it just kicked ass in every competition the guys drove it in.

People just don't beleive that a Protege can handle like this. When people ask me what's it's like, I say, well, the only thing I've driven that compares is a 3 series BMW, or a maybe a vette, and their like....yeah right whatever...until they drive it. I got friends who own bimmers, and everyone that has driven the my mp3 says nothing compares to it....the msp should be at least as good and better so have fun, you got one of the best there is.

 

[cjstringer]

Congrats! and keep up the good showings!

 

[Slipstream]

Just for reference, what kind of cars did you beat (that people wouldn't normally think could be beat by a Protege)?

 

[JonnyMiata]

Most of the cars were older British and Italian roadsters but I beat Porsche 944 S2, Mini Cooper., Ford Focus, 3 Miatas, Ford Mustang 5.0, an older Supra, and an Austin-Healey with Corvette engine.

 

[drock27]

I think I know that austin healey

I think that Austin Healey with the Vette engine is my god father's. Where did you get your MSP from Jonny? I am thinking of going through Sweeney but have found other dealers in different states that are selling below MSRP. Nice to see a fellow Cincinnatian.

 

[JonnyMiata]

Dale Ballinger is the person who owns that beautiful Healey. He is a super nice guy.

I bought my Speed through Sweeney at MSRP and that was just because I am a friend of Jake. I can't believe they are selling them over sticker. Not my idea of good business. You may want to check out Kings. They seem to be dealing a bit more.

 

[drock27]

My godfather is Dave Norman and he has a red Austin Healey with a 427 under the hood. Maybe you have seen him around. Sweeney is right at MSRP, Kings is right around MSRP, and Jeff Wyler is about 2000 above. I have found a dealer in Georgia who is willing to do it for 19000+tax, title and all that crap. Just waiting for my loan to go through at 5/3 Bank. You will probably see me on the road soon.

 

[DistantTea]

Wait a minute.. where are you guys at? I've been running Cincy and WOR scca events this whole time and haven't seen any other mazda speed drivers except John Souder.

And yeah, if you want an MSP Kings is a great place to buy. Paul Kane is the man. They have the orange speeds marked $2k up but they will always come down to MSRP. Blacks are on the lot at MSRP.

I just ran Kentucky Speedway Cincy SCCA Solo II saturday with my wife... was anybody there?

 

[JonnyMiata]

I live in the Mt. Washington area but only really autocross with the Austin-Healey club. It is not crowded, it is only $10, and there is very low pressure, plus it is a great location, Live Oaks in Milford. I used to run CSCC autocrosses but they took forever. Sometimes I would only get 2 runs in the whole day because they were so unorganized. I have been to local SCCA autocrosses and it looked too crowded. I was amazed at how many cars they had. The Healey autocrosses give me the most bang for the buck. I got 6 runs the other day. We started at 11:30 and I was done at 3:30.

 

[DistantTea]

Come up to WOR. We do things much better (most of the time) than cincy. We have a good lot (not perfect... ok its rough but fun), easy access and some really great people up here.

We run about 90 cars an event and I've never seen WOR do anything less than 5 runs... usually we run four heats of 3/3/3/3. Boyscouts always cook out food for cheap prices.

If you drive the miata we have about 8 that run. If you run the mazdaspeed... its just me and my wife. But our class has 10 of the toughest competitors in the state. I think I may have even talked John Souder down for WOR events.

Come on up! You'll love it.

 

[Grimace]

Most of the cars were older British and Italian roadsters but I beat Porsche 944 S2, Mini Cooper., Ford Focus, 3 Miatas, Ford Mustang 5.0, an older Supra, and an Austin-Healey with Corvette engine.

Don't post over on www.miataforum.com that you beat Miata's with a wwd car! Sacrilige!
(I almost feel guilty hanging out here AND the Miata forum...)

 

[JonnyMiata]

Grimace,

The Miatas that I beat were driven by very novice autocrossers. I usually drive my Miata at these functions but I wanted to check out what the Speed could do. I was not worried as much about the Miatas but the other Alfa and Healey drivers that do this all the time. I doubt I will race the Speed again at these next 5 events they will hold there. I know I made one of my club members happy by not driving my Miata because he won a cup for best time in a Miata.

I still feel the Miata is more fun to race with than the speed. I guess it is the open air feeling.

 

[Grimace]

I agree. I would have gotten a Miata, but the Mazdaspeed will be my only car for a year (two max), so a back seat and a decent trunk were necessary.
A good used Miata will join my stable when I move into a building that doesn't charge $25000 per parking spot.