In the last few weeks I’ve been getting my car (1992 Spec Miata) prepared for the 2005 season which opens at Laguna Seca on April 2nd. There is an endless list of things to do and buy in order to be competitive and prepared. From making sure you have your tires shaved to the right depth to buying the right trailer, it’s nearly a full-time job for a passion that only costs money.
To help combat the expense of trailering my car this year, I’ve teamed up with a fellow racer named Kevin B. He and I are splitting the cost of a 40′ Gooseneck trailer that will hold both of our cars and gear. Since we run the same schedule it’s pretty easy for us to team up. It will save us several thousands of dollars over the course of the season in duplicative truck, trailer storage and time issues.
Yesterday was a track event put on by TrackMasters Racing at Laguna Seca. There were 19 Spec Miatas registered looking to practice before the season starts and it was a lot of fun! After having some brake issues at Sears Point last week, a new set of Hawk Blues up front restored my confidence in the slow pedal and things ran flawlessly all day.
This was my first day in the car where I got strings of open hot laps without having to deal with considerably slower traffic and running on some tready enduro tires I got to a 1:53.4s. People told me those tires cost me about 2s per lap putting me (theoretically) in the 1:51s. That would be enough to put me inside the top 15 based on last years qualifying times. I definitely wasn’t pushing 100% yet but I was driving really cleanly and smoothly inching up my speed over the course of the day.
I worked from a brake in T4 to just a lift but I know the corner can be done flatout as it was in my M3. The Miata has the same gearing issues with T6 where you run out of revs in 3rd and have to shift but it then requires a quick downshift for 6. My speed between 8 and 9 could be faster although I felt like I was still nailing 9 with an upshift to fourth just before I reached the exit.
Driving Justin’s car certainly has some interesting consequences. People recognize it so I feel like I am being watched to some degree. That’s OK, I like a challenge. I think with a little more seat time I’ll be up on the pace. I can tell just how hard Justin is driving the car to be getting into the 1:49s though. I just need to prepare myself for the bumping and rubbing that will inevitably go on in the races *before* it happens.
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