Miata Mailing List: February 1999, Message #177

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Hi Aaron:

Count me in. I run Road Atlanta about 2-3 times a year at quarterly Track
Days events. Formerly these events were $150 for 4-30 minute sessions and
included in-car instruction, but since Don rebuilt the track the rates have
gone to $195, with no instruction. For the Intermediate Group, where speeds
are nominally held to no more than 90mph (I think) but are in reality
unlimited, a four point rollbar is required. In the past Kurt used to allow
the harddog hardbar (I think that's the name -- the one with the single hoop
and no back bracing, but the single hoop attaches at both the upper and
lower seatbelt mounts, hence it is a "4-point"), but i haven't seen one of
those in 2 years so don;t know if it is still viable. Also required is Snell
M90 or SA90, and 5pt harness. Alas, I don't know whether such regulations
would extend to people who rent the track, but they are strictly enforced on
official Track Days. Hence, we have to listen to the poor Boxster and
MRoadster owners with their stylish but oh so inadequate roll hoop thingys
complaining about being forced to run in the Touring Group, where a friendly
pace car holds things down to a more reasonable 65mph!!!

As far as the new track is concerned, it is both better and worse than the
old one. it is safer than before, in that run-off in most places is greatly
improved and many gravel traps have been added. But it is MUCHHHH harder on
your car, as the end of the long back straight now requires braking to
second gear speeds, say 40mph. This is accomplished whilst decending a steep
hill, so the opportunity to flat spot ye olde racing tires is great. For
normally aspirated cars I'm told terminal speed on the back straight is
~105. Expect to see 120 in a 10-pound car. Did I mention it was hard on the
brakes?

I think that a track day for Miatas would be mahvelous, and two even better.
Suggestions I might make: (bear in mind I have no experience at organizing
anything like this, so it is all just so much idle speculation on my part.)

-- If two days is your preference, make the second day optional in both cost
and attendance. If the cost for one day is held to $100 to $125 I think you
would hit somewhere in the price range of most people. We pay $50 - $60 a
day for our little 1.25 mile track currently, so I can't imagine people
being put off by twice that for the more-than-twice-as-good Road Atlanta.
But if we all had to pay for day2, many would not come, thinketh I.

-- If R/A requires the aforementioned safety equipment, possibly have an
unlimited group that complies with said regulations, as well as groups that
are allowed to preserve their unmodified status yet run under some
management-acceptable guidelines. I assure you, for someone who is not a
regular track driver, you can still have a barrel of fun at the more, shall
we say,  delicate speeds.

-- Make it one month later. Last week of August will see ontrack temps of
125F+. Tires will hate you. Last week of September is mild but still plenty
warm. Chance of rain actually no different

-- Talk Don Panoz into letting us use the 2300lb 320hp tubeframe GT cars the
Panoz Driving School uses for instruction.

Hope there's something here you can use.

Thanks, Matt Alley