Hey, folks -

This weekend, the fiance and I were looking for something different to do. I managed to talk her in to attending the Autumn Classic race at Waterford Hills, Michigan. Basically, its a road race on a nice, tight course for SCCA members, and it is basically the end of the organized racing season here. I am not yet a racer (though I want to do solo next summer in my P5), but I love to watch it, and be around it.

I saw a few friends there, some of whom actually run a car during the season, and others like me who came to watch.

Of the cars present, I would say around 70% were Mazdas of some type. Miatas seemed to be everywhere, no doubt due to their 50/50 weight distribution, excellent rwd handling, good communicative steering/ brakes/ chassis, and the fact that a good one can be had relatively cheaply. There were also a fair amount of RX-7s, and one lone 323. Curiously, the fwd 323 ran alongside the rwd cars, and did quite well, actually - rounding out the top 3 of 22(!) cars running in that class. Other (non-formula) cars running included the usual handful of VW golfs, Mustangs, Corvettes, a few 911 Porsches, and some 924/928 Porsches. There were a few Toyotas there as well, consisting of a Supra and a MR2.

I have no intention of stripping out my P5, and prepping it for full road racing. But a little solo next summer ought to be a lot of fun. Judging from the field that I saw on Saturday, though, I have to say that a Mazda is definitely the right tool for the job. That fast running little 323 demonstrates that even the fwd cars are competitive. Man, I'm getting the bug!

 

Sounds like you need SC kit!

 

I'm with you Juddz, one day!!!