2006 Mazda Miata MX-5 at Laguna Seca w/ Turbo Porsches

[speedyd10]

Your out powered bad. I know those cars are slightly better handeling than that mx-5.

[gnate144]

Looks like a blast! Mine's a 2007 MX-5 soft top loaded. Got it in 2009 with 5600 miles. Now at 76000 (very well exercised) every mile has been a complete joy and problem free. What a great car. The handling is amazing if you have good tires.

[RaptorSA]

Cool vid dude. I bought a MX-5 MK2.5 Sport about 4 months ago. Ever since then I've been itching to take it on the track here in South Africa (best weather ever for a top down car..hehe). As many have stated before, the MX-5 is not exactly a fast car, but it sure as hell eats up corners. Would love to get my throttle response up a bit since it almost feels like my car has a temper every now and then. Not sure what I need to do.

[newbuddy321]

where's the 1:47 i need to see it to believe it. start time on the video (?:??)

[turvovo]

@newbuddy321 - I'm not sure that the 1:47 was done that session especially since there was a passenger. However, the best time of the weekend was a very low 1:47 and that's with a stock MX-5 with Toyo RA1 tires. You can see the time from the AMB transponder timing on the speedventures website. Select "11/05/2006 Laguna Seca" from the pulldown menu and look for "Magnuson".

[Childersfamily1]

I think it was on that session...I remember you coming up shortly afterward saying "so close....So close to a 1:46" and I may have been showing off a bit for Brian...I seem to remember getting in at least one really clean lap. I think it is the lap where i am rumbling on every entrance and exit but could be wrong. Looking at the video now though, that looks like a nice lap that was certainly sub 1:50.

[potatotruck]

These things carry so much speed through corners. People don't realize that a Miata is faster through bends than many exotics. Straights are a different story but if you want to track and don't have a corner office (yet), this is it.

[Thruxton8]

turvovo, it would be interesting to see if you turbo charged the Mazda and lost the 200lb cargo ;) you may have passed those pesky Porsches.

[Thruxton8]

Just bought myself an 06 MX5 and just can't stay out of it!

Great driving, great track, what an awsome corkscrew!

Love those Porsches as well, they look like giant cockroach's scurrying away in the distance, the Mazda is like the big can of fly spray trying to fumigate them.

[milkymike375]

great great car. i got an 06 last feb. wasn't even thinking of buying one (thought they were too small) then test drove one for the hell of it, then everything else i test drove got "its cool, but doesn't feel quite as good as the miata" (rsx, solstice, mustang, mini)

i miss having a back seat, but

[milkymike375]

...if its going to be that much fum to drive, who needs practical?!?!

enjoy your car. congrats ont he purchase.

[yspeed57]

coool. it's my dream to drive A class sportscar like Porshe 911 Turbo or Ferrari 430 but it will never come true :((((((((

[hunterings]

tyhis course is in forza2 for the xbox, its soooo realistic in the game compared 2 this =[]

[okaythen001]

those other drivers they are also decent drivers right? so if 2 drivers are about the same level...a miata can catch up with a turbo porsche like that in corners? that's amazing I mean it's porsches! I am thinking about getting a miata for track car..any suggestions you can give me? what's a good year miata to get in the 90s? those people who do v8 or powerful engine conversion will that affect the handling? what do people usually do to track their miata? thanks a lot

[turvovo]

Yes, a light weight sports car with a well designed suspension like the Miata will, with equal quality tires etc, but just as good or better in the corner than a most exotic cars. Any year Miata is good. The 94 and later Miatas have a slightly bigger motor. Miatas are cheap, reliable and fun at the track. Not a lot of horsepower but it just help you learn how to preserve your speed in the corners. I can't think of a better car to begin doing track days with.

[okaythen001]

very nice, I think it's also cheaper to track miata vs other cars? like tires, fluid changes, clutch etc? I am kind of used to 250hp or more cars...if I turbo a miata or put a big engine in it...will it affect the handling even if I also upgrade the handling? thankjs

[turvovo]

Remember this "Slow is Cheap". I can't think of anything cheaper to race than a Miata (other than a Kart or Motorcycle). If you're just getting started don't worry about power - use a stock motor and focus on other things like improving your driving and the cars handling, reliability and braking. Then once you're bored with it you can mess with power adders that will yes, change the car and make it less reliable, but can also be fun.

[rorym1980]

That's handy! A light stick to show you where the sun is.

[rufusvonstorm]

thats an rx-8

[turvovo]

What's an RX-8?

[03whymans]

Nah its a mx-5

[sfostevo]

nothing more fun than chasing down cars that are supposed to be faster!!

[RogerWazup007]

What's this kind of racing called? I want to know more about it, such as locations. I think this is a lot more interesting than Nascar.

[seanyepez]

very solid driving, I race a spec miata in SFR SCCA.

[turvovo]

Thanks! Means a lot coming from a Spec Miata guy. You have to drive perfectly to win.

[seanyepez]

I've only won a couple races so far. It's my third season. Try a double apex line in T2. I swore by your line for a while until I got coached by a pro. Track out in T1 to track right and brake toward the first apex. In T3, T4, you use the apexes well and a couple times you use the exit curbs. Try to get to them more consistently. If you are looking for more time, use the entry curbs there too. You nailed T6 a few times in the video. Use all of the apex like you're doing.

[seanyepez]

I like your line through the Corkscrew, T9, T10. Try to use more of the apex in T11. You can get on the power a bit sooner in T11. Adjust your timing (earlier/later) to try to get on the gas sooner.

Good line overall. Better than most out there.

[RogerWazup007]

How do you see races like these? I want to see these kind of cars, not formula cars because they all look the same. Can you watch them on TV or something? It's also more exciting on these tracks in comparison to Nascar driving in ovals hundreds of times.

[RantVideos]

She really catches up in the corners, and that's where the real fun is at! thanks enjoyed it alot.

[xnavyfag]

I love it! I had felt guilty about buying my 06 Miata because I was a die hard car fan and I thought that the Miata would not get any respect... well I was wrong. Everyone loves this car, and now I have something to back up my claims of how well it handles. Sure I could let them drive it, but I think I like it too much to do that. They'll just have to watch it on video!

[tommyswifty97224]

Just goes to show what I've always said, anyone can put their foot to the floor on a straighaway. It's what you do in the corners that separates the good drivers from the bad.

[basket4rd]

true dat-everybody loves the mustang until they throw some curves @ it, i'd rather have a miata than a stang, even the GT500

[klutchmaster]

Videos like these make me love my miata.

[hacknik]

forza got it almost right (forza 2) this is the 1st footage ive seen of real life laguna with a hood cam

[yorgoman]

does anyone knwo if the track is more realistic in granturismo or forza

[pantsman29]

I'd say Forza . . . but both r great on both platforms.

[flick2040]

I love that the porches get in the way on nearly every turn despite needing binoculars to see them on the straights.

[flick2040]

Porsches sorry ;)

[Gordonfan24]

Awesome stuff! Great car and great driving. Very nice video. Seeing stuff like this makes me want a Miata even more than I already do...

[ae86pwr]

that EVO who chuck a cone at you ... later killed a rabbit on Session 4.

[chiefbeefofficer]

Put a turbo on that thing give those Porches hell! An EVOIII 16g and 15-19psi should do it!

[opterios]

Amazing driving, mate! Good job!!

[chiefbeefofficer]

Nice Driving! You know, I've never been to that track in person but have done countless laps on Gran Turismo. I feel I know the track like the back of my hand. I could tell every breaking and acceleration point.

[turvovo]

Yes, Gran Turismo does a remarkable job of simulating the track. I'm still trying to learn the ring for when I go to Germany!

[monki600]

we have a game in australia called, super V8, its based on tracks around australia.., this dude driving an integra went nuts, and it was his 1st time thier, he smashed my time pretty quick, and i asked him how did he do it, he replied "xbox".

[turvovo]

Stock except for Toyo RA1 tires and Mazdaspeed Springs, Sway Bars and Shocks (Tokico non adjustable)

[saveyour]

is that stock?

[turvovo]

Stock except for Toyo RA1 tires and Mazdaspeed Springs, Sway Bars and Shocks (Tokico non adjustable)

[turvovo]

Plus a 200lb passenger and Raybestos Racing brake pads.

[monki600]

lol, 200lb passenger.., i would have made him watch on the sidelines.

[alexisthemovie]

nice driving, are you going to be at the willow springs event on january 6-7, 2007?

[turvovo]

Unfortunately no :( - I can't do any track days for the next couple of months due to work obligations

[kchild010]

Now that's Driving!!

[turvovo]

Yeah! Someone should sponsor that guy or something.