Willow Springs Raceway NASA spec miata race

Here are several laps from my 3rd NASA race. I don't have much racing experience (still on my rookie license) but still managed to qualify 15th out of 22 cars, and ended up finishing 15th. I lost 5th gear on the day before but still managed to do okay with only 4 gears. This race track is a ton of fun!

http://baddriverracing.com
http://facebook.com/stateshirt
http://twitter.com/stateshirt

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• racing
• spec
• miata
• scca
• nasa
• willow
• springs
• raceway
• rosamond
• california
• mazda
• mazdaspeed

[docstruthers]

does this class allow the coolant reroute modification. I can imagine the heat + racing = high engine coolant temps.

[stateshirt]

@docstruthers nope, though i do have a bigger aftermarket radiator. it can get hot when drafting, and I have seen some motors overheat, but mine generally stays under 205° on really hot days.

[forry90]

how fast can the SM's get up to in that back straight

[stateshirt]

@forry90 good question... I can't remember. Really bumpy through turn 8 and always frightening through turn 9 though!

[pantablo]

@ohai2u -Willow Springs also has Streets of Willow which is much more interesting. Buttonwillow is also a fantastic track.

[strymon]

@ohai2u - Both SCCA (CalClub) and NASA each use the roval course at Auto Club twice a year... Speed Ventures also makes it out there. +1 on a San Diego road course!

[stateshirt]

@ohai2u - it can get a bit monotonous, but turn 9 is scary enough to make up for it. There are other tracks in SoCal—Buttonwillow and Auto Club Speedway.

[iespeed]

another thing would be to check into a hpde, that way You could invest very little up front and see if it is somthing You really want to get involved in, because yes it gets real pricey real quick! I ran 1:41's with a basically stock 2004 srt4. We have done a few things to it since then, I'm also hopeing to get into the 1:38 area myself. Have not been on a track since I ran in the rain on feb 7. We ran 1:44's that day and I pitched her off in turn one, witch was very very exciting!!!

[stateshirt]

You could also check out some autocrossing events for a less costly way to get into racing...

[stateshirt]

If you're in California there are a few events at Buttonwillow raceway coming up. Oct 10/11 is the next one that NASA racing is running. Lots of great racing, not just miatas.

Getting into racing does require a decent amount of work and money. Preparing your car to the rules, getting a racing license (check out SCCA and NASA websites for more info).