Miata for HPDE's

[N8shon]

Hi there, I am new to the Miata scene and am currently looking for a Miata to purchase with the intent of using the car for HPDE's and track days, with the ultimate intent of getting my racing license--first things first however. I will need to set up the car properly and safely and within the rules required to participate in the NASA HPDE's/SCCA PDX's etc. In addition, the car will be functioning as my daily driver. I already have my weekend car/show car/back up if work needs to be done on the Miata car in the form of an E46 M3 (she stays in the garage during the week and will NOT be tracked). While I will probably be doing some autocross events as well, my primary goal is to progress up through the classes of HPDE.
I am here to get advice and guidance in choosing what type/condition/optioned/mileage etc. Miata to buy AND how you recommend setting it up for the track. I live in Marietta, GA and I'll be tracking the car at any track within reasonable driving distance. I know many of you track your cars and have been down the road I am starting out on, so share with me your infinite wisdom! I am open to any and all suggestions and am actively looking for a car to purchase. Thanks in advance and I look forward to picking your brains!


Nate
nateauctions@gmail.com
Marietta, GA

[Hammerhead2501]

If possible, come up to Road Atlanta this weekend. NASA is having their June Jam. There will be lots of Miata's in all sorts of configurations along with limitless ideas and possibilities for you to consider. The ever increasing difficulty for me is modifying for track weekends and still using mine for daily driving. I think if I were even considering serious competition it would have to be a dedicated tracker. Anywho come up this weekend, you won't regret it. Visit a few of us camped down by turn 1.

[N8shon]

I would love to, and had planned on it actually, but I will be out of town all weekend with work. It would have been perfect timing to be out there too.

[chinpokojed]

Doing HPDEs in a miata is just about the perfect way to started, it's cheap to fix / keep consumables on, well balanced, and doesn't make a ton of power to get you into trouble. If you can drive a slow car fast on the racetrack, you can drive anything fast! As far as equipping it for track duty it's a slippery slope, but all you really need is a safe miata and a rollbar. Safe means fresh brake pads / fluid, decent tires, no play in your hubs, etc.

As far as the car itself I'd be looking for a '99+ with the LSD / cruise and as low mileage as you can find. The '01+ cars have a better header, better coil packs, and a slightly revised front end, but also have VVT which doesn't make any more power and can complicate turbo / sc installs.

Once you get to the point where you're thinking about a race license you'll need a significant amount of more work to the car, but it can come slowly. For example to take the competition racing license school you'll need a fully prep'd race car with a rollcage, fire system, raceseats, HANS, etc.. but time trials can be done with basically a rollbar and transponder if you're interested in doing that eventually, and many TT cars are DD as well.

Definitely come out or volunteer to help for an event, you'll get to see a metric ton of different miatas, see how the events work, and I'm sure you could convince an instructor to take you on a ride-along. Plus if you volunteer you'll also earn credit for free track weekends which is always nice too..

[Woodk61000]

Damn, I would have loved to come up there. Im gonna be down at my hunting property this weekend