2015 solo Nationals.

Once again I didn't go this year. I'd like to but it's a pretty fair drive from here to Lincoln.

A friend of mine went though and won her third (!!) National Title.

She'll need a separate closet for fancy jackets soon.

I didn't go either, just couldn't afford it. Was there last year, gone 4 times now. At least your drive would be shorter than mine.

KyAllroad wrote: Once again I didn't go this year. I'd like to but it's a pretty fair drive from here to Lincoln. A friend of mine went though and won her third (!!) National Title. She'll need a separate closet for fancy jackets soon.

does she drive a Corolla ? if so I know her … she and her husband are pretty neat people … and both are pretty darn good drivers … (s)he run with us occasionally in east TN

Celica. And she and her husband are very cool people.

my bad … yeah I meant Celica … really like them … wish I could drive as well as they do … she had a pretty good month … her horse did pretty well also

I wish I had taken Bobzilla up on his offer to co-drive / tirewarm for Nats last year. It would have been fun, and about as cheaply and easily as I was ever likely to make it.

A friend won, his wife trophied in open, and a bunch of other people brought home hardware. Looks like fun.

It was my first time going. The place is just a huge party and I had a great time. Ended up getting third in HS in a buddie's car. We had a great time and plan on going back next year!

JG and I went and, again, had a killer time. Basically it's car nerd camp.

I'd like to go next year, and would prefer to drive my own car just for the experience, but i would feel bad about taking a spot in a competitive field away from someone who might actually have a chance at winning.

I had quite a few friends go. Most of them are satisfied with how it went. I'm sure some had delusions of being a National Champ though.

Although my friend's wife did get a National Title in DSL.

I've thought about going as support for the drive and the event too. But I think I would regret not driving once I got there. Maybe I'll co-drive next year. I can't afford the extra 400HP I would need to compete in SM at a National level in my car.

The Hoff wrote: I've thought about going as support for the drive and the event too. But I think I would regret not driving once I got there. Maybe I'll co-drive next year. I can't afford the extra 400HP I would need to compete in SM at a National level in my car.

This is my problem. Fully prepping the Miata to CSP is just so far outside my wallets capability right now. I stay local and just have fun with that.

KyAllroad, what about running it in STS?

I'd have to lose the torsen diff and the Hoosiers. The male half of that power couple mentioned above has a national prep STS Miata that I've driven a few times. It's fine but to take any car to that level you have to pretty well ruin it for daily driving.

If it's any indication of my local region, they aren't even the fastest people I compete against. But purple crack helps my poor overweight, undersprung, 18 year old car run in the top ten (raw time).

My problem with staying local is the competition - my region has Billy Davis in CSP and Ben Wagstaff in STS. So I'm pretty heavily outgunned no matter what I do. So I just run in CSP, and enjoy my time at the back of the pack haha

Nationals seems really fun though. I'd love to get out there, probably not next year, but maybe the year after.

Swank Force One wrote: I'd like to go next year, and would prefer to drive my own car just for the experience, but i would feel bad about taking a spot in a competitive field away from someone who might actually have a chance at winning.

don't think it works that way … most yrs break the existing "record" for the most participants … as far as I know, they haven't put a cap on entrants yet

Swank Force One wrote: I'd like to go next year, and would prefer to drive my own car just for the experience, but i would feel bad about taking a spot in a competitive field away from someone who might actually have a chance at winning.

Don't worry. There are plenty of drivers looking for tire warmers

wbjones wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: I'd like to go next year, and would prefer to drive my own car just for the experience, but i would feel bad about taking a spot in a competitive field away from someone who might actually have a chance at winning.

don't think it works that way … most yrs break the existing "record" for the most participants … as far as I know, they haven't put a cap on entrants yet

Yeah.... what? Just go. If you aren't competitive you won't place. If you are, you will. you're not taking anything from anyone unless you earn it. Next year I WILL be back. PERIOD. I don't care if I have to sell a damn kidney to do it.

Yeah, just come and be part of it. No one will complain that you're in the way.

They almost capped it this year i think. There was a big to-do about it after registration went all bad.

But ok. Car is finally being sorted. Will bring it and place last in whatever prepared class Miatas go in and laugh the whole time.

That was the Pro Finale that had registration issues and capping. Solo nationals is open to all.

moxnix wrote: That was the Pro Finale that had registration issues and capping. Solo nationals is open to all.

Ohhhhhh! Ok awesome!

Now to figure out where my car is classed just out of curiousity.

Give us a list of mods and we can tell you pretty quickly.

2000 Miata
Custom Bilstein coilover setup a la Swank Force Racing
Racing Beat 1.25" front bar w/ AWR mounts and 949 endlinks
MSM rear bar w/ 949 endlinks
6spd/4.3
Racing Beat header
K&N Typhoon intake
Hytech exhaust
JDM (BP5A) intake cam
Skunk2 Pro Street intake manifold
Skunk2 70mm throttle body
Megasquirt Momo steering wheel
Cobra Monaco Pros w/ 5pts, stock belts not present
Soft top removed, hardtop bolted on
Carbon Fiber ricer trunk
Big wing of some sort. Either GTC200 or NASCAR COT wing
Front splitter thingy
A/C and power steering removed, Mazdaspeed Miata steering rack depowered and swapped in
15x9s with 225/45-15 RS3s (Might have a second 15x10 with 245/40-15 RC1s setup by then)
Wilwood 11.75" front brakes, Sport/1.8 hybrid rears
90-93 clutch/flywheel setup
Flat ABS door panels
Center console delete

I think by the "letter of the rules" it would technically fall into a Prepared class, but i might be able to run in SSM under the "No Weenies Clause." It's in no danger of bumping anyone out of the trophies in either class. Figure 150whp, 2000-2100lbs, and gearing that's horrendous for autocross as long as the stock motor sits in there with it's 7500rpm rev limit. I max out 2nd gear at about 54mph.

Locally i'll run it in SSM or XP because i don't really care.

SSM is most likely where it will land. Bring that thing next year or codrive something else and come enjoy the party!

Now for a shameless self promotion! My runs from nationals http://youtu.be/1-0ivlImW6Q