The Nutmeg Miata club has been organizing a Miata day down at Lime Rock Park for the last couple of years. This year is going to be a little different as they have tried to incorporate everyone's suggestions to make the event better than ever before.

"track/lap time, get us closer, I want to meet the racers, I want to see and touch the new Mazda cars."

The infield building has been reserved by the club. This will provide a great vantage point to watch the races (Spec Miata, Formula Ford, and Porsche Challenge). We will also have access to the paddock and best of all the FIRST 100 ticks sold will be in the parade lap. That’s right take your Mazda on the track at Lime Rock and be part of the parade lap. This is a first for the club. Lunch, flushable toilets (well worth the extra money per ticket) and door prizes are also included in the ticket price. I've also heard a rumor that the new Miata will be on display.

This year the event is open to all Mazdas and RX-8s are welcome to join in on the fun. If you are interested please mail your payment ($55 per ticket) by May 14th to:

Nutmeg Miata Club
C/O Robert Chop
128 Howard Ave
Ansonia, CT 06401

More info can also be found on the Miata forum (http://forum.miata.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=000936).

I personally have gone for the last 5 years and have had a blast every year. Last year was the first time I attended the event in my 8. Contemplating on which Mazda I will take this year :)

So who's interested in going?

I've never been to one of these events but it sounds like fun.

You may want to warn the lucky people who get to go on the parade lap. If I hear that they really enjoyed it I'll likely try to recruit them for one of our track days this summer. You know me, track junky at heart, and I'm always trying to spread the afflicition. ;)

SR:

Recruite away! :D

OK, I finally got off my duff and sent in my check.

Is anyone else going?

SR: Glad you can make it. It should be a lot of fun. Now to decide whether or not to take the Miata or the 8 :) Guess it will depend on the weather.

I'm in. Anyone interested in convoying down from Western MA? I went last year with a couple Mini Cooper guys and the drive was half the fun (there are some nice roads out this way).

It is quicker for me to head down I-91 and then catch up with the Mass Pike. So it looks like I'll pass right through western MA. Any suggestions on where and when we should meet up?

Have you heard if Rodrigo67 is going?

^ I just PMd Rodrigo. I'll talk to one of my buddies about which route we're taking... will send you and my10ae a PM.

Hi all. I am the President of the Nutmeg Miata Club and your host for "Mazda's at Lime Rock. I wanted to let every one know that the tickets will be in tomorrows mail. Everyone should have them before the event. I am glad that you are all comming down or up to Lime Rock. It will be a blast. If you were there last year, We are not in the same building. We are in the infield building. See you there.

I'm in. Anyone interested in convoying down from Western MA? I went last year with a couple Mini Cooper guys and the drive was half the fun (there are some nice roads out this way).

... a PM. Let's put something together...

PMd you back VooDoo.

Everyone interested in convoying: having an FRS radio is fun and useful in these convoys. You can pick em up for $15-$20 at Target/Walmart/Amazon. GMRS radios will also work (they're compatible with FRS channels). If you can, get one that supports subcodes (it'll say something like 14x38 channels or 22x38 channels).

PMd you back VooDoo.

Everyone interested in convoying: having an FRS radio is fun and useful in these convoys. You can pick em up for $15-$20 at Target/Walmart/Amazon. GMRS radios will also work (they're compatible with FRS channels). If you can, get one that supports subcodes (it'll say something like 14x38 channels or 22x38 channels).

Where are you located, where will you be meeting and what time? I can grab a GMRS somehwere, if not borrow one...

VooDoo, you get my PM? Dunno where we'll be meeting yet, but it'll be at approx 8 AM. I'll post again next week.

How is it for spectators? I've never been to Lime Rock and thinking of going to watch. I don't think my 8 has enough miles on it (300 right now) to put it through times.

Thanks
Bob

Midlifer:

This is not a track event. This event is to come an watch the racing that day. If you are interested in attending, I'd get your check in ASAP. :)

Oh, sorry. Thought it was an autoX event. What is the $55 for then? Is it to park in the infield?

Thanks
Bob

For $55, you get to park in the infield, hang out at the infield building (great view of the racing), door prices, free food and drinks throughout the day, flush-able toilets, and you can drive in the parade lap with a bunch of Miatas and other RX8s (that happens at Noon). Not sure if the parade lap is filled up at this point.

I went last year... the Miata crowd is a lot of fun.

Western MA convoy Info

We're meeting for breakfast at Sylvesters (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sylvester's+restaurant+111+Pleasant+St+(413 )+586-5343+northampton,+ma+01060&ll=42.318200,-72.628400&spn=0.018494,0.032589&hl=en) in Northampton (111 Pleasant St, 413-586-5343) at 7:30 and we'll head out from there at 8:30 (so if you don't want to eat, but want to join the convoy, feel free to show up as late as 8:20). To get to Sylvesters (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sylvester's+restaurant+111+Pleasant+St+(413 )+586-5343+northampton,+ma+01060&ll=42.318200,-72.628400&spn=0.018494,0.032589&hl=en) from 91:

if you're going North, take exit 18; turn left off ramp and head up Pleasant St
if you're going South, take exit 20; ramp merges with King St; follow through Northampton center
You can park in the lot/garage on Hampton Ave/Armory St behind Sylvesters. See map (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sylvester's+restaurant+111+Pleasant+St+(413 )+586-5343+northampton,+ma+01060&ll=42.318200,-72.628400&spn=0.018494,0.032589&hl=en) for details.

If that's out of the way for anyone, PM me and we can come up with another meeting spot farther along our route that you can join the rest of us at (possibly at Blandford (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Blandford,+MA&hl=en), though FYI there is no Pike exit between Lee and Westfield).

Please sound off if you're planning on driving with us... if you PM me, I'll send you my cell#. Also, bring an FRS radio if you can (see post #12 (http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=883654&postcount=12) in this thread).

I am going to try to be there. I don't have tickets yet but I just sent Bad_Bob a PM to see if I can get a couple. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks
Bob

If you can't get tickets with the Miata club, you can still go. Some of my buddies meeting at Sylvesters didn't get tickets ahead of time and are instead paying the regular $25 Limerock admission fee. I dunno if they'll get access to the infield area, but we spend much of the day walking around anyway.

There are some tickets left. There is also space in the parade lap too. We can always make room for any one.

If you can't get tickets with the Miata club, you can still go. Some of my buddies meeting at Sylvesters didn't get tickets ahead of time and are instead paying the regular $25 Limerock admission fee. I dunno if they'll get access to the infield area, but we spend much of the day walking around anyway.


Deslock, looks like I'll be at Sylvesters also. It might not be at 7:30 (I have to work Sunday night) but it will be before you leave. I sent a PM to Bad_Bob and I am able to get tickets.

Bob

I'd love to go if there are still tickets. What time should we get there to participate?

There are some tickets available. I can get you on the will call list if you e-mail me your full name, and compleate address. my e-mail is robertchop436@yahoo.com. You will need to be there no later than 11AM to be in the parade lap.

Deslock,

Count me in for meeting at Sylvester's for breakfast.

Do we have a count on Sylvester's yet? Be nice to see a good group show up.

Bob

So far, there will be 7 or 8 at Sylvesters:
midlifer
Speed Racer
VooDoo?
me
4 others not on this board (with 3 cars between them: Mini Cooper S, Focus SVT, Scion Tc)

We are the spectators at the event. If you just go to lime rock that day and buy your ticket from lime rock and not Nutmeg you will have the following- open air with no shelter, port a potty’s, pay as you go lunch, and all the grass seating you would want. If you buy your ticket through Nutmeg Miata Club you will receive the following- Building with roof top viewing, flushable toilets, catered lunch, shelter from the rain, private parking, and door prizes. No one with a general admission ticket will be allowed in the building at any time. I will hold tickets for any one who e-mails me there name and complete address also need to know how many tickets you will need. My e-mail address is robertchop436@yahoo.com . There is no cost increase or discount the day of the event. So I hope you will be able to join us on Monday.

That was a blast!

Seemed like there was a smaller crowd at Limerock this year and fewer cars (I mean overall, not the Miata club). Still was a good time... was nice to meet you midlifer and good to see you again Speed Racer. Sorry again about the wrong turns... didn't happen on the way back, so we made better time :-)

I'll have photos posted tonight.

Anyone find a white frisbee? I left it in the building by the front door, I think.

This was the best one ever. This was the 8th year that the club has done this and WOW it was worth all the work. Man the Parde Lap... three laps when we were told only 2... I hope everyone had as much fun as I did at the event. Now to start planing the next one... I hope every one will be able to join us again. It will be hard to top this one.. But We shal give it out best.

Nice meeting all of you. That last wrong turn was great! Maybe next time I can keep up. It was a great day (though we need more 8's next time) Hats off to Bad Bob! Great job. The ride home sucked (mass pike is to straight).

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for hosting this event. It gave us a good excuse to get together, drive some fun twisty back roads, watch some racing, take a few parade laps, and hang out with friends. Lots of fun.

More photos

And a few more...

There are about 30 photos here (http://deslock.smugmug.com/gallery/565138). A few (low-res) samples:

http://deslock.smugmug.com/photos/23554724-S.jpg

http://deslock.smugmug.com/photos/23554749-S.jpg

http://deslock.smugmug.com/photos/23554770-S.jpg

http://deslock.smugmug.com/photos/23554777-S.jpg

Looks like you guys had an awesome time! Maybe next year I can make it!

So Q. what is the funky three wheel green car in the pics? And anyone have a good shot of the engine?

^ I think it's Morgan 3-wheeler circa 1920s-1930s (sans headlights and wheel splash guards). Dunno anything about the engine in it, but you can see some details if you view the 3072x2048 image (click the Original link below the image at smugmug).

aw crappola I totally slept on this one! I'm sorry guys, looks like it was fun. Maybe next year.