April 1-2

MCMC to Talladega Gran Prix Raceway

- Sponsored by Roger Stewart

Roger Stewart is inviting all interested members of the Music City Miata Club to join him for a day at the Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, 46 Pilgrim Lane, Munford, AL (256) 493-0302 www.tgprace.com. Check out the layout on the website map.

 

The track was the first of it's kind, when originally built by David & Mike Upchurch back in 1985. It is a 1.40 mile racecourse specifically designed for small sports cars just like your Miata (which still didn't exist at that time). The track is the perfect way to learn how to drive your car safely at high speeds. You can practice the correct method of taking curves, picking a line & apex, selecting the right gears, shift timing, accelerating and braking at the right time, as well as learning the benefits of driving consistently & smoothly. As you become more familiar with the layout and turns, you can apply your new skills and step up the pace to the next level, while learning the limitations of your car ,as well as your driving skills.

 

Roger is making arrangements to rent out the track for a Tune & Test exclusively for our club members, on Monday, April 2nd, with up to 15 Miatas. We have negotiated a price of $100.00 per Miata, with a maximum of five cars on the track for 20 minutes out of each hour from 8:00AM till around 4:00PM, until we are either exhausted, or run out of petrol. That's a total of 2 Hrs. and 20 Mins. of total track time under maximum track conditions. This is a real opportunity to learn how to drive your Miata fast & safely and is a real bargain.

 

We will arrive at the track at 7:00AM on Monday, participate in a drivers meeting to cover basic track running/safety rules, to confirm basic mechanical safety checks on your Miata, to adjust your tire pressure and to remove all loose items from your car. A (Snell rated) helmet (2005 or newer) will be required, along with hard shoes & long pants and shirt sleeves. Several helmets will be available from, or thru, other participants & MCMC. But make sure you have access to a helmet that fits you before departure. Drivers will be segregated into three classes based on track experience (novice, intermediate & pro) to assure you are running with drivers, of similar skills & experience. Two flagmen will be provided by the track and MCMC participants will be expected to furnish an additional flagman (a duty shared by our drivers, when not on the track). Liability coverage is provided by the track and included in the fee. It is advised that you conduct a basic mechanical inspection of your vehicle to assure that a possible breakdown, or lack of adequate brakes, doesn't jeopardize your fellow club members.

 

We'll suggest you make plans to have some sandwiches and extra water available for lunch at the track.

We have reserved rooms at two different hotels in close proximity in Talladega AL. We have rooms at the Holiday Inn Express (5/King & 5/2QU, 240 Hayes St. at $85 and economy rooms at the Super 8 (5/QU) at 220 Hayes St. at $49. Confirm your commitment for a hotel/room when you RSVP to Roger and he will hold the room in your name until check in. Also, whether you will be going down with the group from the Franklin C.B. or if you will be meeting us at the hotel on Sunday evening, or at the track on Monday morning. Be sure and mail a check to Roger Stewart at 129 Salient Lane in Mount Juliet TN 37122 in the amount of $100.00, made out to the Music City Miata Club to be received byNo Later Than Monday, March 12th. Track reservations are on a first come first serve basis at time of check is receipt. So, if you are interested, RSVP to Roger at rstewart025@gmail.com or (615) 754-6685 and put your check in the mail. Should the event be rained out on the 2nd, we will make arrangements for a backup date. Refunds will only be provided with low participation, or in case of a personal emergency.

 

We will be meeting at the Franklin Cracker Barrel (I-65, Exit 65) at 1:00PM on Sunday, April 1st and take some back roads down into AL, before hoping on the slab to circumvent Birmingham. We'll have dinner before exiting for back roads into Talladega for the evening. We will depart for points north between 4:00 & 4:30PM and have dinner in the Huntsville area, before arriving back in Nashville between 9:30 & 10:00PM.

Roger would encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity to test & improve your driving skills and learn just how wonderfully responsive your Miata can be on one fine racecourse, having a ball, in the process.

ZOOM ! ZOOM ! ZOOM !