Papa Smurf (sans red hardtop)

Gallery of more:

A couple weeks ago I received an email from Rick Weldon of P R Motorsports updating us on this upcoming event:

We’re almost there!!

My apologies to everyone that the March update comes to you a little later than I’d hoped, but more great aspects seem to be added to this event practically every day.  This message is being sent to the entire registered group — which includes those who are registered track day Drivers as well as those registered as Participants — so please bear with me as there is information that affects both groups.  Lots of exciting news…..sorry for the length of the email.

Event Merchandise!

We got stuff!!!  Lots of cool stuff!!   This year’s apparel selection will be only one color — black — and sports an awesome new design.  All Drivers and Participants will receive their free t-shirt with registration — but if you want more please go to the website and click on “Event Clothing” to order.  This year we’ll have crew neck sweatshirts and hoodies in addition to t-shirts.  The sweat shirts are thick 100% cotton, and the t-shirts are Hanes Beefy T’s.  If you get your advance purchase in before March 31st it will be pre-packaged for you with your event goodie bag (which will have lots of goodies and info).  There will be more available for purchase at the track, but to be sure you get your choices we strongly encourage you to pre-order.

We will also have event stickers, pins and the hot new poster (which can also be seen at the website).  These will be available for purchase at the Event Merchandise booth in Vendor Alley, along with t-shirts, sweatshirts, ball caps and posters from last year for those who didn’t get them.

Pin Swap

There will be a Pin Swap in the same area at early check-in at Embassy Suites Friday night, coinciding with the Welcome BBQ (6pm to 9pm).  Bring your appetite — event supporting sponsors BAMA and P R Motorsports have quite a feast planned for you.

Car Show

The car show will take place all day Saturday in the area adjacent to Vendor Alley.  This will be a non-competitive event (no categories, no formal judging) but everyone who is registered will receive a ballot in their packet to vote for their top three favorites, with the top three People’s Choice awards to be announced at the Banquet Saturday evening.  Anyone can put their car on display during the day, however if you want to be considered for the People’s Choice award you’ll need to pick up a number to display prominently on your car (available at Registration when you check in).   People are encouraged to check out the cool cars and vote throughout the day on Saturday.

Banquet

Surprises, surprises, surprises……!!!!  Thanks to main event sponsor Mazda North American Operations I can guarantee everyone (yes, everyone) will walk out with at least one great surprise to take home with them.  The menu is even more lavish, we have great guests (and another fantastic keynote speaker) — and who can go wrong with a room full of fellow Miata enthusiasts from all over the country!!  We’re a month away, and 2/3’s full — so if you’re on the fence about going, please get signed up soon.  Last year we ended up having a waiting list 2 weeks before the event.  We’ll be giving out the Car Show awards as well as the Grand Prize (Ohlins Road & Track suspension package).  And did I say there would be surprises?

Vendors

All of our vendors have made a special effort to be there for you — and all are offering specials for this event only!  Please stop by and see what they have to offer — you won’t be disappointed. For a complete list of vendors please take a moment to check out the website — we’ve added a bunch of new ones recently.

BAMA Hosted Fun Drive

For those who would like an option other than driving the track, BAMA is hosting an organized fun drive of the Monterey Peninsula for Saturday afternoon, immediately following the on-track group photo session.  Please meet near the entrance of the paddock if you’d like to join.  (This spot will be clearly marked with BAMA’s banner, as well as on maps we’ll have posted at various points in the paddock).  BAMA is known for putting on great drives — something not to miss if you’re new to this area!

Track Activities

If your focus is on the track, you’re in for a treat no matter what your experience level.  If you’re a Participant who is new to this and want to go for a ride with an experienced track driver, just check in at start/finish, show your wristband, and ask to be put in a car.  We’ll have loaner helmets and some of the most experienced drivers in the country to show you around the track.  And on Sunday you can drive your own car for the entire lunch session during the Parade laps and take friends/family/kids for rides. (Remember, these are parade laps — not race laps — so speeds will be carefully monitored for safety, as helmets and rollbars are not required).

For those taking advantage of the Track Driving option — at this point we are officially almost completely old out (only 3 slots left in A Group on Sunday, and waiting lists for many of the other groups).

This next bit of information is so important it deserves its own heading:

Track Instruction

In this area I can honestly say that we have been truly fortunate enough to bring together what i would term a Dream Team. We have some of the best and most experienced instructors and race instructors ever to be teamed together for any track event of this type.  Top Miata racers, track event instructors and organizers — we’ve got it all.

This year we’re taking it even further, with Barry Hartzel handling the role of Chief Steward and Chief Driving Instructor for the event.  Barry brings with him years of experience and insight as one of the winningest Miata racers ever, with multiple championships to his credit.  This experience has been the foundation for his development into a respected leader, teacher and coach in the arena of high performance driving. Presently he is the National Auto Sport Association’s Northern California High Performance Driving Event Director.

What this means is that all drivers — no matter what their skill level or experience — can look forward to the opportunity hone their skills and grow.

Looking forward to April!

Hi all,

We’re just a few short days out from the event, and so I have only a very few updates for you:

Tom Matano Autograph Session

Tom has graciously agreed to do another autograph session and will be available from 10:30 until noon (just before the group photo) on Saturday.  We’ll have Tom set up next to our Registration area — so please bring your items there.

Deadline for Pre-orders for event t-shirts/sweatshirts

The deadline to pre-order t-shirts and sweatshirts to have them included in your bags at Check-in for the event is the end of today.  Otherwise you’ll need to stop in to the Event Merchandise booth at the track (next to Registration).  In addition, we’ll have some leftover t’s and sweats and ballcaps from last years event, plus posters (from last year and this year) as well as pins and stickers.  Please help our staff by having exact change for your purchases.

Banquet

We only have 34 slots left for the Banquet, and the deadline or sign ups is this Sunday night, April 4th — so if you’ve been holding off now is the good time to get your seat!

Car Numbers

If you don’t already have your car numbers, you can get them from Dito at Got Blue Milk for a nominal fee. If you’re thinking about buying some professional photos from him (which is a good idea — he does a great job), then you need to make sure to have numbers on both doors and on the top of your windshield so he can identify you.  (He’ll make you a CD of all the shots of your car if you want, if you do this).

See you all soon!  Don’t forget our Meet & Greet BBQ from 6 to 9pm at Embassy Suites, concurrent with the Pin Swap and Early Check-in in the lobby of the hotel.

What am I excited for? Tom Matano! I don’t know what I would have him sign (maybe Roy? Hah! Or a t-shirt…just have to remember to buy a silver sharpie) but I  can’t wait to meet him.  Also, Roy will be part of the car show (can’t wait to show him off ), riding along with Brian on the track with his “silviata” , and taking a whole bunch of pictures.  I’m not sure what the Pin Swap will be like, but maybe I’ll be able to buy a couple for keepsake.  I wonder if I could hitch a ride with the instructors…hmm!

1 more week to go .

Being a car enthusiast is just like any other hobbyist; we spend our earnings on our money pit, we tinker with our toys during the weekends, we gather as much information as we can about our interests, we browse craigslist endlessly, and more importantly we get together with those that share the same interests.

I really wanted to meet the locals and their cars; I had known that there were a few members in the area and thought it would nice to take in the scenery of Lands End.  Maybe it was too early or there were other events that day, but it really wasn’t the turnout that I had expected.  For some, even when served, there will always be dissatisfaction.

Overall – 2 NA, 2 NB, Civic Si, Chevy and a random MR-2 were present.  It was funny how the driver of the MR-2 parked, came up to us, and started chatting it up.  When asked if he was part of NCR – he asked “What is that? something Cool Ricers?” lolll… Also, the drive through Great Hwy and Skyline was a nice segway into dim sum!

Thanks to those that put in that effort to show up – I know it was early and if there is a next time it’ll definitely be at a more reasonable time.

|Gallery||

Cruise. Sun. BBQ. Photos. Mazdas. Fun.

USCM was set up by the members of mocc and it was quite successful!! The cruise started off at the parking lot of Costco in Mountain View and from there about 30ish Mazdas pulled out onto 101 > 85 > 9 >17 > Great America.  What a route, right? Poor Roy was screaming to go on Hwy 9, but was falling behind on 17 towards Santa Clara.  A worry I had going into this cruise was keeping up since my car is absolutely the slowest among the pack of Mazdaspeed3s, P5s, MSPs, RX-8s, etc…and it happened!! I rolled in last into the parking lot; the saddest part was losing contact on my radio which has  a 2-mile radius. hah! Oh well, I kept up enough to make it there and even ticked 77k miles during the cruise.  Overall, it was nice having a gathering of Mazdas and seeing everyone’s clean rides.  And the sun…I’ve learned my lesson – sunblock, sunblock, sunblock!

Here are some favorite shots and my gallery on picasa.

What’s in store for next year? =)

I forgot that about a week ago it was freezing since it’s been sweltering the past few days.  My frozen fingers presents…..

April 15, 2009 – A&W Nor Cal Roadsters Meet

This NA was just too cute; it also has the “look” that I would like on Roy – dropped, roll bar, deep dish wheels.

Decent turnout for such a frigid night.

Yay! Another meet with MOCC folks, this time at Dave & Busters.  I wasn’t planning on going to this, but in the last minutes I decided to and shoooot it’s far.  Once again it was cold and the company good – was nice to meet unfamiliar faces and see familiar ones again.  Surprisingly, one FD and three Miatas were part of the pack of ten plus 3s and P5s.  Good turn out! See you all at the next *closer* meet!

|cream of the crop||

The early birds.

The row of 3s.

Nice wheels!

Baby blue and Roy.

Clean rides.

FD being rebellious =P

After the meet…Roy and Baby Blue discussing the more important things in life.  [You don't have to be brighter to be cuter!]

|credits||

Thanks to Miata Boy for taking more than half of these photos.