1999 Miata Track Build Part 5 – First NASA Wheel-to-Wheel Race at Mid-Ohio & TTE Win
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Sometime between NCM and Mid Ohio April I received my Provisional Competition license from NASA. Woot!
So for Mid Ohio April I dual entered in TTE and PTE.
Pre-Race Prep
Prep was simple, 1000lb front springs to delete swaybars, which made room for the 4.77 OsGiken to come over from the NA and a lexan windshield.
I did not win a full set of tires at NCM, nor did I earn enough hawk bucks to replace all my Sport pads.
So, I ran at Mid Ohio on my last set of 2012 SM6s, and sport brakes.
- TTE* +7
- Xida +5
- Sport brakes +2
- SM6 +1
- OsGiken +3
18 Points.
Race Weekend – Mid-Ohio
My debut w2w race ever, would be at my home track, BUT, going up against the most well prepared PTE car ever; "Bubbles"
Show up, need new W2W tech. Pass with no problems!
Qualify 2nd, amazing. I have no idea what I am doing so far up the grid:
Chris Kopitski is new to Mid Ohio, I am new to w2w in general. He picks to start from the right, thinking the green would wave on the front straight(it doesn't)
I am arguably LEADING my first ever race into T1 at my home track:
Race Results
I struggle HARD in traffic and end up finishing 3rd in my first race behind Kopitski in "Bubbles" and Micheal Nueman in his E36. Nueman would end up being my Nemesis all season.
Post race I dyno @ 130.1whp on my 130cap. Round to the nearest hp, clear. I also win TTE that day.
Sunday I qualify 2nd again, but cruise flag to flag for a 2nd place finish.
Only 1.3 seconds off Chris's new rack record on 4yr old tires, rubber bushings, etc. Felt pretty amazing.
Post-Race Controversy
Post race dyno 131.9. WTF?! Disqualified. This also throws out my most recent TT competition session. My TT session 1 time holds on and I end up with a win there.
What’s Next
I come away from Mid Ohio dead set on vengeance. Vengeance against Nueman for punking me in traffic on Saturday. Vengeance on the dyno to prove I wasn't cheating.
I also come away with a new PB, 4 Hoosiers, Hawk bucks, etc!!
From first wheel-to-wheel race to podium finishes and controversy, the build—and the competition—is just getting started.
