Automakers love to tell you that their new car is a turnkey track weapon. I’m happy to report that Mazda is not only happy to put its money where its Miata is, but also did so with zero preparation. Mazda, on a whim, let me take their Miata to an autocross course and drive the wheels off it. It performed beautifully.
First, a little background: when you all see one of us drive a hot new car on a racetrack, a lot goes into that. Automakers spend serious cash scouting the perfect racetrack, renting it out, paying for tires, insurance, and all the other zillions of hidden costs. That performance is as scripted as possible to ensure not only that everyone sees the car in a positive light, but also that everyone stays safe. I think it speaks volumes that Mazda was so confident in its car (and frankly, my ability to keep it pointed in the right direction) that it let me do on-pace driving at the drop of a hat.
The Car
Chase Bierenkoven
Chase Bierenkoven
Chase Bierenkoven
Perhaps part of the reason I was allowed to do this has to do with the spec. While the Miata lineup starts in the low $30,000 range, this one is more than $13,000 extra. That’s due to A) the hardtop, and B) the hugely expensive Brembo/BBS/Recaro package. The $4,900 package adds quite a lot to the Miata formula to make it more capable, though.
The most substantive changes consist of Brembo front brake calipers, 17-inch BBS wheels, and heated Recaro seats. An aero kit also beefs up the looks. This car is a Club, which also adds Bilstein dampers, a shock tower brace, and a limited-slip differential. That said, for $43,000, I had hoped the Miata would be able to handle an autocross session or two.
The Miata Holds Up In 110-Degree Heat
Chase Bierenkoven
For a car to be good at Autocross, it has to be a bit of a do-it-all. Not everyone can afford a trailer with A/C and a catered lunch. The Miata fit everything I needed for a day in the heat, plus one RF owner was able to bring a pop-up shade in the passenger seat of his.
Chase Bierenkoven
Trackside temps in the summer regularly hit triple digits, and this time was no different. I saw 110 degrees at one point. During my session, to keep the cabin a tolerable temperature, I let the Miata idle between runs. At no point did the car’s temperature gauge rise above the middle mark.
Chase Bierenkoven
Predictably, the Miata is a joy to drive on-track. Some seriously sticky tires could have helped my times, but then again, so could a bit more talent. It’s fun to have to wrangle the car, and these Bridgestones did their job after 2,000 miles of hard use from other like-minded journalists.
The rest of the car was perfect. Under hard braking, the pedals fall easily to the tips of your feet, perfect for rev-matched downshifts. Braking is remarkably consistent and easy to modulate, which helps with accuracy. Autocross doesn’t require much power, but even so, I had plenty of guts at the top of second gear, which the car never left, to steer it through the faster sections.
Most importantly, though, the Miata felt trustworthy. Fast is one thing, but with a brand new car, I expect dependability above all else. This is what gives you the confidence to push the car, to push yourself, and to do it repeatedly. Given the heat, the on-track abuse, and the price, the Miata is tough to beat in autocross.
About the author
Chase Bierenkoven
Senior Editor, Autoblog