Forever MX-5 Magazine

Flyin' Miata joins Forever MX-5 at Miatas at MRLS

2009-03-18T23:08:06-04:00

Like Forever MX-5, Flyin' Miata is a major sponsor of the Miata's 20th anniversary event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. FMX-5 columnist Keith Tanner is a major force behind Flyin' Miata, and he'll have his Targa Miata (featured in Issue 1 of FMX-5 and set to appear again in Issue 4) with him in Monterey.

When faced with a full weekend of lapping at a world-famous track, it was easy for FM staffers to figure out what cars to bring. They're bringing the modern Cobra, the rally car, the lightweight and the MAZDASPEED MX-5 that never was.

The modern Cobra is Elvis, a 2002 model that looks like a beautifully detailed daily driver. But it's hiding a 5.7 liter modified LS1 under the Lotus Laser Blue paint job. With approximately 400 horsepower and Flyin' Miata's sophisticated AFCO suspension, it's an amazing track weapon that just happens to have a luxurious and well-appointed leather interior. The car is driving out and back from Colorado to California for the weekend.

Next up is the Targa Miata. This is a 1994 that was built from the ground up to compete in the Targa Newfoundland. It has a high-compression Miata engine that has been bored and stroked to over 2 litres and is tuned to be very flexible. The suspension was developed to offer excellent control over rough roads and has the added benefit of being both comfortable and very quick on track. Because the Targa is aimed at a vintage crowd, a Martini-inspired paint job was laid down. The car is still in full competition trim after finishing 16th overall and first in class at the event, from the intercom system and rally computer to a full set of sponsor decals.

Representing the extreme end of the power/weight scale is the FM Westfield. This Lotus Seven-inspired car uses Miata running gear, mating 1400 lb weight to one of the world's best transmissions and a sweet little engine. Of course, the guys at Flyin' Miata couldn't leave well enough alone and installed a turbocharger, water injection and a Hydra Nemesis engine management system. Power is estimated at nearly 300 hp at the crankshaft. It's quite a ride.

The newest car making the trip is a 2006 MX-5 fitted with a Cosworth supercharger. The Roots blower and integrated air/water intercooler is packaged so well it looks stock, but allows the car to make over 250 horsepower. With a lightly modified suspension consisting of Flyin' Miata sway bars and Tokico shocks, it feels the same way it should have from the factory. If Mazda had ever made a MAZDASPEED version of this model, this could have been it.

These four cars and several of the Flyin' Miata staff will be live and in person at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca all day on March 21 and 22.

Catch us (if you can) at "Miatas at MRLS" next weekend!

2009-03-14T19:32:28-04:00

The legendary Mazda MX-5 Miata turns 20 this year, and the celebrations are just beginning.

On March 21-22, hundreds of Miatas will converge on the "Spiritual Home" of Mazda in America: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, to kick off the anniversary year with "Miatas at MRLS" festivities.

Forever MX-5 magazine will be there as an official sponsor of the event. We're bringing the Green Machine time attack racer, which Publisher Ryan Douthit will enter in the track day portion of the event. You can check out the new BEGI-S turbo on the car, and talk to Ryan about his plans for competition.

Editor-in-Chief Jeff Zurschmeide will also be there, driving down from Oregon in Project Survivor - our 400,000 mile (at least, it will be by the time we get down to Monterey) resto-mod project car. Check out our custom stereo installation courtesy of Sony, our new top and interior courtesy of www.ezsofttops.com, our CorkSport exhaust and Miatacage.com carbon fiber intake, some important doodads from GoMiata.com, and of course, wheels and tires by Konig and Goodyear.

Additionally, Lifestyle Editor Scott Fisher will be there with his personal Miata, complete with his new Clearwater Audio (also an event sponsor) stereo speakers and custom as-yet-unpublished super-duper all-aluminum Forever MX-5 chassis brace. He'll be reliving his glory days as an SCCA racer on the track by day and showing us the best Miata destinations of Monterey by night.

We'll have copies of all three issues of the magazine, and we're giving away a copy of Issue 1 to each participant. We'll have subscription cards, and we'll be ready to talk about our plans, hopes, and dreams for the coming year. Come by and introduce yourself and tell us what you want to see in your magazine!

A legendary track, cool cars, neat toys, fun people, great drives and good food – there’s no better way to celebrate 20 years of the world’s most popular sports car than to drive it as it’s meant to be driven. Admission is free for spectators. For all the information, hotel details, a timetable, safety requirements and registration call 408-439-7434, e-mail info@MiatasAtMRLS.com or check out MiatasAtMRLS.com.

Issue #3 mailed. Up to the USPS now.

2009-02-03T18:25:33-05:00

Just a quick update that issue #3 is in the hands of the Post Office at this point. If you have any questions regarding your subscription, click the "service" link above.

See the FMX5 Miata in action!

2009-01-20T01:22:08-05:00

Our Green Racer project car was just featured on our live webcast, Driving Sports TV. The clip is now up on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. For more, check out the live show, Wednesday nights at 10pm (pst). It's presented live, anything can happen. Plus, you'll have a chance to field questions to the hosts and special guests. For more info on the live webcast, click here.

Issue #3 sent to press

2009-01-10T16:49:26-05:00

The new issue of Forever MX-5 has been uploaded to press and is now in production. That means subscribers will receive their issues in just a couple weeks (hey, we can't do anything to make the USPS any quicker.)

Miatas to Celebrate 20th Anniversary at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

2009-01-01T14:26:11-05:00

Since its introduction nearly 20 years ago, the Miata has been at home on the track, winning hundreds of races. It’s equally at home on great roads, like every good sports car. Over 800,000 of the sturdy little roadsters have been built and sold, making the MX-5 Miata the most popular sports car of all time.

Since 2001, Mazda has been the sponsor of the world-class Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. So what better way to wish the Miata a happy 20th birthday than a two-day event on a famous track, in a region known for some of the most scenic roads in the country?

On March 21st and 22nd, Forever MX-5 and Miatas from all over the US will be attending Miatas at MRLS for one big birthday party. The main focus is a two-day track event on one of the world’s top tracks. Everyone’s welcome from novice to expert. Instructors will be on hand for anyone who wants some tuition. Two full days of driving one of the best tracks in the world. It’s your chance to dive down the Corkscrew in your Miata, following in the tire tracks of racing legends.

But it’s more than just a track weekend. The pits will be full of vendors, including Forever MX-5, showing off everything from the latest products for the NC MX-5 to our hottest show and competition cars. If you ask nicely, you might even get to go for a ride! There are also going to be show specials for participants. Various competition Miatas will be on hand along with their drivers to show what the car can do. There will be parade laps available for those who want to take a slightly less frantic look at the track. On Saturday afternoon there will be a big group photo of all the participating Miatas on the front straight of the track. Tours of the stunning Monterey peninsula will also be available for a more relaxed pace and chance to check out one of the most beautiful spots in the world.

Saturday night will feature a big banquet, giving everyone the perfect opportunity for bench racing and general tall tales. The plan is to make it fun, not full of boring speeches – but there will be a few Miata celebrities on hand, including Tom Matano as Grand Marshal. There’s also going to be a book signing by Miata expert and Forever MX-5 columnist Keith Tanner.

A legendary track, cool cars, neat toys, fun people, great drives and good food – there’s no better way to celebrate 20 years of the world’s most popular sports car than to drive it as it’s meant to be driven. Admission is free for spectators, and $500 buys you a full weekend of track time. For all the information, hotel details, a timetable, safety requirements and registration call 408-439-7434, e-mail info@MiatasAtMRLS.com or check out MiatasAtMRLS.com There’s a limit of 100 cars on the track and the banquet hall is only so big, so don’t delay!

Happy New Year - Let The 20th Anniversary Celebration Begin

2008-12-31T13:28:08-05:00

Anthony Byrne sent this shot from Ireland - where the new year is almost ready to begin as we post:

Snowed In

2008-12-20T00:07:14-05:00

We've had an interesting couple days. Nearly a foot of snow fell in parts of Seattle on Thursday and now we're bracing for a storm this weekend that is expected to bring with it freezing rain, snow and the possibility of gusts up to 90 mph. The local weather agency is suggesting that everyone stock up for the possibility of widespread power outages "lasting several days." Good times. What do I choose to drive when the going gets tough? My Miata, of coruse.

Mazda launches refreshed MX-5... in Japan

2008-12-09T02:13:14-05:00

If you were waiting to see what 2009 would bring for our hero, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, that day is now here... if you live in Japan. Not to fret, however, since it's quite common for Japanese manufacturers such as Mazda to first debut a refresh in their homeland, before exporting to North America. Mazda North America is expected to announce its MX-5 plans in the coming months, but you can expect the final result will be something very similar, if not exactly the same.

In short, the newly announced JDM Miata, aka Mazda Roadster, features: 7,500 rpm redline, improved sound deadening, suspension changes to make the car handle even better and styling changes throughout -- bringing the Roadster more inline with the rest of the Mazda family. This fresh model will be available in Japan staring this month and we'd be shocked if it doesn't appear in North America later in 2009. Unfortunately, there's no official word on North America seeing a return of the choice color Competition Yellow (known as Sunflower in Japan, as pictured here.)

Buy a Great RX-7 - Make a Difference

2008-12-05T13:55:59-05:00

This isn't about Miatas, but it's close. And it's important - so take a moment and read on.

These days, it seems like everyone has their hand out looking for some cash from the government. But if you look around, you can find examples of folks doing the right thing in their own small way.

Cancer took Patti Wilhelm’s life in June of 2008. Patti was a woman of many passions, including motorsports and her personal RX-7. Patti was also an advocate for shelter animals. It was her request that her car be sold as a fundraiser for The Humane Society of the United States when she was gone.

In order to help maximize her gift, Autoweek Magazine agreed to host the auction for free. What is available here is a primo completely restored 1984 Mazda RX GSL-SE. This was the ultimate first-gen RX-7, with a fuel injected engine producing 135 horsepower and 135 lb·ft of torque. Additionally, the GSL-SE came with a limited slip rear axle, upgraded suspension, and upgraded front and rear disc brakes.

CAR: 1984 Mazda RX GSL-SE
VIN: JM1FB3322E0812149.
MILEAGE: 291,300.
HISTORY: The car was purchased new by Patti from Valley Mazda in San Luis Obispo, California. In 2005 (@ ~ 285,000 miles) Patti spent approximately $10,000 to refurbish the car including emblems, u-joints, a transmission rebuild, resurfacing of the flywheel, rebuilt wiper motor, new weatherstriping on both doors and window channel, rebuilt power antenna, replace hatch struts, replace moldings on the windshield, replace struts and shocks with Bilstein and add threaded collars, replace window regulator, replace oil cooler, replace radiator, replace oil metering pump and resurface the wheels. In addition, she installed new tires and a new battery in 2007. The California registration is good through 1/10/09. The car passed most recent smog test in 2007.

Right now, the auction stands at a little less than $5,000. The auction will go until Midnight, eastern time, on Sunday December 14. That means 9:00 PM Saturday, December 13 on the West Coast.

So, here’s your chance to get a great classic sports car and do some good in the world besides. What are you waiting for? Click here to place your bid.