Shakedown at Pacific Raceways
2006 Mazda Miata in the paddock at Pacific Raceways
You know it’s going to be a great day when the sun is shining, top is down, and you’re headed to the racetrack. On Wednesday, October 15th I took the 2006 Mazda Miata to Pacific Raceways for its first and only time on track in 2025. The car received a slew of track-focused upgrades since its last outing, and it was finally time to put the car on track. Here’s a breakdown of the car.
Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS Tires
Flyin' Miata Little Big Brake Kit (Wilwood)
Flyin' Miata Stage 2 Fox Suspension
Racing Beat Exhaust
AEM Cold Air Intake
Mild Tune
Sparco EVO L Competition Seats
Schroth Racing 6-point harness
GuardianDesigns -15mm diameter steering wheel in Alcantara
Blackbird Fabworx Roll Bar
Garmin Catalyst
My goals for the day were to get comfortable with the new seats and harnesses on-track, dial-in the adjustable rebound on the Fox suspension, and set a baseline lap with the Garmin Catalyst. Good thing, too as the paddock was filled with heavy hitters including multiple generations and levels of 911 GT3, 911 Turbo, Cayman GT4 RS, and a Ferrari 458 just to name a few. During the first session it became clear that the rebound settings were too stiff, causing the car to get unsettled through 5A and particularly on the bumpy exit of turn 9. I would also need to do something about the volume of the Garmin Catalyst as it was very hard to hear with the top down and helmet on. Doing up the new Schroth Racing harnesses and HANS wasn’t elegant, but they did a good job of keeping me in the Sparco seats and compared to the stock leather seats of the Grand Touring Miata, were transformative. The steering wheel was a surprisingly effective upgrade in addition to looking fantastic. No longer fighting a slippy wheel and seats felt more confident and in control of the car. Fastest lap in the first stint was a 1:47.11.
For the second stint, tire pressures and suspension were both adjusted. Rebound was adjusted -5 clicks all the way ‘round the car and what a difference! The car was no longer nervous coming out of turn 9 and experienced less heave through 5A. Lap times remained consistent with a session best of 1:47.10. I connected the Catalyst to the Miata stereo via Bluetooth and cranked the volume— better but not enough. I will look into in-helmet comms before hitting the track again. The session would come to an end under full-course black flags when two little dogs ran onto the track and down the front straight. I was going through the kink at the time and a pair of little puppies is not what you want to see at 90 miles per hour! The ProFormance crew spent the better part of an hour coaxing the dogs to safety. By this time the day was winding down and the paddock had thinned substantially. I had accomplished my goals and decided to pack it up. Remember, it’s when you think “just one more, then I’m done” that something bad happens and ruins your day.
All-in-all, a great way to end the 2025 season. Mods tested and information gathered. Car and driver survived unscathed, which is how you win a track day.
