Miatas at Mazda Raceway 2010 additional information
Registration opened January 1st at midnight EST (we took a page from the Harry Potter book releases) and literally within minutes the signups started to roll in. Keith Tanner has once again done a truly stellar job with our website -- www.miatasatmazdaraceway.com -- and our fantastic event staff team (returning from last year, along with some new members) has been working hard to make this event even better.
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I had intended to send all of you an update sooner, but kept delaying it as more and more exciting things kept getting added with each passing day. I didn't want to flood your inboxes with a ton of "but wait, there's more!" emails.
So let me begin by using the old internet hack: "Please check back at the website often, as we are continuously updating with new information". Some of the info below hasn't been added to the site yet, so please be patient.......
To keep this brief, I'll focus on important highlights:
Event Hotel
As last year, the event hotel will be Embassy Suites -- who have once again given us a great group rate, and additionally set up a special website (the link is at our website) to make the reservation process even easier. I would encourage people to consider this as their first choice for that weekend, as not only is it a great value, but Embassy Suites has done everything possible to welcome us there and make it our focal point to socialize with other Miata owners. Besides the convenient location and ample free parking for trucks and trailers, some of the other benefits:
- room rate (+ tax) of only $167/night for a really nice suite -- not just a room -- so sharing to help control costs is easier.
- starting with our Welcome/Meet & Greet BBQ in the hotel parking lot on Friday evening (coinciding with early registration in the lobby), we'll have our own dedicated Miata parking area in their lot.
- our Banquet will be held in their main ballroom
- Happy Hour with free drinks in the evening.
- Free breakfast
- Every registered Participant or Driver room will find a welcome bag waiting for them, with a bottle of fine wine from Terremoto Cellars ( http://www.terremotocellars.net/ ) and a bar of natural hand-crafted luxury soap from The Joy of Soap (www.thejoyofsoap.com).
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Welcome/Meet & Greet BBQ
Mentioned above, to be held in the main parking lot at Embassy Suites. Free to all registered Participants, Drivers, Sponsors and Vendors. A chance to relax and mingle after you pre-register, and look at all the great cars in attendance. No alcoholic beverages in the parking lot please. Sponsored by the Bay Area Miata Association and P R Motorsports.
In-car Video
Want to have a professional video record of your track experience? Recently added to the website -- please contact Vision Wells for your reservation (see our website for examples and the link).
Parade Laps
This is to clear up some confusion we had regarding Parade Laps from last year and to add some improvements. Any registered Participant or Driver with a wristband can take their car out during Parade Laps -- but they must be registered and show their wristband to get on track. A change for this year -- there is no restriction on passengers (no wristband required for passengers). Further, there is no age limit nor is there a restriction on hand held cameras. We encourage you to take your friends and family for a ride to see the track. The session will continue for the nearly full hour of lunch, so there's no need to rush on and off the track -- or to speed while on the track. WE WANT THE PARADE LAPS TO BE SAFE FOR EVERYONE. ANYONE CAUGHT SPEEDING OR DRIVING IN AN UNSAFE MANNER DURING PARADE LAPS WILL BE EJECTED FROM THE EVENT. Period. This isn't the time for speeding -- if you want to drive fast, sign up for the track day.
Banquet
More. Bigger. Better. We took your feedback seriously, and have worked with Embassy Suites to make this year's Banquet even better with even more sumptuous food options. Please check out the website to see the menu and to sign up. Last year we sold out very quickly at 180 seats. This year we were able to get enough space for 250 people and seats are already going fast. Featured guest speaker Derek Jenkins, chief designer for Mazda USA. Same price as last year -- $45 per person.
Vendor Alley
This year's Vendor Alley has grown significantly. Please check the site to see who's coming, or stroll by the garages at the track to see the new "look" of our Vendor Alley. Remember that vendors will be offering special discounts to people registered for this event only -- so check with them in advance to see what they're offering. Maybe you can pre-purchase and have them bring it to the track and save on shipping. All your favorite vendors will be there -- no matter what flavor of toys you are seeking for your Miata -- with our most recent vendor (added just today!) Moss Motors now joining us.
Pins & Stickers
We got collectible pins! We got stickers! Take a look at the logo at the top left of the website -- that's what they'll look like. Pins will be available for purchase at the t-shirt/sweatshirt table for $5 each. Stickers are free (one per registration) and if you want more they're $1 each.
T-shirts/sweatshirts/posters
The same designers as last year are working on a hot new design. One design for the shirts, another for the posters. Each featuring all 3 generations of cars (NA, NB,NC) in an attempt to reduce whining that peoples' cars aren't represented. (I think there may still be some whining no matter what we do.............. ) One t-shirt will be included free per registered Participant or Driver. As last year, the garage next to Registration at the track will have more on sale (including sweatshirts, both regular and hoodie, and pins) as well as some items left from the 20th Anniversary. We'll be posting a link for pre-purchase, with the goal of having your purchased items ready to pick up with your bag at pre-registration to reduce your time standing in line. (Brought to you by the super-dooper hard working event staff).
Grand Prize!!!!
And last but not least, one lucky Miata owner will be winning our Grand Prize -- a complete Ohlins Road & Track coilover suspension package!!! This isn't just a box of parts -- included in the package will be complete free installation by P R Motorsports, followed by a free custom alignment and cornerweighting to be performed personally by Brandon Kraus of Roger Kraus Racing. Each registered Participant and Driver will automatically receive one entry ticket at registration, with additional tickets available for $5 each. Complete package value approximately $4,000. The drawing will be held at the Banquet on Saturday evening. Winner does not need to be present to win.
Thanks to our newest event sponsor Ohlins Road & Track suspensions systems. Details on the package can be found at http://www.roadandtrackbyohlins.com/en/
What about those who don't win the Grand Prize but want Ohlins? Well......Good-win Racing (distributor for Ohlins in SoCal) and P R Motorsports (distributor in NorCal) will be offering a special Ohlins event discount of 10% off the Road & Track package, as well as 20% off of installation. Roger Kraus Racing will also be giving 20% off of custom alignments and cornerweighting for any packages purchased as part of this event special. The catch? You have to purchase your Ohlins package before the checkered flag falls on Sunday.
That's all for now. Please check back at the site regularly for other updates and additions. I will be sending another update as we get closer to the actual event.
Best to all,
Rick