A bone stock Miata, “loaner” helmets, a big parking lot and sea of orange traffic cones. Kenny and Toby dipped their toes in the performance driving waters by autocrossing (AX). Kenny and Toby were active participants at Capital Driving Club and Mazda Club of Washington events, driving our Miata and Civic. We also signed up to many autocross schools and car control clinics offered by … Continue reading Autocross is a Gateway Drug

Kenny and Toby joined the hundreds of Miatas in Asheville. NC for the Miatas at the Biltmore Estate, organized by the Ridgerunner Miata Club of Western North Carolina (quite a mouthful!) The event ran from Thursday (5/6) through Sunday (5/9). Asheville was a 7.5 hour drive from Washington DC so Kenny and Toby left DC early so they could make it in time for registration … Continue reading Miatas at the Biltmore Estate

Toby bought a used 1998 Honda Civic when he moved back from South Africa to Washington DC in 2001. The car did not stay stock for long.  As Toby and Kenny started autocrossing, the list of modifications grew: And finishing touches: It was by no means “modest”, but Toby thinks it was still purposeful and understated. Continue reading The Fast and the Furious Civic

In 2002 Jon had a lightly modified Toyota Corolla TRD bodykit TRD lowering springs KYB struts 5 Zigen Fighter wheels, Michelin Pilot Tires MOMO Street Racer GT seats custom rear seat covers to match the front seats K&N high flow air filter generic shock tower bar PIAA fog lights 20% tinted windows In Fall 2002, Jon and Cecilia visited their friends in Japan as part … Continue reading Toyota Megaweb

Jon spent summer 2001 as a visiting student at the Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria. Leoben is located 40 miles from Graz, the capital of Styria, but more importantly (at least to Jon), Leoben is located 25 miles from Spielberg, home of the A1 Ring (now Red Bull Ring) and the Austrian GP. Jon did not attend the race; however it does not stop Jon from … Continue reading Close Encounters of the 2001 Austrian GP