One Lap of America

A couple of us in the Capital Area Cobra Club are running the One Lap of America this year, although we’ll be driving a, um, er, Miata rather than a Cobra :o . We spent the weekend up at Beaver Run in PA and between us put about 330 track miles on the car in both dry and downpour conditions. Interesting contrasts between driving the Miata and the Cobra. Momentum is everything, and it really forces you to be smooth and follow your line, because unlike the Cobra, if you bobble and scrub off speed it takes forever to regain it.

Surprisingly, both of us thoroughly enjoyed driving the car, especially in the wet. When the rains hit, we were pretty much harassing most of the high HP stuff most of the way round the track, especially in the twisties. It was nice not to have to worry too much about laying down power (with 118 HP at the flywheel, that’s just not much of an issue :( ). The Cobra is certainly a hoot on the track, but when you’re really pushing the limits you’re constantly thinking about safety and the consequences of a mistake. With the Miata, it’s much easier to toss it around and try to squeeze a few more tenths out of it. And, frankly, it stops a whole lot better than either of our Cobras.

In any event, we’re looking forward to One Lap (although 9 days in that car will be interesting to say the least) and, if time permits, I may try to check in here occasionally to provide an update along with way.