Arnage
10-24-2012, 12:59 PM
ABOUT THE MOST INEXPENSIVE WAY YOU CAN FIND TO GO VINTAGE RACING WITH A FACTORY BACKED CAR THAT WAS BUILT AND CAMPAIGNED BY ONE OF THE MORE RENOWNED CONSTRUCTORS IN THE UNITED STATES. PROVENANCE IS WITHOUT QUESTION.
BACKGROUND:
This is a rare opportunity to own apiece of Mazda racing history. This 02 car and its sister 01 car (I own both) were campaigned in the 1990 SCCA Escort World Challenge Series as away of introducing the then new model to the United States. The cars were constructed and campaigned 22-years ago by Rod Millen Motorsports under commission of the Mazda MotorsportsDivision of Mazda Motor of America Inc. My research indicates these two cars were the first Miata’s raced in the U.S. and very likely the first two Miata’s raced anywhere in the world. They certainly are the first to be pro raced. The cars are also the only two Miata’s to ever have been commissioned by the factory. Both cars have construction dates of December 1989. I am the 5th owner of the 02 car and have all of the bills of sale to support that claim.
Surprisingly, these cars saw very little action after the 1990 season. The 02 car was sparingly raced in SCCA. That claim is supported by log book entries (I have the log books), the condition of the cars, and the fact that they both still retain the matching number motors and transmissions. The original SCCA log book comes with the car. The 02 car ran in the 24-hour Mosport race in 1990 with regular drivers Scott Gaylord and Kent Stacey with assistance from factory Mazda IMSA GTU drivers John Finger and Lance Stewart.
I acquired both cars in the summer of 2011 and set about restoring them for vintage racing. The 02 car was completed in early March 2012 and ran flawlessly in the SVRA support sprint and enduro races during this year's 60th anniversary of the 12-Hours of Sebring. A photo from that race is shown below. The 02 car was largely unchanged from its 1990 configuration when I took ownership. It still retained the original fiberglass Sparco seat, suspension arms from the 24-hour race (they were marked), and shimmed coilover shock package. Millen used various size shims to corner balance in lieu of the threaded adjusters we commonly use today.
RESTORATION:
· Stripped the cockpit and trunk and thoroughly cleaned, sanded and painted both compartments with 2-part automotive paint..
· Cleaned, sanded and painted cage with POR-15 Hardnose 2-part White Coat.
· Cleaned, sanded, serviced and painted the pedal cluster as well as the steering column.
· Added a quick release for the steering wheel to make ingress and egress easier.
· Installed an Ultrashield road race seat in place of the flimsy old Sparco seat. New seat is bolted to the stock floor mounts which were reinforced and to the cage with a back brace.
· Replaced the belts with a 6-point Safecraft endurance harness.
· Installed SFI high density padding tothe roll cage.
· Installed new mesh type window net with adjustable straps for tension.
· Re-plumbed the fire system.
· Installed new shifter boot with zero-clearance heat shield on the underside.
· Installed non-skid on driver side floor.
· Installed heat shield on transmission tunnel to protect driver’s leg.
· Had transmission rebuilt by ISC Racing (bearings, seals, etc.)
· Had ISC install a new timing belt.
· Replaced all upper and lower control arms with NOS parts.
· Installed new rear hub bearings.
· Installed new front hubs with bearings.
· Installed new front lower ball joints.
· Installed new, 2.75” wheel studs on all 4 corners with new steel lug nuts.
· Installed new hub nuts on all four corners.
· Installed new hub dust caps in the front.
· Installed ISC Racing shock mounts all around (increased shock travel).
· Installed new SM Bilstein shocks andcoilover kits all around.
· Installed new 750 and 325 suspension Dynamics springs.
· Rebuilt all 4 brake calipers (2nd generation RX-7 turbo calipers all around by Millen)
· Replaced all 4 flexible brake lines with braided SS and re-useable SS fittings.
· Cleaned, stripped and painted wheels with POR-15 Hardnose 2-part White Coat.
· Exterior of car painted correct white and blue with PPG base/clear coat.
· Replicated and installed all new graphics correct to 1990 livery.
SUMMARY:
The car comes with a second set of the pictured Panasport wheels built for Rod Millen Motorsports. I will also include the original seat and the shock package that came off the car. Additionally, I will include a spare engine and transmission (both need to be serviced). Again, this is a rare and great opportunity to own a car that will grow in value over time and provide a very economical car to vintage race and/or race in SCCA, NASA, PBOC, etc. The 02 car is currently in race ready condition including tires. These cars are relatively very inexpensive to run as they use pump gas; motors last forever without mistakes and are inexpensive to rebuild; and brake pads last numerous events as do tires. Additionally, the cars are eligible for the Mazda Motorsports parts program which offers a significant discount on both factory and competition parts. Remember, there are only two Miata’s that have this sort provenance and I do not intend to sell the other any time soon.
I have well over $21,000 invested in the car not including my many hours of labor. I need to sell the 02 car to complete my efforts on the 01 car; therefore,
I am offering the car at $15,000 OBRO.
Car is located in Dade City, FL
Questions about the 02car can be directed to me (Art) by either phone (813) 335-1518 or email art_trg@embarqmail.com. Thank you for your interest.
BACKGROUND:
This is a rare opportunity to own apiece of Mazda racing history. This 02 car and its sister 01 car (I own both) were campaigned in the 1990 SCCA Escort World Challenge Series as away of introducing the then new model to the United States. The cars were constructed and campaigned 22-years ago by Rod Millen Motorsports under commission of the Mazda MotorsportsDivision of Mazda Motor of America Inc. My research indicates these two cars were the first Miata’s raced in the U.S. and very likely the first two Miata’s raced anywhere in the world. They certainly are the first to be pro raced. The cars are also the only two Miata’s to ever have been commissioned by the factory. Both cars have construction dates of December 1989. I am the 5th owner of the 02 car and have all of the bills of sale to support that claim.
Surprisingly, these cars saw very little action after the 1990 season. The 02 car was sparingly raced in SCCA. That claim is supported by log book entries (I have the log books), the condition of the cars, and the fact that they both still retain the matching number motors and transmissions. The original SCCA log book comes with the car. The 02 car ran in the 24-hour Mosport race in 1990 with regular drivers Scott Gaylord and Kent Stacey with assistance from factory Mazda IMSA GTU drivers John Finger and Lance Stewart.
I acquired both cars in the summer of 2011 and set about restoring them for vintage racing. The 02 car was completed in early March 2012 and ran flawlessly in the SVRA support sprint and enduro races during this year's 60th anniversary of the 12-Hours of Sebring. A photo from that race is shown below. The 02 car was largely unchanged from its 1990 configuration when I took ownership. It still retained the original fiberglass Sparco seat, suspension arms from the 24-hour race (they were marked), and shimmed coilover shock package. Millen used various size shims to corner balance in lieu of the threaded adjusters we commonly use today.
RESTORATION:
· Stripped the cockpit and trunk and thoroughly cleaned, sanded and painted both compartments with 2-part automotive paint..
· Cleaned, sanded and painted cage with POR-15 Hardnose 2-part White Coat.
· Cleaned, sanded, serviced and painted the pedal cluster as well as the steering column.
· Added a quick release for the steering wheel to make ingress and egress easier.
· Installed an Ultrashield road race seat in place of the flimsy old Sparco seat. New seat is bolted to the stock floor mounts which were reinforced and to the cage with a back brace.
· Replaced the belts with a 6-point Safecraft endurance harness.
· Installed SFI high density padding tothe roll cage.
· Installed new mesh type window net with adjustable straps for tension.
· Re-plumbed the fire system.
· Installed new shifter boot with zero-clearance heat shield on the underside.
· Installed non-skid on driver side floor.
· Installed heat shield on transmission tunnel to protect driver’s leg.
· Had transmission rebuilt by ISC Racing (bearings, seals, etc.)
· Had ISC install a new timing belt.
· Replaced all upper and lower control arms with NOS parts.
· Installed new rear hub bearings.
· Installed new front hubs with bearings.
· Installed new front lower ball joints.
· Installed new, 2.75” wheel studs on all 4 corners with new steel lug nuts.
· Installed new hub nuts on all four corners.
· Installed new hub dust caps in the front.
· Installed ISC Racing shock mounts all around (increased shock travel).
· Installed new SM Bilstein shocks andcoilover kits all around.
· Installed new 750 and 325 suspension Dynamics springs.
· Rebuilt all 4 brake calipers (2nd generation RX-7 turbo calipers all around by Millen)
· Replaced all 4 flexible brake lines with braided SS and re-useable SS fittings.
· Cleaned, stripped and painted wheels with POR-15 Hardnose 2-part White Coat.
· Exterior of car painted correct white and blue with PPG base/clear coat.
· Replicated and installed all new graphics correct to 1990 livery.
SUMMARY:
The car comes with a second set of the pictured Panasport wheels built for Rod Millen Motorsports. I will also include the original seat and the shock package that came off the car. Additionally, I will include a spare engine and transmission (both need to be serviced). Again, this is a rare and great opportunity to own a car that will grow in value over time and provide a very economical car to vintage race and/or race in SCCA, NASA, PBOC, etc. The 02 car is currently in race ready condition including tires. These cars are relatively very inexpensive to run as they use pump gas; motors last forever without mistakes and are inexpensive to rebuild; and brake pads last numerous events as do tires. Additionally, the cars are eligible for the Mazda Motorsports parts program which offers a significant discount on both factory and competition parts. Remember, there are only two Miata’s that have this sort provenance and I do not intend to sell the other any time soon.
I have well over $21,000 invested in the car not including my many hours of labor. I need to sell the 02 car to complete my efforts on the 01 car; therefore,
I am offering the car at $15,000 OBRO.
Car is located in Dade City, FL
Questions about the 02car can be directed to me (Art) by either phone (813) 335-1518 or email art_trg@embarqmail.com. Thank you for your interest.