Last weekend, over 500 Mazda Miata motorists converged on the famous Lime Rock Park race track for MiataCon 2024. Miatas from all generations going back to 1989 descended upon in Connecticut from across the country. Set against the colourful fall foliage, the event celebrated the legacy of the iconic roadster. Organized by the Sports Car Driver Association, MiataCon is only in its 2nd year at Lime Rock Park but had a huge increase in the number of participants.
Friday Highlights:
A relaxed start to the event began with Friday’s scenic drive through the countryside. What a sight to behold hundreds of the colourful cars against the fall colors. Later, the auto-cross category ‘MiataX’ welcomed new participants to Lime Rock’s proving grounds, where beginners took on introductory sessions that offered an accessible track experience.
Saturday Racing:
The paddock was buzzing with ‘show & shine’ events, but the circuit roared with Miatas in competition. The racing lineup included Spec Miata (similar to CASC Mazda Canada Cup category) as the largest class of the weekend with nearly a 40-car grid. With such tight competition, the winner was decided by only 0.167 seconds at the checkered flag.
Sunday Trunk or Treat:
The event wrapped up on with 1,100 cars participating in the final Sunday Motoring Meet of the racing season at Lime Rock Park, which included a Halloween-themed ‘Trunk or Treat’ for those with a sweet tooth. MiataCon was a wonder way to show the diverse array of cars and drivers with shared love of Miatas.
Unfortunately, Demaras Racing only heard about MiataCon after the event, so there wasn’t a chance to bring the No. 16 Miata down to Connecticut. Driving on Lime Rock Park’s circuit would have been a blast. Maybe next year.
Now, that’s a cool event, especially since I drive a Mazda Miata MX-5 RF.
Yes, there’s a strong Miata following. I guess since the car can only be a second car (fun car, weekend car) it gets nothing but love.
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There’s a shop up here in Toronto called Dave’s Garage (Miata Specialist) who holds similar events a couple times a year. Even though 100+ roadsters show up, it isn’t as cool as the Lime Rock Park event because race track. Parking a bunch of Miatas in a lot and comparing / ogling them is one thing. Getting them on a racing circuit is another level!
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https://demaras.com/2022/04/26/monster-miata-part-1/
Dave’s Garage looks like a cool place. We don’t have much of a miata following down here that I know of. I had a friend in Kansas who raced Miatas along with other racing. He and his sons would modify old cars to have only the steering wheels on the driver’s side and the brake and accelerator pedals on the passenger side. They would race those cars with the passenger controlling the speed and breaks and the driver steering—anything for excitement in the flatlands of Kansas.
Dear Lord that sound terrifying!
I’m sure it was more of a demolition derby than and race.
With so many nearly identical cars on a race track, I’m sure real.estate gets scarce.
Love it. I might attend next year myself.
I’m thinking the same thing. It’s only 700+ km from Toronto. But I think I would rather put the Miata on a trailer and tow it there.
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With the stiff coilovers (and no luggage space) my Miata might not be the best road trip car.
I’m only about 500 km away, but you are right about space and the drive. I hope to be getting coilovers next year.