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August 2nd, 2023 - Lime Rock Park will introduce a new event to its calendar this year, celebrating one of the most beloved sports cars of all time, the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Slated for Oct. 27-28, 2023, “MiataCon” promises to be an action-packed weekend honoring the Mazda Miata. This inclusive grassroots race weekend will bring together Miata owners, fans and industry experts from around the country to revel in the passion for this legendary roadster.
The weekend will feature three different Miata race groups: Spec/Global MX-5, Spec Miata, and an Exhibition group which will include any race-prepped MIata that doesn't fit into the first two groups. Also featured on the weekend will be a number of Miata-only HPDE sessions. Practice and qualifying will fill Friday's on-track activity, with Saturday opening with sprint races from each group and culminating with an hour-long multi-group enduro. Lime Rock Park is proud to announce that it's partner Sports Car Driving Association (SCDA) will sanction MiataCon, opening registration up to professional and club racers.
Friday’s activities will also feature “MiataX” – Miata-only autocross lapping sessions on the FCP Euro Proving Grounds. A limited number of MiataX spots will be available via the MiataCon registration page.
Miata owners from all generations will have the chance to come together to celebrate their love for the Japanese sportscar. The weekend will feature five different Miata Car Corrals where like-minded Miata enthusiasts can park amongst each other and participate in parade laps around the iconic LIme Rock circuit. The different corral classifications include: NA Miata (1989- 1997), NB Miata (1998 - 2005), NC Miata (2006 - 2015), ND Miata (2016 - present) and JDM Sportscars.
Miata-themed vendors and exhibits will also outfit Lime Rock Park's midway.
“Lime Rock Park and the Lime Rock Drivers Club have a very active and competitive community of Spec Miata and MX-5 racers, including coaches and drivers who have won national Miata championships,” said Dicky Riegel, President & CEO of Lime Rock Park. “Recognizing that the Miata is the most-raced car in the world, it is a natural for Lime Rock Park to host this new annual MiataCon festival to build upon our heritage. This will become a major event for current and aspiring Mazda racers and I can’t wait to be out there as a participant!”
The history of Miata at Lime Rock Park is intertwined with its introduction to the automotive world. The Mazda Miata made its debut in 1989 and quickly became an instant hit due to its lightweight, rear-wheel-drive and simple, yet elegant design. It rekindled the spirit of classic roadsters, providing an affordable and reliable open-top sports car experience. Since its debut, Miatas have been used to springboard motorsport careers, with several Lime Rock Drivers Club members and other grassroots racers developing their skills behind the wheel of a Miata.
One of the most notable Miata wins at Lime Rock was in 2014 during the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge when Tom Long, co-driving with Litchfield, Conn., local Staff Sgt. Liam Dwyer in the No. 27 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5 drove to victory after looping the car near the end of the race. The pressure on Long was tremendous, as the Marine amputee Dwyer aimed for a win at his home track on Memorial Day weekend.
Ticket Info
Advanced spectator tickets for MiataCon are $25. Children 12 and under, active military and veterans are free. Camping and infield car corral parking experiences are also available. Camping is limited for this event & spots will be not assigned in advance.
Important Links:
Team/Driver Racing Registration: Driver Registration - MiataCon
Vendor Registration: https://limerock.com/vendors
Tickets: https://tickets.limerock.com/miatacon
Event Info: https://limerock.com/events/miatacon/
Learn more about Sports Car Driving Association (SCDA): https://scda1.com/
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