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| On April 27, my friend Kyle and I competed in the Houston
event of Mazda's "Rev It Up" competition. This competition
covers 15 cities in 15 weeks, and involves competitors driving identical
2003 Mazda 6 s sedans around a "Solo II" or
"autocross" type course. We didn't win, but at the end
of the weekend (this was week four) Kyle was in the top quarter in
Houston, and top third in points in
the country! Not bad for someone who doesn't do this a lot.
I did okay, and was happy with my first run, but would like to have improved on my second run. (It was actually a little slower.) |
| One guy in the Houston competition blew away the baseline time set by one of the pros, and wound up with over 1200 points. No one else has even 900 points. (1000 means you equaled the time set by the pro.) |
| Here are a few pictures from the event, plus one video. The video isn't great, but it'll give you an idea of what goes on. |
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| In addition to the competition, there were other Mazda products on display, and some you could drive. We got our first look at the 2004 Mazda RX-8. It looks much better in person than it does in any photos I've seen. |
An adult can actually sit in this back seat, and the rearward opening doors make it easy to get in and out of. |
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There's an engine cover, but it had been taken off. Even without the cover, you can't see the engine under there! |
Too bad you can't see it... but the new Renesis 2-rotor engine is very compact and mounted low for better handling. |
Starting price is under $26,000... quite a bargain for a real sports car. |
This red paint has gold metal flakes in it. It's really beautiful. |
| Finally, we drove an MX-5 Miata. This car is
so light, and the shifter works so well, that the drive home in my
Saturn seemed rather unpleasant. :-(
Here are a few photos of Kyle in the Miata. |
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