Frozen Rotors renewed its contingency program for 2021. In races with five or more starters, podium finishers are again eligible for Frozen Rotors credits worth $100, $75 and $50, respectively. It’s the same program as last year, but be on lookout for additional program details at the end of January when the online prize portal goes live. Prizes are available to all NASA classes. All Frozen Rotors undergo a 60-hour cryogenic process. Once cryogenically treated, the brake rotor becomes far more resilient to the stresses caused by the constant heating and cooling that a rotor endures in its typical operating [...]

Nine of the top prospects in grassroots racing met up at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in hopes of earning a scholarship to compete in the 2021 Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires. For two days, the drivers showcased their skills for the judges from brand presentation to on-track talent in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. When the Mazda MX-5 Shootout was over, three drivers drove away with scholarships to take part in next year’s Mazda MX-5 Cup. NASA Mid-south driver Aaron Jeansonne collected the top scholarship of $110,000. NASA SoCal Teen Mazda Challenge driver Chris Nunes and Time [...]

NASA has updated the ST/TT Car Classification to reflect the new year. No other changes were made for this year. Instead of submitting a whole new form this year, ST and TT competitors have an option to edit their 2020 form via the link, which was emailed to them and verify that all of modifications and dyno information are still current, and to update them as necessary. The dyno is good for three years from the time of the official test. Once you have updated your submission, it will appear under your specified region. It might take up to 10 [...]

Mazda’s ambitious effort to create its first factory club racing team had the company looking to the karting ranks across North America to nurture the next generation of drivers. Finding up-and-coming drivers among thousands was no easy task, and the primary reason Mazda turned to prominent industry professionals, including eKarting News, Max Papis, Buddy Rice, Chris Wheeler, Jared Thomas and others to help with the process. About 25 kart racers were asked to submit an application to the Spec MX-5 Shootout, which took place during the Global MX-5 Cup Shootout in November. Nominees considered for the Shootout either won a [...]

Normally I like to fill this space with something cohesive and pithy if at all possible, but as I write this, I’m in a bit of a post-holiday rush, and I have more random thoughts than I do one clear idea of what to write about. From new year’s hopes, projects and aspirations to the usual resolutions, and some things NASA members should be aware of, here’s what’s been rattling around in my head. To wit: — In Southern California, where I live and race, we have a new Regional Director and a healthy 2021 event schedule that includes two [...]

Twenty-one Spec Miata Racers rolled into Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta to wrap up the 2020 season and determine the Southeast Spec Miata champion. Qualifying on Saturday started with Grant West winning pole position with a 1:45.172, Aiden Crouse P2, John Allen P3, Yan Dia P4, Camden Gruber P5 and Scott Carlisle P6. At the start, Crouse and West got a good run through Turn 1, but West was able to edge past Crouse just before Turn 3 while Dia had the better run up the hill to take P3, dropping Allen to P4 and Carlisle P5. Crouse was able to [...]

NASA Southeast has been holding “Santa’s Toy Run” for 13 years during its December events at Road Atlanta. The region used to charge $10 for gate fee, and then donate the proceeds to local charities. Now, rather than paying a gate fee, NASA Southeast members bring a toy or gift card valued at $20 or more to be donated to children who otherwise would not have anything for Christmas. NASA Southeast member Ron Rigdon, who has organized the program from the beginning, said this year’s toy run brought in 45 $20 gift cards, plus a $3,000 donation that was divided [...]

The shortened NASA Northeast 2020 season ended Nov. 6-8 at New Jersey Motorsports Park’s Lightning course. Two drivers, Peter McIntosh, in Spec Miata, and Eric Magnussen in GTS3, managed to pull off perfect seasons amid the uncertainty and changing schedule of 2020. Peter McIntosh has been racing with NASA for 10 years, starting in ST2 before running in Spec Miata. “I scored my first win at NJMP Lightning in 2010. It was cool to close out the season going 10 for 10 in 2020 while scoring my 50th NASA win in my career,” McIntosh said. “I have had so much [...]

Maxxis has introduced details of its contingency programs for 2021. In brief, the 2021 Maxxis program will be available to the same classes as last year and payouts will remain the same. Prize tires are limited to 14 tires per driver for 2021. All NASA members are eligible for 10 percent discounts on RC-1 and VR-1 tires. TREC competitors are eligible for 20 percent discounts on the VR-1 tires only. Details on how to receive discounts will be available in Jan 2021. “It’s great to have Maxxis back as a partner for 2021,” said NASA sales and marketing manager Aldrin [...]

Most modern sports cars use rack-and-pinion steering, a system elegant in its simplicity and precision, especially when compared with, say, a recirculating-ball system. It’s simple because it has a rack gear mounted to the frame, a pinion on the steering shaft and inner tie rods and outer tie rod ends that connect to the steering knuckle on each side. When everything is bolted together, it’s essentially two moving parts. It’s brilliant, especially for racing applications. That simplicity makes it easy to replace parts if you have an incident on track, whether it’s contact with another car or a fixed object. [...]