I think you are missing the point a bit with regards to autocrossing. The 2 event requirement is a little misleading if you interpret it as Mazda's goal is to support local autocrossing. While I'm sure Mazda sees the goodwill value of that support, my guess is that it is more of a trickledown effect from Mazda's continuing support of the SCCA National level autocrossing series (ProSolo, National Tours, National Championships). Besides offering the parts support, Mazda also pays money to top finishing positions (admittedly not much, but that is a lot more than most other manufacturers offer).

For whatever reasons, Mazda sees value in the relationship with SCCA and the "visibility" of National level autox events. The fact that anyone who does a couple of autocrosses (at any level) can get the support is a very nice gesture on Mazda's part. The only other manufacturer that I know of who offers similar parts support is Toyota, though Honda, BMW, and Chrysler pay money (no parts discounts).

I sympathize with the amount of parts usage at HPDE's, but unless they are a competition where everyone is trying to win by time, finishing position, etc. it really isn't that much different than normal road use from a "sports" point of view. And comparing the minimal level of prep it takes to compete at a local autox (not much) with what it takes to compete Nationally is not the right way to look at it.

-Andy

P.S. As far as event availability, seems there are quite a few clubs active in VA. You might try looking at some of their schedules to see if they are convenient.

http://www.autocross.com/autoc/seclub.shtml

 

Ummm - didn't you start this thread asking somebody to do something that could potentially be construed as not being in good faith of their membership agreement....? Just poking fun.

Mazdamotorsport (nee Mazdaspeed USA) use to sell to the general public. I have no doubt that fielding orders from non-competing Mazda owners hindered them from fully supporting (in time, parts, etc) the owners that actually compete (what constitutes as 'competing' is not what I'm debating here) - basically negating the program's purpose.

Mazdamotorsport has had, IMHO, faith that the program would not be abused, and it appears that they had to go back to setting requirements because it was.

It's two races. It could have been more if they wanted, but it's not. I, for one, am grateful that they didn't set it higher. If you car is down (as from what I gather) - give them a call. I'm sure they'll work with you if you express with sincerity with what you plan for your car (that you're not trying to leach the system).

 

Yes, my comment about drag slips may have been incorrect. This is off the Mazda Motorsports web site:

"RACING

What is an official result?
An official result is published by the sanctioning body of an event, which can be on a website, printed at the track or a club newsletter. It must include Your Name, make and/or model in which you competed, racing class you competed in, the date of the event and the sanctioning body that held the event. By this description, time slips, alone, do not qualify as official race results.

Do you support Drag Racing?
Yes, and we even pay contingency awards! But, you must be able to prove that you are racing a Mazda at a certain event on a certain day. Unfortunately, time slips that you normally get at each drag race, are not acceptable by itself as a race results. Time slips don't say "who" is racing, or "what kind of car" is being raced. Many times other pieces of information are missing also. We can accept time slips in conjunction with other materials which help support that you were indeed racing your registered Mazda at a certain event. Other pieces of information, which may help, but are not limited to, may be: Racing club membership card showing permanent racer number that's also printed on the time slips, along with a photo or video showing the same number on your car. Copies of entry forms. Call us with other ideas. Remember that you need to provide all this twice a year to remain active in the program."

 

*cough*

with a mazdacomp membership, can you get mazdaspeed parts for your car? like bushings and linkages and such?

can you get 99spec turbos, or rebuilt kits(for half off)?

 

Yeah, but at the time I had no idea this was any kind of big deal.

I just heard from Ray at Malloy Mazda, and it turns out he'll sell me the rotor housings ($450 is the Mazcomp price, $694 is the Mazduh price) for $500 shipped to my door, so that's a pretty good hookup as fas as I'm concerned. Thanks Ray.

I still think Mazcomp ought to relax a little, because road racing, or HPDE's, spreads the good Mazda word at least as much as autocross, if not more, and certainly costs a hell of a lot more than doing 2 "official, competitive" events per year autocrossing.

Oh, well, my .02.

David

 

You can get anything Mazda makes for the car, so the short answer is yes. "Half off" is not true. The discount varies on parts but it's safe to say they are always much cheaper than over the counter anywhere else.

 

Maybe we should lobby for them to reconsider (if they don't do so already on a case by case basis)? I believe that track events promote Mazda products - just as much or just as little as 'competitive' events. One could argue that Mazda products in a large, nationally recognized track event would do more for Mazda's image then a local competitive event with a handful of participants, and vice versa.

 

I don't know about the 99 turbos, although I kind of doubt it, but according to mazda, the twins are not a serviceable part and don't offer a rebuild kit.