Hot Import Nights

Possibly the only thing that keeps our import-infused automotive hearts warm and toasty in the middle of the winter (other than Autozone shift knobs, steering wheel covers, or other crap gifts our relatives buy us that we don't want... but will gladly accept with the original receipt) is Hot Import Nights' annual stop in Miami. Noticeably smaller in attendance this year than in years past, we have to ask, "Where are all the South Florida tuners?!" To those of you who did go, we either loved you or hated you. Lightly modded R35 GT-Rs, S2Ks rollin' Works, drag-prepped DC5s, and generation-correct 180SXs: awesome. Blaze orange, knock-off kitted-out Civics with Lambo doors and painted interiors, uh... not so much. Thanks to Longshots contributor Mark Eccleston for the pics. www.hotimportnights.com

Mazda Time Attack
In track news, import parts mongers Slick Auto and 949 Racing recently collaborated with Willow Springs Raceway's Streets of Willow racetrack for an impromptu come-one, come-all Miata track day. All generations of the Mazda roadster were welcomed, as well as cars in all stages of build. To determine classes, points were assessed per modification in areas like: changes to factory suspension (+2 pts), forced induction (+4 pts), non-factory lightweight body panels (+1 pts/each), or "excessive rice" (+2 pts/each). At the end of the day, 949 Racing's own Emilio Cervantes laid down the single fastest lap, with a 1:25.954, and Andrew Kidd not only won the Unlimited Class' Second Place spot with a 1:26.702, but also the Gearhead's Garage Real Street Award in the process, for doing it in a car he drove to the track. Special thanks to Longshots photographer Linhberg of Kinod.net for documenting the event! www.949racing.com

Mazda Speed Drivers' Search
Almost as frequently as we're asked about Cavalier engine swaps and Tempo fender flares, we're opening letters from readers wanting to get started in competitive racing, but unsure how to begin. For those of you who have to fund yourselves (us), the easiest way is through club racing in an organization like SCCA or NASA, or competitive driving schools like Skip Barber's. And while clubs exist for nearly every popular platform (sorry, Cavy and Tempo owners), many would agree the most convenient car to begin in is a Mazda; specifically, an MX-5 Miata. Recently, 2NR was invited to stand in on MAZDASPEED's annual MX-5 Cup Shootout, an invite-only battle among eight of the aforementioned sanctioning bodies' winningest amateur racers, for full-ride corporate Mazda backing in the 2009 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup-a roughly $50,000 value, not to mention, an event that feeds directly into professional ranks.