VooDoo Racing – Versatile Performance Miata

I met an interesting Miata owner/racer, with a specially setup Miata, who drove all the way up from Corpus Christi, Texas.  This was John, at that SEA Track Attack HPDE (high performance driver education) event way back last May at Harris Hill Road (H2R).

John’s Miata is a 1995 model that has been modified to “play” in one of the NASA Time Trial classes.  This is based on power to weight settings per each class.  He participates at these types of events at MSR Houston (north of Houston, TX) & Motorsport Ranch (at Cresson, TX -- SE of  Fort Worth), among others.  John is definitely committed to this, as he drives (no trailer for him) to all these events.

John makes do on his trips in his somewhat stripped out Miata interior.  Corpus Christi, is in South Texas -- that’s at least a 5 to 7 hour drive, respectively, to these 2 tracks.  He even participated at an event at VIR (VIRginia International Raceway) -- yes, with this Miata!

At MSR Houston they have Track Day events.  Here’s a Spec Miata (not John’s car) doing a lap at speed on that track:

As you can see, John’s Miata is not stock, but it’s not a Spec Miata, either.  Here’s a general overview of his car’s modifications & additions:

• simple suspension with KYB shocks
• upgraded anti-sway bars
• handcrafted front splitter (above 100MPH it really helps with the stability -- it’s simply aluminum plate)
• handcrafted rear wing & diffuser

• Link Engine Management system -- a standalone control of engine ECU

• turbo

John’s friend Jim’s RS32 car is in the shop.  So, at this day’s event, he was occupied with advising John, to assist him with performing better on the track.  With the changing weather on this day, that was helpful.  John was well prepared -- he had both dry & wet track tires.  He was able to drive at speed in all track conditions.

VOODOO Racing Solutions (VRS), John’s business, does motorsports enthusiasts suspension, turbo & engine work.

Here’s another business endeavor John is involved in…

These are some of the numbers John’s Time Trial Miata can achieve -- these are NICE:

• @ 9lbs boost 205 WHP / 190 foot pounds of torque
• @ 11lbs boost 238 WHP / 218 foot pounds of torque

Here’s visual proof of some of those numbers!

Locally, John & his friends like to compete in autocross at Waldron Field, an old airstrip, north of Corpus Christi.  Also, in addition to all the above, John participates in REDLINE Time Attack track events.  Below you can see his proof!

Racing Ready is impressed by John’s amateur racing enthusiast “resume”!  He is an inspiration to all of us, wannabes racers or otherwise.  We need to focus, as John does, to counter-attack our many other time & life commitments holding us back from completely pursing our racing dream.

Thanks, John, and keep on racing!!!

Dan