San Diego Miata Club News July 2000

Volume 5 Number 7 july 2000 A CHAPTER OF THE MIATA CLUB OF AMERICA

Upcoming Events from the editor Day of the Condor July 4 - Tuesday 4th of July Parade he day was…well, it was sultry. Unlike Billy Crystal, in the film Throw Scripps Ranch Momma From The Train, I did not have a problem describing the weather that greeted us this day. Not only did I not share the characters July 7 - Friday SDMC Cruises Grand Ave. writer's block, neither did I have his desire to toss an elderly woman Wheels'n'Meals fromT the back of a speeding locomotive. Well, not today, anyway. Today, I gathered with my friends, whom I consider family, to remember one of our family July 8 - Saturday members who left us too soon but inspired us to do better things. Larry Dennstedt’s Hurricane Carlotta was breaking up as she passed into colder waters on her way Tech Day up the Baja coast the last weekend of June. Sunday, June 25, 2000, the SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB had a special date at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Usually in late July 8 - 9 June, the sun is intense and quite hot at the Wild Animal Park. If you want to see Autocross at the “Q” any of the animals out during the day, you usually need to go early in the morning, before the smarter animals head for the shade to escape the heat. On this day, however, the sun was blocked by clouds full of tropical moisture drawn up from the re- July 9 - Sunday mains of Carlotta. The morning temperature was rather pleasant, if a bit sticky, in San Diego Early Bird Fun Run & Pool Party the mid ‘70s, rather than the customary ‘90s this time of year can bring. This change in the usual weather helped keep cool the 55 SDMC members who braved the threatening skies to drive top down...what else?...to the Wild Animal Park so July 15 - Saturday Murder Mystery Rally early on a Sunday morning. Most of us would rather have been sleeping late, antici- pating a long work week ahead and the holiday weekend beyond. Why this protracted description of the weather? Well, basically to try to de- AN IEGO IATA LUB July 27 - Thursday scribe the conditions present when the S D M C followed through Monthly Meeting on a commitment it had made almost two years earlier. We were at the San Diego Wild Animal Park to donate funds in the name of SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB July 29 - Saturday member LYNN MCCLELLAND. SDMC - RX7 Club Lynn left us in August of 1998. The night before, she was enjoying the back Joint Run roads of San Diego County on the annual Twilight Run with her daughter, and co- member, KATHIE. About this same time, plans were being formulated for the first August 5 - Saturday big event the SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB had ever tried to host, SURF'N'SAFARI. th San Diego 6 Annual With the sudden loss of Lynn, the decision was made to donate proceeds from the Twilight Fun Run event to the San Diego Zoological Society in her memory. August 18 - 20 Because of the overwhelming success of SURF'N'SAFARI last October, due in 27th Annual Monterey Historic no small part to the dedication of a number of volunteers, proceeds in the amount Automobile Races of $1,250 were available for donation to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Specifi- August 26 - Saturday cally, the money was earmarked for the support of the California Condor exhibit Miles of Miatas for MDA recently opened under the name of Condor Ridge. The donation will be acknowl- (Continued on page 2)

1 From the Editor (Continued from page 1) Mission statement Board of Directors edged on a plaque at the entrance to Executive Board the exhibit. The purpose of the club is to pro- President Why donate money in the mem- mote the enjoyment of, and en- ELLIOT SHEV thusiasm for, one of the world's most (858) 679-0777 ory of a beautiful person like Lynn for [email protected] an exhibit of such, how shall I say, less exciting sports cars — the Mazda Vice President than pretty birds? Well, it is the latest Miata. SAL CAUSARANO Owning and driving a Miata is one (760) 787-0624 exhibit to open at the Wild Animal of life's great pleasures, and adding the [email protected] Park and shows the success they have company and camaraderie of like- Secretary BARB TEMPLETON had in bringing this once “extinct in minded enthusiasts only enhances the the wild” species back from the brink. (760) 751-8636 experience. Won't you join the fun as [email protected] Plus, to those of us that had a fond- we enjoy the beauty of San Diego Treasurer ness for Lynn, she was one tough bird. county from the seat of a very special MIKE SHACK To finish, I need to borrow a few little roadster? (858) 485-0278 [email protected] lines from “my pal” SAL CAUSARANO, Let's have fun driving our Miatas! Administrative Board who wrote a poem for the annual Membership membership meeting in April. DAVE MARTIN Newsletter Team (619) 582-2448 It's knowing that the things we do and [email protected] the funds we gather, VOODOO BOB KRUEGER GALE CHAN Can possibly change a life for the better. [email protected] (858) 492-9227 [email protected] DIANE LONG It's caring, and sharing, and friendships Events Coordinator [email protected] GERI CAUSARANO that grow; TOM SPRAGUE It's believing in something (760) 787-0624 [email protected] — something (more than) 300 members [email protected] ANTHONY “NEVADABOB” WILDE Club E-mail Postmaster/Webmaster have come to know. [email protected] ROBERT “JTBOB” HOLLAND Next time you're driving that curve or Copies by SEAN O’CONNOR (858) 549-4011 sitting in a pub, SIGN UP (858) 486-6771 [email protected] Remember it's (MORE THAN) just a Original design & graphics by Club Regalia STEF and TOM GOULD BARB SHEV car club. Folding, labeling, stamping performed by mem- (858) 679-0777 Take care, and HAVE FUN! bers of the board, newsletter team, and anybody [email protected] Newsletter NTHONY ILDE else we can get. — A W ANTHONY “NEVADABOB” WILDE (858) 693-8095 [email protected]

Notices

The SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB is an official chapter of the MIATA CLUB OF AMERICA and a nonprofit organization. The SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB NEWS is the monthly newsletter of the SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB. Use of articles or stories by other MCA chapters is hereby granted, provided proper credit is given. Submissions to the newsletter are welcomed and encouraged. Where possible, please e-mail your submissions to the newsletter editor. Submissions can also be mailed to the club’s post office box.

Submission deadline is the 15th of each month. Editor reserves the right to edit all submissions.

The SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB has established a

58(*(5 dedicated World Wide Web Home Page at: . 2%

% www.sandiegomiataclub.org

Dedicated 24-hour voice message line: (619) 582-2448

22'22

9 SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB

+272 P.O. Box 23081 3 Check Presentation - (Left to Right) Lou Stark, Wild Animal Park Representative, Kathie San Diego CA 92193 McClelland, Sue Hinkle, Barb Templeton, and Elliot Shev. See page 6 for more photos.

2 Meeting Places

SDMC Cruises Grand Avenue - Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade ments, oil and filter changes, trunk lock Wheels'n'Meals modifications, automatic transmission Followed by Pool Party, BBQ & Fireworks Date: Friday, July 7 Date: Tuesday, July 4 cooler installations, windshield washer Time: 6:15 p.m. Time: 7 a.m. nozzle cleaning and aiming, chassis bolt Meeting Place: Tom's Burgers Place: 9945 Cummins Place, tightening, tire rotation, and probably any 5th and Centre City Pkwy, Escondido Scripps Ranch other personal projects that people have. Coordinators: The HINKLES & WAIDS Coordinators: Parade, DIANE LONG, I've not done a tech day before, so I stand A blast from the past cruising event. Fri- (858) 566-6973 or [email protected]; ready to receive suggestions. day is cruising night in Escondido and Party, BARB SHEV, (858) 697-0777 or If someone could bring a BBQ unit, Grand Avenue is lined up on both sides [email protected] (3 “o”s in mooon) we could grill up any food you would like with a display of Hot Rods, Cruisers, T- The Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade is a to bring. Or there are a pizza place, a Buckets, Muscle Cars and many other mini-mart, and a Subway across the small community parade where almost vintage cars from our past. anything goes. Anyone in the community street. Coffee will be supplied. The Hinkles and Waids thought it There are only 3 inside stalls, so if anyone with a special interest is welcome. There would be fun to meet for dinner at Tom's are the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, wants to bring his own shade feel free. Burgers and then we will cruise Grand PLEASE bring chairs as I only have two! bands, the lawnmower team, local digni- Avenue Miata style. Afterwards we will taries. It is just a basic home town, have walk down Grand to get a good look at Directions to Tech Day: I-805 to El fun parade. We will be defending our Cajon Blvd. East on El Cajon Blvd. to these well-preserved cars. Then cruise over st st FIRST PLACE for car clubs that we won to Dairy Queen to finish the evening off 41 Street. Right on 41 Street and last year. immediate Left into driveway. with dessert. The parade starts at 10 a.m., so we will San Diego Early Bird Fun Run be meeting between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to Directions to meeting place: I-15 to Centre City Parkway - go north to 5th followed by Pool Party at Casa Kesler! decorate our cars. We have some club Date: Sunday, July 9 decorations, but please bring some more, Avenue - turn left. Tom's is on the corner. Time: 7 a.m. for Early Bird Run, if you can, to share. 11:30 a.m. for run to Pool Party Tech Day We will leave for our parade position Place: Albertson's/Target shopping center no later than 9 a.m., so coming early is Date: Saturday, July 8 parking lot in Rancho San Diego at important. The street to the meeting Time: 9 a.m. the Intersection of Highway 94 and place will be closed off around 8:45 a.m. Place: Dennstedt's Auto Repair st Highway 54 (Jamacha Rd.) Meet near The parade is over around 11 a.m. The 4283 41 Street, San Diego the Discount Tire Center store. weather can be quite hot so to relieve our Hosts: ANNETTE & LARRY DENNSTEDT Run Leaders: CATHY & MARK BOOTH, suffering BARB and ELLIOT SHEV invite [email protected] or Home: (619) 670-3789 or all parade participants over to their home (619) 284-4911 Cell: (619) 855-5020 afterwards for a late afternoon/evening 4th We have facilities for headlight adjust- (Continued on page 4) of July Bar-B-Q and swim party. Their home overlooks Poway High School and the fireworks are spectacular from there. We all split the cost for the food (between $8 and 10 apiece). Directions to Parade: I-15 to Pomerado, Left on Scripps Ranch Blvd., Right on Red Rock and Right on Cummins Place. (If you are coming from the North, be sure to take the Pomerado/ Miaramar Road exit, NOT the Pom- erado exit between Rancho Bernardo and Escondido). Directions to Pool Party/BBQ/Fireworks: I-15 to Rancho Bernardo Road and go East (Rancho Bernardo Road becomes Espola Road). Turn left on Trailwind Road and look for Miatas. Their house is several blocks up the hill on the right. Watch your speed...25 mph!

3 Meeting Places (Continued from page 3) bacon, biscuits & gravy, coffee, juice. Upcoming Events Pool Party Hosts: (please RSVP!) Mystery Finale Pizza Party: $5 per per- San Diego Twilight Fun Run SUE & TED KESLER, (619) 421-8472 son. Includes pizza and soda. or [email protected] If you plan to attend the rally, please Saturday, August 5 Using the idea behind our original Twi- RSVP by Tuesday, July 11. By doing so, Time: 3 p.m. for pizza light Fun Run (e.g., avoid the heat of you will help us make the event run as run starts at 4:30 p.m. summer by driving during the cooler part smoothly as possible. Meeting Place: Pizza Hut, 3637 Avocado of the day) we proudly introduce: The What to bring (in addition to your nor- Blvd., La Mesa San Diego Early Bird Fun Run! This mal items like water and sunscreen): map Run Leaders: CATHY & MARK BOOTH, time, rather than the cool of the evening, of San Diego County, pen and paper for Home: (619) 670-3789 or we hope to capture the crispness of the notes and ideas, creative thinking cap, Cell: (619) 855-5020 th morning! and a sense of adventure! or this, the 6 annual running of the original Twilight Fun Run, We will drive, eat, and then drive some Directions to start: I-15 to Poway Road, we are returning to the original more. Breakfast will be at Major's Diner head east, Left on Midland, Left on Au- F starting location and the first- in Pine Valley at approximately 8:30 a.m. brey (past the Hamburger Factory), park year’s run route. The Early Bird Run will end back at the in public lot on right, or on street. Walk This is a leisurely ride along some of original starting point. Then, it's on to through park to restaurant. San Diego's East County roads during the Pool Party! Monthly Meeting Ted & Sue Kesler have invited every- the late afternoon/early evening hours. Date: Thursday, July 27 one to their home for their second annual That special "twilight" period when the Time: 6 p.m. Pool Party/Lunch immediately following hot summer day slowly gives way to a Place: Boll Weevil the Early Bird Run! Ted & Sue will pro- comfortable summer night. 9330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (at Ruffin vide the food, soft drinks and the pool. Arrive at 3 p.m. for pizza. The run will Road), San Diego (858) 571-6225. You should bring your own adult bever- start at 4:30 p.m. The run will finish back This event is the single best way to meet ages, swimsuit, and towel. Please RSVP to near the starting point at approximately your fellow club members, ask questions, Ted & Sue if you plan to attend the Pool 8:30 p.m. share stories, etc. Party/Lunch. Directions: I-805 south/north to High- Those unable to attend the Early Bird Don’t miss the fun! way 94 east. Continue on Highway 94 Run but wishing to attend the Run to the SDMC - RX7 Club Joint Run into La Mesa. (Watch those signs care- Pool Party, please be at the meeting place Date: Saturday, July 29 fully, Highway 94 east merges off to the (above) no later than 11:30 a.m. If you Time: 9 a.m. right near the Spring Street exit.) Stay on want to go straight to the Kesler's, please Place: Sizzler in Ramona Highway 94 east and exit at Avocado call or E-mail Ted & Sue for directions to Contact: GERI CAUSARANO, Blvd. Turn left at the stop sign at the end their home. (760) 787-0624 or [email protected] of the ramp. Proceed over the highway and make a right turn into the Rancho Directions: I-805 to Highway 94 east. We will be taking a run through the San Diego Village Shopping Center. The Continue on Highway 94 into La mountains of Ramona and Julian. Our Pizza Hut is straight ahead. Mesa. (Watch those signs carefully, big brothers from the San Diego RX7 Highway 94 east merges off to the Club are going to join us for the fun. We Miles of Miatas for MDA right near the Spring Street exit.) Stay will be meeting at 9 a.m., drivers meeting Saturday, August 26 at 9:15 and leave for the run by 9:30 a.m. on Highway 94 east all the way into UE and JACK HINKLE are organiz- Rancho San Diego. Continue straight I will be making reservations in ing the 4th annual Miles of Miatas at the light where Highway 94 be- Ramona for lunch about 1 p.m. Please for MDA, which will be held on RSVP so I can let the restaurant know S comes Jamacha Rd. The Albertson's/ Saturday, August 26. This will be how many to expect. Target shopping center is located on a sponsored mystery run for the Muscular the right just past that light. Directions to Meeting Place: Sizzler is on Dystrophy Association. Murder Mystery Rally Highway 78 in Ramona just before Last year’s event raised over $11,000 Date: Saturday, July 15 you go up the hill into Julian. with only 38 cars participating. This Time: Breakfast 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. year’s event promises to be bigger and better with many more surprises. Once Drivers' Meeting 9:45 a.m. Recruiting Cards again, this will be designed as a 100-mile Starting Location: Hamburger Factory e have new recruiting cards @ Old Poway Park, 14122 Midland W mystery run to raise money for Jerry’s Road, Poway available. If you would like kids. There will be prizes, raffles, and Rally Masters: ANITA EOFF & SCOTT ROSIN some, please see ELLIOT SHEV at any some surprise stops along the way. Who [email protected] or (619) 583-5811 event. knows? Maybe a celebrity or two. The Cost: Breakfast Buffet: $7 per person. run will begin at the MDA Office located Includes all you can eat eggs, sausage, at 8525 Gibbs Drive in San Diego, and it

4 UPCOMING will remain a mystery where the run will The current schedule is as follows: National end. Dinner, participant awards, and raf- Thursday, September 21: and regional events fles will be held at the end of the run. Leave North County Fair (under the Cost for dinner has not been determined big sign) at 10 a.m. Travel to Mes- Dealer Alternative's 3rd Annual Open House yet. quite, Nevada for a one night stay. Grand Junction, Colorado Our goal is to raise $1 per mile per car August 18 - 20, 2000 Friday, September 22: It's time for another Open House, bigger and and to have more cars than ever before. Leave Mesquite at 10 a.m. North on Prizes will be awarded to the top three better than the last one! Once again, we've I-15 to Cedar Breaks then on to timed it to coincide with the Palisade Peach fund raisers and for some of the other Provo, Utah. Arrangements have been Festival, so that we can drive our Miatas in the crazy things that will be included in the made with the Hampton Inn for Peach Parade. This year we will also be renting run instructions. Last year JOHN SDMC members. Contact person is the local dragstrip to see who has bragging “WRONG WAY” TEMPLETON was our rights to the quickest Miata, and Skip Cannon Nicole. top fundraiser. Our president, ELLIOT is working on reserving a road course near Den- Saturday, September 23: SHEV, walked away with many of our raf- ver for Thursday. Come on out and join us, Fun run to Sundance, Utah. fle items and Bates Nut Farm provided a help us build our Dynojet database, and just Sunday, September 24: have a great time. Great roads, great scenery, grand buckboard BBQ. Sponsor sheets “Fall Leaf Run” with the Utah Miata great cars and great people, plus all the Miata will be available at the monthly meetings. goodies you can stand to look at. All checks should be made payable to the Club around 8:30 a.m. Monday, September 25: Contact: The Dealer Alternative, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) (970) 242-3800 or www.dealeralt.com Leave for home or extended vacation. and donations are tax deductible. Sponsor Fourth Annual Midwest Miata Challenge sheets will be collected at the beginning of If you are interested in attending this Hilliard High School - Hilliard, Ohio the event. event please contact: September 30, 2000 The SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB has also LAUREN or ROBERT THOMPSON This is a Miata-only autocross event, first held been invited once again to the Labor Day [email protected] or (858) 488-3764. in 1997. Last year it was hosted by the NW Telethon to man the pledge phones, We are planning a pre-meeting in late Ohio Chapter at the University of Toledo. where Elliot Shev will make a check pres- August for all Leaf Runners! The Buckeye Chapter regained the team tro- entation for the dollars that we raise. phy from the Northcoast Chapter. We are Watch your newsletter for more tidbits AUTOCROSS seeking revenge this year! Come on out and about our 4th Annual Miles of Miatas for AT THE “Q” join us! Contact: Rob Young, [email protected] MDA and what other mysteries are being The following autocross events planned for the event. are tentatively scheduled to take Backroads To Bavaria V Leavenworth/Wenatchee, Washington If you would be interested in helping place in the parking lot of October 6-8, 2000 us plan this fun-filled day or assist in get- Qualcomm Stadium: You are invited to attend the annual Back- ting some raffle items donated, please roads to Bavaria Fall Colors Tour hosted by email Sue Hinkle at [email protected] Saturday, July 8…………………practice day John Hewitt of the Puget Sound Chapter of or call (760) 735-9456. Save the date Au- Sunday, July 9...…………………….race day the MCA. This multi-chapter Pacific North- gust 26th; lets make this our biggest fund Sunday, August 27…….…………….race day west favorite event unites Miata friends old raising event ever...plan to participate. Saturday, August 23…………………race day and new. Celebrate with a visit to the Bavar- You won’t want to miss out on all the fun Saturday, September 23……………...race day ian Village of Leavenworth during the Wash- or the opportunity to bring Miles of Saturday, October 7…………………race day ington State Autumn Leaf Festival. Twisty and curvacious roads will delight as you jour- Smiles to Jerry’s kids in the fight against Saturday, October 21………………...race day ney through the colorful valleys of the Cas- Muscular Dystrophy. Saturday, November 11………….practice day Sunday, November 19……………….race day cade Mountains. Fall Leaf Run 2000 Saturday, December 2……………….race day For more information or RSVP by 9/15/00, September 21- September 25 Sunday, December 17…………...practice day Contact: [email protected], or (425) 335-4129 his will be a joint event with Monday, January 1, 2001………...practice day the UTAH MIATA CLUB in To confirm autocross information, call: Miatas in Paradise Provo, Utah. It will be a San Diego SCCA Hotlines (619) 441-1333 Daytona Beach, Florida T October 24-27, 2000 minimum five day event in- (800) 360-4454 MCA national event for the year 2000 cluding travel days. We attended this Web page www.sdr-solo2.com The most famous beach in the world, the event last year and had a great time—the Come participate or watch our club world-renowned Daytona Speedway, auto- leaves were spectacular. There are a few members race at the autocross (timed crossing, the Megafuncana, a first-class five- differences in running in Utah. We en- event). To participate you need to register star hotel with each window facing the ocean, countered sheep & cattle right on the for a Solo II card and number ($15) and concourse d'elegance, vendors, Miata model highways. Plus we had a couple of low have a DOT approved helmet. Loaner contests, and a whole lot of Miatas! level water crossings. Contact: Jenna (800) 832-3292 or helmets are available at the autocross. www.miata2000.com

5 new members! Renewing members Membership Statistics WELCOME to our newest members (since last newsletter): As of June 24, 2000, there are 319 memberships (138 single, 181 dual) and a total of 500 (since last newsletter): RICHARD ALLSOPP members. Graydon Anderson DAVID ANDERSON Memberships by Miata Color: Spring Valley KEN & BARBARA BARTON 87 Red 1995 Red 51 White JEFF & LISA BENEDICT Bret Beasley 40 Black San Diego MARK & CATHY BOOTH 25 Silver 24 Emerald Green MICHAEL CHIAPPETTA & LAUREN JACKSON 1997 Red Sport 14 Montego Blue Richard Best CHUCK & JEAN COLE 14 Sapphire Blue San Diego JACK & SUE DILUSTRO 11 Mariner Blue 2000 SE (Mahogany) 11 Starlight Blue VALARIE GOODKIN 10 BRG Daniel Blank GRANT GOODMAN 9 Laguna Blue San Diego TOM GREENE 9 Twilight Blue 1993 White 6 Yellow ARTHUR L. HAMILTON Scott Graham 6 Marina Green BRUCE & LEIGH HARMER 5 Merlot San Diego 3 Mahogany ROBERT HOLLAND 2000 Silver 1 Evolution Orange TONY & MARIA IGAR Buffy Hergenrader 10 Unreported * San Diego CYNTHIA S. JONES * Unreported means a member does not 1990 White JERI JONES & SEAN O'CONNOR have a Miata at this time. Dean & Lynne King BARRY & NANCEE KERSHAW San Diego Member Profile TED & SUE KESLER 1990 White, 1999 Black hat you are reading here is a new BOB & VICKY KRUEGER W Richard McCue triumph (not the car) for the San Diego DALE & LINDA LEE SDMC newsletter—an invisible Member 1999 Emerald Green Leather BOB & DEBBIE LLEWELLYN Profile. It is very short, but please read it carefully. When you are finished, well in Joe Sundstrom DIANE LONG truth there is no Member Profile here. San Diego MARY J. MARTIN Several members have said they would 1997 Red KATHIE MCCLELLAND provide one, but I have yet to receive any. Kathleen Toole JOHN M. O'HARA So if YOU would like to be included in San Diego GERONIMO G. OMABTANG our on-going series of Member Profiles, 2000 Emerald Green Leather write a short (200 - 300 word) introduc- GAIL PARISH Robert Wong tion and mail (or e-mail) it with a photo San Diego TOM WALDOWSKI (your face should be large enough to be 1999 Silver PAUL & FRANCIE POLLOCK recognized) to the Club P.O. Box or give FRANK RIMMER & CHARM JOHNSON it to a board member at an event. Your photo will be returned. SCOTT ALAN ROSIN & ANITA EOFF In Memoriam If you don't think you could write a ANN RUNDALL Member Profile on your own, we have a Robert Frank Parrish RICHARD SCHERSCHEL & JANET FRASER member of the newsletter team who is an August 13, 1964 - May 18, 2000 award-winning newspaper reporter (you O.D. SMITH & MARTHA JOSLIN could find out about him by reading HIS SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB member TOM SPRAGUE Member Profile in the January edition of ROBERT PARRISH, died on May 18. GABE & HIDI WAITE the newsletter). TOM SPRAGUE will Robert and wife LYNN have been mem- ANTHONY WILDE bers of SDMC since 1998. gladly interview you and write it up. Born in San Diego, Robert was a Would take about 10 minutes of your hospital corpsman while in the Navy. time, and you would be rewarded with In civilian life, he owned and operated a your 15 minutes of fame. DITOR diagnostics and neurophysiology com- — E

pany. [email protected]

6 Thank You! than I was. And she had the most interest- San Diego Wild Animal Park San Diego Miata Club ing life of anyone I’ve ever met. — Special Report

Some of you know that I don't have June 25, 2000 would like to pass along my thanks any siblings or close family with the ex- and gratitude to the current board, ception of my East Coast family from my here I was, sitting on my the SURF'N'SAFARI Committee and father’s side. I am the luckiest person to haunches on a balmy Sunday the general membership of the SAN have my Aunt Dorothy & Uncle Jerry morning, munching on some IDIEGO MIATA CLUB. My mom would tree leaves. When all of a sud- and cousins Peter, David & Jon Adler have loved the honor of being remem- denT a horde of new visitors showed up in who have been wonderful to us and me bered in such a warm way. She loved ani- over the years long after my dad passed the Homo Sapiens area. It was a colorful mals and once took me to the San Diego away. However, to me, the SAN DIEGO bunch—mostly yellows. Reminded me of Wild Animal Park when I was a small girl MIATA CLUB is like family too; similar to many of the delicious bananas I had in for being good while she car shopped (no parents and siblings, you all have been years past. There was one red shirt with Miata, we got a Coupe de Ville)! We had there for me. Many of you have invited red hat that made me think of some juicy a lot of fun. I think the donation to the me to come down and visit or stay with watermelon. A few whites like the flowers condor exhibit was especially fitting be- you, you've sent me e-mails & cards and in my home yard, and a sprinkling of cause it is the highest point in the park offered your love and support during the blues that could have been from one of and is nearest to her there in heaven last couple of years. It doesn't get easier; the local birds. Greens blended in neatly where we will all see her again some day I've just grown more used to not having with the foliage. many years from now. her around, wishing I could share things And hats! Each of the walkers and I truly cannot adequately express how like this with her. galkers had some kind of head covering. personally touched I am by your gesture. Thank you again for your kind gift in They should try sitting here all day with Losing my mom so suddenly has been my memory of my mom, I hope you all feel no covering and see how they feel. hardest loss to deal with. My mom was as lucky as I do to have you fine people as Harry the Hawk reported the group my best friend and I don't know of any- my family. spent a lot of time on Condor Ridge, one who didn't like her. In High School, which is neat because condors make me she was more popular among my friends Sincerely, look that much more handsome. And KATHIE MCCLELLAND Harry also told me there were a bunch of various colored jelly-bean looking metal vehicles in the parking lot which appar- ently is some kind of joyful transportation for these wanderers. Harry said he heard they were some kind of a not-endangered species called My-eata. But they were a truly enthusiastic bunch, and a ferret reported to me that the food sales in the park were way up. So I hope they come back soon. — Harry Gorilla TOM SPRAGUE was the last to leave the Wild Animal Park (he had to check out all the shows and try all the ice cream

$/20$ stands) and received this special report. 3 ,1'<

& Above Left - After the presentation of the

+272 check to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, 3 SDMC members were invited to the front of the line on the Wgasa Bush Line Railway. The 55 minute guided tour was especially enjoyable on this overcast day. As a result of the weather, animals were more active at this time of day than usual.

Lower Left - The Wild Animal Park pro- 2% .58(*(5

% vided reserved parking for the SDMC when we arrived. The scene was much different

22'22 when we left the park. OTMs were circling

9 the lot ready to pounce on these prime parking spots. +272 3

7 ED LANGMAID along with STEF and TOM GOULD were making our way to the meeting place, a parking lot where the more than 150 MX-5s, and/or Miatas, $1*0$,' /

and/or the exotic end products of Euro- ' pean customizers, were gathered. ( +272

Michelle and Ed had flown into Paris 3 $1*0$,' / ' a few days earlier and caught up with us Bonnie and Dave Lutz were among the

Getting Medieval in Miatas ( as we shambled off our plane in Brussels homeys. Offshore SDMC member GARY

— Bruges, Belgium +272 3 on the Wednesday before the event. After RÖÖSLI from Switzerland showed up the April 29 - May 1, 2000 a brisk tour of the EU capital (mussels, next day in his heavily modified MX-5, obblestone streets, hemmed in chocolate, Autoworld, museums, Arte along with Petra and Robin. At dinner we by buttresses and ancient Nouveau, Tintin, Frites with everything, shared a table with the entire Finnish Cbricks, winding around and and a visit to the incredible Royal Gar- MX-5 Club: J.P. and Seija Mannermaa. through squares and over ca- dens, opened for us commoners while the Saturday began with a tour of the royals vacationed safely elsewhere), we nals, passing under fortified gates. Just the Straffe Hendrick Brewery, including setting for a column of armored knights trained to Roosendaal across the Dutch climbing up to the roof for a view of or pilgrims singing hymns. What's com- border to pick up two MX-5s, silver for downtown, dominated by the Cathedral ing? A line of MX-5s, many flying Union the Langmaids, red with 3 kilometers on tower. The weather was brisk and threat- Jacks, pressing on regardless despite suspi- the odometer for us. Overnight in ening squalls, so everyone but the Brits cions that none appear quite sure of Roosendaal, then off, mostly on the mo- was bundled up. Then some time hang- where they're supposed to be. Waves, torways, to Bruges. Our hotel was not in ing with the cars, registration, and salmon some thumbs up, other earlier arrivals the event cluster; “15 minutes away,” dinner in a large basement restaurant. pointing to the missed turn into the hotel which turned out to be anywhere in Sunday the first run cruised out of the street—an invasion of cheerfully-colored Bruges (“Hang a left at the Memling lot, not quite SDMC style—everyone got aliens brightening the crowded scene of statue, right at Van Eyck.”), according to roadbook sheets with mileages and dia- sensibly-clad tourists, horse-drawn car- the locals. Friday night was dinner for the grams of corners, and we were on our riages, erratic bicycles, and Eurobox traf- early arrivals and getting together with own. Belgium around Bruges is flat, me- fic. It was Friday, unofficial opening of old friends and meeting new. Barbara andering one-and-a-half and one lane Bruges 2000, the 10th Miata MX-5 anni- Beach and Phil Wolfson, Tom Matano, roads on mini-dikes slightly elevated versary meeting in Europe. Joe and Mary Portas (who had passed up above agricultural green stuff, speckled Representing SDMC, MICHELLE and a Fiat Barchetta in favor of a VW Kam- with bovine butter and cheese factories, per for serious touring), Crazy Red, and converging at the horizon, where the odd tree or steeple or construction crane might break the level. Some rain arrived, popping tops up briefly (the Brits holding out the longest) just as the first major wrong turn struck the group, deploying MX-5s around a crossroads in all directions and orientations. Someone would get an idea and tear off down a lane with a few followers, soon to return. Finally enough of us backtracked to the ambigu- ous turn and we got going again, some- $3$1(6( 7285,67 - 5,(1'/< ) +272 $1*0$,' 3 / '

Top Row (Left to Right): Tom Gould, Ed Langmaid, Joe Portas. ( Front Row: Michelle Langmaid, Stef Gould, Seija Mannermaa, Mary Portas, J.P. Mannermaa. +272 3

8 what more spread out. This time when cars, little red wagons, and inline skaters we got lost we were on our own. Luckily, all hitting the shore. The evening was an- we could see all the way to the next road, other feast, Waterzooi, second to mussels where cars were going in another direc- in the Belgian cuisine, a kind of stew or tion, and we were good to go again. More soup with chicken, large portions plus country lanes, Joe following along with appetizers, wine, four kinds of pastry for the van, at times the tallest thing in the dessert. More silverware on the table than landscape. Occasionally in the middle of we see in a week. Belgians know about nowhere a hulking concrete bunker serious eating. Also came speeches, a would appear, too massive for demolition, bingo game using cards we had filled in and we would be reminded that this had with the names of fellow participants, in- been invaded territory many times, and troductions—a pair of Greeks at our table not so long ago. We hit a small town, took the honors from the farthest south, Sluis, which seemed to be jumping with got a cheer when they claimed to expect springtime visitors, strolling, eating, shop- to be back at work on Wednesday follow-

(' /$1*0$,' ping. The number of sex shops could ing the Monday event closing. Dancing have been a tipoff, but it wasn't until we ended the evening for those of us not too +272 3 overcome by fresh agricultural air and too Above - Michelle and Stef find someone much food. who is truly too big to fit in a Miata. Monday was an MX-5 gathering in the

main square, where we could look and be Right - Even the diminutive MX-5 looked at, then another run west and can be overwhelming for the nar- north to Oostend, where another banquet row medieval cobblestone streets. meal awaited to end the activities. We gathered intelligence from all sides about Below - The main square of Bruge became the Netherlands for the next leg of our an MX-5/Miata car park. It seems parking Eurotour. was so tight that challenges were made and duels held. Tuesday we did some postponed tourist things in Bruges, museums etc., then set off for Gent. A side trip took us by the romantic 14th Century Ooidonk Castle (Prisoner of Ooidonk? Sweet Savage Lord of Ooidonk? Maybe not the best setting for a romance novel). Every day and eve- rywhere we went seemed to be a holiday, festival, or whatever. Rooms were in short 20 *28/' ' /$1*0$,' 7 supply for any number of reasons. In (

+272 Gent we worked through the list, finally 3 +272 3 winding up across the river in a converted Beguinage B&B. One feature of the mid- sat down to lunch that we realized that we dle ages was a surplus of women—or had passed imperceptibly into the Nether- shortfall of men—widows and orphans, lands, which is flat, meandering one-and- and these were supported in a sort of lay a-half and one lane roads on mini-dikes convent, a Beguinage, living, say, eight to $1*0$,' /

' slightly elevated above agricultural green a house in a colony of such little houses. ( stuff, speckled with bovine butter and When these colonies were abandoned, the +272

3 cheese factories, converging at the hori- houses were privatized and remodeled. zon, etc. etc. We filled the tanks—46.96 The Miatas got to park overnight behind litres @ 120.22 Guilders, about US the Medieval gates. $51.00. Later, back in Belgium, the route Wednesday: Gent museums, Graven- was punctuated by a turn through a sea- steen Castle with a charming assembly of side town, Knokke-Heist, clogged with Medieval items of a) persuasion, b) inter- holidaymakers. We owe our safe return to rogation and, if there was anything left

$1*0$,' brilliant navigation by Michelle—I was / after a and b, c) punishment. Then north '

( totally befuddled as we drove against the to the ferry to the Zeeland archipelago. tide of bicycles, tricycles, scooters, pedal- (Continued on page 10) +272 3

9 Medieval in Miatas (Continued from page 9) The next day, Michelle and Ed's last, we The Circle of Life parked at our suburban train station, and The Dam Run (Amsterdam, Schiedam t is with mixed emotions that we must after a complex transaction involving sev- and Dubbledam) report that Marilyn (Merlot) no longer eral helpful, patient, English-speaking (as I The weather was chilly and damp; we had lives with us. It was time for her to go out was almost everyone we met in Belgium to cop to keeping the tops up as we mo- on her own, we guess, but we will miss and Holland) Dutch citizens and an auto- tored around the cluster of islands (flat, her. mated ticket vending machine, we set off probably patiently built, like most of the We adopted Marilyn about 3 years ago for Amsterdam via train. Everyone in the Netherlands, by the Dutch). We had de- just before the great El Nino (Spanish world seemed to be congregating in front cided by this time that two cars wouldn't for "the nino"). She was a tad unkempt of the station, heading up the main be efficient, so we looped back to Roosen- and needed the attention that two dinks (tourist) street with its substantial shops daal to stay the night and pick up a VW (double income no kids) could offer. We and stores (once we got past the raunchy Golf wagon, room for four and all the shined her up, acquired a boot and floor tee shirt and postcard vendors), across luggage. As we headed back north, of mats so she would fit in with the other canals, dodging little narrow trams criss- course, the sun came out and some of the kids and enrolled her right away in the crossing at the intersections. The Van roads made us wish for the Miatas again. SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB. Marilyn did Gogh Museum is the class act, newly re- Windmills a-plenty, part of the never- fine in her new surroundings. Soon she modeled. Stef and Ed and Michelle went ending battle against the tides in times got new shoes and wheels, a CB splitter, for a canalboat ride while I went on, hard- past, now supplanted by massive modern wind block and really started to smile. core, to the Stedjelik Modern Art Mu- engineering works. Our destination this Marilyn was good for us too. We seum. time was the Keukenhof, a kind of hyper- learned from her and enjoyed playing The train took us back to Haarlem, Carlsbad in the coastal tulip-growing area with her. The fact that she was different wanting to be sure we had rooms in the of the Netherlands. These parklike gar- from all of the rest with, what some feel hotel across from the station, since Mi- dens, acres of them, were unbelievable, a was a birth defect, (automatic transmis- chelle and Ed were heading back to Paris profusion of not only tulips but every sion) actually made her stronger and to return home the next morning. Petra kind of showy spring flowering plant. more enthusiastic, qualities we truly en- and Robin caught up with us and took us Also eating and drinking and shops. Not joyed. to get the VW, and we had a quick im- too far north is Zandvoort, the Dutch So now Marilyn has, in a sense, gradu- promptu dinner. Next morning Stef and Grand Prix venue. We finished near ated from her first level of education. She I kept the car for the run back to Roosen- Haarlem (the town full up as usual) in has left our home to bring joy to our daal via a stop in Delft, turned in the car, Santpoort, where we stayed two nights, friend, Lynn a new member of the club. I stayed overnight, trained to Antwerp for a checking out Ristaffel back in Haarlem know how empty nesters feel. You open day and back for another night, then to the first night. the door to their room/garage Brussels and the flight to London for a The following day we made for the and see a void. Luckily, unlike children, few days visit before coming back. area south and east of Amsterdam, first to we don't have to send money for the rest — TOM GOULD a charming suburb, Muiderslot castle the of our lives to Lynn because Miatas are major attraction, amid canals, yachts, the not high maintenance and life-long de- odd river fort, a gigantic streetside garage pendents. sale. Some locals were demonstrating ar- As you know we have adopted Made- mor and ye olde gangbangyng with staves line a bouncing enthusiastic 2000SE. She and halberds and swords, and the 700- is all shined up and has a new style bar, year-old compact castle was in better re- CB spiltter, and is smiling already. pair than the Gravensteen. $1*0$,' So, so long Marilyn. It was fun. Hello / ' Madeline. Let's go play. Next stop was a National Forest near ( Otterlo, home to a great museum of art +272 Isn't the circle of life grand? and of outdoor sculpture. Back to Sant- 3 — ED and MICHELLE LANGMAID poort along the dike roads, stopping by and MADELINE your castle/stately home as available. We had the heady experience of encountering a 7% grade! It was the Liberation Day holiday, and restored jeeps and six-bys were heading back to post-parade garages, amid some wild traffic jams. Every village was festooned with bunting and remind- 28/' *

ers of WWII. This was around Arnhem, 7() invasion and Battle of the Bulge territory. 6 +272 3

10 Right and Below - The reservoir behind The Dam Run II the dams is quite a bit higher than when May 27, 2000 visited on Dam Run I.

Below Right - Steve and Laurie are all smiles when the run begins in Temec- ula. Little did they know that later on their Yellow Miata would resemble a fried egg on the sizzling pavement.

Bottom - The intrepid Dam Runners posed for a picture in the 110 degree heat. DAM! ,&+$5'621 5 2+1 - 2<&( - +2726 3

You may have heard that the May 27 Dam Run II was organized as a trib- ute to the Ella Fitzgerald song hit of 1956, Too Darned Hot. As Johnny Carson would say, "How Hot Was It?" Our esteemed and steamed past president STEVE WAID has a clue. When the temperature gauge on his pet started climbing past normal, he decided to open the headlights to let in some extra air and cool things down. Doing so, he nervously watched the temp needle go higher! His obvious conclusion: the weather was hotter outside the engine compartment than inside! — TOM SPRAGUE

11 It’s SHOWTIME! Trophy Winners track practicing. The sounds were won- SOCALM - Best of the Bunch Best Performance JOHN BRAISTED - Red derful…and loud. The speedway had set Charity Car Show People’s Choice LAURIE WAID - Yellow up large tents to protect the food tables May 20, 2000 Other SDMC members participating and give an area where we could get out of the sun. The paddock area was for our have been to a lot of car shows. were BARB SHEV, BOB and LAUREN cars only, but was open to the public for Every year Laurie and I go to the THOMPSON, JACK GOSNEY, LENI viewing. The paddock was right next to new car show at the San Diego METRO, and probably some others who I the grandstands, the restrooms, and the Convention Center, and we most have forgotten. snack bar. recentlyI attended the Morro Bay Car After the show, we headed back to- We mingled with the RX7 folks and Show while searching for Madonna. I ward San Diego, and ultimately San Mar- greeted the arriving Miatas. SCOTT enjoy seeing all of the different cars. cos, where Allen’s Wrench is located. Six ROSEN and ANITA (the betrothed) ar- Being members of SOCALM in addi- cars from the show at about 5 p.m. arrived, shortly followed by JOHN and tion to SDMC allows us to pick off a rived for the Rock and Blues Festival, JOYCE RICHARDSON of growing “Dam much larger menu of fun opportunities as which had been going strong since 2 p.m. Run” fame. The pits were open for tour- long as we don’t mind driving (these are There were already another ten to fifteen ing, but it seemed like most socialized drivers clubs, after all) a little further. club members there enjoying the music. waiting for…drum roll…the FOOD. When we got the SOCALM email an- After eating the barbequed hamburgers The potluck was just great. Not everyone nouncing their first “Best of the Bunch” and watching and listening to Dennis brought chicken, and there was enough all Miata car show, I was intrigued. I play his guitar with one of the bands, we variety of cookies that no one went hun- knew that we would have an advantage if ended the day with, what else, the obliga- gry. we entered BUZER in the show (it’s tory Pie Run. It had been a long but The two parade laps that we took, rep- YELLOW, you know). However, there eventful day. I can’t wait to do it again resenting Mazda, included 58 Miatas and was already an event on the calendar for next year. 20 RX7’s. Even though we only went 10 the same day. Dennis Allen, owner of — STEVE WAID to 15 MPH, it was a treat to pass in front Allen’s Wrench, was putting on a free of the 10-story grandstands and wave to Rock and Blues Festival…I repeat, the multitudes. ZACK BROADBENT, FREE…on the same day. What to do? They Race In Circles Too! president of SOCALM, was being inter- All I could think of was, “let’s do both.” SOCALM Irwindale Speedway Night viewed over the public address system as Saturday morning, May 20th, ten or June 3, 2000 we drove and was kind enough to men- eleven (I wasn’t counting) Miatas left asically, if it has anything to do tion that the blue car with white stripes Oceanside for Tustin, where the show with cars, I’m interested. I like and the white car with blue stripes were was to take place. MacPherson Mazda the sights, the sounds, the B from San Diego. You know that ELLIOT hosted the event and Barry Rosenberg smells, and the touch of car stuff. Last year I was unable to go to the and I thrive on recognition. and his support team put on a tremen- The racing featured Formula A Maz- dous event. I knew we would get to see first SOCALM Night at Irwindale Speed- das in a 75-lap event that had some really some really special Miatas, but what made way. This year I didn’t want to miss it, fine examples of racing, even though they it really fun were the efforts made by eve- and with the cooperation of my daughter- were driving…Left…Left…Left. A rec- ryone to socialize and...what else?...have a in-law, Marla, I didn’t. Marla held out ommendation would be, if you were not good time. I am sure that this will de- and delivered our second granddaughter, already hard of hearing, bring and wear velop into an annual event. Peyton Marie, three days later. This earplugs. From the grandstands, the rac- The SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB did turned out to be an early Father’s Day (or ing is LOUD! A short track ensures that itself proud with not only a good number Grandfather’s Day) present. the cars are never far away and there is of participants, and by receiving a large BARB and ELLIOT SHEV and BOB and plenty of action. share of recognition by winning several DEBBIE LLEWELLYN met me at the Deer The Irwindale Speedway is a wonder- trophies and awards. Rather than risk try- Springs turnoff of Interstate 15 and we ful facility. It is clean, with more than ing to name who the dual members are, I caravanned toward Irwindale. With only adequate restrooms and refreshments am going to just acknowledge the winners one stop at the KFC in Elsinore to pick available. I will definitely go again. who are, for sure, SDMC members. up my potluck offering (a bucket of As we left the racetrack at about 11:30 Best Car By Year chicken), we made good time and arrived at the speedway at 3:30. There were al- p.m., five cars headed for, need you ask, ‘92 LAURIE WAID - Yellow the obligatory Pie Run. After stopping in ‘94 DIANE SEILO - Black ready nearly 20 Miatas and about 8 RX7’s from the RX7 club in the paddock West Covina, the two striped cars headed ‘96 PHIL DAUOST - Blue wearily home. My head hit the pillow at ‘99 JACK DILUSTRO - BLUE area. We were shown where to park and set up our chairs and began to acclimate 2:30 a.m. A full day of driving, eating, 2000 DEE & WAYNE JOHNSON - socializing, Miatas, and racing. Evolution Orange ourselves to the facility. And what a fine one it is. There were already cars on the — STEVE WAID

12 Miata’s at the Getty III Plus a Visit to BrainStorm n June 10th BARB and EL- LIOT SHEV led a group of 50 Miatas, for the third time, to the J. Paul Getty OMuseum. Bright and early Saturday morning, 7 a.m., the first group met in Carlsbad. After the drivers briefing, about 30 cars headed north to meet the group from SOCALM, making up the balance of the 50 cars of this joint club event. The whole group left Sports Mart a few minutes late due to the bathroom queue. Not to be any different than in the past, the owner of the car wash was less than impressed by our 5$< $&(9('2 gang taking over his potty, +2726

so a bunch of us queued 3 up at the hamburger place. At least you can get a drink and a shake, and the cof- months in their area of expertise, con- some wonderful Indian food and soft fee isn’t bad either. ducting tours about the architecture, the drinks. Not only did they provide refresh- We made it to the Getty at 9:45 a.m., gardens, and the art. You can sign up for ments, and excellent information, thanks a bit earlier than our target arrival time of these tours upon your arrival. to Scott and Adan, all items purchased or 10 a.m. No traffic! It was really neat to see We took the architecture tour this time ordered were offered at a 10% discount all the Miatas at the toll both. Even better and were pleasantly surprised with what for the product as well as the installation to see the faces on the parking attendants! we learned. The facility is really a work of fee. Some folks made appointments and You guys looked great! After parking on art. arrived earlier for items that required the second sub level, we all headed for the Plans were made for those who wished more lengthy installs. I know some folks tram and up to the museum. to picnic to meet a 1 p.m. in the picnic who saved a bunch of money! At the main entry there is a really nice area. For those who wished to dine in Taking advantage of the special pric- bookshop, information center, and a doors or outdoors, the Getty has both. ing, we acquired a pair of chrome interior place to rent an audio tour guide. This is The food is good and items are available door handles for our 10 AE. These are the highly recommended. All were off to fill for all budgets. same as the ones found in the 2000 SE. their senses with the sights, sounds, and After a relaxing day of art, we left the They look GREAT! Wonder where to smells of the Getty. Getty for the second part of our run, the put a cup in an M2? Look at the air vent The buildings, the art, the gardens, the BrainStorm open house. Roshan and mounted cup holders they have. Got a set fountains, and the views can each take Dali, owners of BrainStorm, opened their of those too. Such a deal they had for us! you in and absorb your day at the Getty. shop for us to visit and shop for that spe- Thank you BrainStorm for the special You simply can not enjoy this venue in cial something the we need to adorn our treat. If you haven’t been there, go. They one visit. There are also tours, conducted favorite mode of transportation. have really nice accessories for your car by the docents, who are trained for six The folks at BrainStorm treated us to and a great staff to help with your deci- sions and install things correctly. Sounds like fun? Sorry you missed the event? We will be doing it again next year. We will announce the 2001 date, so you can mark your calendars for next year, in the August newsletter. This event will be on a Sunday for those who cannot make it on a Saturday. So don’t miss it next time! — ELLIOT SHEV

13 factured in the U.S. and is not subject to been using one of these batteries for sev- Aftermarket Goodies The Miata Battery long ocean voyage transportation costs. eral months in his ‘94 Miata and likes it That is why every Miata that enters the very much. The list price for the Ameri- More Choices Than Ever Before U.S. still carries a Panasonic battery in the can Eagle Battery is $80, same as the very Miata manufactured and trunk. No sense shipping U.S. made bat- WestCo. sent to the U.S. since 1989 has teries to Japan! While the reversed terminals might been factory equipped with a Another strike against the new replace- seem to handicap the American Eagle special battery. I wrote an arti- ment battery from Mazda is one of com- battery, the specifications make up for it. cleE for the SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB mitment. The original design of the new Mazda 370 cranking amps NEWS in 1997 that detailed the stock Miata placed the battery in the trunk for WestCo 475 " " Miata battery and an alternative aftermar- good weight distribution. This helped the American Eagle 530 " " ket replacement (SDMC News, Volume handling of the car, as we all know, but it As you can see, the American Eagle has 2, Number 6). This article is available on was not a place for a corrosive and possi- the highest cranking amps of the three the SDMC Web site and on Miata.net in bly explosive item like a car battery. That replacement batteries. That, coupled with their respective Garage sections. is why Mazda chose an Absorption Glass the discounted price of $59.90 to SAN Since that article was written, changes Mat (AGM) battery to be placed in the DIEGO MIATA CLUB members, makes have occurred in the area of batteries for Miata. The AGM is a suspended electro- the American Eagle battery worth consid- the Miata. lyte battery that ties up the battery acid in ering when your Panasonic finally dies of The OEM (original equipment) bat- a fine fiberglass mesh and keeps it from old age. tery is a product of Panasonic. This bat- spilling in your trunk. If this design was Either the American Eagle or the tery caused confusion early in the sales of important enough for the factory to in- WestCo are deserving candidates as re- the Miata, since it did not require stall it (and they still do) then why should placements for the Panasonic battery in service like a standard car bat- we accept less for a replacement battery? your Miata. Accept nothing less. tery. In addition, mechanics Well, a lot of enthusiastic Miata own- — ANTHONY WILDE who tried to “quick charge” it ers do not accept less. WestCo has been found out they quickly ruined it. providing a replacement AGM battery for American Battery Corporation At the same time, Miata owners were the Miata since it had a 1.6 liter engine. 525 West Washington finding out this is one great little battery. This battery was cheaper than the Mazda Escondido CA 92025 Usually a car battery will last, on average, Panasonic battery and still had the virtues (760) 746-8010 36 months. If you take good care of it, of the OEM unit. One small drawback to See Local Business Discounts on page 16 and live in a temperate climate, 48 the WestCo battery was the reversed bat- months might be expected. The Pana- tery terminals, in relation to the Pana- WestCo Battery Systems sonic has a demonstrated average life of 6 sonic battery. By turning the battery Anaheim CA years (72 months) and there are continu- around when installing it this was ne- 1-800-214-8040 ing reports of original Miata batteries still gated, but the battery cables in the Miata www.westcobattery.com/miata.htm going strong beyond the 10th year of ser- trunk were sometimes very short in this vice. Still, people complained when they arrangement. WestCo changed this in By Request had to shell out $130 for a replacement 1999 and the terminals are now in the n response to member requests, the same orientation as the OEM battery. from Mazda. directions for SAN DIEGO MIATA The cost of the new WestCo battery is I In mid 1998, Mazda quit selling the CLUB Fun Runs are now being placed on Panasonic battery as a replacement for the $80 and it works just as advertised. I re- the club Web page. New directions will Miata. When you go to a Mazda parts placed my 7-year-old Panasonic unit with be placed there after each event, assuming department you now get a standard wet one in November and it is working just the run leaders get the instruc- cell (albeit sealed) battery. The price is fine. tions to us! only around $80, but you will NEVER American Battery Corporation has in- Now everyone can repeat a see 72 months of service from this bat- troduced a new player to the Miata re- Fun Run, whether they at- tery. Mazda claims this change in batter- placement battery scene. Their American tended the event or not. ies was due to customer complaints about Eagle battery is an AGM, just like the Go to the club Web page and then go to the original battery. Well, I cannot dis- original Panasonic and the WestCo. In the Club Information section. There you pute that, but I believe that economics addition, it is slightly smaller in size. This will find Past Run Directions. These have played a larger role. The Panasonic bat- smaller size is a good thing, since the ter- been converted to PDF format, just like tery is made in Japan. In order to supply minals are reversed like the first genera- the online copies of the newsletter, so Mazda parts departments in the U.S. tion WestCo. Since the battery is slightly they are just like the instructions handed with batteries, they need to ship pallets of smaller, the short cables are less of a prob- out by the run leader. very heavy, thereby costly, batteries over lem when making the connections. the ocean. The new replacement is manu- SDMC member BRIAN GOODWIN has

14 Smog Impact Fee Refunds The Tech Corner Classified Ads

A better way to wipe your car? n June 8, California Gover- Classified ad space is provided free of charge to nor Gray Davis signed leg- aybe you’ve seen it on members. Please include your name, telephone islation that appropriates TV? Maybe you’ve seen number and E-mail address (if applicable) with O each submission. $665 million for refunds to Mit at your local auto parts those persons who paid the Smog Im- store? Maybe you saw it For Sale: Men’s 12-speed bike, call for details, $40. Pac Bell Caller ID telephone, $40 OBO. pact Fee when they registered their ve- and said, “No way will it work or will I hicles in California. The $300 fee was put that thing on my car!” Front air dam from green ‘99 sport package, Well, the first time I saw one, I was Make Offer. collected from October 15, 1990 to Richard, (619) 286-2412 or [email protected] October, 19, 1999. It is estimated that impressed. It works great! I am talking For Sale: Racing Beat chrome style bar with 1.7 million Californians paid the fee about another product from our friends who bring us The Original California Car custom fit tan tonneau cover. Fits ‘90-97 ask- during this time. ing $425. Must sell as a set. A suit was filed in 1994 charging the Duster. This is The Original California Ken, (760) 753-1502 or [email protected] Water Blade. fee was an unconstitutional tax, and the For Sale: Racing Beat rear lower control arm California State Appeals court agreed in chassis brace off a ‘90 Miata. Cost new is $88 1999. Governor Davis accepted the de- plus tax and shipping. The brace has been cision and endorsed the legislation to bent and straightened and is painted flat require the DMV to return the money, black. It will work as well as a new one. $30. plus interest. The legislation mandates Spark plug wires, used for 2 weeks, $20. Wally, (619) 232-2801 ext 313 that the California Department of Mo- or (619) 234-2858. tor Vehicles (DMV) search their records For Sale: A set of 14-inch original equipment and notify everyone who paid the fee wheels from a '99 is looking for a good home. that they are entitled to a refund. Attractive and easy to clean! $400 OBO. The fee was collected on certain vehi- Rick, (760) 740-8595 or cles upon their initial registration in [email protected] California. These vehicles had previ- For Sale: '90 with 13k miles on "new factory ously been registered in another state, or motor." New radiator, fuel pump and battery. country, and did not have a sticker that Here is what they say. “The patented New "stock" exhaust system. Pirelli tires. Red with hardtop, 113k miles. Reduced to $5500. certified that they met California emis- T-bar edge and soft silicone construction Pete, (760) 749-3470. sions standards in place at the time of of the blade is designed to easily remove For Sale: ‘95 M edition (Merlot) like new condi- water from almost any surface. The blade their manufacture. It did not matter tion, synthetic oils, a/c, cruise control, am/fm whether the vehicle passed the Califor- will conform to the contour of the surface cass/cd player. Koni shocks, stainless brake lines, nia emissions standards when tested — you are drying, and the T-bar will collect real oil pressure gauge. $12,500. the fee was collected. and remove the water with very little ef- Ken, (760) 753-1502 or [email protected] If you care to wait, the DMV has fort.” And you know what? It does and it indicated it will notify everyone who does it well. SDMC Club Merchandise paid the fee by the first week of Septem- This is a squeegee for your car. It’s Need something to make your life a little ber; then you can claim your refund. A really useful for removeing morning dew less bland? How about some distinctive more expeditious route is to check and as well as wiping down your car after you club merchandise to get things started? see if you qualify for a refund. The wash it. It will remove over 95% of the • Club T-shirts water from the exterior of a Miata in DMV has a Web page that will do an • Club Sweatshirts about 2 minutes. The rest can be toweled initial records search to verify the pay- • Static Cling Decals off to perfection in another few minutes. • Club logo Pins ment of the fee. You can go to this page It is available for around $20 in most http://eg.dmv.ca.gov/smogRefund/ All items will be available at the Boll at: auto supply shops as well as Wal Mart. eligible.htm. Weevil Monthly Meetings (4th Thursday This page also has links to BRUCE HARMER from North Coast Tar- of every month). If you want to pick up additional information on the fee, the paulin Works carries them and you do get clothing items at a run or social event refund process, and a simplified claim a club discount there. I also saw them at other than a Monthly Meeting, please form that you can fill out and send. COSTCO for about $13. I understand contact BARB SHEV ([email protected] DMV has indicated they will begin is- that this is a one-time deal COSTCO has or (858) 679-0777, evenings please) with suing refunds within 60 days of the on them. When they’re gone, that’s it. If an order and Barb will be happy to bring Governor’s action. you like your duster, I am sure you will your stuff along. She can also mail items — ANTHONY WILDE like this time saver too. to you — ask her about postage costs. — ELLIOT SHEV