Causarano 8 Feature When They Know Back Home Again

The newsletter of the San Diego Miata Club Volume 11 Number 10 October 2006 Film and food critiqued at Santee Drive-in LES SMITH <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">y</li><li style="flex:1">Heavens, treat. </li><li style="flex:1">man, who played the Ger‐ </li></ul>Upon entering the man whore, and other drive‐in, we promptly cast members. For exam‐ where’s a movie Mcritic when you need one? David Elliott, violated the prominently‐ ple, “If you can drink film critic of the San Diego posted rule about remain‐ ram’s piss, you can drink Union ‐ Tribune, must have ing in your vehicle; our anything.” (An SDMC had a crush week to have row of folding chairs and twist on this could be, “If overlooked “Beerfest,” coolers stretched a good you can drive a yellow playing at the Santee 20–25 yards in front of Miata, you might drive Drive‐In the weekend of our vehicles. Yet, one anything.”) What’s Inside? Officers & Contacts Membership Info President’s Message Editor’s Column Coming Events 234<ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">the “Debbye Does the could argue that the </li><li style="flex:1">I</li><li style="flex:1">think I’ve written </li></ul>5Drive‐In” run. And, while Miata is quite inappropri‐ enough about the movie, I’m on a roll, why don’t ate for drive‐in movies, other than admitting to those drive‐in managers other than for getting two glancing over my shoul‐ consult us in selecting a people there and then der occasionally at scenes feature when they know back home again. (I did of the animated feature run leaders Bruce and not see one teenage cou‐ “Barnyard” playing on 6-7 <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">7</li><li style="flex:1">Viewpoints </li></ul>Sal Causarano Obituary 8 Remembering Sal Going Nuts for Ribs Back on the Road Personality: Licatas Humble Beginnings 9 10 10 11 Debbye Lewis are going ple there in a Miata.) to be leading a couple of the opposite screen. It looked kind of funny! dozen Miatas down that The movie dusty lane and through Seeing that the San The food <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">their </li><li style="flex:1">ticket </li><li style="flex:1">booth? Diego Miata Club doesn’t </li><li style="flex:1">Seeing that the San </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Answer me that! </li><li style="flex:1">have a film critic, I was so Diego Miata Club doesn’t </li></ul>12 That group gathered at moved by “Beerfest” that have a food critic, let me the Chicken Pie Diner in I hopped up out of my offer these observations Poway late one Saturday folding chair immediately about the treats that afternoon in August for upon its conclusion, helped make Debbye dinner before heading to sought out Bruce and Does the Santee Drive‐In Santee via Highland Val‐ Debbye in the dark, and such an enjoyable eve‐ ley Road, Ramona, and volunteered to write this ning. Miatafun Yosemite Run 13 Eibach Pro-kit springs Classified Ads 14 15 15 16 Member Discounts Events Calendar <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Wildcat Canyon Road. article for Twists & Turns. </li><li style="flex:1">First, there were the </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">mean </li><li style="flex:1">Beautiful crimson clouds It wasn’t the plot, screen‐ goodie—and </li><li style="flex:1">I</li></ul>graced the sky as sunset play, or acting that left an goodie—bags provided approached during our impression. Rather, it was by Bruce and Debbye. I descent into Santee for the profound dialogue especially enjoyed the the evening’s cinematic uttered by Cloris Leach‐ (Continued on page 12) SDMC Officers Contact SDMC On the web <a href="/goto?url=http://www.sandiegomiataclub.org" target="_blank">www.sandiegomiataclub.org </a>24-hour voice message line 619‐434‐2007 By mail P.O. Box 180833 Coronado CA 92178‐0833 Sue Hinkle President Scott Lewis Vice President Brenda Kay Secretary Judy Ryan Treasurer Club e-mail Most club communication is con‐ ducted via e‐mail through a Yahoo Group named SDMC‐List. A free Yahoo account is required. Follow these steps to join. 1. Go to <a href="/goto?url=http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/" target="_blank">http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/ </a>group/SDMC ‐ List (capitalization matters!). Executive Board “@...” indicates that e‐mail address ends in @sandiegomiataclub.org PRESIDENT Sue Hinkle Scott Lewis Brenda Kay Judy Ryan 760‐735‐9456 619‐890‐8305 858‐715‐0013 president@... vicepresident@... secretary@... treasurer@... board@... VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER To send e ‐ mail to all members of the Board 2. Click “Join This Group!” 3. If you have a Yahoo account, log in. If you do not, click “Sign Up” and follow the instructions. 4. After logging in, you will be returned to the SDMC‐List “Join This Group” page. 5. In “Comment to Owner,” state that you are an SDMC member. 6. Complete remaining selections, perform Word Verification, and click the “Join” button. Administrative Board MEMBERSHIP EVENTS COORDINATOR Jerry & Janice Boster 619‐437‐4465 membership@... events@... <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Tom Thompson </li><li style="flex:1">949‐492‐5885 </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Mark Booth </li><li style="flex:1">619‐670‐3789 </li></ul>CLUB E‐MAIL WEBMASTER CLUB REGALIA Bob Kleeman Dan Garcia 619‐501‐9776 619‐448‐4380 postmaster@... webmaster@... regalia@... <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Linda Payne </li><li style="flex:1">858‐560‐4272 </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Mary Clark </li><li style="flex:1">760‐737‐8971 </li></ul>VENDOR RELATIONS HISTORIAN NAME BADGES (vacant) Elinor Shack Vicky Krueger 858‐485‐0278 858‐486‐4711 <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>7. Your SDMC membership will be verified. The verification and approval process may take several days. Twists & Turns Staff EDITOR‐IN‐CHIEF PRODUCTION EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR PERSONALITIES EDITOR TECHNICAL EDITOR Jerry Standefer Larry Clark 619‐295‐5993 760‐737‐8971 619‐447‐0930 619‐846‐3784 newsletter@... newsletter@... <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>For more detailed instructions, see the club’s website. Bruce Lewis Kelley Raymond Abe Mara Membership roster MAILING COORDINATOR Janice Boster 619‐437‐4465 The membership roster is avail‐ able to SDMC members only. Fol‐ low these steps to access the roster. 1. Go to <a href="/goto?url=http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/" target="_blank">http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/ </a>group/SDMC ‐ List. PROOFREADERS <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Robin Faircloth </li><li style="flex:1">760‐789‐5171 </li></ul>619‐501‐4852 619‐476‐0951 <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>Carl Martens Cindy Jennings PRINTING <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Sign Up </li><li style="flex:1">858‐486‐6771 </li></ul><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>2. Log in and click “Database” 3. Click on the most current table in the tables list The SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB is a nonprofit California corporation. Twists & Turns is the monthly newsletter of the SAN DIEGO MIATA CLUB. Use of articles or stories by other Miata clubs is hereby granted, provided proper credit is given. Submissions to the newsletter are welcomed and encouraged. When possible, please e‐mail your submissions to the newsletter editor. Submissions may also be mailed to the club’s post office box. 4. To print, click “Printable Report.” The printed copy will be 15–20 pages. For more detailed instructions and options, see the club’s web site. Submission deadline is the 15th of each month. The Editor reserves the right to edit all submissions. 2<ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Twists & Turns </li><li style="flex:1">October 2006 </li></ul>Membership Information <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">New Members </li><li style="flex:1">Dues </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Welcome to our newest members (since the previous newsletter): </li><li style="flex:1">Dues are $35 per calendar year, </li></ul>for either an individual or a dual membership (two members in the same household). Members who join the club in the first half of the calendar year (January through June) pay $35 for their first year; those who join in the second half of the year pay $20 for the remainder of the year. Kelly Fitzpatrick & Kerry Bullard, San Diego............................. 1994 Black Steven & Kit Licata, Santee ............................................................ 1992 White Kathleen Marshall, Chula Vista ........................................................1993 Red Josh & Renee Morales, Escondido.................................................2004 Silver Harold & Janet Schwartz, San Diego..................................... 2006 Black/Tan Mark Sciarretta, San Diego.....................................................2000 Mahogany Andy Sterling, San Diego .................................................................2005 Gray Badges As of September 14, 2006, we have 290 memberships (107 single, 183 dual) and a total of 473 members. Have you noticed those engraved plastic name badges that other members wear? Would you like to get one? Badges are available in colors to match your car. The cost is $9 each for badges with safety‐pin closures, or $10 each for badges with mag‐ netic fasteners. Prices include ship‐ ping to your home. Vicky Krueger handles the order‐ ing. Badge request forms are avail‐ able at the Regalia table at monthly meetings and on the club’s web site. All orders must be prepaid. Monthly Meetings Our monthly meetings are a great and SR 163). To contact the restau‐ opportunity to meet your fellow rant, call 858‐571‐6225. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">club members, ask questions, and </li><li style="flex:1">Many members arrive around 6 </li></ul>share stories. Meetings are held on p.m. to enjoy meals, snacks, or bev‐ the fourth Thursday of each month, erages while chatting with their except in November and December Miata friends. The informal meeting when we meet on the third Thurs‐ starts at 7 p.m. We guarantee you’ll <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">day. </li><li style="flex:1">have fun. </li></ul>We meet at the Boll Weevil restaurant, 9330 Clairemont Mesa This month’s meeting date: Blvd., in San Diego (between I‐15 Thursday, October 26 JACQUES O. LOWNTERNE Missing Reports This issue is missing some articles we would like to have included. Despite numerous pleas, we received nothing on SDMC’s Summer Picnic, Meguiar’s Car Care Tech Day, or the summer‐long series of Cruisin’ Grand evenings. The picnic seems a particularly serious omission, being one of the major club‐supported events of the year. The Hunts graciously opened up their beautiful home to us, the Hinkles planned and led a pre‐picnic run, and the club generously provided meats and drinks for everyone. The picnic was also our final farewell to Jim and Laurie Patton. Yet, despite some serious begging, nobody would agree to provide a write‐up of the proceedings. Considering the effort and expense that goes into creating an event, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to ask that at least one member should be willing to document it for posterity and for those who could not attend. It’s the least we can do to say thanks to those who give so much to the club. Our Mission The purpose of the club is to pro‐ mote the enjoyment of, and enthusi‐ asm for, one of the world’s most ex‐ citing sports cars—the Mazda Miata. Owning and driving a Miata is one of life’s great pleasures, and adding the company and camarade‐ rie of like‐minded enthusiasts only enhances the experience. Won’t you join the fun as we enjoy the beauty of San Diego County from the seat of a very special little roadster? Let’s have fun driving our Miatas! <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Volume 11 Number 10 </li><li style="flex:1">Twists & Turns </li></ul>3President’s Message Top down—It doesn’t get better than this SUE HINKLE, PRESIDENT hen Jack presented me dor is loaded with high‐ with the new ‘04 Mazda‐ performance vehicles, but the Wspeed in October of 2004, I bumper‐to‐bumper commuter traf‐ made the decision that my new fic limits any invigorating experi‐ Miata would become my daily ence for these drivers. driver. I know that many of you ga‐ rage your Miatas and use your On the road again <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">OTMs for driving to and from work. </li><li style="flex:1">An article by Eunice Bauman in </li></ul>I have found, however, that driving our September newsletter provided my Miata to and from work every‐ our members the highlights of her day is a great driving experience. road trip to the Midwest. Nothing is Nothing feels better than the warm more fun than a road trip in the sun on your face and the wind in Miata, and I’m sure that Eunice did your hair, and, at my age, the last most of her driving with the top thing I worry about is how my hair down. Jack and I have taken several <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">looks when I arrive at the office. </li><li style="flex:1">road trips in our Miatas, covering In reading through other Miata club </li></ul>I drive with the top down most of thousands of miles with the top newsletters, I’ve noticed that road the time; however, there are times down through pouring rain, sleet, trips are common. Hosting road‐trip when the elements force me to put snow, sandstorms, and high winds. events is just as easy as hosting a the top up. Driving with the top up One might think that we are just local run event, but these are week‐ is a totally different experience, and crazy Miata nuts. However, until end events and provide the partici‐ I find that I become more tense in you have experienced the pleasure pants new experiences, new places, heavy bumper‐to‐bumper traffic. of driving the open road with the new roads, and good old Miata ca‐ When I’m driving with the top down in bumper‐to‐ bumper traffic, my senses come alive. I’m more aware of the surroundings, scen‐ ery, sounds, and the han‐ dling of my Miata. I travel the I‐15 corridor every day from Escondido to the Mira Mesa exit, and I pass many vehicles with ragtops or retractable hard tops during my hour or so commute. I would estimate that 99 percent of these drivers are commuting with their tops up and don’t have a clue what they are missing. They are miss‐ ing out on a great top‐down driving experience. maraderie. Our events calendar has numerous open weekend dates, and I would like to en‐ courage the membership to consider hosting some road‐ trip events. To get started, all you have to do is pick an in‐ teresting destination, map the driving route, and arrange for accommodations. Of course, you can plan many other things to include with the road trip, but that is up to you. If you need help plan‐ ning and organizing an event, the executive board is more than willing to give you all the help you need. When I’m driving with the top down in bumper ‐ to ‐ bumper traffic, my senses come alive. I’m more aware of the surroundings, scenery, sounds, and the handling of my Miata. So the next time you back your Miata out of the garage, Many folks consider driving an top down, you haven’t experienced remember to keep the top down, the <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">SUV to be a great driving experi‐ what the Miata has to offer. </li><li style="flex:1">sun in your face, and the wind in </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Road trips are a great way to get your hair. It’s the best driving ex‐ </li><li style="flex:1">ence for a variety of reasons that </li></ul>include the quiet ride. Others con‐ full enjoyment out of your Miata. In perience no matter what roads you sider high‐performance cars as great the past, SDMC members have or‐ travel, near or far. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">driving experiences. The I‐15 corri‐ ganized very few road‐trip events. </li><li style="flex:1">See you around the next curve! </li></ul>4<ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Twists & Turns </li><li style="flex:1">October 2006 </li></ul>Editor’s Column Impressions after one year with the NC JERRY STANDEFER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF inally, the California Depart‐ 30 miles per gallon. 9,000 miles ment of Motor Vehicles has later, I have been averaging 30–32 Fjoined the 21st century. This miles per gallon on the highway, year, I was able to pay my vehicle usually with the top down. Around registration online. No check writ‐ town, I have been getting 22–25 ing, no visits to a DMV office, and I mpg, depending on how heavy my received my new registration in less right foot is. This fuel mileage is ter‐ than a week. Efficiency from a gov‐ rific considering that I’m generally ernment agency—what a wonderful not a conservative driver. It’s too <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">experience. </li><li style="flex:1">bad that I have to feed it premium </li></ul>This event was so tremendous in fuel. my mind that I nearly missed an‐ other revelation: I have owned my Riding the waves <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">NC just two weeks shy of a year. </li><li style="flex:1">The NC’s suspension has been the </li></ul>Has it really been this long already? focus of a lot of criticism, from the It feels like it was just yesterday that Miata community and myself. On extremely intermittent. In compari‐ I was trading in my cherished 2004 one hand, it’s a wonderful little son, my previous Miata was already Mazdaspeed. So, how has this past highway cruiser. At speeds above beginning to rattle quite a bit at the <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">year been? </li><li style="flex:1">70 mph, the ride is so smooth that it same mileage. Rattles drive me in‐ </li></ul>would make Cadillac and Lincoln sane, so I’m very pleased with the proud. At lower speeds, the ride NC so far. Power to spare <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">The NC’s engine is one of the big‐ harshness is about on par with a </li><li style="flex:1">The engine’s smoothness also </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">gest improvements that Mazda has softly sprung family sedan. </li><li style="flex:1">lends itself to the feeling of refine‐ </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Despite the soft ride, the NC han‐ ment, along with the smooth sus‐ </li><li style="flex:1">made. Despite its small displace‐ </li></ul>ment, power is surprisingly plenti‐ dles very well. That is if you are pension. Some may argue that it all ful. Mazda was boasting about the willing to ignore the significant takes away from the classic roadster flat torque curve, and I am a be‐ body roll, trusting the car’s suspen‐ experience, but I’m not complain‐ liever. Downshifting is something I sion and tires. Even with the stock ing. just don’t do as often as I did in my suspension, I had absolutely no previous Miata, which is a shame problem keeping up with other Teething <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">because the new six‐speed transmis‐ Miatas in the twisties. </li><li style="flex:1">I have had a few minor problems, </li></ul>sion is so smooth and eager to please. Even at 2,000 rpm, the en‐ Pro‐kit springs, as described else‐ ality of the car. gine will easily accelerate. where in this issue [see page 14]. My cloth convertible top has a I recently installed the Eibach none of which impact the function‐ Because of the new torque curve, Now that I have it, my problem is to flap on each side that gets pinched I have developed a new skill: skip‐ not run into the Miatas in front of between the frame and the tension‐ shifting. It is very common for me to me in the twisties. (I suppose I’ll ing cable. The result is a small por‐ jump from fourth gear to sixth. I have to get into the lead pack to tion of fabric that sticks out when have also found myself shifting at really test these springs, as well as the top is up. These have not caused much lower engine speeds than I my courage.) The ride is a bit firmer, any leaks, but they look bad if you used to, and I’ll often find myself in but still smooth and a lot softer than notice them. The dealership I go to sixth gear at 40 mph. Not only does my Mazdaspeed was. this provide a more relaxed and re‐ has verified the problem, and they will have to send the car to an up‐ <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">holstery shop for repair, under war‐ </li><li style="flex:1">fined feel, it also helps out consid‐ Refinement </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">erably in fuel mileage. </li><li style="flex:1">The NC’s stiffer chassis really cuts ranty. </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">My first highway trip was the day back body flex. The whole car feels </li><li style="flex:1">The AudioPilot feature of the </li></ul>after I bought the car. I didn’t use very solid, with virtually no creaks Bose head unit doesn’t appear to cruise control, and I varied the en‐ or rattles, even over large bumps function. It is supposed to automati‐ gine speed as per the owners man‐ and potholes. With just over 9,000 cally adjust the volume and equali‐ ual for breaking‐in the engine. I was miles on the odometer, it still feels zation based on ambient noise in the impressed to find that I got a solid new except for a few rattles that are

Causarano 8 Feature When They Know Back Home Again

Details

Download

Copyright

We respect the copyrights and intellectual property rights of all users. All uploaded documents are either original works of the uploader or authorized works of the rightful owners.

Support