OMG, We are Gonna DIE! Insane Spec Miata War at Watkins Glen HST 2023

This was probably one of the most intense races I have ever been in. From the beginning, the top 10 drivers were never separated by more than a second. After the restart, we knew it was gonna get insane and as the laps wound down we could see the desperation set in. We were going two wide and three wide in places you never go more than single file. Despite the insane wheel to wheel racing, there was nothing but a few tire marks and dented bumpers to show after the chaos ended.
Fantastic racing with Brian Henderson, Travis Wiley, Chris Ciufo, Chuck Mactutus, Elivan Goulart, Jordan Segrini Nick Bruni and more - 18 of us ran laps in the 2:16's and two went into the high 2:15's. That gives you an idea of just how close it was.
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On the motor racing front I compete in SCCA and NASA events around the USA. I race both Spec Miata (SM) and Super Touring Lite (STL) cars. My cars are prepared by OPM Autosports in Atlanta, my SM is powered by Rossini Racing Engines driving through Planet Miata gearbox and differential. My STL is powered by Nelson Racing Engines, and both cars are stopped courtesy G-Loc Brake Pads, with contingency support from Hoosier Racing Tire, Toyo Tires and Mazda Motorsports.
On the motorcycle front, I race Hare Scrambles and Dessert Off-Road Races, and do a bunch of long, multi-day trips on adventure bikes around the world.
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[@x3racer86]

Hey Danny, gotta say- you guys deliver on the excitement factor ! I mean I can watch all you guys and ladies across the country ( and now some in the UK) and it is so much better than GT or Super GT. Keep up the great work and professionalism. Much appreciation to all the drivers !

[@dannysteyn]

thank you for those kind words X3 Racer - much appreciated. With the popularity of Spec Miata, and its now proven (again and again) direct track to the pro ranks, it is attracting so many very talented drivers that are hoping to make it to the pros! This past weekend there were 19 drivers that lapped within 1 second of the fastest guy. So there are literally 19 guys and gals who legitimately have the speed to win, beleive they can win, and who are all wrestling for the same piece of pavement on the track. It makes for very compelling racing, and viewing! But when it goes wrong, and it often goes wrong, as none of us are perfect, and one of us can adapt to all the unexpected things happening around us fast enough, it gets really ugly really fast! That is the unfortunate side of something that has become so popular, very often it is that very popularity that kills it off. Definitely hope it does not happen to Spec Miata.

[@Dondes787]

Good stuff 💪🏼

[@dannysteyn]

thanks David - was pretty stressful behind the wheel for sure!

[@keithshamblin3444]

Racing Spec Miata was the funnest time I ever had, so many great memories

[@dannysteyn]

Glad to hear, so come back and join in the fun all over again

[@almedasmith4677]

what year Miata do you race?

[@dannysteyn]

Hi ALmeda - the camera car here is a 2002 VVT. I also race a '99. They both have different personalities. The VVT has more TQ, is great for tracks with lots of elevation change, slow corners, and is more forgiving when slightly sliding as it builds speed quicker. The '99 does better at the top end, and runs on longer, so it does well on tracks with long straights (Daytona, Homestead etc). You have to drive the '99 more precisely as the lack of TQ means it takes more time to get back up to speed. That being said, I have way more wins in my 99 vs my VVT. Hope that helps

[@2seater_mx5]

18:45 holyyyy! got sooo much bump drafting the speed into that corner was insane, nice control!

[@dannysteyn]

Yup, I was not expecting to get such a hard push, was expecting to roll through behind Chuck but got sent ahead of him and he let me through, Was a wild ride through the bus stop!

[@aventarikevin121]

great racing! you have to trust all of your competitors right there.

[@dannysteyn]

Spot on Kevin, after so many years of racing with most of these guys we have an idea of what each is going to do, and we all do it slightly differently. And the trust builds and builds, to the point we went into Turn 9 3-wide which is totally INSANE, and it could of ended so badly but we call came out on the other side! Pretty intense racing!

[@skipjrracing]

15:00 what are those bump sounds under braking? At first I thought it was your car, but it almost seems like it could be the sound of cars ahead hitting each other. What a wild lap afterwards! The pace at the front was so even there were practically zero passing opportunities until attempts ahead were made.

[@MRMIKE276]

Lol he plowed the guy in front at 15:00

[@dannysteyn]

@@MRMIKE276 I sure did

[@dannysteyn]

Ciufo went to the brakes way earlier than usual and caught us all off guard. And yes I was barely hanging on

[@MRMIKE276]

@@dannysteyn Spec miata baby