The 20th
Anniversary of the
Miata MX-5 is sponsored by ONDAGO
DJ and the Moose Den B&B.
1989
AKMC
2009
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The 20th
Anniversary of the
Miata MX-5 is sponsored by ONDAGO
DJ and the Moose Den B&B. |
|
ABOUT US The Alaska Miata Club website is owned by the AKMC.
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| '09 Mazda Miata Facelift Rumors say that the Mazda will put the "Miata" name back, also that next years model will get a simple facelift without the "MX-5" name. No mention of the special 20th Anniversary model or the Mazdaspeed version. Here is the preliminary list..
MT HP increase 166 to 167, 6AT Highway MPG increase 27 to 28,
Improved intake sound, Improved Suspension (there is no mention of what they did
to improve it), 16" & 17" wheels both changed, Front and Rear
Facia, Headlights, Taillights, and Side sills New Chapter, Mat-Su Miatas
Even though the 5th Anniversary season only had a few events a lot has happened to several members. This includes Blake's move to Palmer. With him moving there it was only natural to let him start his own chapter and recruit some new members for next years 20th Miata Anniversary. The Mat-Su Miatas forum section is already up and hopefully we can get things moving from both directions with more events and members to enjoy. The Palmer Chapter would include Palmer, Eagle River, Wasilla and other nearby towns and areas. Congratulations to Blake for this huge task! I will meet with you for some ideas after you settle in and have time. GDZLLA, 09 GTR Spied
If you have seen the black Nissan Skyline GTR rolling around town or drag racing at the strip. The news is it might be Ryan's, an AKMC member. I could be wrong but I seriously doubt it. I emailed him congratulations and tried to schedule a private viewing so we shall see if we get an up close and personal view of his modern super car and so far the only one in Alaska. PCA Autocross #4 = Rescheduled
The PCA Autocross was cancelled due to road paving and construction. There was no access to Bartlett High School. The PCA has rescheduled #4 and #5 for Sept 7th and the 21st. Come out and have fun with fellow members. We have extra helmets and OZINGA for you to try. Events start at 9 AM, tech and registration. Cost is $35 and the event starts around 11 AM. PCA Autocross #3 = Fast Fun
PK, Mike, and Blake went to the PCA autocross Sunday to represent and have a good time. The course was fast and tight. Alex took some footage. Eventually we will have it up on YouTube. PK said he had fun and will be at the next one in August. We hope to see more members there. Happy 5th Anniversary!
Yes, the AKMC is five years old. Do you remember Day One? Did you see the fastest Miata in Alaska, LEELOO? Did you meet our Japanese guests from the Kanazawa Roadster Club (KRC)? Did Mr. Toshihiko Hirai personally sign your trunk lid? Were you there when the 14 Miata record was set? All of these events happened in just five short years. The 5th Anniversary Potluck Picnic was no different. Memories such as AKMC Birthday cakes and "Did you lock my Miata keys in my trunk?" just made it good times that will be with us for the next 5 years. It didn't rain and five Miatas were present: LittleGreenMiata (TOOFUN), OZINGA, PKIZZ, SMURF, KAZOOM, and even a BMW Z4.
Members present included PK, Howard and Arlana, Alex, Blake and Emily, Mike, Marilyn, Kristi and Josh. Meera took the photo. Special guests included Larry and Carmen with the Z4 and ONDAGO Mobile Entertainment John and Kato. Food included chicken, hot dogs, Marilyn's potato salad, home made guacamole sauce, cakes and soda too. Looking forward to next year which will be the Miata's 20th Anniversary.
Miata World II If you are wondering what the Lower 48 will do to celebrate the Miata's 20th Anniversary it will be in Texas. Basically $300 per person with a circuit track, drag strip, and autocrossing. They will also be giving away a 2009 Limited Edition to one lucky participant. Check out the site to register for Miata World II which will boast over 1500 Miatas! Plan for the Rumble 2009
Every year we miss the Rumble at Mirror Lake because of the Midnight Sun Fun Run to Fairbanks. Even if Solstice doesn't land on a weekend the Rumble is still scheduled in the evening which conflicts with work schedules. Well, it is about time that the AKMC checks it out. So, the Rumble will be added to the '09 Season and replace the Midnight Sun Fun Run. I am not sure if the MSFR will be moved or just removed for the next few years. The Homer Spit Run has been on the back burner just waiting to be ran. Luckily for us, Howard is volunteering to host that HARDCORE event next season. No hope for Hope Bad weather, website down, no turnout for Hopes 2nd try. This is a good run if the weather ever decides to give it a chance. PCA Autocross #2
Another good time at Bartlett. No Miatas this time, but no rain either. Everyone schedule for the July event. 12th Annual KOOL Cruise Well, there was one Miata representing the AKMC at the KOOL Cruise. It was RADIKA, the only 2005 Mazdaspeed Miata in Alaska. The Velocity Red paint was still great even with 14,000 extra miles on her. She was sporting Magnacore 8.5mm wires along with her happy crew, Don and Martha.
Mike brought the FD with the RotaryRedlines to get baseline runs. The show and shine was great as the weather and the people. We got free donuts and registered to win some Elton John Tickets. Then we cruised to Palmer to get some free hotdogs and ribs. Man, it was a record turnout and it took a while to get the free "run what you brung."
I hope more AKMC members get interested in the car show aspect of our Miatas. As well as someone who enjoys drag racing their Miatas. It is all part of the experience being there at KOOL Cruise together as a club. See you at the Hope Lodge Run and the yearly Potluck Picnic. Emails will be sent out. PCA Autocross #1 = Cheap Fun
Mike and JENNY were the only ones who showed up those Porsches. LOL! It was another good time since it didn't rain. The course was tight as usual with a spinner cone, slalom, and a crisscross. JENNY ran a 57 sec where the fastest Porsche ran a 52 sec! I hope to see more of you new and old to come out and have some friendly competition. Not to mention have fun with your Miata. There are three more scheduled, June 8, July 20, August 17 and September 7. Only $35 per event. Sheep Mountain Lodge Run CANX. This was due to a low turn out. Only Blake and Mike showed up with JENNY and SMURF. We celebrated Blake's 25th birthday by treating him to Iron Man. Happy birthday Blake! I hope you had a good day. This will most likely be rescheduled. Iron Man, two thumbs up!
All present were Alex, PK and Sarah, Mike, Todd, and Ryan. We all sat in one row and had a blast watching this summer block buster. The papers gave it a four star rating. The CGI was incredible and the war on terror worked well with Iron Man's origin story. If you watch the film until after the end credits it will be revealed that the Avengers movie is coming. That means Captain America, Thor, Iron Man and War Machine, the Hulk, Ant Man, the Wasp, and a black Nick Fury. Brr...Thaw Out Run
I knew the turnout was going to be low since I didn't get the email reminder out. Four members came out with three cars. Scott and Gayle with GROCKLE, Blake with SMURF, and Mike with the FD. We decided that Portage was too far and cut it down to a run to Girdwood and have lunch some place different.
It was a clear drive and the weather looked great. But if you ask Blake it was way too cold. I think I am getting old too, cause I closed my sunroof. I couldn't imaging taking JENNY without a top. Were we really this crazy the first four years?! Anyway, cops were out in force. Saw a few nice rides but it was basically us having fun together. We ate at a restaurant called the Silvertip Grill. The food was fine as we drank some hot chocolate. It was a very comfortable place as we got to know each other. It was a good practice of the basic convoy procedures. We all learned something to have a safe and wonderful season. No digital pictures for this run. See you all in May for the 5th year Anniversary party. We will do phone contacts to ensure maximum turnout. I just hope the weather cooperates. Miata Fool's Meet
The 5th year anniversary season starts out with a record breaker at the Miata Fool's Meeting. This was probably due to good weather even if the meet was at 6 pm. There were new and old members, along with a few surprises. All present was Marilyn, Chuck, Jeff, John, Marc, Chris, Jon, Alex, Blake, Mike, Scott and PK taking the picture. Thanks to everyone for making this a great start to a wonderful season. The Miata Fool's meet was dominated with OTMs such as a Probe, CRX, FD, FC, Celica, 4Runner, and a Taurus. Four Miatas were there, two NAs (SMURF and PKIZZ), an NB (MIDNIGHT), and an NC (GROCKLE). The meeting only lasted 30 minutes summarizing club activities for this season. The local Rotary Engine club showed up to give some support. The next event will be the Thaw Out Run on Saturday, April 12th. OTMs welcome of course. 5th Anniversary DVD Interview All members will be asked to be interviewed on camera sometime this season. This is for the 5th Anniversary DVD project. Have your car clean and be ready to answer specific questions. We can get members at any event or you can schedule an appointment if you wish. See you soon! Meet and Greet '08 Brought out the usual suspects with an unusual Hyundai Tiburon. Blake, Mike, Jon, Alex, and Eric all showed up at Barnes & Nobles parking lot. Blake's blue Miata SMURF showed up along with Jon's CRX, Alex's Probe, and Eric's Tiburon. It was the regulars taking a close look at Eric's car. The NOS, the wild body kit, Lambo doors, leather interior, and underbody lighting are only a few of the custom items he spent on. We hope he continues to overdo this hobby and show it off at the local car shows. Maybe even get published in one of the many car magazines out there.
Kudos to Blake who emailed everyone and hosted his first official event. Looking forward to working with you as an AKMC representative. Look for all his new projects like the monthly dinners, new website format, and other things he will personally make better for everyone this 5th year anniversary. Blake, I need the pictures from the meet. Also, check the forum for the new events schedule. NC MSM Mid 2008
2008 Tokyo Autosalon in January will also feature an NC Miata prepped by Mazdaspeed. No stat sheet was provided to give a hint of what is under the hood. These two pictures show the full body kit, seats, tire combination, and steering wheel.
The next Mazdaspeed Miata is heavily anticipated and due to the Pontiac Solstice GXP many are wondering which turbocharged engine Mazda will use. They have the 2.0 or 2.3 liter versions to choose from even though this is just a concept simply with all of the Mazdaspeed trimmings. |
