Curves Ahead. The Official Newsletter of the Indy Miata Club. Volume 25 Issue 2 February What s Inside Page 2 Curves Ahead (cont.

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1 The Official Newsletter of the Indy Miata Club Volume 25 Issue 2 February 2014 What s Inside Page 2 Curves Ahead (cont.) Page Club Events Page 4 President-Elect Needed Club Classifieds Miata Drifting More ND news? Page 5 R&T s Million Mile Miata Winter Driving Tips Page Regional Events Page 7 Advertisers Page 8 Advertisers Curves Ahead By Gary Weidman, President As I write this, we re in the middle of winter, and spring seems far away. However, our thoughts are turning to trips we might take in our Miatas this year, and in many cases, vacation days are being requested, reservations are being made, and routes are being planned. Most of us who have had our Miatas for a few years have stories to tell about our travels. Linda and I have taken quite a few trips in ours, and we have a few stories to tell. Several trips have been to places regularly visited by Miata owners; others are more off the beaten path. Occasionally this year, I ll share some of these with you. One particularly memorable experience came near the end of a great road trip in May We attended a Miata gathering in Charleston, South Carolina and then visited Hilton Head before going on to Savannah, Georgia for a few days. We left Savannah mid-morning to head back to Indianapolis, and we planned to take the scenic way home, at least until we reached Knoxville, Tennessee. When we arrived at the Tennessee/North Carolina border, we considered driving the Dragon. even though we had driven it previously. As I recall, this was during a period in which one end of the 11-mile drive was blocked due to a rock slide, so we would have had to run it both ways, and then would have been back at our starting point late in the day, close to sunset. We had heard about the Cherohala Skyway and decided to try it out instead, with the intention of arriving in Knoxville before dark and then heading home via interstates. We found the Skyway to be well-maintained and very lightly traveled, and we were surprised to find that it rose more than a mile above sea level. It was early May, and spring was in full bloom everywhere else we had been, but at the higher elevations along the Cherohala, spring had not yet arrived. We drove for quite some time, stopping to take pictures and enjoying the views, before the trip took an unexpected turn. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I took an unexpected turn. (cont. on p. 2) THIS IS YOUR LAST OPEN ROAD NEWSLETTER! If you haven t renewed your membership for Don t miss out on all the news. Send your membership form & payment ($20) now! to: Indy Miata Club c/o Ken Rabbers, Treasurer 630 Lockerbie Place, Carmel IN 46032

2 Page 2 Open Road February 2014 Indy Miata Club Officers 2014 President Gary Weidman president@indymiata.org Vice-President vicepresident@indymiata.org Treasurer Ken Rabbers treasurer@indymiata.org Membership Director Darlene Evans membership@indymiata.org Secretary Joan Rabbers secretary@indymiata.org Website Editor Sara J McBride webmaster@indymiata.org Newsletter Editor Steve Crouse editor@indymiata.org The Open Road is published monthly for the members of the Indy Miata Club. The Indy Miata Club assumes no liability for any information contained herein, or injury or damage resulting from the use of this information. The ideas, opinions, maintenance or modification tips expressed are to be used at the reader s discretion. Individual contributors and/or the editors express no approval, authentication, or endorsement. Thank you. Curves Ahead, cont. We ve probably all laughed at stories of drivers who relied a little too much on their GPS devices and did something foolish like driving into a lake. While I m quite certain I d never make that mistake, what I did do was (in retrospect) laughable. After traveling much of the length of the Skyway, we were concerned about getting out of the mountains prior to dark. So, I consulted the GPS and decided to take the shortest route home. I knew the GPS would lead us in the right direction, but unfortunately I didn t consider the actual roads we d be on. I made a quick right turn on to Rafter Road at its intersection with the Cherohala Skyway, and our trip suddenly became one to remember. The turn-off appeared to be some combination of dirt and gravel. Of course, that should have been my first clue. But, while I don t seek out gravel roads, I don t necessarily avoid them just because they aren t paved. Linda immediately questioned my decision to go this way, but I somehow convinced myself that it would be a quick shortcut and we Rafter Road would be back on pavement soon. Of course, with every mile I drove on Rafter Road, I got that much further away from the paved Skyway, with no idea whether I was getting closer to a paved road ahead or just deeper into the woods. The road was curved and hilly, like many others in the area, but without the benefit of pavement or guardrails. In many places, there was a steep rise to the immediate left of the road, and a steep dropoff to the immediate right. We joked about how long it would take anyone to find us if I drove off the side of the road, since no one knew we were taking this route and in fact probably wouldn t even consider the possibility. Linda worried that she d never see her family again. We saw only a few signs of civilization: the occasional oncoming 4x4 truck, a small house or mobile home, a mailbox with no house in sight. We saw ramshackle houses and mobile homes that we couldn t imagine living in, yet I suspect that many of the residents were quite happy to be living away from the conveniences that we take for granted. We did feel a bit more comfortable after people at one of these homes actually waved to us. After all, we were the intruders; I can only imagine what they were thinking when they saw a Miata from Indiana on their road. I m guessing they had a good laugh at our expense. Of course, we eventually made it back to paved roads, and not long after, Knoxville traffic. On other topics, we are scheduling events for 2014 and encourage you to host an event. I know I keep mentioning this, but the club really is only as good as each of us makes it. Please seriously consider setting up an event. You can use events from the archives on the club website and simply review a route for changes, run the route in the reverse order, or use a portion of the route in conjunction with another one or with some new sections. As I ve said many times, it doesn t have to take a lot of time or effort. Any of the officers will be happy to answer your questions or address any concerns you may have. It s really not difficult, and it would be great to see some newer members (or long-time members who haven t planned an event before) give it a try. Your fellow club members will appreciate your efforts. Our annual Meet the Officers lunch took place on January 11 at Squealer s BBQ in Indianapolis. The food was great, and although attendance was light, it was good to see friends who we usually only see during top-down season and catch up on what we ve been doing this winter. I think we all appreciated the opportunity to get out and shake off cabin fever just days after one of the worst snowstorms ever seen in Central Indiana. I hope to see you behind the wheel of your Miata soon!

3 Page 3 Open Road February 2014 PTBR Indy Miata Club 2014 Events Post Tax Blues Rally 2014 (4/19/2014) Mark your calendar now for the annual Post Tax Blues Rally. Keep posted for updates on our website Events tab. Bob & Steve s Merry Miata Mission to Madison (5/02/2014) Join us for a spring weekend of mirth & merriment, driving & dining in Madison IN. Lodging information is posted on the Event page of our website. Make your room reservations before the cut-off date of March 31. Please register on the Event page so we will have an attendance count. American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day At Indianapolis Motor Speedway (05/21/2014) Mark your calendars now for the 2014 American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day. This will be the second year for us to participate as a club. We'll meet for breakfast, then travel to the track, where we'll have the opportunity to drive our Miatas on the famous oval. More details will be posted early next spring, but the date is firm. Marietta Madness Summer Solstice Celebration (06/20/2014) What better way to celebrate the longest days of the year than driving your Miata on roads that'll make you cry they're so good? It's our annual pilgrimage to Southeastern Ohio and the Midwest Mecca of Miata Roads surrounding the eclectic river town of Marietta, Ohio, where we'll meet up with old and new Miata friends from the Region for a weekend of driving bliss. Mark your calendars now for Friday through Sunday, June 20-22, 2014, and make your hotel reservations soon, before the rates start going up and rooms become scarce. Check the Event page of our website for updates. Southern Illinois Wine Trail Tour, 2014 Join Joan and Ken Rabbers for a weekend trip, October 3-5, 2014, to Southern Illinois and a drive along the wine trail as well as some other great Miata-friendly back roads. A lot of the event details won't be worked out until late spring but several things are known: The group will be staying in Marion, IL (hotel to be determined) where all drives will begin and end. We will plan for a group dinner on Friday evening. On Saturday (10/03) there will be a morning drive to Metropolis, IL where we will have lunch and a visit to the Superman statue. The afternoon will be spent along parts of the Wine Trail with stops at several wineries. Saturday evening will include a group dinner. On Sunday (10/04) there will be a morning drive to Garden of the Gods Recreation Area before having lunch and leaving for home.

4 Page 4 Open Road February 2014 Will you be the one to step up? PRESIDENT-ELECT NEEDED The President-Elect serves as event coordinator and Vice-President. The events coordinator maintains the schedule of events, recruits club members to sponsor drives, and does other jobs related to event management. This individual will also work closely with the President in order to prepare to serve a 1-year term as President in Please contact any of the officers/board members if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity. CLASSIFIEDS Gen. 2, Miata Body Parts for sale Brand New spoiler, rocker panels. Contact Saundra Kimmerling at berthie01@comcast.net or call Someone s been out playing in the snow! Could this be the new ND Miata? Naw! It looks too much like the Mazda 6 & Mazda 3.

5 Page 5 Open Road February 2014 Read about Road & Track s Million Mile Miata here: Safe And Relaxing Winter Driving Tips Irv Gordon, owner of the record-breaking 1966 Volvo P1800 with almost 2.5 million miles, suggests plenty of planning, knowing your car, and listening to the Man in Black among keys to safe winter driving December 09, 2005 Motor Trend Walking in a winter wonderland is fun, but driving in it is downright treacherous. Whether it's commuting to your job or roadtripping to visit family, consider the winter driving advice of Irv Gordon, the only person to drive more than 2 million miles in the same car: "It takes plenty of planning, a true understanding of your car, and the right music to make your winter driving safe and relaxing." Gordon, who has done more winter driving than just about anybody, is a 64-year-old retired science teacher from Long Island who gained worldwide notoriety for being the first person to drive more than two million miles in the same car, a shiny red 1966 Volvo P1800. Now at 2.4 million miles, Gordon takes delight in driving his Volvo to Philadelphia for lunch, Montreal for dinner or California just for the fun of it. "In the snowy states and in some sunny states, winter driving is as inevitable as that crazy, belligerent uncle visiting for the holidays," Gordon said. "Sooner or later, you're just going to have to deal with it. "While you can't control the elements around your car, you can control what you do with your car when it's 12 degrees, you're cruising on I-90 and a blanket of ice forms on the road," he added. Gordon offers these winter driving tips: Professionally winterize your car "I like to have a qualified mechanic give my car a full winter physical -- checking tire inflation, treads, battery, brake wear, fluids, etc. Get the cooling system flushed. Have him check all hoses and belts for cracks, bulges, soft areas and leaks. Inspect the brakes, rotors and the action of the emergency brake. The last thing you need on a cold morning is a frozen emergency brake because you failed to make sure all the linkages where free of road dirt and salt. And, for the love of Pete, put winter blades on your wipers!" Warm it up and fill it up "Is it a myth that you need to warm up your car or keep your tank full in the winter? Who cares? Don't gamble. On cold days, warm your car a few minutes to get its heart ticking. And, always try to keep the gas tank at least half full -- lest water, condensation, dirt and debris find their way in there. And remember, don't warm up your car and fill it up at the same time, okay?" Get proper grades on your oil "You really are supposed to use different grades of oil over winter months. Check your owners' manual and make the adjustments." Do all four snow tires "Instead of all-season tires, try four genuine snow tires. And, buy the best snow tires you can afford. It's still cheaper than paying for what happens after you skid into your friendly neighborhood light pole." Bring great tunes for the ride "Before heading out on a snowy day, grab your favorite records to play in your car; you'll have plenty of time to listen while sitting on the highway. My preference for the winter drives is Johnny Cash. Listening to Cash and driving in snow go together like a cup of hot, black coffee and a shot of fine, rich cream. AWD is great, but an AKD (All-Knowing Driver) is better "Some drivers swear by front-wheel drive for winter driving. Others attest to all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive. None of these will help anyone who will not help himself. Being patient, driving at proper speeds, and being completely aware of your surroundings is the most critical drive system you can have." Pretend there are six invisible cars in front of you "On icy roads, you can't control a tailgater, but you usually can control the distance of the car in front of you. I allow at least six car lengths in front of me on snowy days. That sometimes makes the guy behind me insane, but it gives me nothing but peace of mind." Know the ABC's of ABS "Anti-lock braking systems are blessings for winter driving, and these traction control systems on newer cars are miracles. But what good are they if you don't know how they function? Ask your service technician to review the systems with you. And, no matter how high-tech your brake systems, always keep a safe distance back, as they are not intended to shorten your stopping distance; their purpose is to help you maintain control." Pull over a block from home to wind down "Did a snowy evening commute turn your otherwise 15-minute drive into a two-hour nightmare? The last thing you want to do is carry that stress into your home to your family. If possible, pull over a block from your house and spend a couple of minutes taking deep breaths and unwinding. It'll make your abbreviated evening a lot more enjoyable." Buckle up "It's the most important thing you can do on the road in the winter, or all year-round for that matter. Plus, a Volvo employee named Nils Bohlin created the modern three-point safety belt, so I'm partial to this one."

6 Page 6 Open Road February 2014 Regional Miata Events in 2014 Miatas at Myrtle Beach VIII March 27th - 30th, 2014 The Sea Mist Resort is the host hotel for this event. To use this number and get our group rate, please call the Group reservation phone # Group reservation # is We are excited to be kicking off convertible season with this event during our traditional "last weekend of March" event. Please don't delay in making your Hotel reservations! Zoomin' the Mountains of East Tennessee VIII June 5-8, 2014! HOTEL Reservations are now being taken for Zoomin' at the Holiday Inn Johnson City, Tenn., 101 W. Springbrook Dr. JC CALL Request Reservations for the Tri-Cities Miata Event, June Miatas in Bryce, July 2 6, 2014 Join Gary & Kathy Collings for Miatas in Utah (Bryce Canyon). REGISTER NOW at the Utah Club Website <utahmiataclub.org>. You may register On-Line (PayPal) or by mail (personal check). The low cost fee is $45.00 per person. *IMPORTANT: It will only show 1 person so you manually have to enter 2 if you are going with your co-attendee (wife/husband, or better half). If you prefer to pay by check, you don't have to follow through with the PayPal. After you have registered on-line, you will get an on-line confirmation notice. Reserve your accommodations on-line at either the Best Western Grand (host hotel) or at Ruby's Inn across the street. Click on the dropdown box for the Hotel. Click the logo of the hotel you want to stay in and the hotel registration page will come up with the dates and the price for each night ($ for Grand and $99.00 for Ruby's). Put in your credit card number to hold the room. Make sure your card does not expire before July 2014 or it may not go through. Celebrating the 25th birthday of the Miata MX-5 Miatas at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 2014 September 6-7, 2014 Monterey CA Event Hotel: Embassy Suites ( OFFICIAL REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT OPENED DECEMBER 15TH Miatas Play Music City Verse 2 September 11-14, 2014 Registration is open now. Link to the event site via Indy Miata Club s website, Non-IMC tab.

7 Page 7 Open Road February 2014 Tom Lewis INSURANCE GROUP Hughes Insurance Group is an Independent Agency representing over 35 insurance companies. Our ultra-competitive rates assure that you receive the most value at the best price for all of your home, auto or business insurance needs. For a limited time, I m giving away a $20 gas card with an insurance review and quote for your home, auto or business with no obligation! If I m competitive, consider allowing Hughes Insurance Group to write your business. If I can t provide you with a better value, you ll have the peace of mind knowing you re properly insured at a fair price. Call or Indy Miata Club member Tom Lewis today! tom@hughesinsurancegroup.com Have a few dollars invested in upgrades? Ask about Agreed Value Coverage for your Miata!

8 Page 8 Open Road February 2014 Now celebrating 40 years! Exclusive Discounts for Indy Miata Club Members Tom Roush Mazda, Indiana s first Mazda dealer established in 1972 has not only the most experienced sales and service staff in town, but also is the highest volume dealer in Indiana. We hope to serve you in our next 40 years as Indy s premier Mazda dealer. In support of the Miata Club member s we would like to offer the following benefits: 15% off regular door labor rate 15% off any accessory purchase US th Street Westfield, IN Don t Forget Your Valentine! 2/14/14