Some of you might remember that I ran the Targa Newfoundland back in 2008 with Flyin' Miata as a sponsor. Well, for 2011, Flyin' Miata has entered a factory team. Really factory, we're entered as a manufacturer and will be running against Dodge, MINI, Kia, Mercedes, Audi or whoever shows up this year. By the way, I managed to beat the factory Dodge and MINI teams in 2008

It's going to be a bit different this time around. The rules have changed, and there is no longer any handicapping in the Targa division. So we've decided to step up to the plate and go for the big price. The Targa Miata from 2008 will be reworked as an Open class car, running for the overall victory. The big change is going to be under the hood. The high compression 2.0 is coming out and a high compression 5.7 (or 6.0) is going in. The car has the handling, now it will be able to vaporize straights. I'll be driving this car again with my wife Janel returning as navigator.

We're also bringing Elvis to run in the Touring class. This is a class for street cars, so we'll be leaving in the leather interior. The purpose of Elvis will be to show the world how fast a street car can be without giving up any comfort. Bill Cardell will be driving, and his navigator has yet to be announced.

I realize that there are no turbos on these cars - and no, we're not going to turbocharge those big engines But it's a big race, and I figure the MT.net community would be interested.

However, we need your help. We simply can't afford to do this alone. We're searching out sponsors and several companies have already stepped up. ASF Machine will be building the engine for the Targa Miata, V8 Roadster is providing the conversion parts and Hard Dog supplied the safety gear. But we'd like to give all Miata enthusiasts a chance to be part of the team.

We need to raise at least $10,000 to make this happen. If we can't hit that target by March 11th, we'll pull out of the race - that's the last day we can back out without a major penalty. If we only get partway, we may choose to just send the Targa Miata to compete for the win.

We're asking Miata fans to help out by pledging their support. Join the team and make a donation. If we hit our target, every cent will go towards the costs of running the race: entry fees, car transport and event costs. If we don't and we have to back out, we'll simply delete your pledge and we'll never charge your credit card. This is basically the same way we run our group buys.

Depending on how much you pledge, we'll make sure people know it. Everyone will get acknowledged on our website, even if we're not able to go. We haven't designed the special T-shirts yet, but we'll make sure they're super-cool ones you can wear with pride.
Fan (up to $50)
Team member ($50 or more) - get a limited production team member T-shirt that identifies you as one of the coolest Miata people around.
Patron ($500 or more) - limited production T-shirt only for patrons as well as your name on the cars.
Sponsor ($1500 or more) - get your name/business prominently displayed on the car and in all media communications.

Pledge your support

Full details, including car specifications

As you can imagine, we're pretty excited about this.

 

I'll pledge $50 if the T-shirt really is cool!

 

I'm psych'd for the build thread/page, I followed the 2008 Targa's religiously. I just switched careers and paid for a $800 class, so we'll see where I'm at financially closer to March. Good luck FM!

 

If we get close enough, we'll be able to take donations right up to race day. Heck, meet me on the side of the interstate with a jerry can full of diesel on the way to the race!

Shirts haven't been designed yet. We'll come up with something good.

 

How do you get to Newfoundland? By plane or on your own wheels?

 

Can we donate by purchasing FM parts?

 

Or your books

 

I suspect FM is asking for money outright because selling FM parts doesn't fully cover the $10k. Lets not gum this thread up with requests for special treatment or discounts in exchange for the pledge money.

 

If I donate money, can I get a piece of used tire, or some brake dust?

Seriously though, since this is a good example of "little dog vs. big dog", why not work out something with one of the larger automotive enthusiast blogs? Having the build as well as the race documented with pics, videos etc could be very interesting.

Also, what about pursuing some sponsorship from http://www.martini.com/ themselves?

 

WIN for us!!! hell ya!

 

Of course, buying FM parts does help us There is going to be a significant contribution out of the FM piggybank to make this happen, we just can't afford to foot the whole bill. That $10k? That covers the entry fees. We still have to transport two cars 8000 miles and cover the costs of a week-long, 1200-mile race with support crew.

One thing about individual donations is that they'll help us land larger sponsors. A big show of interest from the community helps us convince others that it's worth investing in the team. So even the smallest donation helps. If you want to make a contribution in an amount that's not listed on our site - larger or smaller - just contact me at keith@flyinmiata.com. And I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'm the largest individual sponsor of the team.

We have talked about auctioning off some memorabilia. Used tires? Not a problem, I've got some from the 2008 race available right now. Available either flat-spotted and worn out, or still viable But if there is something you might be interested in as a memento, don't be afraid to suggest it.

In 2008, I towed the car out and Janel flew out to meet me. We'll probably do something similar this year, with one or two team members (ie, me) bringing out the cars and the rest flying. It does mean the cars will be making a cross-country trip, so if I can work out the logistics I'd love to meet up with clubs on the way. Draw a line from Grand Junction to Newfoundland and you'll get a pretty good idea of the route- it's about 50% I-80 and 50% Trans-Canada Highway.

I'm on the fence about hitting up Martini. See, we never asked for permission to use their livery I might give it a try, but it would be a shame if their lawyers made us repaint the car instead of supporting us. As for publicity, we're working on that. We're planning on having a member of the press working as navigator for Elvis. Regardless, the builds will be fully documented with pictures and video.

 

Get Rutledge Wood to navigate and maybe have Top Gear US pay for it.

 

damn get some FM stickers for a buck or so and i will show my support with money and slapping it on the car. i been waiting for a day like this for a long time

 

FM stickers are free, you just have to ask

 

I would like a couple. After all I am running your stuff lol.
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Pics of 50 dollar shirt? How much have you made so far?

 

We don't have the shirt designs done yet. Mike's working on that, and we may have a couple of options for people to choose from.

Response over the weekend was very good - we'll have the names up on the website later today after we go through the orders on the website. A good start, but we still have a long way to go.

About the stickers - we might do a special Targa Newfoundland sticker that we'll sell for fundraising. But if you want an FM one, email me at keith@flyinmiata.com.

 

If you're taking the I95 to the TransCanada and going by Fredericton, New Brunswick (about a day's drive to St John's, NFLD) on the way let me know and I'll do what I can for ya.

 

Last time I did go through Fredricton after passing through Quebec - I crossed the border at Sarnia and went north of a couple of the Great Lakes. I'd have to check our overnight stops, but that might actually work.

 

Sounds good, just putting out there once you get your road map sorted out.