From the Car Cave. The Official Newsletter of the Indy Miata Club. Attention, Members! Volume 27 Issue 1 January 2016.

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1 The Official Newsletter of the Indy Miata Club Volume 27 Issue 1 January 2016 What s Inside Page 2 Classified Membership update Controlled Over-steer continued. Page Indy Miata Club Events Page 4 Christmas Party Report Page Regional Events Page 6 Miata vs Fiatas Page 7 Not So Technical Report. Page 8 Auto Zodiac Signs Page 9 Advertisers Page 10 January calendar From the Car Cave. By Ken Koehler, President Well, 2015 literally flew by. Here it is, almost 2016 and I am taking over as president of The Indy Miata Club. While I feel honored to be president of such a great club, I have big shoes to fill taking over from Tom Lewis, who did a great job this year! I (and "we" -- with your help) will have a definite challenge meeting the 14 events we had last year. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a late rally was added with about a week's notice which makes me wonder if the count was actually 15. Sara and I made many of the rallies and mingles and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We're looking forward to Marietta again next summer. It may just be me looking forward to it as I believe Sara was terrified over most of the roads (certainly couldn't have been my driving -- I wasn't even in the lead group). I hope being president doesn't mean you have to lead the rallies. I believe our ex-president (and several others, I'm sure) would be quickly frustrated by the pace I would set. I am slowed by my getting-rustier-by-the-year driving skills and built-in limiter (better known as Sara, my wife and navigator). So, our yellow SE is now, sadly, in hibernation with an attached trickle charger wire extending from its trunk. Being fortunate to have enough other vehicles, our Miata can stay safely parked in our garage over the winter. I do have a small project I will be undertaking before breaking it out next spring. After Sara and I purchased our '02 in Columbus, OH, the original radio kept losing its read-out. Since I, basically, paid the full price the dealer was asking (Don't ask, it was way too much -- but these are rare, right?), he was a man of his word and guarantee, and sent me -- for free -- another original Miata radio/cd player. All I had to do was install it. Simple enough, right? Wrong. Continued on page 2 Attention, Members! Your annual membership expired on December 31, dues should be submitted before January 31. Send to our new Treasurer, Ben Hecht, at the address on the top of our website home page.

2 Page 2 Open Road January 2016 Indy Miata Club Officers 2015 President Ken Koehler president@indymiata.org Vice-President John Lyghtel vicepresident@indymiata.org Treasurer Ben Hecht treasurer@indymiata.org Secretary Sonya Cady secretary@indymiata.org Membership Director Dick Cady membership@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. From the Car Cave, cont. CLASSIFIEDS 1997 Mazda Miata MX-5, M edition with hard top, and many extras miles. Price: $8,000 Call for more information. John Reba: phone More photos on club website Classified page Membership Update: 28 members. Welcome New Members! Robert Elliott Ruby Inskeep Kim & Kevin Marshall Marland & Lucinda Ratekin A few years back we had a tech session at Ray Skillman Mazda on Shadeland. I asked the techs from the service department how to remove the trim around the radio and swap it for another. They pulled up the schematic on their computer and said to pry it off gently. It must not have been the correct picture as the trim piece does not just "snap" off, but has two screws holding it in under the console piece around the shifter. So, in trying to pry it off, I broke it! Despite my best "modeling" skills of puttying, sanding and airbrushing, I could not remove the eyesore from my sight. Not sure anyone else noticed it, but it was always there, staring me in the face when I got in to drive. Of course I checked with parts but an OEM part cost over $400. One day while planning a meeting with Tom, I shared this story with him and he gave me several links to used Miata parts. "Lo and behold", I found the trim piece the first place I looked -- Ebay! For $35 I had my $400 part and it looks great, too! So, if someone out there knows how to remove the console piece under the shifter, I would be very grateful. I forgot to mention, Googling "Removing a radio from a Miata", I found the perfect video explaining the correct way to change out the radio. And, to make matters worse, the trim piece didn't even need to come out! So, my first project when I get the Miata down, is to swap out that trim piece! I still have that video saved on my computer if anyone ever needs to swap out a radio. Also, I have an OEM radio/cd player that does everything except display the time and station, if anyone needs one and doesn't mind that. My Sara and I plan to do another rally next year (2016). We really enjoyed putting together the clueless rally to Columbus, IN, last August. This year we're planning on doing one in a northerly direction. I need to get busy picking a date and getting it on, what I hope to be, a busy event calendar. If you're thinking about trying your hand at setting up a rally, don't be afraid of it. Sara and I were for years, but when we finally did it, we had a lot of fun. Remember, we have a big challenge facing us to meet or exceed the 14 or 15 events from 2015, and don't forget, the rally master is always right! So, you get to be king (or queen) for a day! I'm looking forward to my first event as president on January 16th at Le Peep Restaurant, on W 86th Street and County Line Road on the NW side, and meeting all our new members. We really will be seeking the input from our new members this year to help in planning, rallying and, generally, having fun! The board meeting begins at 10am (all members are welcome to attend), followed by the general meeting at 11am. Both breakfast and lunch will be available. I hope many of you can attend as I promised the manager around people. See you then!

3 Page 3 Open Road January 2016 It s not too early to choose a date for your 2016 rally, mingle or weekend trip. Get it on our 2016 calendar ASAP. Please report the date to Event Coordinator, John Lyghtel. Contact him at events@indymiata.org. Indy Miata Club Scheduled 2016 Events > January 16, annual President s luncheon & Officers meeting < All members are encouraged to attend. See details on time & location on our website. Sat., May 28, Night before the Indy 500 Mingle (organizer needed!) Sat., July 23, Night before the Brickyard 400 Mingle (organizer needed) Sat., November 5, Hidden Drives #14 Tentative 2016 Indy Miata Club Events April, 2nd Quarter Officers meeting April or May; Leavenworth, Madison or OTHER weekend June, Marietta Madness July, 3rd Quarter Officers meeting September, St Louis Fireworks weekend October, 4th Quarter Officers meeting December, annual Christmas Dinner-Party & Election

4 Page 4 Open Road January 2016 Our Annual Christmas Dinner-Party / Election of Officers / Gift Exchange What a grand & glorious party it was this year! The crowd was outstanding with 52 members in attendance. Our J. Razzo s meal was delicious. Mazda North American Operations sent a Zoom Zoom Box of prizes beyond anything provided previously. The election of officers for 2016 ( see below) brought forth some new members who will energize our club. And, the gift exchange was challenging with some very sought-after items. Personally, we had a great time with old friends and new. We re looking forward to the new year and activities galore in our refreshed Miata club of We hope you will give thought to contributing to the coming year s entertainment. Club Officers for 2016: President: Ken Koehler President-Elect (V.P.): John Lyghtel Secretary: Sonya Cady Treasurer: Ben Hecht Membership Chair: Richard Cady Webmaster: Sara McBride Newsletter Editor: Steve Crouse

5 Page 5 Open Road January 2016 Regional Miata Events in 2016 Here are some of the regional Miata events scheduled for next year. These gatherings are a great chance to meet Miata-fanatics from other areas of the U.S. They are tons-of-fun! Need help finding information? See links from the Non-IMC Events page on our website, contact one of our club officers, or search Miata.Net. April 21-24, Miatas at Myrtle Beach X, Myrtle Beach SC June 9-12, Zoomin the Mountains of East Tennessee, Johnson City TN June 22-25, Miatas in Utah VII, Deer Valley UT July 14-17, Cruisin CT 2016, July 28-31, Miatas at the Gap, September 15-18, Miatas Play Music City, Nashville TN

6 Page 6 Open Road January 2016 Which do you prefer? A rendering of the Abarth version of the Fiat 124 Spider.

7 Page 7 Open Road January 2016 Our Not So Technical Page Style bars vs. Roll bars Reprinted from Miata.Net Garage As Miata owners there are a number of reasons why you might be interested in a style/roll bar. Those reasons are the basic criteria you should use in selecting a bar. Once you have determined those basic requirements there are a number of types and designs that you will need to consider, many based on personal preference. Let's start at the beginning. Why do you want a style/roll bar? Chances are you either want to equip the car with additional safety features (maybe you're concerned about it being a convertible), need to meet a sports car competition/course requirement, or want to modify (improve?) the looks of the car. Herein lie the primary bases for your selection. A word of caution at this point, roll bar manufacturers don't usually promise a certifiable finished product, primarily because they can't supervise their bar's installation. Once it leaves their factory, they will usually wash their hands of any liability. If they do make such promises they are asking for trouble. The bottom line is that with whatever additional protection you think your bar might offer (be it style or roll), it is not a justifiable rationale for taking excessive risks. Drive safely. If you are attempting to meet rules or requirements, there some limitations you must consider. Check out Requirements (in Miata.Net/Garage/Exterior/Roll bars) to get an idea of just what you have waiting for you at the competition technical inspection garage. Style bars (designed solely for esthetics) include a number of configurations. Those that I am familiar with include a single wide hoop (that covers both driver and passenger), a double-hooped version originally introduced by Racing Beat (the Style Bar II) I believe, and a newer single hoop version that covers just the driver (reminiscent of the old Cobra bar) referred to as Racing Beat's Style Bar III. The latest I am aware of (just stocked by Brainstorm 9/29/95) is a modified version of the Style Bar II. In Brainstorm's version they have modified the ends so they now clear the top frame hinge knuckle to keep it from hitting the bar baseplate on the way up and down. In addition, Brainstorm's design replaced the flat stock baseplate under each hoop with continuous tubing as that currently connecting the two hoops between the seats. Style Bar Roll Bar

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9 Page 9 Open Road January 2016 Benefits for Indy Miata Club Members -First year dues to the Indy Miata Club after purchase of any Mazda -S-Plan Pricing to Current Members -15% off All Parts & Accessories -15% off Labor Rates -Maintenance for Life with the purchase of Any Mazda -Saturday Service Hours 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM -Free Cookies!! Contact Lauren Auld for more information. 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 S-Plan pricing to eligible customer s Extended Saturday service hours 7:30 3:30 US th Street Westfield, IN

10 Page 10 Open Road January 2016 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!