Watching the Grip Fade – Miatacon 2024
Miatacon 2024 at Lime Rock Park was one of those track days that’s hard to forget.
October brought cool air, golden hour light, and some seriously amazing moments. But there was one thing that truly made this event stand out: I got to capture and see the first-ever built Mazda Miata prototype.
I’ve been to a lot of track days, but seeing this piece of automotive history up close was unreal. The Miata prototype was a throwback, yet it felt right at home on the track with all the other cars. It was a perfect mix of nostalgia and performance—and it definitely made my camera work overtime.
This wasn’t just any Miata—it was the one that started it all.
( The display stand read )
"This Mariner Blue Miata debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, lighting a fire under the world of driving enthusiasts. Decades of work led up to that moment, and it was the vision of people like Tom Matano, Bob Hall, and Kenichi Yamamoto that brought the MX-5 to life.
This was more than a car—it was the start of something iconic.The Miata’s creation was a joint effort between Mazda North America and Japan, with the North American studio in Irvine, California playing a key role in the design of the original roadster.
Its mission? To bring the joy of driving to life—something that’s still clearly present in the community today."
Miatacon wasn’t just about the Miata prototype—it was about the entire experience. The event had its own vibe: more about camaraderie and community than competition. Drivers were there for fun, to share knowledge, and to drive with passion.
For this track day, I took a different approach to documenting the event. I shot everything from a POV perspective—letting you experience the track through my eyes. From the tire wear to the sound of the engines winding up, every moment was captured to show the raw beauty of motorsport and the people who make it all happen.
One particularly cool bit of history that came up at the show: after the Miata’s debut, automotive journalist Dan Edmunds took a white 1990 Miata prototype racing in 1991, securing the first-ever motorsport victory for a Miata in North America at Willow Springs Raceway. With support from Mazda North America and motorsport-ready parts, he went on to set a new lap record and continued to log the Miata’s racing journey, highlighting the car's potential. ( Source: miata.net, SCCA.com )
Seeing that legacy come full circle on a track like Lime Rock? Surreal.
I’ll always remember that Miata prototype, and the energy it brought to the paddock. It was a true honor to witness that history in motion and to share that experience with all of you.
📹 Watch the video here – “ The First Ever Miata (Miatacon2024) POV ”
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behind-the-scenes moments.
