SP Rides: Because Racecar!

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BY MICHAEL KITCHENS

Name: Cory Tomoyasu
Occupation: IT Specialist
Hobbies: Racing, cars and family
Year, Make, Model: 1991 Mazda Miata
Color: White and black with lots of stickers
Engine: 2004 Mazdaspeed turbo motor, DW300 fuel pump, FIC 900cc injectors, Garage star pulleys, Ballistic EVO2 battery, MegaSquirt2 PNP, Corksport 3-inch MSM exhaust, Greddy BOV, RRE catch can, Fidanza Flywheel, SS clutch line, ACT HD PP, Clutch net Kevlar disc, MSM six-speed transmission, MiataRoadster short shifter, Redline MTL for trans, MSM Torsen diff, FM downpipe, ARC SR20DET Intercooler, AEM dry filter, Honda EG aluminum radiator, 850cfm fans, silicone IC couplings, silicone vacuum hoses, silicone radiator hoses, AWR solid motor mounts, MiataRoadster phenolic spacer, extended intake manifold studs, silicone bypass hoses, flat top JDM manifold, Skunk2 throttle body
Exterior:
APR GT-200 wing and custom endplates, COT Wing mounts, COT NASCAR splitter, carbon canards, carbon finish panel, AutoKonnexion front wide body and rear flare, custom headlight kit, GV lip, RRE hood vent, Axis Power carbon top
Interior:
Willans Harness, Momo steering wheel, Bell works hub and NRG QR, Greddy ProfecB, Greddy 52mm oil pressure gauge, Greddy 60mm PH water temp gauge, Apexi 60mm boost gauge, Bride LowMax seat, Momo seat, NB MSM dash, Custom door panels
Suspension: Flyin’ Miata AFCO DA 750/450 custom valved, RB 1.125-inch front sway with brace, custom trans brace, Carbing front brace, MiataRoadster beatrush rear diff brace, Energy suspension poly bushings, R-package tie rod ends, Bauer ball joint camber extender
Wheels/Tires: 6UL 15 by 11 with 275 Hoosier A7, FM Wilwood LBBK, Crossdrilled/slotted rotors, E Compound wilwood pads, ATE SuperBlue fluid, SS front brake lines, H&R front extended studs, ARP rear extened studs, Magnesium lug nuts
Shout-outs: My family, SCCA Ohana, Jon Matsushige, Aaron Fukumoto, Marcus Ho, Sean Igawa, MiataRoadster, and so many more who helped this build get here.

A racecar, is in all accounts, a constantly evolving machine dedicated the pursuit of speed. Whether that’s competing neck and neck in a heated battle for track supremacy or shaving tenths off of a second in a timed lap. In a nutshell, “Because racecar” spells out everything you need to know when it comes to Cory Tomoyasu’s 1991 Mazda Miata.

Tomoyasu has been racing since he was a young lad — he recounted racing on the freeway when he was sixteen years old in a VW Rabbit GTi. His father was into VWs and passed on his love of speed to Tomoyasu. Soon enough, Tomoyasu was introduced to organized motorsports by Robert Igarashi, who talked him into co-driving at a local Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) autocross event. This was a major eye opener for Tomoyasu, primarily because Igarashi absolutely thrashed Tomoyasu by three seconds in his own ride — ouch.

From that point on, Cory was addicted to real racing — on-track, at an organized event and where it belongs. Cory admits his love of racing for various reasons. “For the adrenaline, the fun, but a lot of it is the people. They’re usually really cool and the SCCA family is super good,” said Tomoyasu. “They’ve helped me build the car, fix the car, (and) if I need a tow they are there for me.” Cory has also been to the mainland five times to compete in the SCCA Nationals held in Lincoln, Nebraska annually.

This once anemic 116HP Roadster has evolved into a higher form, so much so that it’s responsible for making Fastest Time of the Day (FTD for short) about twenty times thanks to its modifications which include a motor and transmission swap from a turbocharged Mazdaspeed Miata that has been thoroughly modified and includes a laundry list of components designed to improve performance from the OEM specs. The modification list is extensive so make sure to check the sidebar for all the goodies hidden throughout the build.

Visually, the ride catches your eye thanks to its bonkers profile. Splitters and canards abound on the front bumper are held in place by mechanical struts. The pop-up headlights have been gutted, allowing more air to flow over the AEM dry filter while a custom headlight kit peeks through. AutoKonnexion provides a wider stance thanks to the front widebody and rear flare kit while aggressive tones are given thanks to the RRE hood vent and Axis Power carbon fiber top. The rear features an enormous yet purely functional APR GT-200 wing with custom end plates.

The wheel and tire combo on this car is insanely aggressive. The wheels are spec’d to a massive 15 by 11 all around which provides a massive amount of contact patch for the super sticky 275 Hoosier A7 tires.  Thanks to the extensive suspension overhaul, this Miata literally sucks itself down onto the pavement allowing for impressive handling.

Cars like this defy description because they are racecars. Bred specifically for the track, their ultimate purpose is speed. For Tomoyasu, it’s a dedicated SCCA SSM (super street modified) autocross build so his choices were purely functional, however, you have to admit that it turned out pretty amazing. And according to Tomoyasu, when building your ride all you should worry about is what makes you happy. “Don’t worry about what others think, build what you want and what you love,” he said.

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