HiWire

Naked Eyes – Promises, Promises

I've been watching the Fujifilm X-Series cameras for years... the new X-S20 and the older X-T30 II are the kind of cameras at the top of my list. 📷

Congrats on the '91 NA Miata. She's a beauty! Dedicated track rats usually modify the suspension (tires!), brakes, and cooling first before touching the powerplant. The Miata has huge aftermarket support and a bunch of official Spec Miata racing series as well as decades of excellence in grassroots racing. If I was going to tinker on one (with some money), I'd get the older 2016-2018 MX-5 RF, as Mazda increased engine power in the 2019 onwards cars. Upgrading to forced induction and coilovers would increase speed and flatten the body motion Mazda engineered into the ND MX-5 suspension. The MX-5 RF is generally considered a hard top at least for lapping days, so you wouldn't need to install a roll bar or cage until reaching higher levels of competition.

But it's also great, as it allows you to use the full power of the engine and drivetrain when you can (i.e., full pedal travel). I think Mazda kept the basic power of the Miata engine the same for very good reasons (yes, they released the turbo Mazdaspeed in 2004-2005), because it works for the chassis and the intent of the car. Fun, but not overpowered like modern sports cars. People have certainly increased engine power in the Miata with turbos, superchargers, and engine swaps (including rotary engines), but it's important to be mindful of the overall balance of the drivetrain... putting a 500 horsepower engine in a stock Miata is just asking for trouble. A few competitors have risen to challenge the Miata, but none of them beats the Miata at its brief: an inexpensive, reliable sports car for everyone (Miata Is Always The Answer). The Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ is certainly a great coupe, adding passenger space and practicality, but it lacks the reliability and fuel economy of the Miata. Likewise with hot hatches like the Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai Elantra N, Volkswagen Golf R, Subaru WRX (sedan), and Toyota GR Corolla... they are fast and fun, but not rear-wheel-drive like the Miata, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaro (heavier cars).

I've been a passenger around the racetrack in both the Mazda Miata and a Porsche Cayman... you can go so deep into the curves and out very fast. Great cars for lapping and competing. Obviously, the Miata has the advantage in cost and weight, but it doesn't have enough power for some.

My other Porsche is a Mazda...

24 Hours of Le Mans!

The audience laughed when they mentioned the Mac Pro's $6,999 starting price.

I'm curious about the M2 Ultra benchmarks... otherwise, a bit of a snoozefest. macOS Sonoma dumps the 2017 Macs... a bit too soon, for my taste.

Rare AM stereo station tour at KYET (C-QUAM): Skipping to Pt. 4 at another station (WION):

Happy Birthday!

24 Hours of Nürburgring - Top Qualifying: Highlights:

Eydís Evensen

Happy Birthday!

The Boomer View of Music (Andy Edwards):

Chromatics – Closer to Grey

In case you don't remember a thing about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017 was a long time ago) - the new Zelda, Tears of the Kingdom launches on Friday, May 12:

Thought this would be appropriate, since it's been 70 years... curtana (kɜːˈtɑːnə) in British English noun: the unpointed sword carried before an English sovereign at a coronation as an emblem of mercy from Anglo-Latin, from Old French cortain, the name of Roland's sword, which was broken at the point, ultimately from Latin curtus (short) To Microsoft: Hey, curtana...

Happy Birthday, Shelly!

Up and atom! ⚛️

Better Diana than Richard Gere(?) 🐹

VHS, probably. The Blu-ray looks and sounds fantastic.

V: The Original Miniseries (1983) More than a fashion show

Happy Birthday!

Didn't even hear about this one until a few weeks ago... it's short but sweet!