[mpeastend]

I was thinking about buying a Formula Mazda or the Pro Mazda after taking some racing courses in the formula cars. They are an absolute blast and I enjoyed the low driving position. Some people can't get used to the cramped cockpit & don't like almost lying down, but I loved it. If you do, I wouldn't go with any other car than the Mazda...the bulletproof/reliable Mazda motors are the big selling point. You shouldn't have to mess with anything there as they are sealed for competition. If you crash then you'll have big expenses with the Pro vs the regular Mazda due to the carbon fiber, etc...not exactly fixable by a backyard mechanic.

There is a big problem though, which kept me from buying one. As was explained before, the expenses competing in a series are monsterous. But what about if I just want to buy one and use it as a DE-type auto that is used on lapping days, Kojote, Chin & other events of it's kind? This is the route I wanted to take. Problem is that there is a fair amount of carnage that occurs at these type of events & if you're involved in it, a formula car vs street cars or other dedicated track cars, you'll always come out far worse. If you sit in one & visualize a crash involving you & another car on the track, the point is really driven home...good chance that you're going under the other vehicle.

Well, you say, let me just lap with other formula cars. Well there are no events of this type that I was able to find other than testing/tuning at a track just prior to a formula series race weekend, which still involves considerable expense (travel to series tracks vs local venues, etc), if they'll even let you use the facility since you aren't a series competitor.

In the end I decided against it just because of the dangers & expenses, but if you do, go for the Pro Mazda, you won't regret it. The performance will make even the hairiest street car seem tame. It's just short of a Formula Atlantic, but without the significantly increased costs.