Monday night I went to dinner with Josh, Kazuko, and Al in Los Gatos. We had some really great mexican food and margaritas. After that I went to Josh's house in Boulder Creek (the BC?) to have some home brewed beer. The drive down the 9 to his place was awesome. It was about 10pm so there were few cars on the road. I was following Josh and we were pushing our cars pretty hard.

But it was the ride back that was the most fun. It was 2am and there wasn't another car anywhere in sight. I was in the Miata, top down, and taking turns harder than I've ever taken them before. Weezer was blasting on the stereo :). That little Miata is pretty ridiculous. There is so much feedback through the steering wheel, shifter, and all the pedals that you know exactly what the car is about to do.

I was really able to put everything I learned on the track to use. I was braking hard in a straight line, using the entire lane, hands light on the steering wheel. I was pushing the car really hard for about 30 minutes and at one point I experienced some sudden and dramatic brake fade. Basically my brakes completely gave out when I was approacing a turn. Luckily I was able to slow down enough, but it was scary! The Miata has great brakes but this is why people upgrade their brakes when taking their cars to the track. After letting my brakes cool for a couple minutes, they were ready for some more action.

I also spun my car a bit later. It wasn't bad at all, I just did a complete 180 and ended up in the other lane going in the other direction. So I just restarted my car and went straight, then made a U-turn. it's the first time I've spun on a public road. Good thing it was late at night.

I need to get back out to the track soon! I miss it.