Natalie Fenaroli and her Spec Miata Race Car

Autobytel recently caught up with Natalie Fenaroli at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Natalie is a race car driver and was celebrating the Miata’s 25th Anniversary event with Mazda. As she prepared for a showcase race at the event, she gave Autobytel a walkaround of her Spec Miata racer. Cars in the Spec Miata series, which is supported by Mazda Motorsports, must be certain Miata models between the 1990 and 2005 model years. They are only allowed minimal modifications and have to use specific aftermarket parts, which ensures a level playing field. After Natalie’s first two seasons racing, her team owner gave her the car she’d been driving for him. Now, two seasons after going out on her own and four years into her racing career, Natalie knows the ins and outs of her Miata quite well. Natalie prefers to keep her Miata simple, with a radio communications system, a stock transmission (that she actually pulled from a Miata in a junkyard), a basic cooling system, and plenty of padding to help her reach the pedals. This Spec Miata features a 1.6-liter engine and stock racing wheels, and is fairly easy to take care of. Natalie says the Spec Miata class is relatively inexpensive, compared to other types of racing, which makes it especially competitive and fun. Mazda Motorsports is really supportive toward grassroots racing and teen drivers, said Natalie, which makes driving a Spec Miata car even better.