Track Dog Racing

07/17/2026

I guess today's dress code was orange and gray. 🍊🩶

Even the Dodges understood the assignment. 😄

My Orange 30th Anniversary Edition made a couple of ND friends today here at Track Dog Racing, and I couldn't help but smile at the accidental color coordination.

Texas gave us a little bit of everything—storm clouds, rain, and sunshine. And I've gotta say... is it just me, or do Miatas look even more striking with a few raindrops on them?

Throw in a parking lot full of great-looking cars and good company, and I'd call that a pretty good day at the shop.

Thanks for stopping by, friends. We never get tired of seeing another Miata pull into the Track Dog parking lot. Until next time! 🐾🍊

07/16/2026

Every August, something special happens in the Smoky Mountains.
Miatas from all over the country find their way to one little corner of Tennessee and North Carolina. Some come to chase the Dragon. Some come for the mountain roads. Some come for the vendors. But most leave with something they never expected...friends who feel like family.
For us at Track Dog Racing, Miatas at the Gap has always been more than an event. It's a reunion. It's catching up with customers we've known for years, meeting new faces, swapping stories in the parking lot long after the sun goes down, and watching hundreds of Miatas fill the mountains with smiles.
The Tail of the Dragon may have 318 curves in 11 miles, but the roads surrounding it are just as magical. The Cherohala Skyway, Foothills Parkway, mountain overlooks, cool mornings, and winding back roads remind you why these little cars were built to be driven.
The countdown is on, and we can't wait to see familiar faces, make new friends, and spend another unforgettable week in the mountains.
We'll see you at the Gap. 🐉❤️

07/15/2026

🏁 The countdown to Miatas at the Gap is ON! 🏁

We leave Tuesday, Aug. 4th if anyone would like to join our convoy. We have also confirmed Gary (original OG, former owner of TDR) will be joining us this year for the 30th Anniversary.

Before you point your Miata toward the Dragon, now is the perfect time to give it one last once-over.

✔️ Fresh oil & oil filter
✔️ Clean air filter
✔️ Brake pads & rotors
✔️ Brake, clutch & coolant fluids
✔️ Belts & hoses
✔️ Wiper blades (mountain weather can change fast!)
✔️ Spark plugs & ignition components

The Dragon isn't just another scenic drive—it's 318 curves in 11 miles, and it's a whole lot more fun when you're focused on the road instead of worrying about your car.

Need maintenance items or replacement parts? We've got you covered. Order soon so everything arrives before you hit the road.

Get your Miata ready now so your memories are made on the mountain... not waiting for a tow truck off of it. 😉

We'll see everyone at Miatas at the Gap! 🐉

07/12/2026

Well... yesterday’s run took a tiny little detour. 🧡💚
With so many of our customers getting their Miatas ready for Miatas at the Gap, we completely understand that free weekends are precious. Right now, garage time is winning over extra drive time, and honestly, we love seeing everyone putting the finishing touches on their Miata’s.
So with a smaller group than expected, we decided to stay close to the shop and spend the afternoon at Cidercade instead. A few classic arcade games, plenty of laughs, and good company made for a great Plan B. We had an absolute blast! These games are like a step back in time. So fun! Thank you for a great day.
We'll be back on the road together soon enough. Until then, keep wrenching, keep checking those pre-Gap to-do lists, and we'll see everyone on the Dragon! 🐉🏁

07/11/2026

Route for today.

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

07/10/2026

Happy Friday. We will be placing the BULK Hard Dog roll bar order later today. If you have expressed interest in a roll bar (to be delivered here to Track Dog in Texas for pick up) please get your order (and payment) in today. Please pay the invoice if you have not, bar will not be ordered without payment. We will then know what we are working with when it comes to freight. That will be divided among participants upon pickup from here at the shop. Thank you. 😊

07/06/2026

📢 Hard Dog Texas Bulk Roll Bar Order Update 📢

First things first... if you've been trying to call us today, our phones are currently down. Apparently Monday and Spectrum never go together. 😅

Now for the roll bar update:
I have not forgotten about the Texas Hard Dog Roll Bar bulk order. I currently have about five people on the list. I still need to reach out to all of you and collect payment information.

We're going to leave the list open for one more week (ending 7/11) to give local Texas Miata owners a chance to jump in.

The goal is simple: the more bars we can get on the shipment from Hard Dog Fabrication in North Carolina, the more we can spread out the freight costs and help everyone save a little on shipping.

🏁 Get on the list
🏁 We'll contact you for roll bar payment information
🏁 Hard Dog ships the bars to us here in Fort Worth
🏁 Once they arrive, we'll divide the freight costs among participants
🏁 Pick up your bar and get ready for your next adventure

If you're a local Texas customer considering a Hard Dog roll bar, now is the time to raise your hand.
Questions? Email us a message. The internet still works... mostly. 😎🧡🏁
[email protected]

07/06/2026

🏁 🐉 MATG Countdown: August 6–9 is coming fast.
If you're headed to the Tail of the Dragon, now is the time to start thinking about your car—not the night before you leave.
The Dragon is 318 curves in 11 miles. It's one of the most famous roads in the country, but getting there and getting home is the real road trip. A little preparation now can save a lot of frustration on the side of a mountain later.
A few things worth checking before you go:
✅ Tires (including tread depth and pressure)
✅ Brakes and brake fluid
✅ Oil level and general maintenance items
✅ Coolant system health
✅ Belts, hoses, and battery condition
✅ Wheel torque
✅ Air filter and other service items you've been putting off
And don't forget the things that aren't bolted to the car:
✔️ Registration and insurance
✔️ Basic tools
✔️ Water and snacks
✔️ A plan for the drive home
The countdown has officially begun. Get your Miata ready now so your memories are made on the Dragon—not waiting for a tow truck in the mountains.
August 6–9. We'll see you at the Gap. 🐉🧡🏁

07/06/2026

The Mazda RX-8 is powered by the 1.3L Renesis rotary engine, a lightweight, high-reving, and award-winning Wankel design.

The RX-8 uses the 13B-MSP Renesis rotary engine, produced from 2003 to 2011. Unlike conventional piston engines, the Renesis employs a rotary Wankel design with a triangular rotor spinning 😵‍💫 inside an oval housing, eliminating reciprocating pistons and allowing a compact, lightweight engine layout. The engine has a two-rotor layout with a total displacement of 1,308 cc (654 cc per chamber) and was designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions compared to its turbocharged predecessor, the 13B-REW.

The Renesis engine is naturally aspirated and comes in standard and high-output versions. Standard models feature two intake ports per chamber, while high-output versions have three intake ports (primary, secondary, and auxiliary), increasing airflow and power. Output ranges from 189 to 238 horsepower with a torque between 216-222 Nm, depending on the configuration. The engine is capable of revving up to 8,200 rpm, providing a responsive and exhilarating driving experience.

Mazda introduced several innovations in the Renesis engine.
The RX-8 rotary engine is generally reliable but requires careful maintenance.

The Renesis engine won 🏆 multiple awards, including International Engine of the Year and Ward’s 10 best engines in 2004 and 2005. Its compact size, high-revving nature, and unique rotary design make it a favorite ❤️ among enthusiasts and a defining feature of the RX-8.

07/06/2026

Hot Wheels hunting confession: when I’m out searching for Miatas, I don’t always find one. But if there’s a Mazda on the peg, it usually comes home with me anyway. 😎
This week’s treasure? A Matchbox RX-8. Rotary fans, I see you.
And because we’re in the middle of our Rotrex Supercharger Sale, I’m going to toss one of these little RX-8s into a supercharger kit order this week. No forms. No secret handshake. Just a little surprise from one Mazda enthusiast to another.
Real Mazdas. Tiny Mazdas. Boosted Mazdas.
Now excuse me while I go check one more toy aisle. You never know when a Miata might be hiding there. 🧡🏁