It was supposed to be one of those days—the good kind. A relaxed, fun, laid-back outing at the Grassroots Motorsports Track Day at the FIRM. A full day of open pit lane sessions, easy lapping, and hanging out with readers and friends at our official test track. Nothing too serious. Just good times.

Even better? We were joined by none other than Randy Pobst. And since he’d never driven our LFX V6-swapped Miata endurance car, I figured this was the perfect time to finally hand him the keys.

I walked Randy over to the car. He slid into the seat like it was made for him. “Glad you fit,” I said. “But let me take it out for a few laps to warm it up first. Then she’s all yours.”

What Could Go Wrong?

This wasn’t a shakedown run in some half-sorted experiment. This Miata has done dozens of races. We’d cleaned it, inspected it, and marked it ready after its last outing. The only thing left was swapping brake pads after the first session—standard stuff. Nothing sketchy.

So when I braked into Turn 1 after the longest straight at the FIRM, the puff of white smoke surprised me. So did the total lack of deceleration.

“Must’ve popped a brake line,” I thought. Then the car spun.

What I didn’t know yet? Oil was being dumped directly onto the track—and my tires.

And the smoke? Fire.

Surprise! You’re on Fire.

The car spun to a stop in front of a corner station, right as the engine bay ignited. In that moment, instinct took over. Thanks to years of practicing bailouts, I was out in seconds. Our in-car video confirms it: unbuckle, unplug, climb out, wave off the corner workers. The fire was already out, the car sat steaming, and a puddle of oil crept out from underneath.

Looking back at the photos, the fire was small: a few-foot plume from the hood vents, flaming oil dripping below. But small fires have a big appetite—and we lost 4 to 6 quarts of oil. That’s plenty to destroy a car.

The Cause? A Name-Brand Fitting.

Yep. A brand-name oil fitting on the remote filter adapter line failed completely, spraying oil directly onto the hot header. The fix took a few minutes. Because of the car’s SPA Technique Novec 1230 fire suppression system—with electronic, manual, and thermal activations—the fire was handled fast enough to prevent serious damage.

I was driving the car again about an hour later.

What I Learned (and You Should, Too)

1. Fire Systems Are Worth Every Penny.

Our oversized SPA Novec 1230 system saved the car. Period. Even a small fire can ruin your day—or your car.

2. Pull the Cable—Don't Think Twice.

From inside the cockpit, the fire didn’t look that bad. For a moment, I hesitated—should I waste a bottle? That moment of hesitation could’ve cost me thousands. Just pull it.

3. Wear Your Gear—Always.

Track days are “casual,” but fire doesn’t care. Most track days require just a helmet. I wear full race gear every time I get in a race car. That choice felt very smart as I watched the hood light up.

4. Practice Bailouts.

I drill every car, every event. It’s why I was out and clear in seconds. Don’t assume you’ll know what to do when it counts. Practice until it’s muscle memory.

5. Test Everything—Not Just the Obvious.

I tested the system’s trigger button before the session. But I hadn’t tested the full circuit since installation. That’s how I learned the electronic activation wasn’t working. Luckily, the manual cable and thermal bulb backup saved the day.

Track Days Are Fun—But Never Casual About Safety

This story could’ve ended with a burned-out Miata. Or worse. Instead, it’s a reminder that even casual laps on a familiar track can turn serious in a blink. Fire doesn’t care whether it’s a championship race or a friendly lapping day.

So ask yourself: Is there such a thing as being too safe?

We didn’t think so. Now, we know.

Stay safe out there—and pull the damn cable.

Post and details provided by: By Tom Suddard

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