From GTI to Miata: Nisa Borghi’s Autocross Journey

This week on Late to Grid, Bill sits down with Nisa Borghi to talk about her path into motorsports—from giving her VW GTI a personality on Instagram, to celebrating 100K miles at her first autocross, to taking on the challenge of a rear-wheel-drive Miata.

Nisa shares what it was like stepping into the SCCA community, co-driving with her husband, flagging at Nelson Ledges, and learning the ropes as a woman in motorsports. From trackside lessons to social media connections, her story shows how passion, persistence, and community fuel the journey.

Whether you’re curious about autocross, looking for your motorsports tribe, or just love a good “late to grid” story—you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this episode.

00:00 – Meet Nisa Borghi: Friends, GTIs, and getting started
01:14 – Growing up on NASCAR, rally, and Gran Turismo
02:28 – From video games to first autocross in Ohio
04:12 – Rolling into SCCA: nerves, community, and cone earrings
06:07 – Advice for first-timers: fun first, speed later
07:12 – From GTI to Miata: learning manual & rear-wheel drive
09:59 – Buying the Miata: quirks, surprises, and check engine “button”
13:14 – Competing in class & chasing upgrades
13:42 – Being a woman in motorsports & volunteering as a flagger
15:27 – Trackside perspective: flagging at Nelson Ledges
18:38 – Explaining autocross: obstacle course for cars
21:12 – Course walks, “scaring the cone,” and cone tricks
24:00 – Worker roles: shagging cones, tech, grid, timing & scoring
27:02 – Awards, gift cards, and fun extras at events
28:08 – The most rewarding part: progress and improvement
29:07 – Packing for race day: snacks, hydration, and pro tips
31:36 – How to get faster: data, seat time, and coaching
34:11 – Where it leads: goals in SCCA, IMSA, and beyond
35:58 – Advice to young women entering motorsports
37:06 – Learning from social media & building community
40:07 – Best autocross advice: “scare the cone”
42:30 – The Late to Grid question: Nisa’s porta-potty story