...and this was a known property and the additional 3-5 horsepower was considered by the ITAC/CRB when the classification weight was set on the car (versus others in the class not having that opportunity). It would really suck to have such a light car get a significant weight break simply 'cause Mazda shipped out 50 cars without power steering and everybody else had it as standard.

Nah, not a conspiracy. One is chance, twice is coincidence, three times a charm... [/b]
Are you freaking serious? Oh boy.

The 99's base models came without PS. PS was available in - coincidently - the 'power steering package'. That package was standard on any car that came through with an automatic. The Touring package and teh PEP (popular equipment package) came with PS as well. The 'Sports' package does not list PS as standard and does not list it as an option. Manual transmission only for the Sport.

I believe the 'Club Sport' version Trav is talking about was a 2003 model year only car.

Everybody OK now? Jeeezus. it's an old and tired routine.