New MX-5, post trackday thoughts

[Shad]

I think by now, anyone who knows anything about cars respects the MX-5 (whichever generation) for the drivers car that it is. If not, hopefully I can change your mind

I took my parents' new MX-5 to Castle Combe on Monday for a track day. It's a mid-spec 2.0, 5 speed with an annoying boot rack on the back. I drove it earlier in the year at North Weald on a 'car limits' day which gave me a good indication of how good the chassis is, but there wasn't much space to get up much speed.



On a nice open circuit like Combe it comes alive - it really does handle beautifully! You have to switch the traction control system off or it will get upset very quickly, and the ABS cuts in far too early, but after a few laps it was clear that the chassis is very nicely balanced and the limited slip diff makes getting on the power early a very safe thing indeed! In fact, I had to flick it into a chicane off the power and jump on it again in 2nd to get even a hint of oversteer.

This does highlight its only problem - the engine. It desperately needs another 20-30hp, maybe a touch more. I like to trim the attitude of a car using the throttle and if you push deep through Quarry you just get understeer. Fair enough, it's a road car and it needs to be safe, but that's about its only downside.

The brakes did very well considering I wasn't exactly being shy with the braking points. Pedal travel increased during each session but I didn't get any fade and that helped with confidence. Trail braking is an absolute must though to keep the car stable when turning into the corner, and once you realise that the initial uncertainty the car has when you turn in is nothing to worry about, it's just such a joy to drive!

So those are my thoughts. It's a brilliant car to drive even on standard road tyres, standard suspension, standard brakes. Don't ever knock an MX-5 again - you have been warned

Here's a short 5 minute video - http://stage6.divx.com/user/NiknakMo...be-August-2007

[Zak33]

You have to switch the traction control system off or it will get upset very quickly, and the ABS cuts in far too early, but after a few laps it was clear that the chassis is very nicely balanced and the limited slip diff makes getting on the power early a very safe thing indeed! In fact, I had to flick it into a chicane off the power and jump on it again in 2nd to get even a hint of oversteer.

This does highlight its only problem - the engine. It desperately needs another 20-30hp, maybe a touch more. I like to trim the attitude of a car using the throttle and if you push deep through Quarry you just get understeer. Fair enough, it's a road car and it needs to be safe, but that's about its only downside.

The brakes did very well considering I wasn't exactly being shy with the braking points. Pedal travel increased during each session but I didn't get any fade and that helped with confidence. Trail braking is an absolute must though to keep the car stable when turning into the corner, and once you realise that the initial uncertainty the car has when you turn in is nothing to worry about, it's just such a joy to drive!

Don't ever knock an MX-5 again - you have been warned

ABS and Traction control cutting in too early are a modern bugbear. With some pride I can say Saab have got this exactly right, as I never get any lights on my dash, not even ESP, and in the Vauxhall models they are on loads on the same roads.

The engione power issue has always been an MX-5 thing, sadly, and that's why BBR did such good business on turbo's, but I'd also say that those cars, for track days, could do with a good gearbox. A really well cut, well ratio'd Quaiffe kit would do wonders.

And lastly...I guess that car doesn't have the tight limited slip diff that the older imports had. DR had one, and it was bloody exciting, and trail braking involved nearly as much oversteer as "foot down" as the diff grabbed the back wheels and slowed them.

It is , as you state, time that the "hair dressers car" image died, once and for all

[Zak33]

ps: lovely colour

[DR]

Good post bud - interesting... I'd like to see you take a Eunos with an LSD around the track and less of the electrical gadgetry and see what you get out of it.

[Shad]

Absolutely, I think an old school Eunos would be fantastic fun. Modern aids are killing drivers cars - we really do need a big red button that turns *everything* off. That's why I love the CRX so much, it's just pure essence of car.

I was quite enjoying giving tuition to other drivers throughout the day too; it's great to see people apply what you tell them and gain confidence in themselves and drive faster

Zak, we could make a long list of improvements to make it a more focused track car including the gearbox (a closer 2-3-4 would have helped as taking Quarry in 3rd really hurt the exit speed), but at the end of the day what impresses me most is that it's something you can use every day come rain or shine, and yet in totally standard trim it's a hoon around a track!

[Vimeous]

Quality motor being driven properly.
Ain't Castle Combe fun
Even so you might find a different circuit might suit the car better as the big main straight and sweeping right-hander would seem to suit big hp over handling finesse.

Oh and Shad I want your funds for all these trackdays! lol

G would have a MX5/Eunos in a shot and I'd be quietly grinning from ear-to-ear! It'd be a fight for the keys

[dangel]

ABS and Traction control cutting in too early are a modern bugbear. With some pride I can say Saab have got this exactly right, as I never get any lights on my dash, not even ESP

...needs to try harder and stop driving like a granny

[Jay]

you a member of the MX5 owner club?

[Shad]

No, don't think dad is either. Is it worth it?

[Zak33]

Oh and Shad I want your funds for all these trackdays! lol

i think track days represent someof the best value-for-money entertainment around

[Vimeous]

i think track days represent someof the best value-for-money entertainment around

Fun rated

Cost
I'm pretty confident I'd need a pair of tyres and possibly brake pads.
And I'm pretty sure the seat would have to come out for me to fit with a helmet on

I like Shad's solution, stuff the roof!