Wackojacko and Kovac's Track Mk2 MR2
Discussion
For the best part of a year I have been mumbling about getting a track toy, as my daily car is an enjoyable drive but not something I am very comfortable with tracking as its not the most exciting nor cheap to fix. This thought spiraled into action after a long chat with like minded PHer Wackojacko. Where we came to a conclusion using the incredible bit of beer math: A track car owned by two people has half the running costs for each person.
Many links where exchanged on facebook, From E36 328i (is there any other track car for today's petrolhead) to more left-field options like a Nissan S12 and then a incredibly tempting Alpina E34 (Not so much as a track car but more because its an Alpina) All this looking came to an end with the suggestion of a Toyota MR2.
Many candidates where considered, Less where viewed until we came back to the first one we laid eyes on. A lemon yellow MK2 Rev2 complete with a cage and a fair assortment of performance parts already fitted. I had a few concerns about it at first, Mostly because it was already a track car but these were overcome by the statement "Its yellow!", One ebay auction and two greasy envelopes of money later. I was greeted with the following sight.
Followed swiftly by
I had the task of following the car home, Meaning I had all the Aircon and interior to myself. However Wackojacko had a track car and a childish grin to go with it.
This process took up much of the day so we had to put the car to bed and struggle through another week before we could play with it some more.
Next weekend we found that It never takes either of us long to want to take things apart. This was the start of a long process to crack open the bumper and remove a few parts to loose some more weight from the car.
It turns out that removing the front bumper from the MR2 is not a trivial task and that an 18 year old car has a lot of rusty bolts on it.
This took us the best part of 5 hours to remove, Only to shed a few KGs of bar. In the mean time I removed the tints from the front windows as they where both starting to show their age and of questionable legality.
But enough of that, I give you our very yellow MK2 MR2 Rev2 Track car with the following spec:
Updates to follow
Many links where exchanged on facebook, From E36 328i (is there any other track car for today's petrolhead) to more left-field options like a Nissan S12 and then a incredibly tempting Alpina E34 (Not so much as a track car but more because its an Alpina) All this looking came to an end with the suggestion of a Toyota MR2.
Many candidates where considered, Less where viewed until we came back to the first one we laid eyes on. A lemon yellow MK2 Rev2 complete with a cage and a fair assortment of performance parts already fitted. I had a few concerns about it at first, Mostly because it was already a track car but these were overcome by the statement "Its yellow!", One ebay auction and two greasy envelopes of money later. I was greeted with the following sight.
Followed swiftly by
I had the task of following the car home, Meaning I had all the Aircon and interior to myself. However Wackojacko had a track car and a childish grin to go with it.
This process took up much of the day so we had to put the car to bed and struggle through another week before we could play with it some more.
Next weekend we found that It never takes either of us long to want to take things apart. This was the start of a long process to crack open the bumper and remove a few parts to loose some more weight from the car.
It turns out that removing the front bumper from the MR2 is not a trivial task and that an 18 year old car has a lot of rusty bolts on it.
This took us the best part of 5 hours to remove, Only to shed a few KGs of bar. In the mean time I removed the tints from the front windows as they where both starting to show their age and of questionable legality.
But enough of that, I give you our very yellow MK2 MR2 Rev2 Track car with the following spec:
- Cusco 6 point bolt in cage
- Buckets with TRS Harnesses
- Induction kit
- Custom De-cat S/S twin exit exhaust (98Db)
- Sachs Competition clutch with Exedy pressure plate
- Fully stripped out
- Japspeed short shift kit
- Sparco Wheel on Snap off boss
- Overhauled Brakes
- Lowered by 35mm
Updates to follow
Looks a good project. They race em in the Sprint Series, so they can't be bad!! Turbo or not?
www.imoc.co.uk is a great resource for them. Good luck!
www.imoc.co.uk is a great resource for them. Good luck!
LandingSpot said:
Looks a good project. They race em in the Sprint Series, so they can't be bad!! Turbo or not?
www.imoc.co.uk is a great resource for them. Good luck!
Thanks, Ill give IMOC a look over. www.imoc.co.uk is a great resource for them. Good luck!
Its a NA, I was tempted by turbos but the idea of keeping it simple to start won me over.
Bookmarked 
Will follow this with interest! They are quite good fun I raced one in the mr2 series.
More fun will be had with normal tyres, if you put A048's or 888's on it you will have more grip than grunt.
If you want to learn about mid engined car control put some sticky tyres on the front and leave cheap tyres on the rear, we tried this on a track day and it was great fun, will soon learn how to drive one after doing that.
You might want to put some extra weight BACK in the front of it though, a heavy trolly jack is a good idea.
Mr2 race series forum is here for lots of good advice
http://mr2championship.freeforums.org/mk2-class-b-...
More fun will be had with normal tyres, if you put A048's or 888's on it you will have more grip than grunt.
If you want to learn about mid engined car control put some sticky tyres on the front and leave cheap tyres on the rear, we tried this on a track day and it was great fun, will soon learn how to drive one after doing that.
You might want to put some extra weight BACK in the front of it though, a heavy trolly jack is a good idea.
Mr2 race series forum is here for lots of good advice
http://mr2championship.freeforums.org/mk2-class-b-...
Edited by rallycross on Monday 10th October 10:51
Thanks for the kind words guys.
We're undecided on Tyres as yet, it has Nangkang ditch finder pro's on it at the moment..... They will be destroyed at a Car limits day in Essex in the new year
Next up will be braided lines when we flush the brake fluid (just for peace of mind) also and oil change will be done just to start everything from fresh.
I will also be fabricating a passenger foot plate/rest to stop passengers hanging off the harnesses when breaking heavily.
Jacko.
We're undecided on Tyres as yet, it has Nangkang ditch finder pro's on it at the moment..... They will be destroyed at a Car limits day in Essex in the new year
Next up will be braided lines when we flush the brake fluid (just for peace of mind) also and oil change will be done just to start everything from fresh.
I will also be fabricating a passenger foot plate/rest to stop passengers hanging off the harnesses when breaking heavily.
Jacko.
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