RE: Driven: Mazda MX-5 GT race car
Discussion
Dan Trent said:
Boxsey; to be entirely fair the giant-killing aspect stems more from the fact that it's a standard (ish) looking MX-5 rather than a cheap car built by an enterprising enthusiast but I hope the article got that across!
In answer to the 'how much does it cost' thing nobody at Jota was prepared to put a number on it and it's an ongoing project with funding from Mazda. You can be sure it hasn't been cheap and you can do some rough totting up by looking at the hardware that's gone into it. I did ask Jota how much a customer car to this spec would cost, were it ever to happen, and they said it would have to be under six figures but by how much who can say. Hope that helps a bit!
Now a Ginetta G50/G55 would probably be a more competitive and cost-effective off-the-shelf racer for comparable money but where's the satisfaction in getting a podium in that when you can do the same (and here we come full circle!) in an MX-5 that could, at a pinch, pass as a road car.
Cheers Dan. Don't get me wrong, it sounds like a great, fun package. I'm not a racer but it sounded interesting from a trackday perspective. In answer to the 'how much does it cost' thing nobody at Jota was prepared to put a number on it and it's an ongoing project with funding from Mazda. You can be sure it hasn't been cheap and you can do some rough totting up by looking at the hardware that's gone into it. I did ask Jota how much a customer car to this spec would cost, were it ever to happen, and they said it would have to be under six figures but by how much who can say. Hope that helps a bit!
Now a Ginetta G50/G55 would probably be a more competitive and cost-effective off-the-shelf racer for comparable money but where's the satisfaction in getting a podium in that when you can do the same (and here we come full circle!) in an MX-5 that could, at a pinch, pass as a road car.
However, a bit worrying that they chose £100,000 as an arbitrary figure to pitch it under!Dan Trent said:
Boxsey; to be entirely fair the giant-killing aspect stems more from the fact that it's a standard (ish) looking MX-5 rather than a cheap car built by an enterprising enthusiast but I hope the article got that across!
In answer to the 'how much does it cost' thing nobody at Jota was prepared to put a number on it and it's an ongoing project with funding from Mazda. You can be sure it hasn't been cheap and you can do some rough totting up by looking at the hardware that's gone into it. I did ask Jota how much a customer car to this spec would cost, were it ever to happen, and they said it would have to be under six figures but by how much who can say. Hope that helps a bit!
Now a Ginetta G50/G55 would probably be a more competitive and cost-effective off-the-shelf racer for comparable money but where's the satisfaction in getting a podium in that when you can do the same (and here we come full circle!) in an MX-5 that could, at a pinch, pass as a road car.
I have to admit to not getting it. Why would you spend circa £100k when you could get something quicker and off the shelf. Massive respect for getting mazda to chip in, but if it was my money G55 every day of the week, and I have to say I'd be amazed if it gets anywhere near a G55 round a track. Ginetta did a load of giant killing in the g40 last year. Normally one car that shouldn't on paper get top 10-12 does...but I have to say the numbers (ie 1 car!) don't work in your favour and all the hype just means you get a good chance to have egg all over your face! still, you takes your chances, fair play.In answer to the 'how much does it cost' thing nobody at Jota was prepared to put a number on it and it's an ongoing project with funding from Mazda. You can be sure it hasn't been cheap and you can do some rough totting up by looking at the hardware that's gone into it. I did ask Jota how much a customer car to this spec would cost, were it ever to happen, and they said it would have to be under six figures but by how much who can say. Hope that helps a bit!
Now a Ginetta G50/G55 would probably be a more competitive and cost-effective off-the-shelf racer for comparable money but where's the satisfaction in getting a podium in that when you can do the same (and here we come full circle!) in an MX-5 that could, at a pinch, pass as a road car.
Boxsey - I know what you mean. And, I reckon, for a trackday project you could do worse than look at the production car racer for inspiration. A cheap Mk3, stripped and caged with decent suspension and you're pretty much there. I wonder how much it would take to get a Cosworth crate Duratec engine to work with it? Hmm... Either way, those cars are huge fun on the track with no need to go anywhere near the six-figure sum.
And PW32, I take your point too. If you're looking for a competitive off-the-shelf racer at a reasonable cost the Ginetta is the obvious choice. This car is all about making some waves and getting some column inches for the MX-5 (er, that'll be me playing my part there then!) by putting it somewhere folk wouldn't expect to see it. If winning races is your game you'd have to be pretty bloody minded to spend the money on this rather than a G55 but credit to Mazda for putting the cash up to get the car built. The world is richer for its presence!
And PW32, I take your point too. If you're looking for a competitive off-the-shelf racer at a reasonable cost the Ginetta is the obvious choice. This car is all about making some waves and getting some column inches for the MX-5 (er, that'll be me playing my part there then!) by putting it somewhere folk wouldn't expect to see it. If winning races is your game you'd have to be pretty bloody minded to spend the money on this rather than a G55 but credit to Mazda for putting the cash up to get the car built. The world is richer for its presence!
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