Tracks best suited to MX5 (or other slower cars)
Discussion
There is usually a good MX5 turnout at Blyton and Cadwell, as there probably is at many other circuits I suppose. I was at Cadwell yesterday and there was a nice selection of mk1, 2 and 3 examples there.
Cadwell is a lovely circuit, and really is something a little bit special, if a little intimidating for a novice (if you are). Once you get to know it, and drive it on a dry day, it's a fantastic place to drive. In the wet it can be a bit scary as you are very aware of some of the small run off areas, but it really is up there with the best in terms of involvement and fun.
Cadwell is a lovely circuit, and really is something a little bit special, if a little intimidating for a novice (if you are). Once you get to know it, and drive it on a dry day, it's a fantastic place to drive. In the wet it can be a bit scary as you are very aware of some of the small run off areas, but it really is up there with the best in terms of involvement and fun.
Well, that was great fun.
First time at Mallory and what initially looks like a basic (and boring?!) circuit soon shows how tricky it is to master.
The car performed faultlessly and soaked up everything I threw at it. Aside from some rather smokey brakes after the first session (bedding in the new pads), it just went and went and went.
Had fun overtaking a few people - especially when I got the hang of Gerrards and was getting 85-90mph around there.
One thing the day did highlight though - I need more power! It was great through the bends and could keep up or go quicker than a lot of things, but as soon as we got to the end of the corners there wasn't much more to come and I'd get left behind. This afternoon has been a google session on FI....
Next up track wise is a day at Silverstone - the full circuit. Got a great deal otherwise I think the track is too big for the Mazda, however, I'm sure it'll be fun nonetheless.
First time at Mallory and what initially looks like a basic (and boring?!) circuit soon shows how tricky it is to master.
The car performed faultlessly and soaked up everything I threw at it. Aside from some rather smokey brakes after the first session (bedding in the new pads), it just went and went and went.
Had fun overtaking a few people - especially when I got the hang of Gerrards and was getting 85-90mph around there.
One thing the day did highlight though - I need more power! It was great through the bends and could keep up or go quicker than a lot of things, but as soon as we got to the end of the corners there wasn't much more to come and I'd get left behind. This afternoon has been a google session on FI....
Next up track wise is a day at Silverstone - the full circuit. Got a great deal otherwise I think the track is too big for the Mazda, however, I'm sure it'll be fun nonetheless.
Being slower on the straights really doesn't matter - I did a couple of RAF base TDs last year, and while the nutter in the tweaked M5 was touching 190 on the 1.5 mile main runway, most of us were perfectly content with 100-120, even in cars capable of 160-180, thus allowing the cars to cool down and saving the fuel for more fun around the twisties. It's not really about how many cars you can overtake, but about how good a lap you can hook together. Any twerp can drive in a straight line (except on the M25 it would seem)
Having said which, I did get a lot of pleasure from out-braking and overtaking a 380 bhp TVR Cerbera at Cadwell Park earlier in the month.
Cadwell really is an awesome and truly rewarding circuit in the dry, and a well driven MX5 can be tricky to overtake in a TVR with much more power, so long as you are fast out of the corners.......by the time I have sorted out my oversteer and understeer, you could be too far ahead for me to get past before the next corner, as the straights are few and short.
Make sure your tyres and suspension set up are as good as they possibly can be, perhaps with a little extra front camber. That will allow you to carry more speed through the corners. perhaps invest in some track tyres if you haven't already.
If you fancy a Cadwell day, email me and we can book one together. There are bound to be other MX5s on any TD, and you can stay at mine the night before if you like, 40 miles from the track. Having said which, you are only about an hour or so south of me.
Having said which, I did get a lot of pleasure from out-braking and overtaking a 380 bhp TVR Cerbera at Cadwell Park earlier in the month.
Cadwell really is an awesome and truly rewarding circuit in the dry, and a well driven MX5 can be tricky to overtake in a TVR with much more power, so long as you are fast out of the corners.......by the time I have sorted out my oversteer and understeer, you could be too far ahead for me to get past before the next corner, as the straights are few and short.
Make sure your tyres and suspension set up are as good as they possibly can be, perhaps with a little extra front camber. That will allow you to carry more speed through the corners. perhaps invest in some track tyres if you haven't already.
If you fancy a Cadwell day, email me and we can book one together. There are bound to be other MX5s on any TD, and you can stay at mine the night before if you like, 40 miles from the track. Having said which, you are only about an hour or so south of me.
Edited by QBee on Wednesday 25th June 16:59
While I agree that there is more fun to be had in the corners than blatting down straights (Which can be fun as my run at VMax last year in my other car proved), the frustration I had from Tuesday at Mallory was that I was all over people in the corners - where you are not supposed to overtake people, but by the straights they powered away, so I would catch up and be held up again in the next corner. Making it tough to string a good lap together. Then you back off to get some space and end up with other traffic, etc..
The car has track tyres, coilovers and has had the geo-done, so its well set up and the only thing I might look at is thicker ARBs and checking the bushes for wear - if they're loose/knackered then I might replace with uprated stuff.
The car has track tyres, coilovers and has had the geo-done, so its well set up and the only thing I might look at is thicker ARBs and checking the bushes for wear - if they're loose/knackered then I might replace with uprated stuff.
skibum said:
...the frustration I had from Tuesday at Mallory was that I was all over people in the corners - where you are not supposed to overtake people, but by the straights they powered away, so I would catch up and be held up again in the next corner...
I had this exact problem in mine on Monday at Bedford. I don't really want more power as then I'll need more brakes, cooling etc to cope with it all. And probably lose reliability...but it would be nice to have a little poke left after the corners! Check YouTube for my video chasing a 911: "Bedford GT 23/06/2014"
Book Llandow on 26/7 and we'll have a little play!
drchris said:
skibum said:
...the frustration I had from Tuesday at Mallory was that I was all over people in the corners - where you are not supposed to overtake people, but by the straights they powered away, so I would catch up and be held up again in the next corner...
I had this exact problem in mine on Monday at Bedford. I don't really want more power as then I'll need more brakes, cooling etc to cope with it all. And probably lose reliability...but it would be nice to have a little poke left after the corners! Check YouTube for my video chasing a 911: "Bedford GT 23/06/2014"
Book Llandow on 26/7 and we'll have a little play!
Drop back before a corner leading onto a suitable (i.e. not *too long*) straight; run the corner fast, time it so you catch the other car just after the exit, carry that speed past, then you have the corner..
For example: at Bedford (GT), the short straight out the back to the hairpin, after the long back straight is perfect; you can carry more speed through the left/right kink than seems feasible. For instance, standard 1.6 '5 past a cayman R (obviously not well driven, but not atrocious). Then there's a nice series of twisty bits where you can get a gap so you don't get nailed on the next straight bit..
If you ride in a race car, you'll usually find they make their speed by not slowing down for the corners - I was amazed how little acceleration some have. OK, they don't have to deal with the disparity we do on trackdays, but it's still interesting.
He has a point.
I used to take Coppice at Cadwell Park (uphill left hander after the bottom straight) at about 70-75 in third, until one day an oik in a Fiesta told me to take it without hardly slowing, at 95 in fourth. So I grew some, and gradually took it faster and faster, and while I ended up with some, errr, "interesting" lines into the next right hander, the car did stick to the road, it was exhilarating, and I ended up right up the chuff of the car in front, ready to nip past at the start of Park Straight.
I cannot remember if you said you have already done Cadwell Park, but IMHO it is the best MX5 track of the ones I have driven, because there are only 2.5 straights, and they are only short, lots of up and down hill, interesting and varied corners, and MXs handle so well, so once you get used to the Armco and tyre walls being close at points you find it a very rewarding track to drive.
I used to take Coppice at Cadwell Park (uphill left hander after the bottom straight) at about 70-75 in third, until one day an oik in a Fiesta told me to take it without hardly slowing, at 95 in fourth. So I grew some, and gradually took it faster and faster, and while I ended up with some, errr, "interesting" lines into the next right hander, the car did stick to the road, it was exhilarating, and I ended up right up the chuff of the car in front, ready to nip past at the start of Park Straight.
I cannot remember if you said you have already done Cadwell Park, but IMHO it is the best MX5 track of the ones I have driven, because there are only 2.5 straights, and they are only short, lots of up and down hill, interesting and varied corners, and MXs handle so well, so once you get used to the Armco and tyre walls being close at points you find it a very rewarding track to drive.
I havent driven Cadwell, but it is definitely on my list. As I've said, I've got Silverstone in the diary for end of July, but nothing booked for August or September yet (probably limiting to one session a month for now). Cadwell could well be an option in August if I can find a good deal/date that works.
drchris said:
skibum said:
...the frustration I had from Tuesday at Mallory was that I was all over people in the corners - where you are not supposed to overtake people, but by the straights they powered away, so I would catch up and be held up again in the next corner...
I had this exact problem in mine on Monday at Bedford. I don't really want more power as then I'll need more brakes, cooling etc to cope with it all. And probably lose reliability...but it would be nice to have a little poke left after the corners! Check YouTube for my video chasing a 911: "Bedford GT 23/06/2014"
Book Llandow on 26/7 and we'll have a little play!
An update to this thread. Had a fantastic day at Silverstone yesterday at the Gold Track event. I'll happily admit being a little intimidated by the exotica on display (Enzo, P1, Koenigsegg, GT3 RS 4.0, Radicals, etc.. ) but my humble little mazda was still able to deliver on the fun factor.
A few issues with over heating, but nothing a hole cutter and turning the heating on couldnt fix (although a new, considerably thicker rad has been ordered as the old one was well past it's best).
Anyways - said new holes in the front bumper made for a perfect bumper shot mounting point for my HD camera. Quite happy with the results.
Vid 1 - me driving - very busy, skip to 6:40 for some Enzo "chasing" - http://youtu.be/pvMSXXU9ckw
Vid 2 - my dad driving - a lot less traffic - http://youtu.be/tsX80kety_U
Enjoy!
A few issues with over heating, but nothing a hole cutter and turning the heating on couldnt fix (although a new, considerably thicker rad has been ordered as the old one was well past it's best).
Anyways - said new holes in the front bumper made for a perfect bumper shot mounting point for my HD camera. Quite happy with the results.
Vid 1 - me driving - very busy, skip to 6:40 for some Enzo "chasing" - http://youtu.be/pvMSXXU9ckw
Vid 2 - my dad driving - a lot less traffic - http://youtu.be/tsX80kety_U
Enjoy!
Edited by skibum on Wednesday 30th July 11:58
skibum said:
I havent driven Cadwell, but it is definitely on my list. As I've said, I've got Silverstone in the diary for end of July, but nothing booked for August or September yet (probably limiting to one session a month for now). Cadwell could well be an option in August if I can find a good deal/date that works.
Wednesday 20th, come join Team Sweden for their outing, we'll make you more than welcome and theres a wealth of experience amongst us!D
drakart said:
Goodwood is probably the fastest circuit and yet proves to be great on the basis that you don't need to slow down at all. If you push, you'll be surprised at what you can catch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhRVvnFBm8&fe...
He is not kidding - he is within 1 second or so of me and I have 400 bhp!!! Really nimble the MX5 - you will enjoy yourself!
Here's me: http://youtu.be/9NOkjgRnHNA
I find much more gentlemanly conduct at private Track Days so more powerful cars that are lapping slower (like me!) do actually move over. I am at Castle Combe on 28th August if you fancy joining in!
Best regards
Ian
Goodwood is probably the fastest circuit and yet proves to be great on the basis that you don't need to slow down at all. If you push, you'll be surprised at what you can catch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhRVvnFBm8&fe...
He is not kidding - he is within 1 second or so of me and I have 400 bhp!!! Really nimble the MX5 - you will enjoy yourself!
Here's me: http://youtu.be/9NOkjgRnHNA
I find much more gentlemanly conduct at private Track Days so more powerful cars that are lapping slower (like me!) do actually move over. I am at Castle Combe on 28th August if you fancy joining in!
Best regards
Ian
having had a trackday MX5 i can say that they are fun, but ultimately you get bored with the lack of umph. you can sort this at some cost, or just move to a quicker rwd car to start with. i went this option and ended up with 500bhp rwd lol! but to be honest, something caterham sized and with 140-200bhp is probably enough to have the overtaking and cornering fun you might want. i'm probably going back to that sort of trackday car with hopefully an R300 etc.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff