mx5 only sprint class in the South West

[andylaurence]

If you're running an MX5, then it fits into Roadgoing Series Production (even if turbo/supercharged) unless it has some of the prohibited mods, like being stripped out, spherical bearings or modifications to the bodyshell, when it will move into Modified Series Production and can run on slicks (it's essentially touring cars). If it's heavily modified (rotary engine, massive wings, etc.) then you'll move into Sports Libre, where pretty much anything goes.

In the South-West, the class structure in the Roadgoing category is <1400cc, 1400-1800cc, 1800-2600cc and >2600cc. With just over 1800cc, the MX5 is outgunned in its class, which is why this new class has been suggested. A forced induction MX5 is rated as 1.4x its engine capacity (2576cc), so it still fits into the 1800-2600cc class and would be competitive. The new class is for normally aspirated MX5s as a cheap entry-level class.

[HorneyMX5]

That's very informative, thanks.

In your opinion do the splitter and duck tail on mine edge me towards Sports Libre? I did think for SPrints I might just remove both if it's an issue.

[Trev450]

Some cars do run splitters and other non OE aero devices in the production classes and the ones that don't (me included) tend to turn a blind eye. Ultimately, it would be up to the scruts though.

[HorneyMX5]

Thanks. The ducktail does nothing and was bought purely for looks, the splitter however does a good job of cooling the brakes and increases stability above 80mph. Not sure I'd be hitting 80 on a sprint though!

[feef]

HorneyMX5 said:

That's very informative, thanks.

In your opinion do the splitter and duck tail on mine edge me towards Sports Libre? I did think for SPrints I might just remove both if it's an issue.

Don't know how big the front splitter is, but as splitters were available as a factory option, I should imagine it'd be okay unless it was massive. Equally, I don't think a small ducktail would be that different from a factory spoiler. But I'm not a scrute

If it was massive wings, projected up into clean airflow, and splitters like a duck billed platypus then it'd be more obvious

[binnerboy]

HorneyMX5 said:

Thanks. The ducktail does nothing and was bought purely for looks, the splitter however does a good job of cooling the brakes and increases stability above 80mph. Not sure I'd be hitting 80 on a sprint though!

You would be hitting well over 80mph at the great western sprint as it is 1.875 laps of castle coombe so your second lap before braking for quarry you would be over 80mph by quite a lot

:-)

Nice looking car BTW

[HorneyMX5]

I'd not thought about those kinds of sprints to be honest and that's a good point as the last trackday at Combe I did I was nearing 115 running up Avon Rise.

[andylaurence]

HorneyMX5 said:

That's very informative, thanks.

In your opinion do the splitter and duck tail on mine edge me towards Sports Libre? I did think for SPrints I might just remove both if it's an issue.

Opinion matters little. It's written into the regulations and the key is whether you're altering the silhouette.

BlueBookSectionS said:

11.4.1. Silhouette of the vehicle must remain unaltered
in construction, dimension and material. The silhouette
will be taken in the condition in which the car competes
(convertible closed cars competing with the hood or
top not erected shall have the silhouette determined in
that condition).

In practice, things like this tend to get overlooked unless the scrutineer is particularly observant or you're winning too much. It's up to you if you take the risk of being bumped into ModProd, where spoilers are allowed and the front air dam is allowed.

80mph is easily doable on a sprint, especially at Combe. This proposed championship includes two rounds at Castle Combe and one at Llandow, so I'd expect over 80mph at all three events and not just on the straights. Even Wiscombe includes sections where 80mph is probable.

[Kiltie]

OP, MX5 owners have developed their own championship in Scotland which runs alongside the national sprint and hillclimb championships.

Some details here.

It's been very successful and very popular.

[binnerboy]

Kiltie said:

OP, MX5 owners have developed their own championship in Scotland which runs alongside the national sprint and hillclimb championships.

Some details here.

It's been very successful and very popular.

kiltie,

thanks interesting stuff

[andylaurence]

If anyone's seriously interested in having a go at event in the Bristol area in an MX5, please register your interest using this form. There looks to be enough interest to get going, but it would be useful to know some more information about what would be most attractive to potential competitors.

[binnerboy]

Due to lots of interest Brisotl Motor Club are now doing a multi discipline challenge involving sprints and autosolo.

If you registered through the webform you should have received the regs, if not check it out here

"http://www.bristolmc.org.uk/championships.htm#MX5 champ"

To take part simply join the cluib and enter a qualifiing event , you will automatically join the challenge.

I think we had over 25 expressions of interest so should be good.

[binnerboy]

If anyone who has expressed an interest in the BMC challenge wants to meet up, this is happening and some BMC members will be there.

Cotswold Motor Sports Group (CMSG) Awards night

8.00pm start. This Friday 16th Jan 2015
Civil Service Sports Assn
Tewksbury Road Cheltenham GL51 9SL (only 5 mins form GCHQ!!!!!!!!!)

Free entry and bar will be open at reasonable prices.
Pre orders for hot buffet already gone in (may be possible for a couple to pay on night) but not far from McDonalds

CMSG do an autosolo championship which you wil be eligable for as a member of Bristol Motor Club

[binnerboy]

Regs are out for the first round.

You should have an email from Andy Laurence

Chepstow Racecourse Autosolo on Sunday 1st March

i have posted my entry see you there !

[andylaurence]

Regs are out for the first two rounds. I can see that there are 5 MX5s entered for round 2 already and the online entries only opened yesterday afternoon. Should be a good season!

[binnerboy]

so first round done, I managed 4th, was hoping for better, but the rain and a cone dropped me down (good practice for excuses though !).

here are some photos of the day which was great overall even though some teething problems with the venue caused a bit of a delay leading to 9 runs instead of 12.

http://www.jackflashphotography.co.uk/f390800280

here's looking forward to Sat 21st and the great western

[HorneyMX5]

How come no helmets etc?

[MagicalTrevor]

HorneyMX5 said:

How come no helmets etc?

It's an Autosolo so you don't need a helmet.

[HorneyMX5]

Ah yes my mistake, remembered the thread title but forgotten it had drifted off topic into Solos.

[D_G]

binnerboy said:

so first round done, I managed 4th, was hoping for better, but the rain and a cone dropped me down (good practice for excuses though !).

here are some photos of the day which was great overall even though some teething problems with the venue caused a bit of a delay leading to 9 runs instead of 12.

http://www.jackflashphotography.co.uk/f390800280

here's looking forward to Sat 21st and the great western

Hi James,

I'm interested to see how you guys get on with all the different specs you are running, at least at Combe all the wheels should stay on the ground!!

Cheers

Dave