Mallory Park sunday the 8th.....here we go...advice needed.
Discussion
hi everyone who helped me with some advice a couple of weeks ago, so i listened and read all the advice...and couldnt wait anymore...so instead of driving my friends scooby, i have bitten the bullet and bought a mazda 1600 mx5...its standard so is there anything i need to do with it or do i just turn up and see how i do. thanks
Make sure its as fresh as you can get i.e oil, water, brake fluid and everything works and is secured properly and off you go.
The only mod I'd advise before use is to replace the front brake pads for some uprated ones but that should be all. The rears keep standard on an MX5.
If your planning on doing a few track days its worth getting a decent roll bar (not a poncy show bar) and 4 point harness as well just in case.
Enjoy.
The only mod I'd advise before use is to replace the front brake pads for some uprated ones but that should be all. The rears keep standard on an MX5.
If your planning on doing a few track days its worth getting a decent roll bar (not a poncy show bar) and 4 point harness as well just in case.
Enjoy.
Thanks simon, i am a wombat..... i missed my previous post...so i put it up again...been away for a few days and tired this morning....however i am really looking forward to the day and as this weekend looks good its out with the polish. Anyway. I have checked the brakes and tyres, which are Michelins, and changed the oil and filters...thanks for the advice re the harness, i am sure your right. What sort of money is that to buy and are they difficult to fit. Will the car be safety checked by the organiser etc, and i presume i will need my licence etc. Have you been to Mallory yourself and is there anywhere good to stay local.
many thanks
many thanks
Yup, take both paper and car parts of the DL to be on the safe side.
As already advised, make sure all the fluids are are topped up and that the car is
Unless the car looks like a heap, it won't be inspected on track days.
I've got an MX5 I use on track. At stage I would say there's no point upgrading brake pads. The Mazda OE ones are pretty good and the car is not heavy.
Regards roll bar, there are two schools of thought. The windscreen may not hold the weight of the car so if it flips, a roll bar will be a good thing.
But the other view is that the car will more likely slide than flip - I guess you would have to hit the grass or gravel sideways for it to go over. I've been in them when they've spun on track at 60mph, didn't feel close to flipping. Also, in road driving without a helmet, I've heard a few stories of fairly low impact crashes giving people a very nasty bump on the head as bonce meets roll bar. A proper roll welded to the chassis is not cheap. And it adds weight.
Your call though - depends how committed you are and whether you intend track days to lead into race days.
I track mine and don't have a roll bar. But mine is used on the road as well so not a full track-prep'd car.
One last thing - check you wheel nuts!!
As already advised, make sure all the fluids are are topped up and that the car is
Unless the car looks like a heap, it won't be inspected on track days.
I've got an MX5 I use on track. At stage I would say there's no point upgrading brake pads. The Mazda OE ones are pretty good and the car is not heavy.
Regards roll bar, there are two schools of thought. The windscreen may not hold the weight of the car so if it flips, a roll bar will be a good thing.
But the other view is that the car will more likely slide than flip - I guess you would have to hit the grass or gravel sideways for it to go over. I've been in them when they've spun on track at 60mph, didn't feel close to flipping. Also, in road driving without a helmet, I've heard a few stories of fairly low impact crashes giving people a very nasty bump on the head as bonce meets roll bar. A proper roll welded to the chassis is not cheap. And it adds weight.
Your call though - depends how committed you are and whether you intend track days to lead into race days.
I track mine and don't have a roll bar. But mine is used on the road as well so not a full track-prep'd car.
One last thing - check you wheel nuts!!
Ok ... well i have,nt got a roll bar....i figured that would be the case with the licence and stuff and i have given the car a thorough check, including wheel nuts..... i had not thought about rolling though and thats got to be a possibility (i hope not)....so where can i get one of those, how much, and are they easy to fit..
thanks for your help
thanks for your help
If it's the normal circuit layout then you'll only be using the brakes in anger once for the hairpin, then they;ve got the rest of the lap to recover. In a standard mx5 you'll probably be entering gerards with only a slight lift as I doubt it would get to much more than 85-90 on the straight.
Have fun!
e.t.a with regard to making changes on the mazda, I'd only spend money on making sure that the suspension was fresh and a 4 wheel alignment. Roll bars are quite dangerous on the road in small cars when helmets are not worn. Having a harness bar fabricated would be the best idea. with the benefit of increasing the rigidity of the car at the same time (much like a decent roll bar)
Have fun!
e.t.a with regard to making changes on the mazda, I'd only spend money on making sure that the suspension was fresh and a 4 wheel alignment. Roll bars are quite dangerous on the road in small cars when helmets are not worn. Having a harness bar fabricated would be the best idea. with the benefit of increasing the rigidity of the car at the same time (much like a decent roll bar)
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