First Ever Track Day in NC

[Frankstar_Rapper]

Hi All,

My 17 year old son saved up his salary from his part time job and bought a Mx5 NC 2.0 2010 and it's ignited a new found passion in mechanical engineering / motorsport and just anything and everything to do with cars.

I've bought him a track day at Crodt for the day after his 18th birthday and i'm just wondering if there's anything I need to be aware of on top of the normal checklists i've gone through for track days but just checking if there's anything extra for MX5s based on your experience. It's 6 x 20 min sessions at croft this Friday and it's going to be hot according to forecasts. I just want to make sure i dont forget something obvious and spoil his day.

His car has 60,000 miles with FSH

Bits that we've replaced in last 3 months.

• New Discs and Pads all round (brembo but not slotted or drilled)
• New wheel hubs all round.
• Whiteline Anti Roll Bars
• HEL Braided Brake hoses with DOT5.1
• New gearbox oil when driveseal replaced
• RamAir Induction kit (sits outside engine bay so no heat soak)

Things that i'm doing this week with my son (still doesn't know about the track day)
Oil change with Millers Competition Fully Synthetic 5w-40 Engine Oil 5L and K&N Filter
Magnetic sump plug
Bluestuff brake pads all round.
New Exhaust (Cat back) Malian.
Cybul Soft Top Half Cage Mazda MX5 NC (Mk3) - part of his birthday present
Waiting for towing eye
Should i do the spark plugs?


Things i'm taking on the day.
4 x alloy wheels with Avons BBRs on that have had a few track days (not me) i've tested them on the road and seem to be balanced but i've not had them balanced. The guy i bought them off was a track enthusiast and they're in mint condition.
Jack, axel stands.
Full tool kit / Socket set
extra oil
pump and digital tyre pressure monitor
original brake pads just in case.

Track day insurance is getting back to me due to his age.

Is there a good phone holder i could get to record him.

Think thats it.

Be gentle it's my first track day too, i just don't want to forget something and spoil the day for him.

Comments advice really welcome.

[Nickp82]

I think you’re pretty well covered, if he has the leather seats in the MX they’re pretty slidy and can be annoying so worth considering doing something about that.

[Llentil the llama]

Use the cones laid out to show the driver the correct lines, especially the turn in cone is great for a younger driver on a first track day.

Don't go crazy first session or two. Brake in time so you are not getting the abs on to start with.

This will alow a natural flow to the driving then speed can be built.

Watch your mirrors and move over early on a straight so when you go into a corner the tarmac is free for you to use.

Hold the wheel in a relaxed way, avoid gripping the wheel tightly below the centre horizontal. At the end of each session do not park the car with the handbrake on. Leave the car in gear BUT remember to start the car with the clutch down with nothing in front of the car incase you forget the clutch.

Enjoy and please post some piccies.

[Frankstar_Rapper]

Nickp82 said:

I think you re pretty well covered, if he has the leather seats in the MX they re pretty slidy and can be annoying so worth considering doing something about that.

Thanks! They are indeed leather... any tactical options?

[Frankstar_Rapper]

Llentil the llama said:

Use the cones laid out to show the driver the correct lines, especially the turn in cone is great for a younger driver on a first track day.

Don't go crazy first session or two. Brake in time so you are not getting the abs on to start with.

This will alow a natural flow to the driving then speed can be built.

Watch your mirrors and move over early on a straight so when you go into a corner the tarmac is free for you to use.

Hold the wheel in a relaxed way, avoid gripping the wheel tightly below the centre horizontal. At the end of each session do not park the car with the handbrake on. Leave the car in gear BUT remember to start the car with the clutch down with nothing in front of the car incase you forget the clutch.

Enjoy and please post some piccies.

Great advice. Thank you very much! His step grandmother just told me she was going to give him a wedge of cash for his birthday. I immediately thought.. coilerovers ... haha think i have to remind myself its his car not mine.

[VladD]

These might be worth reading.

BOFI - first track day

BOFI NC build advice

[skeeterm5]

With his wedge of birthday money buy good quality safety gear for him.

[JQ]

Frankstar_Rapper said:

Nickp82 said:

I think you re pretty well covered, if he has the leather seats in the MX they re pretty slidy and can be annoying so worth considering doing something about that.

Thanks! They are indeed leather... any tactical options?

I had the same issue in one of mine. Cheapest option is a CG Lock, if you can find a 2nd hand one as they don’t make them anymore. I then upgraded to a bucket seat (much better). Attached the bucket to standard MX5 rails and inserted it just for the track days. Then fitted a roll bar and 5 point harness (much much better).

It’s a slippery slope.

[Nickp82]

Frankstar_Rapper said:

Thanks! They are indeed leather... any tactical options?

JQ’s advice is good , I have a Tillett seat on standard runners and it works very well.
A quick option is find a cheap cloth seat and swap it over for a bit better arse-grip.

[JQ]

Nickp82 said:

Frankstar_Rapper said:

Thanks! They are indeed leather... any tactical options?

JQ s advice is good , I have a Tillett seat on standard runners and it works very well.
A quick option is find a cheap cloth seat and swap it over for a bit better arse-grip.

And if you go down that route Google “MX5 Foamectomy” - it’s a hillbilly version of a bucket seat which involves removing the seat padding of a factory seat to give greater lateral support. Never done it myself but seems popular in the MX5 scene.

[Frankstar_Rapper]

Thanks all. Will take a look at seating options. Thinking it may have to be next time as I spent 4 hours today fitting Cybul Soft Top Half Cage. Got it, drilled into chassis and painted. Just need to get panels and seats in now. Managed to clear out the cabriolet drains while it was stripped down.

You can see the difference between the original roll bar.

[Frankstar_Rapper]

Got the Avons BBRs on last night and roll bar fitted last night (6 hours in total) it's actually a nice fit and the car panels dont rattle. I did put in new clips. Car feels more rigid.

[VladD]

Very nice.

[Galveston]

I have a bog-standard 2010 Sport Tech I’ve used
for sprints and hillclimbs for the last couple of years. It’s remarkably competitive straight out of the box. Fabulous little thing - I frequently find myself wondering why I didn’t buy one many years ago.

Does the cage affect how far back the seats will go?

[Frankstar_Rapper]

Galveston said:

I have a bog-standard 2010 Sport Tech I ve used
for sprints and hillclimbs for the last couple of years. It s remarkably competitive straight out of the box. Fabulous little thing - I frequently find myself wondering why I didn t buy one many years ago.

Does the cage affect how far back the seats will go?

They can go fully back, however on the last notch the leather head rest squeaks against the roll bar, wonder if a but of oil on the leather may help.

They are brilliant. I've owned quite a lot of GTs. fast cars and modified cars, and I have to say my opinion of MX5s was hairdressers car was so so wrong. I'm completely smitten by them, and i now "get it". They are so good. Went out today to test drive it with the Avons on and rollbar, when they get to temperature the car is so good. They're relatively easy to work on too. (350z was tough, Celica GT4 ST205...nightmare).

My plan is to get one at the end of summer and build a summer track weapon for 2027. Hoping to get 2.5l conversion and then super charge it if possible because i like the linear delivery. I had a 350bhp 200sx and it used to step out so easy when boost came on (even at 70mph). First thing I'll do is fit a roll bar and semi slicks though.

I've got a full Malian exhaust for his birthday that he wants to fit.

[Galveston]

The cage does look a really good solution, much better developed than most - I think I'll invest.

Does it need any mods to the plastics? Is putting the roof up and down a faff with the cage? The website says you have to close the catch on the roof to get it to pass.

Cheers, Rob.

[Hustle_]

Is the exhaust louder than standard? What is the noise limit?