Rallying an MX5
Discussion
df76 said:
Sounds like a good day out! Pretty amazed that they managed to host it really, so well done to the organisers (would have been a nightmare I'm sure).
Being down south it would never suit me, but a great opportunity to be involved in decent motorsport through the winter. Jealous!
It was a great day out and I think more people should do it (and similar events) in budget cars (relatively speaking) like the MX5s or BMW minis etc. The thing is that cars like those could probably be prepared for dual uses - racing and circuit type rallies with just some minor differences to take account of. There is a one make rally series starting up for BMW minis aime at just these sort of events.Being down south it would never suit me, but a great opportunity to be involved in decent motorsport through the winter. Jealous!
The circuit rally events are proving to be very popular events this year with many, many reserves so I was lucky to get an entry but I think that if/when things turn back towards normal (hopefully) it will be a bit easier to get entries.
I understand the point about being in the south but there is a similar rally at Brands Hatch (although entry is well over subscribed) and people did travel quite long distances to enter this one at Donington, one team coming from Devon. There are also similar events at Pembrey, I think Goodwood used to host a rally but not sure now, and there are airfield based events as well.
MK1RS Bruce said:
Has anyone ever seen a MX5 prepared for gravel rallying? I am interested to know if anyone sees any major challenges with doing this?
I think I have seen a u tube video of an MX5 gravel rallying in Australia.Some of the circuit rallies, whilst being predominantly smooth tarmac do have some short gravel sections and even a water splash at Oulton Park. Plenty of MX5s do targa rallies and they can obviously be a bit rough in parts, too.
It’s probably all about underbody protection and the amount of suspension travel needed. Maybe a Mk3 would be suitable?
Edited by andy97 on Tuesday 12th January 11:55
andy97 said:
I think I have seen a u tube video of an MX5 gravel rallying in Australia.
Some of the circuit rallies, whilst being predominantly smooth tarmac do have some short gravel sections and even a water splash at Oulton Park. Plenty of MX5s do targa rallies and they can obviously be a bit rough in parts, too.
It’s probably all about underbody protection and the amount of suspension travel needed. Maybe a Mk3 would be suitable?
Yeah I am not sure about suspension travel suspect that might be the weak area of them, the Mk3 does have nice flared wheel arches which might help with suspension travel and wheel clearance. they are quite attractive as they are cheap and plentiful so parts should be easy to replace if needed.Some of the circuit rallies, whilst being predominantly smooth tarmac do have some short gravel sections and even a water splash at Oulton Park. Plenty of MX5s do targa rallies and they can obviously be a bit rough in parts, too.
It’s probably all about underbody protection and the amount of suspension travel needed. Maybe a Mk3 would be suitable?
Edited by andy97 on Tuesday 12th January 11:55
MK1RS Bruce said:
andy97 said:
I think I have seen a u tube video of an MX5 gravel rallying in Australia.
Some of the circuit rallies, whilst being predominantly smooth tarmac do have some short gravel sections and even a water splash at Oulton Park. Plenty of MX5s do targa rallies and they can obviously be a bit rough in parts, too.
It’s probably all about underbody protection and the amount of suspension travel needed. Maybe a Mk3 would be suitable?
Yeah I am not sure about suspension travel suspect that might be the weak area of them, the Mk3 does have nice flared wheel arches which might help with suspension travel and wheel clearance. they are quite attractive as they are cheap and plentiful so parts should be easy to replace if needed.Some of the circuit rallies, whilst being predominantly smooth tarmac do have some short gravel sections and even a water splash at Oulton Park. Plenty of MX5s do targa rallies and they can obviously be a bit rough in parts, too.
It’s probably all about underbody protection and the amount of suspension travel needed. Maybe a Mk3 would be suitable?
Edited by andy97 on Tuesday 12th January 11:55
Just thought I would bring this up to date a little as Steve Dolman and Jon Shepherd won the 1600-2000cc class on the Dukeries rally at Donington Park yesterday in the MX5 mk3. The reason why this is significant is because it was a large class of 28 cars and included several modern spec Escorts, which normally would be expected to dominate. They also finished 22nd overall with only 9 other 2wd cars ahead of them (and 6 of those being bigger engined, class 4 cars).
I am fairly sure that Paul Sheard has won the 1400-1600 class in his Mk1 MX5 a few times, but I think this is the first class win in the circuit rally championship for a mk3.
In total, there were 6 MX5s entered, from Mk1 to Mk3.
I wouldn’t describe Steve Dolman’s car as a “budget” but it was significantly cheaper than a modern spec Escort, and it least it still has its OEM engine type, rather than being a “special saloon”, lol!
Perhaps the moderators could move this thread to the new Rallying forum please?
I am fairly sure that Paul Sheard has won the 1400-1600 class in his Mk1 MX5 a few times, but I think this is the first class win in the circuit rally championship for a mk3.
In total, there were 6 MX5s entered, from Mk1 to Mk3.
I wouldn’t describe Steve Dolman’s car as a “budget” but it was significantly cheaper than a modern spec Escort, and it least it still has its OEM engine type, rather than being a “special saloon”, lol!
Perhaps the moderators could move this thread to the new Rallying forum please?
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