First track/airfield day in the 5, tips?
First track/airfield day in the 5, tips?
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Discussion

waterwonder

Original Poster:

1,002 posts

199 months

Thursday 29th March 2012
quotequote all
Hi,

Im going for my first blast around a airfield (north Weald) in the mx5 tomorrow.

Is there any prep that I need to do before hand or any other mx5 specific hints?

I was just planning on checking the levels and maybe putting a few extra psi in the tyres.

My car is a 2002 1.8 sport, pretty much standard with Toyo proxes and WIM fast road set up (if that makes any diffence).

Thanks in advance

hms

164 posts

221 months

Thursday 29th March 2012
quotequote all
Check fluids,
Check brake pads, enough meat left to get you home at the end of the day
4psi extra in the tyres to stiffen sidewalls
Enjoy!
H

waterwonder

Original Poster:

1,002 posts

199 months

Friday 30th March 2012
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Thanks

The Moose

23,568 posts

232 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
Yep.

One very incredibly important thing to remember.

It's the most important thing when doing track days.

ENJOY IT thumbup

smile

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
If it's the usual driver training type thing that they do at North Weald as opposed to a real track day then there is a lot less wear & tear on the car as you are usually only driving for less than 1 minute at a time. In which case there will be minimal wear on the brakes but the tyres will get scraped around a bit and the engine will get some brief thrashings so above all make sure the oil is topped up and of good quality and the tyres have plenty of life left. I'd put an extra 5 to 10psi or more in the tyres as you will be sliding it around a bit.

The ost important thing to take with you of course is a smile and a sense of humour. Enjoy it, it's a fun day out biggrin

PATTERNPART

693 posts

224 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
Let us know how it goes. I'm booked in for an Autosolo in mine in a fortnight.

The last time I did one my tyres edges looked a bit frazzled. I don't think the brakes wore much. I'll add more air pressure next time.

My power steering fluid boiled or something. May have been cavitation! It went back to normal immediately after the run.

One thought - the engine gets a thrashing in 1st and sometimes 2nd but the speed achieved is low. I might see how easy it is to remove the perforated grill in front of the radiator. I left my bonnet open between runs last time too.


kazman

308 posts

190 months

Friday 30th March 2012
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So how did you get on?
I did my 1st airfield day in my mx5 last month, one of the best hints I have ever done. Hoping to get to another one in a few weeks time when I have finished some small repairs. Which brings me on to what I would have advised if I had seen the thread earlier - keep checking fluid levels and temp gauge! I had a perished hose that only leaked coolant at higher revs.
No harm done though.

waterwonder

Original Poster:

1,002 posts

199 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
Hi

Thanks for the responses, sorry for the tardy reply I've been out in the sun enjoying myself :-)

It was a good laugh, I went with 33psi all round and kept an eye on the temps and levels. All fine bar a bit of tyre scrub, I reckon a took a few mm off and scuffed the tread blocks a bit.

I wasn't giving it death everytime but managed some respectable times and some humbling spins.

The day consisted of a high speed corner and two "circuits" the videos on you tube sum it up well.

For me it was I nice informal (and low pressure) environment in which to push the car. Probably a bit basic for your seasoned track dayer though.


S Works

10,166 posts

273 months

Saturday 7th April 2012
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Was it a Carlimits day with Andy Walsh?