MR2 Mk II Challenge Car
Discussion
Just bought a nice little N/A SW20 with all the Challenge mods to allow me to play around in a mid engined car without the constant niggle in the back of my mind that something expensive is gonna go pop, bang or crunch with the Ult at trackdays.
It's being coverted to the Challenge spec and I pick it up from Patrick at Rogue Motorsport next weekend. Dead excited.
Had a GB MkII GT T-Bar a while back, but only as a road car. Really liked the shape and road handling.
What are they like on track?
Lucky
It's being coverted to the Challenge spec and I pick it up from Patrick at Rogue Motorsport next weekend. Dead excited.
Had a GB MkII GT T-Bar a while back, but only as a road car. Really liked the shape and road handling.
What are they like on track?
Lucky
I'm amazed at the amount of people who buy Mr2's purely for this reason. A lot of accessible fun to be had.
Mk1 with a bigger engine would be my weapon of choice for track days, just happen to handle so much better than Mk2's unless you spend a fair bit on it.
You'll have fun though if you like arse out action. And seeing as you're getting work done at Rogue....
Only jestin
Mk1 with a bigger engine would be my weapon of choice for track days, just happen to handle so much better than Mk2's unless you spend a fair bit on it.
You'll have fun though if you like arse out action. And seeing as you're getting work done at Rogue....
Only jestin
Well... Sort of puts the handling argument to bed. The Mk1's don't do great against the 'big, heavy,not-as-good-handling- mk2..
http://media.putfile.com/MR2-Challenge-Series-2006...
http://media.putfile.com/MR2-Challenge-Series-2006...
Blue Meanie said:
Well... Sort of puts the handling argument to bed. The Mk1's don't do great against the 'big, heavy,not-as-good-handling- mk2..
http://media.putfile.com/MR2-Challenge-Series-2006...
Eh no, that shows that a bigger engine is needed.http://media.putfile.com/MR2-Challenge-Series-2006...
Like i said in the 1st place.
OlberJ said:
Blue Meanie said:
Well... Sort of puts the handling argument to bed. The Mk1's don't do great against the 'big, heavy,not-as-good-handling- mk2..
http://media.putfile.com/MR2-Challenge-Series-2006...
Eh no, that shows that a bigger engine is needed.http://media.putfile.com/MR2-Challenge-Series-2006...
Like i said in the 1st place.
Soz chaps, didn't want to start a MkI/MkII debate - I like the MkII shape so that's it for me, and I get all the speed I need from the Ult - so how does the MkII handle on track?
All the vids I've seen on the Rogue site have these things sliding about all over the place - is this what I can expect??
All the vids I've seen on the Rogue site have these things sliding about all over the place - is this what I can expect??
It's alright, just some folk feel they have a point to prove :P
If it's track prepped then you'll have a lot of fun, it's the right layout and lightened up it'll handle well. You've obviously driven RWD before so you'll not get caught out with the Mk2's tail happy handling (usually folks going from FWD to an Mr2 as their 1st RWD car are the ones who bin them at no miles an hour).
Believe it or not, i own a Mk2 myself, which i intended to strip out and use for track work. More for the arse out sliding than the point to point driving pleasure. I keep that for my mk1.6 and the road
Won't be long till you're wanting more power behind you though. Having something you can throw round a track almost carelessly (for you, not for others) and really rag to your own limits is brilliant, will teach you lots about your driving skills.
It's not gonna be anywhere near your Ultima in terms of performance but you're gonna get to and beyond limits in a way you'll never get near with the Ultima.
Do enjoy it and get plenty videos for us too
If it's track prepped then you'll have a lot of fun, it's the right layout and lightened up it'll handle well. You've obviously driven RWD before so you'll not get caught out with the Mk2's tail happy handling (usually folks going from FWD to an Mr2 as their 1st RWD car are the ones who bin them at no miles an hour).
Believe it or not, i own a Mk2 myself, which i intended to strip out and use for track work. More for the arse out sliding than the point to point driving pleasure. I keep that for my mk1.6 and the road
Won't be long till you're wanting more power behind you though. Having something you can throw round a track almost carelessly (for you, not for others) and really rag to your own limits is brilliant, will teach you lots about your driving skills.
It's not gonna be anywhere near your Ultima in terms of performance but you're gonna get to and beyond limits in a way you'll never get near with the Ultima.
Do enjoy it and get plenty videos for us too
Nice.
That's what I'm hoping for. It to teach me a thing or two about handling and my ability to handle it.
I came straight into 'performance'track cars with the garage built Ult, and it's a rather flattering drive - rediculously quick on the straights, and low, light and grippy enough to get you round the bends without unmasking my faults. I just want to slow the whole thing down a bit, take some of the grip and speed out of the equation and learn how to deal with the 'envelope'.
Do I dare to enter the Challenge event though? I spose messing about at the back of the grid is still fun?
Lucks
That's what I'm hoping for. It to teach me a thing or two about handling and my ability to handle it.
I came straight into 'performance'track cars with the garage built Ult, and it's a rather flattering drive - rediculously quick on the straights, and low, light and grippy enough to get you round the bends without unmasking my faults. I just want to slow the whole thing down a bit, take some of the grip and speed out of the equation and learn how to deal with the 'envelope'.
Do I dare to enter the Challenge event though? I spose messing about at the back of the grid is still fun?
Lucks
OlberJ said:
It's alright, just some folk feel they have a point to prove :P
Huh... Having been on MR2 forums for MANY years, I've heard lots about the Mk1's handling, and I never thought it was that much different. That video from the challenge went some way to prove that. No point to prove, just showing the guy that the Mk2 handles very well indeed. Blue Meanie said:
OlberJ said:
It's alright, just some folk feel they have a point to prove :P
Huh... Having been on MR2 forums for MANY years, I've heard lots about the Mk1's handling, and I never thought it was that much different. That video from the challenge went some way to prove that. No point to prove, just showing the guy that the Mk2 handles very well indeed. Drive both for a decent amount of time and you'll see where i'm coming from. The Mk1 chassis is better. End of.
LuckyP, this sounds like it's exactly what you're after, you'll enjoy many smiles. As for the challenge series? It's a very different thing racing to track days. Depends how serious you are about it all and how much you're willing to invest.
Suppose you can take in one round and then make your mind up.
LuckyP said:
Nice.
That's what I'm hoping for. It to teach me a thing or two about handling and my ability to handle it.
I just want to slow the whole thing down a bit, take some of the grip and speed out of the equation and learn how to deal with the 'envelope'.
Do I dare to enter the Challenge event though? I spose messing about at the back of the grid is still fun?
Lucks
You'll learn alot with one of these on a trackday but you'll learn ALOT more by entering a raceThat's what I'm hoping for. It to teach me a thing or two about handling and my ability to handle it.
I just want to slow the whole thing down a bit, take some of the grip and speed out of the equation and learn how to deal with the 'envelope'.
Do I dare to enter the Challenge event though? I spose messing about at the back of the grid is still fun?
Lucks
Hi Pete!
Kept that one quiet.........damn good idea though - do you mind if I ask what sort of cost can you pick these challenge cars for?
Be good to see some piccies of the new 'mini' beast.....thought about doing something similar having now invested the wrong side of 60k in the Ult
Just thought about getting the cheapest through away track prepped car for a bit of over the limit fun now and then........
Looking forward to getting on track next year - hopefully you'll still want to track the Ultima at some stage...Nurburgring/Spa???
Talk soon....Simon
Kept that one quiet.........damn good idea though - do you mind if I ask what sort of cost can you pick these challenge cars for?
Be good to see some piccies of the new 'mini' beast.....thought about doing something similar having now invested the wrong side of 60k in the Ult
Just thought about getting the cheapest through away track prepped car for a bit of over the limit fun now and then........ Looking forward to getting on track next year - hopefully you'll still want to track the Ultima at some stage...Nurburgring/Spa???
Talk soon....Simon
Lol! That's me driving in the video above - I'm a little bit better at it now!
The MR2 Challenge (as it was called at the time the mk2 was introduced - it's the MR2 Championship now!) was indeed expected to end the debate about whether the mk1 or mk2 was the better machine. Wheel to wheel racing proved conclusively that the mk2 can lap any UK circuit faster than a mk1. It has more power and more mechanical grip for the same level of modfication. If anything, the mk2s are handicapped at a higher minimum weight than they could be to try and close down the performance gap. Here are the lap records for the 2008 circuits:
BRANDS HATCH INDY
mk1 1:00.63
mk2 0:58.42
CADWELL PARK LONG
mk1 1:51.64
mk2 1:46.28
DONINGTON CLUB
mk1 1:31.22
mk2 1:26.99
MALLORY PARK
mk1 0:58.49
mk2 0:55.58
OULTON PARK INTERNATIONAL
mk1 2:17.05
mk2 2:06.05
SILVERSTONE
mk1 1:15.54
mk2 1:11.41
SNETTERTON
mk1 1:29.12
mk2 1:24.81
Of course, this hasn't stopped the debate it's just meant that some people have argued about the definition of "best".
Patrick
The MR2 Challenge (as it was called at the time the mk2 was introduced - it's the MR2 Championship now!) was indeed expected to end the debate about whether the mk1 or mk2 was the better machine. Wheel to wheel racing proved conclusively that the mk2 can lap any UK circuit faster than a mk1. It has more power and more mechanical grip for the same level of modfication. If anything, the mk2s are handicapped at a higher minimum weight than they could be to try and close down the performance gap. Here are the lap records for the 2008 circuits:
BRANDS HATCH INDY
mk1 1:00.63
mk2 0:58.42
CADWELL PARK LONG
mk1 1:51.64
mk2 1:46.28
DONINGTON CLUB
mk1 1:31.22
mk2 1:26.99
MALLORY PARK
mk1 0:58.49
mk2 0:55.58
OULTON PARK INTERNATIONAL
mk1 2:17.05
mk2 2:06.05
SILVERSTONE
mk1 1:15.54
mk2 1:11.41
SNETTERTON
mk1 1:29.12
mk2 1:24.81
Of course, this hasn't stopped the debate it's just meant that some people have argued about the definition of "best".
Patrick
Magic! I met you at castle Coombe a good few years ago, when you were selling the rear lights, and the scoops! I was with MR2OC at the time. You've done very well for yourself in the meantime! I agree with your point re MK1 and MK2... I do get fed up with the people giving the Mk2 grief, despite evidence to the contrary! (At least i think it was that event...)
http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/Content/pid=35.html
http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/Content/pid=35.html
Edited by Blue Meanie on Sunday 7th December 14:27
Pete.....What about entering it in the Toyota Sprint Series ? ( www.toyota-sprint-series.com ) sponsored by Toyota GB (among others) excellent low cost series.
Good class structure as well.
Some nice cars the Fensport Corolla (400 bhp) lost of serious ST205 GT4's MR2 Tubbies..........Celica GT185's if you pop into the website all will be revealed.
Last year it was £80 a round with you getting 8 runs during the course of the day.
I ran my IS350 last year and had a great time....this year I'll be in a TRD Toyota Vitz I've just imported....1.0 litre flyer (ex race car from the VITZ one make series in Japan)
Good class structure as well.
Some nice cars the Fensport Corolla (400 bhp) lost of serious ST205 GT4's MR2 Tubbies..........Celica GT185's if you pop into the website all will be revealed.
Last year it was £80 a round with you getting 8 runs during the course of the day.
I ran my IS350 last year and had a great time....this year I'll be in a TRD Toyota Vitz I've just imported....1.0 litre flyer (ex race car from the VITZ one make series in Japan)
I did the Barkston Heath round in my MR2 Championship spec car earlier this year and it was suprisingly competitive. I have to run ~70kgs of ballast normally which I was able to ditch for the TSS, but other than that everything else was to Championship regulations. Obviously, everyone elses cars were modified to the hilt!
Here are the runs that I managed to record:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sN54Q3eWjPw
The last run (shown as run 1 due to the timing gear not working on my first go) was enough to place me first in class by 1.5 seconds and seventh overall out of fifty two entrants.
I've been liaising with Adrian and Barry so fingers crossed no dates should clash with the MR2 Championship next year. If all goes to plan I'll give it a go in this:
Patrick
Here are the runs that I managed to record:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sN54Q3eWjPw
The last run (shown as run 1 due to the timing gear not working on my first go) was enough to place me first in class by 1.5 seconds and seventh overall out of fifty two entrants.
I've been liaising with Adrian and Barry so fingers crossed no dates should clash with the MR2 Championship next year. If all goes to plan I'll give it a go in this:
Patrick
Edited by RogueMotorsport on Sunday 7th December 20:50
LS7TANGO said:
Hi Pete!
Kept that one quiet.........damn good idea though - do you mind if I ask what sort of cost can you pick these challenge cars for?
Be good to see some piccies of the new 'mini' beast.....thought about doing something similar having now invested the wrong side of 60k in the Ult Just thought about getting the cheapest through away track prepped car for a bit of over the limit fun now and then........
Looking forward to getting on track next year - hopefully you'll still want to track the Ultima at some stage...Nurburgring/Spa???
Talk soon....Simon
Hey Simon, how's it going. Was keeping it secret from the Ultima posse to do a little expose when I get it (this Sat). Kept that one quiet.........damn good idea though - do you mind if I ask what sort of cost can you pick these challenge cars for?
Be good to see some piccies of the new 'mini' beast.....thought about doing something similar having now invested the wrong side of 60k in the Ult
Just thought about getting the cheapest through away track prepped car for a bit of over the limit fun now and then........ Looking forward to getting on track next year - hopefully you'll still want to track the Ultima at some stage...Nurburgring/Spa???
Talk soon....Simon
Love the look of the Mk2, it has the weight in the same places as the Ult. Should be a giggle.
I've been looking at std cars from £1500 -£3000 but I know I would just rip it out and play with it so why not get Rogue to do it all for ya?
About £5K worth of mods and the whole package inc car ready to .....err.....race is £6.5K inc!!! Bargain!!
Still not decided if I'm man enough to enter the ring, but I'll have a play in it first and see how I fair.
Cheers
Pete
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff