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Stu’s MX5 Track Toy


Stutopia

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Wow great comparison between the 350z and Mk3 MX5! Totally agree with your findings! 

 

I have both at the moment. Long term MX5 Mk3 owner, and recently acquired a Zed for a more GT experience. Both perfect for the right occasions. 

 

On the MX5, I have the Eibach springs, the wheels in motion fast road alignment, and run PS4s all round. That combination for me feels perfect balance budget wise to help the car feel better around the twisties. It is so flickable! 

 

You mentioned BBR. I have the 185 kit on mine and that feels perfect. A few folks go for forced induction and regret it. I obviously can't share personal experience in that regard, but to me, being able to drive to a greater % of the cars limit more of the time is what the MX5 is all about. 

 

Happy motoring all! 

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3 hours ago, Adam_Williams said:

Wow great comparison between the 350z and Mk3 MX5! Totally agree with your findings! 

 

I have both at the moment. Long term MX5 Mk3 owner, and recently acquired a Zed for a more GT experience. Both perfect for the right occasions. 

 

On the MX5, I have the Eibach springs, the wheels in motion fast road alignment, and run PS4s all round. That combination for me feels perfect balance budget wise to help the car feel better around the twisties. It is so flickable! 

 

You mentioned BBR. I have the 185 kit on mine and that feels perfect. A few folks go for forced induction and regret it. I obviously can't share personal experience in that regard, but to me, being able to drive to a greater % of the cars limit more of the time is what the MX5 is all about. 

 

Happy motoring all! 


Yay, another MX5 friend.

 

The FI thing is interesting, I’d love it for track but don’t really need it for road (occasional overtakes). On track I spent so much time hustling in the corners up to people only for them to nail it on the straight and then park on the next apex.


One thing I’m defo doing is Ohlins coils and replacement bushes. It’s mainly for track and I’m hoping this will only improve things.

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Excellent stuff. Nice to meet you!! 😁

 

I've seen so many threads on the forums where the MX5 is used as a baseline versus other performance cars, it's great! Usually it's us MX5 folk thinking "what next..." and ending up with some kind of mod to the Mazda instead after spending weeks deliberating! 

 

I must admit I did consider going Super 200 on the MX5 but I can't imagine going much further to be honest. I believe the engine is stronger in your iteration versus mine so I guess it'll handle more power better. If you did decide to go that route would be great to hear how you get on 😁👍

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  • 4 weeks later...

Another fun day out in the Miata, this time at Blyton with opentrack, who put on a good day without too many cars and with some tuition opportunities thrown in for free too. Always good to get some feedback, especially after you’ve been around a track a fair bit and not making any headway. A couple of new lines, a new turn in point and a new brake marker and I’d took 1.5 seconds off - all for free and with no shipping time from Japan!

 

Since the last run out at Caldwell, she’s now got powerflex bushes all over the front and rear suspension bits and speaking of suspension, Ohlins all around too. This is my first foray into coilovers, so I’m excited to tinker. Big shout out to the guys at BBR GTI who fitted the lot and set me up with their stock alignment to work from. First impressions are that the slightly scary floaty feel is gone, with much reduced pitch and roll, which is what I’d hoped for from the coilovers. I always felt a bit like I was bouncing around a bit with the car, instead of it going for a drive with me. It’s still sensible on the road, but obviously I now feel every change in road surface via the bushes.

 

Little highlight reel of some red flags, couple of my laps and a non-consensual overtake - now I know how it feels to be violated #metoo

 

 

 

Plus a few snaps.

 

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On the downside, the brakes have gone weird. I changed the pads for my first track day and all was perfect. Then on the last one at Cadwell I had a bit of a scary moment when I got to one of the bigger braking zones and had MUCH less stopping power. I put this down to pad fade, but similar happened at Blyton and before I’d got them particularly hot. I noticed that if I double tapped the brakes, I got a nice firm pedal and the pads were still working fine :shrug:

 

I don’t think it’s just air in the pedal, it doesn’t feel like the traditional sponge. Maybe pad knock back, possibly from less than perfect disks that have been on there forever??? Open to suggestions on this one gang.

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  • Stutopia changed the title to Stu’s MX5 Track Toy
On 16/07/2022 at 10:09, HEADPHONES said:

That Mini driver is probably bragging to everyone how he was a racing god on the day:thumbdown:.

I bet he's no better on public roads either.

Hope he didn't put too much of a downer on what looked like a great day.

 

Not at all, the day was great and whilst contact would have really upset the apple cart, all’s well that ends well. Most of the straights are passing by consent, but that section is strictly no passing in the briefing. Like most things in life, it would work perfectly if there no bellends to contend with.

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  • 2 months later...

I've been busy with the old track slag. New pads and discs went on, ahead of a trip to Anglesey (see next post). Also I finally grabbed a photo of my sexy new Ohlins (now hidden under coiler socks)

 

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There is the gorgeous re-trimmed alcantara wheel (thank you Jack Royal) 

 

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I've also been doing some angle grinding of the seat rails

 

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to achieve a significant drop in the (also re-trimmed) seats, which stops me rubbing my helmet on the roof (ooo errr)

 

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Most recently some whiteline ARBs went on. To supplement all the Ultra Racing scaffolding that I added to replace rusty bits

 

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And whilst I was in the garage, I was fixing to get corner weighting done, but it turns out she's actually pretty sweet already.

 

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I am absolutely loving driving her around now...

 

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I also snuck in a trip to Anglesey with Goldtrack last month. This was my first Goldtrack booking and they put on a fantastic day, with some top notch tuition from Calum Lockie, which was every bit as good as my experience with CAT Driver Training (and you know I am a fanboy of theirs). 

 

This was my first trip to Anglesey and the trip down was pretty...

 

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...and the circuit location is fantastic (when the sun shines).

 

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It is such a great circuit, just fast enough for the MX-5 to run out of breath, but technical enough to give me a chance to catch up some of the faster metal and undulation changes really keep you on your toes. I will be back again in future, despite it's remote location. Well worth the effort to get there.

 

I was very much the poor relation in the Mazda, there was a whole bunch of Radicals trailered in - some with supporting mechanics, a load of McLarens,

 

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...plenty of Pork...

 

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...the occasional Lotus and not much budget Jap goodness except me and an MR2 and a Celica (both chopped). This meant I had to watch my mirrors more than I'd like, but it was one of the best Trackdays I've done yet. I would defo recommend checking out Goldtrack for your circuit needs.

 

As seems to be becoming the pattern, my mate George and his Mini were companions for the day. So far it's been neck and neck between us at Blyton and Cadwell, but I got fully chopped by him at Anglesey.

 

 

 

P.S. yes I know I need to sort my heel and toe to stop the chirps on the rear wheels under braking!

 

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14 hours ago, Ekona said:

Nice lap there Stu 👍

 

Try and find someone who runs the Coastal layout rather than the full GP, for cars with less power it’s much more fun and way more challenging :) 

 

Yeah the run up and down to the hairpin is just sitting there waiting for the corner :lol: but still loved it, I'll defo be watching for future days running coastal or, it seems a few providers run coastal half the day and then GP the other half - which sounds perfect.

 

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  • 2 months later...

Snuck in a final track day of the year at Blyton in the Mazda. Arrived (after a dicey icy B road trip) at track at 7:45am and found the track to be white and temps around -1C, then proceeded to try and put up the tent with icicles for fingers. At this point I decided the whole thing was a folly and I'd have been much happier in bed with the money in my pocket.

 

 

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However, I was completely wrong. The sighting laps were hilarious, this is my first time setting off the ABS on what is meant to be a gentle familiarisation! But after those, plus a few brave souls heading straight out to tiptoe round, the track thawed and it was never high grip but it was certainly grippy enough to go peddling.

 

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Couple of former Z owners from here were out too. Paddy in his new banana, V6 swapped JDM MR2 - on semi slicks :lol:

 

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That worked out exactly as you'd imagine, with some gardening in a couple of areas...

 

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Also Matt was out in a sort of Z, just the wrong kind.

 

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As well as new to this forum (and currently Zed hunting) @PlanGT in his weaponised Mini

 

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Then there was the usual selection of interesting motors.

 

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Lunatics in Caterhams, where wind chill must have been -10C

 

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And the AWD cheats ;)

 

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Then a couple of Santa specials

 

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Cracking day out with Trackday Solutions, the lower than usual grip made for some epic moments, saved about £20 in petrol and probably similar in tyres & brake pads, and I managed my first big spin - glad to have got it out the way! Turns out the traction control on the Mazda is perfectly set up to make you feel both a bit of a hero and safe enough to take outrageous liberties, then point and laugh at you when you switch it off :lol:

 

 

 

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  • 2 months later...

It's been a bit quiet on Mazda life over winter, but 2023 track season kicked off this month for me at Cadwell. Not got many photos, but have a few vids and the pro shots. Setting the early morning scene here https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMY9FPt4T/ - yeah that's right, I'm down with the yoof on the Bebo and the Myspace and even the Tiktok.

 

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As you can see, it was a wet and wild day, full of red flags and ginetta juniors mowing grass, a nice Zed out, Mini Marcos and a few 2CV endurance machines. I didn't get much opportunity to compare my times last year with this, unless you count this side by side of summer time in the sun and the bleak winter ice cold track and rain. I love the wet days though for the slip n slide action, less fun in the paddock though.

 

 

 

Since then I took her to Yorkshire Car Restoration, who started off as Mazda specialists, to take first strike action against then enemy of MX-5s, the dreaded rust. Despite mine being a very clean example, it still came with some rusty bits, most of which are in the bin and replace with suspension and brace upgrades, but you can't be too careful with Mk3s. The rear subframe and cills and rear arches love to rust, so before that set in, I had the lot wire brushed, converted and protected. 

 

They have both an interesting Youtube channel https://youtube.com/@yorkshirecarrestoration and a very friendly owner, who was nice enough to let me take a few snaps when I was nosing around the workshop.

 

Mazda RX variants all over the place.

 

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Cheeky DB6

 

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A fairly gorgeous looking Jaaaaaaag

 

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A bit of Pork that was having serious work done (check the youtube)

 

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Look at this rare little number.

 

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There was loads more, assorted MX-5s, a Datsun, BMWs, you name it.

 

Not many photos of my car, I didn't ask, but the guys did take some photos, after I requested that my new bits and pieces were set to one side and kept free of rust treatment. The braces are not a problem but I did not want my lovely Ohlins all coated in schmutz.

 

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I had my cavity inspected and pumped (oooo errr) and blocked off to deal with one of Mazda's more curious choices (no it's not a drain hole).

 

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Although I didn't request photos, they were good enough to send me a few to show they'd respected my wishes.

 

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All in all, money well spent, which I am hoping will save me ££££££ in the long run. I can't speak highly enough of the company, easy to book and discuss work, all sorted on time and within a sensible budget. If you need rot sorting on anything and you're within a couple of hours of Doncaster/S****horpe, I'd highly recommend. As you can see, my little Mazda was the poor relation to some of the other stock, which made me feel a bit special lined up with all the prestige stuff.

 

Now I', ready for the weather and more trackdays.

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  • 2 months later...

Been a bit slow on the mod front for a while and then two come along all at once. Went out for a quiet drive in the country last month and the cat in the header decided to eat itself and block the exhaust, after a very tedious limp home, I placed an order for new header, mid section and the GT back box - all from BBR GTI.

 

 

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Considering I picked that system more on availability then sound and looks, I am very pleased indeed. No photos, but you can hear it pretty good on the videos in the next post.

 

The other thing that went down was a set of RPF1s and some new rubber. I did want to try a different wheel, as I fitted the gold version of these on the BRZ, but for the money and the strength and the weight, there's literally zero other options that I'd be prepared to splash money on and then smash them round tracks. Next best choice was OZ Alleggerita but that was £500 extra and I didn't like them any more than these.

 

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Not the most precise scales, but they do a job for a reference point!

 

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Plumped for a 215/45/17, which is a tiny bit wider than the OEM 205s, which makes them a tiny bit taller too - which fills up the arch a bit...

 

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... and improves the fitment a little, but this is never gonna be a stance queen!

 

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Whilst I was swapping over the rims, I popped my coiler socks off to see what had gone over winter. They've certainly been doing their job and the coils were nice and clean, just needed a little wipe over. A must have if you run expensive bits on our roads IMO.

 

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For the rubber, I've been agonising over AR1s and AD09s and Cup Sport 2s - in the end I plumped for good old Michelin.

 

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They certainly contribute their fair share of the overall wheel weight - adding 9.2kg :scare:

 

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Overall, I'm very pleased with these changes. The exhaust wasn't planned, but it was on the cards, as the OEM unit was rusty and sounded rubbish - this also sets up nicely for power gains down the line. The wheels look fab IMO and, as you'll see in the next post, the tyres certainly make a big difference. I purposely did not weigh in my OEM wheels and the MPS5s until after Anglesey, to see if I could feel any difference (beyond outright grip). The car felt much the same at Anglesey this week as it did last August, both through the steering wheel and seat. So I was quite pleased when I checked the weight and it was the exact same 16kg overall as the new setup - at least my hands work :lol:

 

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On Monday myself, @PlanGT and a few other mates went down to Anglesey to see the sea, track and even the sun. That's twice I have been now and both times it has been glorious, it's such an amazing location for a track and a great circuit to boot. Not so long as to make the little MX5 feel too breathless, but with enough width and straight to negotiate traffic. Also treated ourselves to a pit garage, which felt mighty fancy compared to the usual hiding in the tent!

 

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Full race team in our pit.

 

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Love an old JDM Neeesan me.

 

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Just before we left, terribly exposed photo, so black and white to the rescue :lol:

 

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I didn't take many photos, but the open track photographer did and there was some sexy metal out.

 

The most important ones first...

 

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Then the less fancy cars 😉

 

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Some brave owners out in brand new Lotus's, GT3s and a 964 as well - kudos to anyone tracking these things and not sitting them in a climate controlled garage :clap:

 

As I trailed, this was my first trip out with Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect rubber and my first go on "semi slicks" - how much fun are they! Grip for days and confidence coming out my ears, absolutely love them and they didn't hurt my lap times either, as you can see from this short clip of my best laps last year and this week. Pound for pound you don't find time much more easily than rubber.

 

 

 

It was an absolutely mega day, one of those ones where you just get lucky with traffic an get loads of laps in without many distractions - I think I did about 30 cleanish ones from the GoPro footage. I was much luckier than others though, who seemed to find people in the way, or coming past, plus a few red flags. Opentrack do a great job, but it wasn't quite as low numbers as when I went with Gold Track last year.

 

Highlight of the day was chasing down a supercharged Elise. This vid is only a few laps, but there was a few more before this where traffic kept getting in between us, before I managed to get after it.

 

 

Very pleased with the new exhaust sound, reminds me of little 4 pot British sports car of yesteryear - at least in my head!

 

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1 hour ago, andy james said:

Never been to Anglesey but after seeing those pics with the sea in the backdrop it looks mega!

I’m going to book a little trip in the Trophy! 


Do it mate, it’s a cracking location and track. It’s properly exposed, so if you get the other kind of weather, it will be challenging, but I’m sure you’d still love the track.

 

I’ve just booked to go back on 2nd August, get involved!

 

https://www.goldtrack.co.uk/track-days/anglesey-circuit-track-day-02-august-2023/

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