Whats happening to the MX5 racing??

[manga_blue]

I have asked this before on here, there are people doing supersprints with cars that would easily be able to enter the MX5 class. all they would need is the kill switch as most have roll bags, tow hooks, seats and harness already.

True e-w, there's stuff-all difference between my car and yours in terms of equipment, performance and times. Not sure if this helps but let me explain my thoughts about why we don't cross over to racing from my experience with NSW and Vic clubs and the odd event with SA and WA.

1. The MX5 clubs.
At the moment newbies enter either through driver training days at DECA, Marulan and the Winton AROCA/MX5 racecraft days or else they just show up after hearing about the track days through the club/forum grapevines. There they find a strong supportive and social environment. In Victoria at least they also get wrapped up in fairly fierce but friendly competition. Most of the people in the motorsport branches who complete one season then stay active in them for years.

2. Part of a Team
Club spirit sometimes comes into it too. e.g. NSW drivers who compete in the CAMS supersprint championship do it partly for fun and partly to earn points for the club in the interclub championship. There are a lot of people who work very hard for their motorsport groups and there's satisfaction in that too. The WInton and PI 6 Hour events also bind people into the clubs.

3. No Club support for racing.
There's no club path from the club track days into full racing. Basically if you get into racing then you leave behind that strong social element of the motorsport groups. It's interesting that the few who do make the jump don't do it in MX5s.

4. The door banging thing.
Like most of the people I run with, my car is a daily driver. It's got A/C, seats, carpets, rego, cruise. We take it to town for shopping. I don't see log booked racecars as being dual purpose like that. Threading it through 2 other cars around the Fishhook when they don't really want to let you through doesn't fit with that concept either.

5. Expense.
I assume sprinting is much cheaper than racing in the long run. Am I right?

I'd go racing if
- it was safe for a daily driver(and I could keep a daily driver)
- it cost about the same as sprints
- there was a good team feeling about it
- there was a good social side to it

[tbro]

Hey Phil,
Can't comment on NSW but in Qld its the following,
1/ Scooter could be used as a daily if I needed to but the race seat might get a "little" hard on the arse.(oh! and no radio)

2/Our meets cost roughly $180 to $200 per meet, 1 or 2 day events.

3/ Couldn't meet a better bunch of people in the majority than the Qld PSCRAQ mob. If your in striff they will help where they can. I think this was born out last year at the 1 hr at Morgan Park. Probably the reason even if your not racing people still turn up and support their club mates.

4/Same as 3.

In other words a good club feel and even have our own track days.

Terry

[evil_weevil]

I'd go racing if
- it was safe for a daily driver(and I could keep a daily driver)
- it cost about the same as sprints
- there was a good team feeling about it
- there was a good social side to it

hey M B -
I can see your points - I'll try and answer the best I can for you and my side of the story etc!
I was nervous for my first MRA meeting in 2009 at Oran Park. I drove the MX5 there, raced, drove it home.
reason I bought the MX5 was to start doing racing - and MX5 racing seemed to be the most affordable.

Ive made some good friends from razcing with super TT and MRA/MX5.
the guys in the MX5 challenge (most..!) are really friendly, approachable and do everything out of their own pocket so there is that respect out on the track.
even in the pits we joke, share tools, have beers the night before etc, share advice, shake each others hands after each race - help each other unlead and load the cars - general blokey bloke stuff really!
I was lucky as the southern sporting car club which I am in, a few race in MRA so there were people I know, and this would be the same with the MX5 club.

so the team aspect - cause you are against everyone else its not as good as club round for the cams series!

my car 'could' be used for daily driving. just change the wheels to street tyres, soften suspension and off you go!
not the worlds most comfortable thing...!
and with the fish hook...check out my vid and scott walkers vid in the MRA round 3 thread - we get close to other cars, but have the respect and give space when needed as we all want to bring our cars home in one peice!

it can be expensive - not by much.
an SSCC supersprint at wakie is around $160 for entry where as MRA is $230
sprint you may get 5 sessions on average - and 3-4 flying laps. MRA you get 1 x 10min qual, 1 x 6 lap, 1 x 8 lap and 1 x 10 lap
then you can also cross enter into superTT
wear and tear? maybe similar?

Ive limited my rounds this year and next as wife isnt working as now have a little bub. but its a great entry level to racing and good bunch of people, cept for Colster3....nah he is a top bloke too hahah

[Boyracer]

The question is do you want to go to the same track driving the same car and just drive around and try to go as fast as you can... Or do you want to go and drive as fast as you can in a race where you are trying to pass the guy in front and stop the guy behind passing you, I really don't think you can compare the 2.

You either get yourself a car you can afford to race or you get a car you can afford to do sprints in...you can't really race a car that you need to drive to work the next morning.

I want to race people not just go to a track to drive around.

Terry, won't be at QR, we are going to USA at the end of Sept. for 6 weeks.

[manga_blue]

You either get yourself a car you can afford to race or you get a car you can afford to do sprints in...you can't really race a car that you need to drive to work the next morning.

That pretty much says what I think about it, Lou. Somewhere in the future there could be a stripped down little hand-built NA6 hottie. Cheap cams, DIY headwork, IRTBs, MS2, 11:1, etc with power from 6000 to 8500 and the ride softness of a bullock cart.

[zero00]

manga_blue

Not sure of the cost of racing but as far as Sprints go, here is my breakdown:

MX5 Club of Queensland - Lakeside Park and QR

6 x meets @ $125 = $750
AASA Licence = $55
Set 4 x KU36 = $700

Timing device is $80 one off payment, you own it and in-car lap time display $120 - so $200 outlay but good for who knows how long! This cost NOT added to my yearly breakdown

Say $1600 + fuel and servicing, I get mine done after every 2 meetings regardless - I would get more than 6 meets out of the tyres but use that as a guideline if you wanted to replace each year

Of course we add extras like suspension, sway bars, rollbars, additional alloys etc, I wouldn't call that a running cost, more 'Capital outlay'

How does this compare with NSW?

[evil_weevil]

Im moving to QLD!

[Dan]

Not sure of the cost of racing but as far as Sprints go, here is my breakdown...

That's great value Motorsport!

[zero00]

evil_weevil

Not sure what it costs you for a 'track day' at Wakefield etc. Regardless of what track we run at the entry fees are the same, discounted to $125 for members if paid 14 days prior, non members a little more of course but they don't mind!! 90% of our competitors run road registered cars, in many cases it is their 'DD' If we have a 'bad' day, the Club bears the loss but so far this year numbers have been great, I, along with a few others really push each event well before it's on so everyone gets enthused! Tomorrow is 14 days out and last day for 'discounted' fee, as of 30 mins ago 16+ have paid and that will double in the next 24 hours, so hoping for 45+ on the day!!

You are welcome anytime to come join us BUT always on a Monday as the weekend hire charges would cripple the Club and make entry fees much too high! I'm sure we can find a spare bed somewhere!!

For the record, we get at least 5 runs and up to 7 runs each day, dependent on how many groups and each run is 'warm up' followed by 5 flying and then lead out and back to the pits!!

[evil_weevil]

thats a good set up zero.
the cheapest Ive paid was $140 for wakefield sprint, and $180 for EC. when Oran Park closed prices went up. 200-220 now for EC and wakie is around 160 on average.

days like circuit club and track school are 250 or so for wakie. but its not a sprint, has pro drivers too.

[zero00]

Mind you we only have 'half' days, so we dont kick off until 12noon and finish by 4pm so it's a matter of be lined up with your group and ready to go!! Last year members were $110 and if we have a FULL day for track the cost in still the same for entry fees and possible to get in NINE runs!! Now that's great value!

If we get 45 cars we would still run that as 4 groups, fastest group 1 and so on - if someone is new and quick, move shuffle the groups a little!

BTW, Car53 [red NC with white stripes from Natmeet/Wakefield] was on my run today, damn we all had fun!! John's chomping at the bit for the 23rd!!

Pics are on the 'topic' for July 8 Club run

[tbro]

Zero is talking about MX5 track days, the Sprints are run the same as NSW. $175 for QR and Lakeside.

Car must be able to pass AASA scrutineering, can't see the value when you get 6 runs of 5 laps + 1 warm up, 1 cool down , racing is usually 40odd laps of pure terror Oh! I make me laugh!!!!

Practice is usually $120 to $150, free for all for 4 hours.Not bad valve usually get the track to yourself first hour or so

Sprints is passing only on the straights or where you recon you can get away with it, pretty lax with passing these days.Still plenty of enjoyment by most of those involved but sometimes can get a bit heated, then it get exciting. Some of the cars doing sprints would be front runners in most classes, have a mate(true) with a 2002 Integra doing 58s at Lakeside.

Track days , only allowed to pass on the straight. But that belongs in its OWN topic

Terry

[MattR]

Track days , only allowed to pass on the straight. But that belongs in its OWN topic

But the braking areas are still straights Terry.......

[tbro]

So to keep this alive, MX5 racing is alive and well atm,

http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/resul ... 012.SMP.P5

Boyracer is doing us proud!!!!!

Just hope the Moslers stay away from QR Cue!!!

Terry

[evil_weevil]

I hope it's televised!