Whats happening to the MX5 racing??

[Boyracer]

You can build something other than a MX5 in to a 2F spec. and I guess if you have a 2B car you run Prod. Sports.

[plohl]

PSCRAQ are looking for numbers for 2 events at lakeside. One is the 31/5 - they're hoping to split classes, with 2f getting it's own class.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Cal]

This is the opportunity many of you track day guys have been looking for. A 2F only grid. My old war horse will be making it's way out there.

[ljs18]

Simple question. Do I need a six point cage to race a MX5?

[zossy1]

No, a BD bar with a CAMS certification will do.

[mazmad]

Whats happening to the MX5 racing????

With 20 cars entered for the MX5 Cup at Wakefield this Sunday.

And 28 registrations for the MX5 Nationals 2 months out.

I would say plenty.

[zossy1]

Hi guys,

After buying my car from Shane back in 2013, and after nearly 3 years of MX5 racing... Where are we?

My first race meeting was a Modern Sports Cars sprint event. Since then, I have raced many, many rounds of the MX5 Cup, winning a few races along the way. I have also raced a Wakefield 300, done a few club track days (in the race car), and more recently, started running Supersprints (CAMS Championship).

My car is quick, but as an NA chassis with an aspirated BP, it lacks a bit of power compared to the 2.5L NC cars, and especially the turbo cars. In spite of this, when I have good tyres, I can mix it at the front of the cup field.

In Supersprints, the playing field is more level. I am only competing with cars built to the same rule set (4B) and capacity (1600-2000cc). We also get to run on SMP GP, which is an awesome driver's track, and a place we don't see on the cup calendar. On the down side, because there are a million classes and capacity categories in sprints, even a packed out round (like the last round, or like the ASSC at Winton recently) only sees you competing against a handful of other competitors. Oh yeah, and it's not door-to-door, which takes a little fun out of it

We're down to one income at the moment, and have just had our second kid. Plus, dad and I have been developing the Blue Rocket and wringing more speed out of it, so sprints have been ideal. Next year though, I'd like to get back in to door-to-door and have been reflecting on the current mix of cars we usually see, and thinking about how to attract more cars to events too.

I've said it before, but how about a move to classes? Something relatively easy to enforce, but fair to the competitors in different equipment. You can't have too manyclasses, and we'd still be all on the track together. This, in my estimation, would really help motivate some competitors to get involved.

Class A (Outright Class):
Engine swaps
Turbo/Supercharged
Open aero (up to, say, 3D or 2A rules)
Open engine/drivetrain/suspension
Turbo cars limited to semi slicks
Under 3L engine swaps (incl. 2.5L NCs) can run slicks or whatever they want

Class B:
Aspirated cars only
Under 2L only
Engine/drivetrain/suspension/aero as per 2B rules
Semi Slicks only (driver's choice or perhaps a control tyre like the A050?)

Class C:
Entry level class - OEM ECU and control semi slicks (something cheap like the NT01)
Very limited mods (similar to Supersprint Class 2).

If you look at our current fields, this would probably do a good job at bringing some parity within the groups, as well as giving the Class B and C guys/gals something to race for (other than winning a cup by hitting a time on your predictive timer). The turbo cars would be brought back somewhat to the 2.5L NCs by virtue of having to run semis. The faster 2B prep'd NA/NB cars (such as David and I) would revert back to semis, allowing some of the other 2B/F cars like Stew, Greeny, Andy, etc to make up the distance - especially with the benefit of some inexpensive 2B-compliant aero (though I hear Andy is moving to a 2.5 NC...).

It would also give an opportunity for those looking for a cheap and easy way in.

The rules would be relatively easy to enforce. With the involvement of folks like Daniel, my old man, and others, the odd spot check should keep it all mostly on the level.

I'd also be keen to get more variety in tracks, including more FOSC rounds (and not just South Circuit - somebody shoot me), but possibly also trips to Winton and/or Morgan Park... And maybe the Nationals at SMP GP circuit or Phillip Island? That may be difficult under the AASA banner but maybe something could be arranged...

Thoughts?

Thoughts?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Magpie]

Why not time based groups? Use a dial in (nominated) time if you break out penalties apply, this is easy to administer and all most self regulating.

[zossy1]

Why not time based groups? Use a dial in (nominated) time if you break out penalties apply, this is easy to administer and all most self regulating.

That's what we use at the moment.

From a competition standpoint, it bears an uncomfortable resemblance to regularity. My car is capable of 1:06s, maybe 1:05s at WP if I push, but it will do 1:08s all day, hanging an arm out the window and watching my predictive timer carefully. If I don't crash it, I win the cup.

Where is the incentive to push, especially when there are turbo cars and 2.5L NCs that can whack on the blinker and pass me down the straight, then cover lines and park it on the apexs for the rest of the lap?

[Magpie]

Remove timing and radios from cars. Yes it is more regularity style. For shits and giggles have the car(s) dríven by a tame racing driver and this becomes the nominated time, bonus points for going faster.

[zossy1]

Regularity events are a dime a dozen. Entry is also cheaper than d2d races. Why go this way for Cup racing? Because it is easier to police?

Nobody is going to agree to letting someone else drive their car. Removing timers from cars? That would mean removing the entire dash of many cars... And would be harder to enforce than simple rules like slicks vs semis, aero vs. no aero, turbo vs. no turbo, etc. That sort of stuff is self evident.

We have enough technical nouse amongst competitors to police the (very straightforward) rule set I outlined above. The payoff will be closer and more hotly contested racing, and far more satisfaction for competitors in knowing they have won or placed for more reason than their ability to follow a predictive timer.

It's interesting, but this was the main concern of competitors who voiced concerns before last year's Nationals. As it turned out, the endurance format sorted out the turbo cars and allowed Luke and Daniel to hotly contest the final race right down to the last lap. However, on points, it still would have been possible for someone trudging around doing 9's to steal that victory from Luke... It didn't happen, but the possibility that it could have should concern all of those who were a part of that event, or who have an interest in the veracity of MX5 racing.

I don't want to freeze anyone out of Cup racing. Right now, engine swap cars like Nathan's K swap car (RIP) or Dan's ex-Herring SR20 car can't run the cup (even with time based class limitations), which is a shame. I say, let them in and compensate with tyre limitations or other handicaps that are easy to enforce. Create easy classes that accomodate as many cars as possible and include an entry level class that makes joining the cup cheap and easy, and creates a succession plan for new drivers.

The funny thing is, this isn't a new discussion. If you do some searching, much the same issues were raised back in 2010 following the Nationals that year, which included controversy over 2A cars vs 2B cars vs 2F cars, and control Dunlop tyres.

[Magpie]

The issue is politics and the simple fact is that you will never be able to make 100% of the participants happy. Further, there will always be the people trying to find a loophole. Maybe having everybody find all the loopholes in the current rules and then try and plug these is a solution?

Do you want to make a complete new series with never been used before rules or tweak the existing ones? Again, some people will just resist the change, unless they think it is their idea or have ownership.

I'm following this because in 2017 I may decide to start to do door to door. I'm holding off until I have the confidence that I can do consistent laps as well as a decent driver. Chatted with a person who did the day at Lakeside on 17/07/16 and they enjoyed it (even the rules), however also said that it was not as cheap as time attack.

[stuart1]

I think what you mention here Chris happens to all forms of racing over time as competitors give it a break or retire but there is little to no influx of newbies to maintain the numbers.

The way I see it is the main focus should be to get as many cars on the grid as possible regardless of their configuration to put yourself in a position where you could offer a good field to a track promoter and not have to resort to what, if anything a promoter would offer your group.

There are enough cars sitting on the sideline at the moment to provide a good field but the challenge is to bring those cars out out of semi retirement.

The quick guys will come out if there is a challenge and as such if you can get a few quality cars you would probably get more just because that represents a challenge to many drivers who are usually not keen on just circulating.

I think an informed time base class system would still be the best way to go as any technical changes that cost $$$ will reduce the take up.

I am sure that this situation has been done discussed many times before but to me the big picture solution is to get as many cars on the grid as possible.

Having said the above our car is now up for sale http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/p/1/id/17404

Our decision to put it on the market has nothing directly to do with what we are talking about here but rather a change in opportunity which would allow us to do what we wanted to do in the first place.

We acquired a Porsche 997 series 1 cup car and will do some Prodsports racing with it.

If Prodsports did not allow selected GT3 cars to run their fields could be small indeed and thus have little chance of attracting a series sponsor or even getting track time.

Seems very similar to what we are talking about here with MX5 racing.

[chops]

this is an interesting discussion and I am not sure what the answer is

I have run the last 2 rounds of the cup and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have done club days for a number of years and modified my car to my taste without thought to any CAMS specs or regulations and what attracted me to the cup was the ability to run my car as it is including slicks. I too would like to see cars like Daniel Aplins SR monster and others on the grid. If you look at timing from yesterday the front 5 were within a second and racing felt close all day. Maybe change the timing bracket a bit? Sub 1.06 class to include engine swap cars/outright class. 1.06-1.08 would capture a decent competitive field 1.08-1.10 and 1.10 + would both capture fields and I think would be great entry classes for guys that have done club days or similar and don't want to have bigger budget cars. I think if we want to run at bigger/different tracks I think the key would be large fields

I get what you are saying re cars that are more powerful being difficult to race against, I had a Mini in my rear mirror that would certainly agree.

Looking on Natsoft it looks as if the Lotus club run races within their club days. Might be an idea to run a round within a club day to get more people interested as the club days have got bigger and faster and are a natural feeder

[greenMachine]

this is an interesting discussion and I am not sure what the answer is

Agree!!

I have a lot of sympathy for Chris' views. I had not thought of it as 'regularity', but that nails my difficulty with the current system. The ones near the faster limits are sort of doing regularity, to avoid ending up running at the back of the faster class. However, the slower ones in each class are free to race, and this provides the jollies that make it worthwhile.

I am starting to think that the yanks points system might be a way forward, perhaps we can come up with a points system that would work for us?

In the meantime, I still plan on getting out there with you all ... soon!



PS I think that we have to accept that whatever the system, some cars will be king of the class, whether it be as a result of a skilled driver, a big budget, or the worst case, a skilled driver with a big budget!