mx5cartalk.com

Girls and boys, old hands and new chums, contenders and dabblers all

Now that 2007 has arrived, it's time to start thinking about streching our boundaries, and trying something different. That 'something' could be the State supersprint series.

Registration is now open for the 2007 CAMS NSW Supersprint Championship.

Now, that title sounds rather grand, but don't be put off by that. What it amounts to is another track day, just like our club days down at WP. If you have done a few track days with the club, or elsewhere, you should not be deterred by this series. They are run the same way, competitors compete in classes/types, and are grouped on the track according to lap times (real or estimated if you haven't run on a circuit).

Again, if you haven't run at one of the circuits, you will pick it up pretty quickly by following others in your group (there is no practice or training at the rounds normally, as they are not intended for first timers).

What you will get is a big variety of cars, and meet some new people with our interest in fast cars, and have a lot of fun.

Registration costs $50, that gets you access to an early 'registrants only' period to lodge your entry prior to general entries opening for each of the eight rounds, eligibility for points towards the championship, and a highly subsidised prize giving lunch and skidpan day at the end of the series.

Atmo MX5s will run in the 1600-2000 Class, within one of the 'Types'. These are standard cars (Type 1), modified road registered (Type 2 - such as the Green Machine, Mike), modified racing cars (Type 3 - eg Kevin's car), type 4 is racing cars on slicks (Nick and Matilda).

All NA and NB cars will require at least a BD 'half cage' roll bar (steel, alloy not allowed), and the 50mm rule is enforced fairly tightly. You will need a fire extinguisher, gloves, a driving suit (I used a pair of King Gee overalls last year) and a secondary bonnet catch. If you have trouble meeting the 50mm requirement using the standard seat, I think you might be able to replace it with a non-standard seat (as a safety device) - but if you think this might apply to you, you need to check this out (PM me and I will pass your query on to Mike, or contact him directly at competition@mx5.com.au). This applies to Type 1 only (ie 'standard' cars), as other classes allow freedom to change seats. Oh, and a helmet and CAMS L2S licence too!

I have a copy of the registration form, calendar, rules, and eligibility requirements for the different classes/types, any of last year's competitors will have them also (see below, or PM me). The Supp Regs for 2006 were not a lot different to the ones from our track days. First round is 4 March, at Oran Park GP circuit. There are 3 rounds at OP GP, 1 at OP South circuit, 2 at Eastern Creek, and 2 at Wakefield, basically one a month with the last round on 14 October.

As some of you will know, I did this series last year. I had a great time, even though this time last year I had never set a wheel on the Sydney circuits! I can highly recommend it as \"something different\", a new challenge.

Last year we had Nick and Matilda, Darren, Mike, Ian, Stewart, John, Lindsay, Bradely, Doug, Renny, Bill, Kevin, me, and I have probably missed a couple, but you get the picture. Not everybody competed at every round (you can only count your best 7 rounds anyway), but there was a hard core there at every one.

So, who is up for it? Talk to one of the people who did compete last year, you don't have to launch a full on bid for a Class or Type result first time out, or ever, if you want to just dip your toe in at a few rounds, or just come for the fun, that is fine.

There is another reason to register, rather than just enter particular rounds - there is a Club Championship run in parallel, and our position at the top of the heap has slipped a little (IIRC we came second last year) - so your Club needs YOU!

*You still need to separately enter, and pay the appropriate entry fee, for each round.

Seriously tempted by this.

I've read the 2007 CAMS regs, and I have going to have to get a aftermarket seat to comply with the 50mm rule. I'm thinking something like the OBX one Bigdog got as it seemed to drop his height level a fair bit according to the aftermarket seat thread.

Secondary bonnet restraint - What are we talking about here? A cable tie connecting the primary bonnet restraint together, will that suffice?

C'mon Andrew, you KNOW you wanna!

Matt

Matt, I used a couple of short lengths of nylon webbing, with a couple of those plastic buckles, until the bolt holding one end came undone and I lost that half. Since replaced with a belt (as in trousers, for the holding up) cut in half. Not as sexy, but just as functional.

Sparco Sprint seat will fit, check dimensions before you part with $$ for a seat, the MX is rather narrow. Also, if you are going to run Type 1 (standard cars), check with Mike first.

My car is *not quite* stock, running in the modified road registered normally aspirated class, so the seat issue should be fine.

Thanks for the info!

Matt

Would have loved to have a run in some of the events but….

Well it is a NC and CAMS haven’t approved the standard “roll bar” and my big head and helmet must be at least 4” (100mm) above that bar anyway.

It is impossible to fit an aftermarket roll bar (if one was available) that’s 50mm above the top of the helmet and put up the soft top let alone retain it.

Li7hium wrote:C'mon Andrew, you KNOW you wanna!

Matt

sure do...

when do reg's have to be in by??

i need a seat, roll bar and secondary restraint for the bonnet to comply.

i always said i would do sprints this year guess its time to eat my words

Given that I have a 1993 NA8 non-Clubman, am I going to be in Class 3 due to my aftermarket LSD?

Matt

Li7hium wrote:Given that I have a 1993 NA8 non-Clubman, am I going to be in Class 3 due to my aftermarket LSD?

Matt

i dunno i thought the LSD might be a "free" upgrade?

argueable it is standard on a mx5 of your model so you might get away with it.

much like building a "mock" SE or SP race car you could always build a "mock" clubmen surely??

It is necessary to read the regs CAREFULLY, and look at all the opportunities to have mods qualify. Don't just read the diffs section - read it ALL and see how it fits together. There is more scope for mods than might first appear.

greenMachine wrote:It is necessary to read the regs CAREFULLY, and look at all the opportunities to have mods qualify. Don't just read the diffs section - read it ALL and see how it fits together. There is more scope for mods than might first appear.

where can i get the full regs?

PM me your email address.

Sent my entry in a few days ago, Should be interesting in the SVC class.
Will be using the FoSC event as a shake down event for the 1st round. Look forward to all the othe MX5's turning up.

not sure ill have the cash to have the car ready in time so might have to give it a miss untill next year

whens too late to reg??

im keen as mustard but to get a cage and new tyres i think ill be pushing it..

might be time to get a loan for a \"motor bike\"

Irwin, you can register any time - right up to the last round! Point is, you can drop one round anyway, and if you can't be ready in time for first round, then register and compete from round 2.

Alternatively, register, and just compete in any rounds you can - that way you will get experience, and points as well, from those rounds.

greenMachine wrote:Irwin, you can register any time - right up to the last round! Point is, you can drop one round anyway, and if you can't be ready in time for first round, then register and compete from round 2.

Alternatively, register, and just compete in any rounds you can - that way you will get experience, and points as well, from those rounds.

ahh ok. cool

well when i get the car sorted ill get back to you i guess till then ill stick to club days i guess