2F and NC...

[Boyracer]

Neils new race car topic was getting very side tracked...so here are my thoughts...

2F has always been way expensive,that;s why I have never built a 2F car...you can get a Cosworth NC engine putting out about 290 HP...imagine how fast that would be...and how much it would cost...

The restricted NC class is definately the way to go...not to try and take over 2F but just to run along side all the other classes...

[mx5racing]

Hi all,

As you all know we have a few NC’s now and have learnt a great deal from the various events we have done. They are obviously the latest model in the evolution of MX5’s racing in Australia and with their introduction comes a whole new set of issues that need to be dealt with ASAP.

The original idea of cheap competitive motor racing is getting away from us. NA’s that have cost $35+ are out there. NB turbos with $50K build costs are becoming more and more common. As both cars are pushing the limits then failures are increasing, with repair costs that would make your bank manager nervous. It’s a vicious circle where those with very deep pockets still have an advantage and they can afford to buy their way close to the front. To find a second or so in these cars means + 5K investments and in the case of the top NA’s, they are pretty much at the limit.

Similar concerns were raised during various discussions I have had with many of the current NSW and QLD based competitors. It’s safe to say the horse has bolted with current 2F and 2B models. Despite the regulations cars with illegal diffs, modified & lightweight bodies, launch control, suspension mods, etc, etc are out there . This is almost impossible to regulate without a massive commitment from current drivers. There is also the issue of CAMS regs vs AASA/TOP Gear regs.

The current model is of course the NC and when it 1st hit the track it soon became obvious it made a very good, competitive racecar straight out of the box. With very little work such bolt in suspension, brake pads and tyres coupled to std, unmodified drivelines we were doing very quick times.

The obvious concern is if we allow the open slather we currently have on the earlier models then the whole concept of MX5 racing in Australia will implode. If someone goes to Mazda today, shells out 45k on a brand new car, spends some $$ on fancy mods they will be unbeatable possibly even against the 2B’s. A 2F spec NC with little amount of fully legal mods will be the fastest 2F by a country mile.

A small group of us got together and proposed we introduce some restrictions specifically covering NC’s that are racing. I feel we have the best opportunity to achieve this now whilst the number of NC’s are limited. The idea for a NC control category is to allow close, competitive racing at a more budget friendly cost. With regulations restricting modifications to some basics we have a great opportunity to secure the future for MX5 racing here in Australia for many years.

The regs we are working on include

ENGINES TO BE TAGGED AND SEALED - NO ENGINE MODS AT ALL
STD 6 SPEED UNMODIFED GEARBOX
CONTROL DIFF INC RATIOS
CONTROL SHOCK/SPRING
CONTROL SWAY BAR
CONTROL BRAKE PADS
CONTROL TYRE
CONTROL EXHAUST HEADERS
CONTROL ECU
MINIMUM WEIGHT OF CARS – INCLUDING THE DRIVER
MINIMUM RIDE HEIGHT
APART FROM THE NECESSARY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS THE REST OF THE CAR WILL REMAIN STD AND UNMODIFIED.

Cars will be built to CAMS 2F regs with the addition of the above and be known to us as 2F NC .

Basically the above covers the mods we have done to our cars. At the recent Eastern Creek event our 4 cars were separated by .7 of a second. Imagine a field of 10, 15 or even 20 cars – the interest would be fantastic.

Unlike other series there will be no restrictions on where you run your car be it AASA, FOSC, Prod Sports events. The only requirement will be when we organise a race meeting for ALL MX5’s then those NC’s at that event will have to meet these requirements. If you have a NC and wish to modify it outside of the 2F NC regs you will not be permitted to run.

Feedback from most of the well-known competitors to this point has been overwhelmingly positive with many looking to step from their current cars to support this concept. The QLD’ers have shown how successful this style of category can be but as all of them will admit, the cost of things is starting to hurt big time. I strongly believe we only get one chance to not make the mistakes of the past. If we take a stand now the future will looks rosy for the LONG TERM future.

As most of you will be aware we are coming up with a total of 4 cars to Morgan Park in 2 weeks time. Please come over and have a talk to us and look in detail at the cars. Whilst it wont be possible for everyone to drive them on the Friday practice we are open to a few people having a steer if this is allowed??

I look forward to reading you comments but so we don’t get bogged down please keep them constructive.

Thanks guys

Chris.

[fish]

just a cut and paste from the other thread so as to stay in the loop

yeah i have heard a bit from Cal on this
and have thrown him a few ideas
i am looking forward to hear what Chris comes up with .

i know that I and a lot of the other guys will only buy into an NC series
if there are a strict set of rules so as what has happened in the NA's can't happen
i also would like to see it implemented in a way such that the current NA's don't become worthless...

i am loving the concept and will definitely support it ...
see you up at morgan park

[Red 2f MX5]

As i said in the other thread.

If this all happens (which i think it will over time ) i will be in an NC for sure.

I think it would be a very cheap form of motorsport. And the cars will still be reasonably quick.

Also with the limited mods, you could pretty well build one in a couple of weeks. You wouldn't have to do bugger all testing because there is bugger all you can do.

Great idea i think.

[Cal]

This is a link Fish sent me http://www.mx-5cup.com/series.php?page=MX5carfacts

My major concern is devaluing our NA's.

[Cal]

I reckon piss the minium ride height off and run big wheels on them.

[fish]

this is some footage from the series that belongs to that website



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-7X6SKK ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_BiyADihCU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PFn1oZnNcg

[mx5racing]

I like this one better.........

[AJ]

oh my............I think I just made a mess

[Boags]

oh my............I think I just made a mess

Yep.

[SKYHI]

I think you're right on the money Chris and agree that now is the time to act to secure the future of MX5 racing Australia.

From the outset I never got involved in MX5 racing to win races but it did look like the sort of category where I could enjoy some close, clean and affordable racing on a relatively level playing field, that was controlled by a nationally recognised set of rules (CAMS 2F). Whilst most of this remains true, what has become apparent is that the rules can, and have already been exploited by some people but fortunately not to the point where it has hurt the category, yet. However if we don't put some regulations in place for the NC models now, we risk losing all those factors which are appealing about the category and the backbone of it's success.

The NCs you guys are currently running have already proven to be as quick as some of the most developed 2F NAs in the country, and from all accounts they are still relatively unmodified. This bodes well for everyone in that the NC cars should be relatively cheap to build, using the regulations you have proposed, whilst protecting those guys who already have invested a lot of time and money into their existing cars, as it will protect their investment from becoming uncompetitive and worthless overnight.

As for the whole CAMS/AASA argument, there aren't really any regs in place for AASA here in QLD, apart from the necessary safety requirements, so any car built to the CAMS 2F NC regs would be eligible for any AASA event anyway.

I only have one concern with the proposal and that's the question of "compliance" checks. The reason the current regs have been exploited, is that there simply aren't any compliance checks occuring and that some people interpretation of the rules differ. Are there any plans to have compliance checks or are you hoping that a simple "gentlemans agreement" will be enough?

Look forward to catching up at Morgan Park.

Paul.

[Cal]

Problem for me is I'd need an Aussie car so it can be registered like my current car. I'll be waiting a few years yet for them to become affordable. The other concern is the cost of body panels. Of which quite a few have been getting mangled lately.

[SKYHI]

My major concern is devaluing our NA's.

Yep, exactly. That's why the regulations need to be designed to limit the "slightly" modified NCs performance to that of the more "developed" NA & NB cars. Once the NA & NB cars become uncompetitive they will lose value very quickly.

Paul.

[JBT]

I think it would be a somewhat strange to limit/hobble the NC just to protect NA/NB values.

[SKYHI]

I think it would be a somewhat strange to limit/hobble the NC just to protect NA/NB values.

Limiting the allowable modifications on the NC serves quite a few purposes.

1. Keeps the cost down on building an NC and retains the "affordablity" tag that is a big drawcard of the category.
2. By keeping the performance limited to that of the more developed NAs & NBs then the racing remains close, another big drawcard of the category.
3. Protects the value of the older cars because they are still competitive.

Paul.