Rules for racing

[Sprite001]

Hi everyone
Just purchased my first 1993 Na (1.6), and i am thinking of having a go at club racing but i am unsure of what rules and where to get the info i need.
Can some one point me in the direction so i can check my car over and i can get it ready for standard club racing in Sydney.
Cheers Phil

[Jeo]

Hi Phil. Welcome!

First step to get involved is to join the MX5 Club of NSW here, then make your way over to the motorsports page here. From there you should easily be able to find all of the information you need to get involved with the club days. The club runs half a dozen or so days at Wakefield every year (about 2hrs south from you at Goulburn); where you'll normally get 5-7 runs of 4-6 laps, your best lap counting as your time for the day. They then award points based on who got the fasted lap in each category, most points at the end of the season wins. I only mention the competition thing because that seemed like what you were interested in, plenty of people go along to every day knowing they can't really compete with the front runners of their category but just want to have fun trying to best themselves so please don't be put off if you think you won't be competitive.

The next level up from there if you want more serious racing against a variety of cars would be the NSW State Supersprint series. I'm not sure what the details are there as I've never done it, but plenty of people here have so I'm sure someone can fill you in there.

Best of luck however you chose to have a go and be sure to keep us posted of your exploits.

[Sprite001]

Thanks for the info
I am also looking for the car specifications for the standard class of racing and where can i get these.
I want to get the car set up correct before i go to the track.
Cheers Phil

[Guran]

Good reply from Joe and I echo his recommendation for you to visit the MX-5 Club of NSW website and get involved with the club trackdays. Please understand that these trackdays are "supersprints" where you are on the track with about nine other cars but are spaced out so there's minimal "door-to-door" activity and strictly no "racing". You are competing against the clock. I'd suggest this is the best place for you to get started with your trackdays. If you really want proper door-to-door racing, then that is available through MX5 Challenge and other race series, but you really need to gain familiarity with driving fast on a track before making that leap (and get proper CAMS licensing).

The Regulations give a basic guideline on the different classes at the club trackdays. The following quote from the Regulations essentially defines what the club regards as "standard":

NOTE: The definition of a standard car is one in the "spirit" of, as it would have left the factory. i.e. No performance enhancing modifications including tyres. Kuhmo V70A or similar will classify a vehicle as modified

I have been a regular in Class 1 for Standard NAs over the last two years, so I'm very familiar with what you can and can't do. It boils down to ...

no engine mods at all (yes, NA6s compete against NA8s with more power), so that means standard air intake, headers/exhaust system, ECU, etc
standard brakes (yes, NA6s compete against NA8s with bigger brakes)
standard suspension (yes, NA6s compete against NA8 Clubmans with Bilstein shocks)
standard bushes (polyurethane bushes are not permitted)
standard size wheels 14"x5.5" (standard daisy wheels are very light anyway, ideal for minimising unsprung weight)
standard size tyres 185/60R14 (R specs such as RE55S, R888, DZ03G, V70A, etc are not permitted in standard classes)

And this is what you CAN do:
CAMS-compliant rollbar (eg Brown Davis or MX-5 Plus single-hoop)
Race seat (strictly speaking it must be street legal, so use the standard mounting brackets)
Harness (must be less than 10 years old)
1kg fire extinguisher (recommended but not required for club trackdays)
Adjust timing (aim for 14 degrees BTDC to optimise power output)
Aggressive wheel alignment (zero toe F&R, max negative camber F&R, max caster ... within standard adjustment range)
Brake linings, brake rotors, and brake fluid (I have been using Castrol Response Super fluid with Bendix Ultimates but have picked up a set of Hawk HP+ to fit ASAP. I still use stock rotors.)
Decent street tyres (I use Bridgestone Adrenalin RE001, but there is a possibility that S-specs such as Dunlop Star Specs might be allowed provided they have a treadwear rating at least equivalent to conventional street tyres and are commercially available in Australia - check with Mike Hicks before buying anything)
Tyre pressure (I start at 34psi cold, and aim for 38-40psi hot, depending on how the car feels on the day)

... and that's about it really.

If you want to do supersprints at Eastern Creek too, then you should check out the CAMS Supersprint Championship. I am very keen to attract a few more standard NA6 drivers to enter the championship. If we can get at least three regular competitors than we will be eligible to compete for Class 1A (less than three entrants, and we get bumped to Class 1B against standard cars with 1601-2000cc capacity, or Class 2A against modified cars with up to 1600cc). Complete rules and regulations are available HERE. Note especially the vehicle regulations for 2011. "Type 1" is for standard cars. Note that R-spec tyres are legal to use in Type 1 for the Supersprint Championship (they're worth a second or two per lap, so you're nuts not to use them!).

If your NA6 is set up for the club trackdays, there's only a few extra things you need to do for the Supersprints:
blue battery triangle
secondary restraint for the bonnet (a strap under the bonnet is all you need)
vehicle numbers for the doors

Of course, you also need a track licence for both club trackdays and Supersprints. If you're only driving at Wakefield Park, then you only need an Australian Autosport Alliance licence $50.00 (annually) available from the Wakefield office. If you plan to drive other tracks (Eastern Creek, Marulan, Phillip Island, Winton, etc), then you're better off getting a CAMS Speed Level 2 licence (L2S) which costs $100 (annually). Apply via the website (it takes about a week or two to receive your licence in the mail).

If you have any further questions, please fire away. I'm keen to see more standard NAs out on the track, so I'll do my best to help you get started.

[Sprite001]

Hi there again
Well, thankyou both so much for you help, look forward to getting everything underway.
Cheers Phil