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.
