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There is a good opportunity to compete in a State Supersprint round on SATURDAY 9 September. These events can be difficult for non-registered drivers to get an entry accepted, but numbers are down for this round, and with the organisers hunting for entries, this is a good opportunity for you to try it out.

You should have done a few Club track days, as the format is pretty much the same and these events are not for total motorsport newbies, and you will need an L2S CAMS licence or better. Cars need to be road registered or have a CAMS logbook.

These are fun events, and one of the ways they differ from a Club track day is the variety of cars there. This is not an issue on the track, as the grouping system is the same as our Club track days, meaning you are on track with cars doing similar times, but is certainly adds spice to the paddock!

So, if you are interested, or know someone who is interested, entry forms can be found HERE and the disclaimer HERE.

I second that greenMachine and would add that I did a CSCA Supersprint at Nth Circuit before I even did a club trackday.
I would suggest that even if you have not done a few club days get in on this event and have some fun.
My first run at Wakefield was in a Standard NB8A (+ torsen LSD) on road tyres that came with the car.
I just added a fire extinguisher.
MX-5s -all models, are so good for this stuff.
If you are even thinking about it, now's the time to go for it.
Plenty of help available from MX-5 owners at these events.

Hmmm... That's interesting timing. I was thinking about doing a track day at Marulan as my first run in my new (to me) car, but this might be a better option. Would going from a trackday in one of Boz's hire cars to this be too big a step? Are full race suits/boots/gloves a requirement for these events?

Dai wrote:Hmmm... That's interesting timing. I was thinking about doing a track day at Marulan as my first run in my new (to me) car, but this might be a better option. Would going from a trackday in one of Boz's hire cars to this be too big a step? Are full race suits/boots/gloves a requirement for these events?

full race suits/boots/gloves are a requirement for racing. Not required for supersprints, just the same requirements as a trackday. If you have done a trackday in Boz's car I would think this would be a good next step. Don't need to go back to Marulan.
What are you driving? I started with a stock NB8A on the tyres that came with the car.

I've got an NA that's been fully stripped, caged and running slicks. It's an ex-MX5 Cup car.

The car should be fine, it's the driver I'm worried about

You need gloves and a full face helmet to run any MX-5 or convertible under Cams rules. MX-5's are considered to be an "open" car. Even if you have a hardtop it is still classified as an open car.
A race suit is not required. You can wear Jeans and long sleeve non-synthetic shirt if you like with suitable non-synthetic footwear, ie leather upper.

Thanks Luke. Full face helmet is sorted and I should be able to find some MTB gloves in the cupboard. Shoes may have to be my Merrell approach shoes for now, they're mostly leather uppers.

I'm having a go. First super sprint and not registered so no points I guess, but entry form sent.

Good work! We MX5 people look after each other, so when you get yourselves sorted make sure you introduce yourselves - I am car 500.

Re the gloves, I used a set of pigskin work gloves from one of the working gear stores - they need to be non-synthetic too.

I should add that Luke is readily identifiable by his dayglo orange King Gee overalls ... ... the rest of us use more anonymous race suits

SIB wrote:I'm having a go. First super sprint and not registered so no points I guess, but entry form sent.

Don't forget to get yourself on the Expression of Interest list after the event, if you would like to compete next year. "Completion and submission of this form will ensure that an Invitation to Register for the 2018 Championship will be sent to you by email when registrations open later this year."

On which note, I understand that Bob has/will be sending an invitation for this event to all on that list.

Luke wrote:You need gloves and a full face helmet to run any MX-5 or convertible under Cams rules. MX-5's are considered to be an "open" car. Even if you have a hardtop it is still classified as an open car.
A race suit is not required. You can wear Jeans and long sleeve non-synthetic shirt if you like with suitable non-synthetic footwear, ie leather upper.

No. Although I would recommend a full face [img][/img]
You may if you wish, in a 'open car', wear an open face helmet with a visor or an open face helmet with goggles.
If your MX-5 has a 'permanently fitted' hardtop, that is one which requires tools to fit/remove, it is classified as closed and you don't need the visor nor goggles but you must have the driver's window up or have a window net.

I'm in a black NC #981 and wear a blue suit.

Nuddy wrote:

Luke wrote:You need gloves and a full face helmet to run any MX-5 or convertible under Cams rules. MX-5's are considered to be an "open" car. Even if you have a hardtop it is still classified as an open car.
A race suit is not required. You can wear Jeans and long sleeve non-synthetic shirt if you like with suitable non-synthetic footwear, ie leather upper.

No. Although I would recommend a full face [img]Helmet%20Impact%20Zones.jpg[/img]
You may if you wish, in a 'open car', wear an open face helmet with a visor or an open face helmet with goggles.
If your MX-5 has a 'permanently fitted' hardtop, that is one which requires tools to fit/remove, it is classified as closed and you don't need the visor nor goggles but you must have the driver's window up or have a window net.

I'm in a black NC #981 and wear a blue suit.

Yes, I've heard of that ruling being mentioned at club days for SMSP South events about requiring tools for removal of a hardtop and somehow it becomes a closed car but have not seen it written anywhere.
If you can point me to where this is documented that would be appreciated.

However I can find this definition in the Cams definitions.

OPEN AUTOMOBILE An automobile without a supporting structure between the tops of the windscreen pillars and those of the rear window (if fitted).

A MX-5 hardtop does not have a supporting structure. It is just a shell. Probably some weak structure inside it, but to prove it you would destroy the thing.
If an official wants to nail you on having an open car and you say it isn't because it has a hardtop and you need tools to remove it, I would say you would lose that argument because of that definition.

Then again, I have seen people in MX-5's with hardtops being told they need a Window net and then the driver has to argue that it is an open car and that no window net is required. Can't win.

Yes you can have an open helmet, with a Visor or Goggles, never seen it done other than old people in their MG's reminiscing about past times.

My supporting structure is stronger than that of a Lotus.
ARDC private practice days do not allow convertibles but they do allow fixed hardtops like mine (bolt on) but not folding nor clip-on.
I have seen a few drivers of open cars with half face including a ND MX-5