Ben Sale's white 1990 NA6

[bensale]

Went up to Winton with the John Bowe guys for some filming and then a lot of laps. Was great fun and very happy to do a 1:44.0 !! Not bad for a 1.6

[beavis]

Very nice time

[lee]

it looks like you are absolutely flogging the crap out of your machine

[Guran]

Nice one Ben. It's great to see you back at the track again.

[bensale]

I've been doing bits and pieces with the guys at John Bowe Driving, film part of the day and drive part. There is so much track time you still get more than enough.

Thanks, yeah I was pushing it trying to get in the 43s, next time..

[lightyear]

Maybe we will see you at Phillip island in nov to steal some points in clubman???

[bensale]

The car has too many mods for clubman now... I couldn't be bothered keeping it spec'd to that class even though I don't want to go crazy with modifying the car... Just wanted to do what I wanted with it.

Spring & shocks
Swaybars
Intake
Full exhaust
OEM front lip (lol)
No soft top at the moment
I put a rear wing on it at Winton (actually want to chat to you about modifying that wing for more rake and front splitters)

That counts as around 9 mods, only allowed 4...

Might still come and play in modified though as I love Phillip Island.. Think you and Russell have me well and truly outgunned but will be fun to chase you.

[lightyear]

You can't run a wing in modified. But otherwise you will be fine. Fill in a motorsport form to be in the class. I will go into open next year because I want to run my top and a wing.

[bensale]

Yesterday I went down to Phillip Island for a play. Didn't get a many laps as the day wasn't exactly run efficiently but regardless still had a lot of fun!

My best lap was a 1.59.6 which I am thrilled with as breaking 2 minutes is a big deal at Phillip Island and has never been done (to my knowledge) in a 1600.



It was great fun to drive the car, the set up wasn't perfect as I've been having a few problems, first the car was rear ended and then the diff blew which all meant that I only got the car running a day before and couldn't get a good alignment done. At least now the back has shiny new paint and I ended up replacing the whole rear subframe with one off the NB8A Owen Boak is wrecking (thanks mate) That means I now have the bigger diff (4.1 ratio) as well as the wider NB rear track and chassis bracing.
The car in front in the video is Brendan's NB8a with the Lightyear fastback on it - you can really see how much speed that gives at the end of the lap from the exit of MG to the start finish line !! And yes.. flat through turn 1, the GPS data says 183 km/h..

[lightyear]

183 is really fast for a road car, or any car. I have seen full racecars with aero doing under 160. My minimum speed on a hot lap is 178, but that is well past the apex as the car scrubs of a lot of speed going thru the corner. I could go faster, as i am not sliding towards the outside curb like you are doing (like i used to with the old turbo car). I like to keep a bit in reserve for next time (read-too chicken now, old man with too many smashed mx5's).

Whats next for the old girl? Headwork, engine freshen? Or go the NB8B motor like i did? Probably cost about the same.

[bensale]

Yep, 183 is the apex speed the unit said when I looked after the run. The minimum speed after the corner is probably slightly less than 183 as it's not bashing the limiter anymore but it would be very close.. I just don't have a PC and can't get the data analysis software working on the mac. I'll put up my video showing why you leaving a little in reserve is probably a good thing lol

To be honest it's a lot of fun to drive as it is at the moment.. I think I'll go with the theory that if something breaks I'll upgrade it - like the rear end and gearbox. An NB motor would be nice. It's frustrating when you're with other quick mx-5s and you see how quickly they pull away down the straights. I think what you have is an awesome package - best bang for bucks out there.

[lee]

Congrats on popping the 2 minute mark! That's a serious achievement on a stock+ car. I'd love to see what you can do with a couple of extra horses under your feet

[bensale]

So would I ..
I just looked at the in car from Brendan in front of me and on his best lap he makes 2 seconds on me between MG (the right at the bottom of the hill) and the painted line a couple of hundred meters before turn 1 and almost a whole second between siberia and lukey heights on the back of the track. My camera angle is not right to tell on the straight between turn 2 and 4. Should give you an idea of where I would be with stock NB8A power and a fastback.

My gains on him in the corners are helped by better (fresher) tyres

[lightyear]

"It's frustrating when you're with other QUICK mx-5s and you see how quickly they pull away down the straights. "

I think you mean less slow, not quick mx5's.

[bensale]

Haha, yes "less slow" would be more accurate.