Whats happening to the MX5 racing??

[mazmad]

Are you guys looking to build more events or encourage more mx'ers in the existing ones?

As someone who has literally just taken the leap (in the last MRA) I can offer some insights into some of the concerns people have:

- safety is a big one. A lot of the guys in Sprints don't have a bar let alone a cage, and some don't have a harness or race seat
- requirements for car - pins kill switch seat and harness. Not that these are biggies but more confusion over what is required.
- potential for damage to the car

To address these concerns, maybe some stats on the number of bingles, and number of injuries this year in the mx5 racing (I would imagine super tt's is going to be different....and I am hoping mini's too, those guys were crazy...)

Might also be useful if someone can compile a document which spells out the steps needed, from licencing, to driver prep, to car. Having just gone through this happy to help.

Can I just say that one huge positive for anyone looking to make the progression from club or supersprints to the mx5 racing is this mx5 community, hugely positive and you lot were very helpful with pointers for getting me going.

[Cal]

The time was done at the V8 super car prod sports meeting earlier this year. It runs 180kw as per the rules. Was battling the lotus when the rear hub failed :/.

It's an impressive time, but you are not likely to go faster on any other weekend of the year. The lap reckon at QR was beaten at every V8 Supercar support meeting we held. Who's Lotus were you battling with?

I am hoping mini's too, those guys were crazy...)

I raced the first round of Mini Challenge and yes it was nuts. However, they were not all that easy to drive on the limit. Pretty twitchy in the rear. Particularly in turn one at Eastern Creek.

[mazmad]

I raced the first round of Mini Challenge and yes it was nuts. However, they were not all that easy to drive on the limit. Pretty twitchy in the rear. Particularly in turn one at Eastern Creek.

Yeah they are pretty loose in the tail the minis. But also happy to have some argy bargy, even when you - theoretically - have the line.

[Cal]

Well off topic, but I've never uploaded this before, but for anyone that cares a tiny bit, here is a couple of laps of round 1 in the Mini from Eastern Creek. We were not allowed to run cameras for some reason to do with TV rights. By the last race I fitted it anyway, only to have it die after 2 laps. Anyhow, better than nothing. The first 2 mins is around the pits. In the first lap you can see I get pushed clean off the track after turn 2 and the dude in front of me has a struggle with the back end into turn 1 the next lap. All good fun.

[colster3]

Nice on Cal!

On the subject of racing damage, I have had 3 incidents in the last 6 years.

First one was my fault, I poked my nose where is shouldn't have been and bent my steering at Oran Park. Daniel Deckers fixed the damage with a large hammer and I was back out for the next race. The cost to fix the damage when I got home? $30. The left hand front guard got a little bent but that was easily fixed. The other car was road registered and I took some paint of his right-hand rear wheel with my car.

Second was a bit of a rub from behind. I was neck and neck with another competitor on the back straight at SMP when one of the other guys decided to give me a friendly push so he could get through. The result? A small cut on the rear bar where it touched the edge of the bar reinforcement.

Third was at the last AASA Nationals at WP. I got a demon start and was behind boyracer when another car decided he wanted the spot I was in... I climbed the ripple strip at turn 2 which turned me around. Everybody missed me and so I set off chasing down the pack. As I got past one competitor on the fish hook, he gave me a little rub on the left hand back corner, again this polished off.

I am pretty anal about the way my car looks and so would rather back out of a situation than press on and risk panel damage. To date, this has served me well! I would like to think that I'm an OK driver having picked up a couple of second and third place trophies but at the end of the day, I am keen for close (but not too close) racing! After all, none of us at this level have unlimited budgets (OK maybe one or two have ) and want to go home with only our own paint on the car...

Maybe the MX5 challenge adopts the CAMS P plate for newbies - that way the faster, more experienced guys would know to give them some space!

Jus' sayin...

[ansellpa]

Looks like great fun cal. Would not have thought a mini would be so taily. Looks like they are quite the fun car to tussle with.
Think you got done over pretty harshly there by the silver topped one, haha
hope you got him in the end!

[Guran]

Nice video Cal. I was spectating at turn 12 for that race! Was a member of clubMINI at the time. Ah memories. Such a shame that MINI Challenge didn't last. They suffered the bane of single make racing in Australia.

[mazmad]

On the subject of racing damage, I have had 3 incidents in the last 6 years.

I like those odds...

Maybe the MX5 challenge adopts the CAMS P plate for newbies - that way the faster, more experienced guys would know to give them some space!

Actually AASA already require it for the first 4 races. So the last MRA I had mine ...like a 17 y.o.

Rookie DriversAll Driver/Riders will be considered to be a “ROOKIE DRIVER” until they have competed in four (4) race meetings, on AASA Member Circuits. A Driver shall remain a Rookie Driver for the entire season during which they complete their fourth race on a AASA Member Circuit, or as determined by AASA from time to time. Rookie Drivers must display “P” Plates – as per civil provisional road licences

[colster3]

On the subject of racing damage, I have had 3 incidents in the last 6 years.

I like those odds...

Maybe the MX5 challenge adopts the CAMS P plate for newbies - that way the faster, more experienced guys would know to give them some space!

Actually AASA already require it for the first 4 races. So the last MRA I had mine ...like a 17 y.o.

Rookie DriversAll Driver/Riders will be considered to be a “ROOKIE DRIVER” until they have competed in four (4) race meetings, on AASA Member Circuits. A Driver shall remain a Rookie Driver for the entire season during which they complete their fourth race on a AASA Member Circuit, or as determined by AASA from time to time. Rookie Drivers must display “P” Plates – as per civil provisional road licences

Excellent!
Let's get some of those super sprinters into this!!!

[ansellpa]

I am a supersprinter looking for more. Have done The last 4 years at morgan park in various cars.
Need a change
See you next year!

[mazmad]

I will be there. I will be the one wit the red 'P' on my rear!
[url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/90593207@N06/8273649056/]

[motomenace]

P's hey, i never heard that rule

Iv'e had 2 incidents last year. No damage though, just some colour exchanges.

Both were in one weekend too lol. Had a small rub with col at turn one at wake field, (only a rub, no co lour exchange)
2nd time was in the rear, i missed a gear coming onto the back straight and the car behind trying to get a toe couldn't pull out. The only damage was a bit of blue paint on the rear bar .

Besides that have had no issues with any of the guys, the racing is great and everyone is willing to give u a hand and have a chat . The guys at the front tend to have a bit more contact, but these guys also have $$$ to spend. Their lap times reflect this also.

See u guys next year .

[Cal]

Looks like great fun cal. Would not have thought a mini would be so taily. Looks like they are quite the fun car to tussle with.
Think you got done over pretty harshly there by the silver topped one, haha
hope you got him in the end!

Yeah I passed him later in the race

Nice video Cal. I was spectating at turn 12 for that race! Was a member of clubMINI at the time. Ah memories. Such a shame that MINI Challenge didn't last. They suffered the bane of single make racing in Australia.

You certainly didn't want to have forked out the $98K to buy one!

[ansellpa]

Wow that is a lot of money for a mini.
Seen a few for sale for 40k or so in my105.
Are they good reliable cars?

[Cal]

I don't know. It was brand new when I raced it! They seem to have a pretty good reputation though. Even at $40K I 'd be buying something else though. You could buy a 2nd hand Ginetta G40 for that.