Road legal MX5 championship car?
Discussion
Due to a lack of a towing car / parking space, I was wondering if it's realistic to find a MX5 championship and race a car which is road-legal. Doesn't have to be comfortable, but just drivable to and from the circuits.
Has anyone tried it before?
Is there a particular model / championship to go for?
Any advice would be much appreciated....
Has anyone tried it before?
Is there a particular model / championship to go for?
Any advice would be much appreciated....
There is one that I know of. There may be more of course. It competed in the MAX5 championship last year. I know the owner still has it, but not sure if he plans to race it this year or not. It's a MK3. I believe Paul Roddison converted it from a road car to a race car and then to a somewhere inbetween the two.
He'd be the best man to speak to about viability I'd guess.
He'd be the best man to speak to about viability I'd guess.
John Healey runs/ran a Mk3 car that was road legal in the Max5 Championship - personally wouldn't recomend it as the car will be far from optimal and if you have an accident getting home would be a problem!
if you can not afford to go racing then stick to trackdays as they offer far better value for money.
if you can not afford to go racing then stick to trackdays as they offer far better value for money.
nikpro said:
You could always consider an 'arrive and drive' with one of the teams that run MX5 hire cars - may save you a lot of hassle?
This is probably your best bet. We bought our own car with the intention of trailering it to each round, however, the cost of petrol for the tow car worked out around the same as paying a team to transport the car to the track and support us for the weekend.We use AK Automotive, can't recommend them enough. They offer hire, full support (inc. transport) and also paddock support packages. The first two will include work preparing the car for the rounds ahead, all will give you support at the track including hints/tips/setup adjustment learnt from their many years racing MX5s.
However, if you really want to go the MOT route, and assuming we're talking about mk1s, there is no reason a properly prepared race car shouldn't pass. The only major thing missing is headlights, do some research as there is an opportunity to MOT a car/bike without these - but obviously you can only use them in daylight. You may also struggle with emissions, but if you look at an early import, the limit is higher.
I would say that in our first round we had considerable dents on the front wings. While the car was functioning perfectly, I suspect the police may have taken a dim view of driving it home.
Last thing to consider is immobilising the car if you're considering leaving it on the street.
ETA: We race a mk1 in the BRSCC championship
Edited by bicycleshorts on Tuesday 19th May 17:16
Many thanks for this - great advice. Thanks! We'll get on it, and hopefully be wheel to wheel at some point....
We use AK Automotive, can't recommend them enough. They offer hire, full support (inc. transport) and also paddock support packages. The first two will include work preparing the car for the rounds ahead, all will give you support at the track including hints/tips/setup adjustment learnt from their many years racing MX5s.
However, if you really want to go the MOT route, and assuming we're talking about mk1s, there is no reason a properly prepared race car shouldn't pass. The only major thing missing is headlights, do some research as there is an opportunity to MOT a car/bike without these - but obviously you can only use them in daylight. You may also struggle with emissions, but if you look at an early import, the limit is higher.
I would say that in our first round we had considerable dents on the front wings. While the car was functioning perfectly, I suspect the police may have taken a dim view of driving it home.
Last thing to consider is immobilising the car if you're considering leaving it on the street.
ETA: We race a mk1 in the BRSCC championship
bicycleshorts said:
nikpro said:
You could always consider an 'arrive and drive' with one of the teams that run MX5 hire cars - may save you a lot of hassle?
This is probably your best bet. We bought our own car with the intention of trailering it to each round, however, the cost of petrol for the tow car worked out around the same as paying a team to transport the car to the track and support us for the weekend.We use AK Automotive, can't recommend them enough. They offer hire, full support (inc. transport) and also paddock support packages. The first two will include work preparing the car for the rounds ahead, all will give you support at the track including hints/tips/setup adjustment learnt from their many years racing MX5s.
However, if you really want to go the MOT route, and assuming we're talking about mk1s, there is no reason a properly prepared race car shouldn't pass. The only major thing missing is headlights, do some research as there is an opportunity to MOT a car/bike without these - but obviously you can only use them in daylight. You may also struggle with emissions, but if you look at an early import, the limit is higher.
I would say that in our first round we had considerable dents on the front wings. While the car was functioning perfectly, I suspect the police may have taken a dim view of driving it home.
Last thing to consider is immobilising the car if you're considering leaving it on the street.
ETA: We race a mk1 in the BRSCC championship
Edited by bicycleshorts on Tuesday 19th May 17:16
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