Rallying an MX5
Discussion
I have started a topic about rallying, particularly tarmac or circuit rallying, an MX5 here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyone interested?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyone interested?
I've had a lot of fun on gravel roads with mine, not in competition just cheeky fun on empty public roads. They go sideways very nicely 
I know a few run in the Targa NZ tarmac rallies here in NZ, and I've seen videos of them tarmac rallying in Europe and one in gravel trim in Aus too.
I expect easier to prep for tarmac than gravel due to limited ground clearance and suspension travel, my current NB RS with the Mazdaspeed suspension is a bit low for many of my local gravel roads.
I know a few run in the Targa NZ tarmac rallies here in NZ, and I've seen videos of them tarmac rallying in Europe and one in gravel trim in Aus too.
I expect easier to prep for tarmac than gravel due to limited ground clearance and suspension travel, my current NB RS with the Mazdaspeed suspension is a bit low for many of my local gravel roads.
andy97 said:
I have just entered the Adgespeed Rally at 3-Sisters kart track near Wigan in one of Paul Sheard's aforementioned hire cars. Probably the Mk2.
Unfortunately I am 7th reserve but I guess I may still get a run.
Well the Adgespeed rally was cancelled (although I had got an entry in the end) but I have entered the Dukeries rally at Donington Park on 6 Dec, COVID restrictions and the tier system allowing.Unfortunately I am 7th reserve but I guess I may still get a run.
It’s a round of the MSVR/ MSN Circuit rally championship.
Hope it goes ahead.
So, I completed my first ever stage rally yesterday in the hired MX5 Mk2 at Donington Park on the Dukeries Rally. This rally is part of the MSVR/ Motorsport News circuit rally championship.
I was seeded 93/100 and finished 71/74! I think I was near the slowest or slowest on every stage but I improved on each run. There were a couple of minor indiscretions, caused by me locking up under braking but no damage. I was really pleased with that to be honest - the conditions were very, very difficult and, as you can see, plenty of people didn’t finish, many because they just went off.
My car was almost certainly in the bottom three cheapest and simplest and lowest powered cars there and we were on standard Uniroyal Rainsport 3 tyres (got to get the excuses in) so overall I was very pleased and really enjoyed it.
The entry list was interesting as there was a lot of very exotic machinery out - probably more WRC and similar type cars together in one place than has ever been seen together before, even on WRC events! Not that many budget cars at the back of the pack but there were 3 other MX5s in various states of tune (mine was standard, the Mk1 was on individual throttle bodies for about 170 Bhp and the Mk3 was similar power to that), a couple of MG ZRs, a couple of Micras etc.
I recommend the circuit rally championship and similar circuit type rally events at Croft, Pembrey, 3 Sisters, Knockhill etc etc to everyone, and the MX5 is a great, cheap, fun car to drive in these sorts of events.
A very enjoyable day, more people should try it.
And the funny thing is that at most track days there are a few MX5s out that could fairly easily be modified to meet the Motorsport U.K. blue book regulations and get a rally log book - come on folks in the MX5 community, give it a go!
I was seeded 93/100 and finished 71/74! I think I was near the slowest or slowest on every stage but I improved on each run. There were a couple of minor indiscretions, caused by me locking up under braking but no damage. I was really pleased with that to be honest - the conditions were very, very difficult and, as you can see, plenty of people didn’t finish, many because they just went off.
My car was almost certainly in the bottom three cheapest and simplest and lowest powered cars there and we were on standard Uniroyal Rainsport 3 tyres (got to get the excuses in) so overall I was very pleased and really enjoyed it.
The entry list was interesting as there was a lot of very exotic machinery out - probably more WRC and similar type cars together in one place than has ever been seen together before, even on WRC events! Not that many budget cars at the back of the pack but there were 3 other MX5s in various states of tune (mine was standard, the Mk1 was on individual throttle bodies for about 170 Bhp and the Mk3 was similar power to that), a couple of MG ZRs, a couple of Micras etc.
I recommend the circuit rally championship and similar circuit type rally events at Croft, Pembrey, 3 Sisters, Knockhill etc etc to everyone, and the MX5 is a great, cheap, fun car to drive in these sorts of events.
A very enjoyable day, more people should try it.
And the funny thing is that at most track days there are a few MX5s out that could fairly easily be modified to meet the Motorsport U.K. blue book regulations and get a rally log book - come on folks in the MX5 community, give it a go!
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