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Post by George MX-5 (Admin) on Oct 9, 2015 16:33:13 GMT 2
It's this week Sunday !  !! I won't make it, besides not having the Mazda to play with I also have plans. Hope you guys enjoy it though. |
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Post by Cliff NC on Oct 12, 2015 8:23:46 GMT 2
Absolute blast...!
Pleasure to meet you Nick (Not sure of correct spelling)
On the MX-5 I must say it's much more nimble than my clunky SS V8 was. The short wheel base responds really quickly to steering inputs and I must say that once traction breaks loose you have to be much quicker off and back on the throttle response than I expected.
We arrived at around 9:20 and didn't stop till 11:30 when my NC lost all throttle power. Foot flat, nothing in it and it wouldn't rev above 1000rpm...
Rolled onto the grass gently and opened the bonnet to let the engine expel some heat ( It was insanely hot ). Throttle started responding again... I think they have a sort of limp mode built in if it gets too hot but no engine lights came on...?
Apart from that,
The day was incredible the wife drove 80% of the time and she did really well, even finding the courage to get the back end loose and keep it there a few times...
Still working on her steering inputs when holding a drift but this is something you can only learn by experience... I'm rather excited to see how fast she is after a few more sessions...
She managed to outrun a few Toyota 86's and Nick's NC (In all fairness he spun out but a win is a win).
When they opened the skidpan to just fool around we managed to get some good runs in with plenty sideways and high rpm spinning around.
Great day, next time I think we'll do more track and less skidpan but will see on the day.
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Post by mrmazda on Oct 12, 2015 8:30:37 GMT 2
They nice little track cars. A few Mocsa members attended one of the MX5 Club's track days a few years ago, it was loads of fun
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Post by waylander42 on Oct 12, 2015 8:35:06 GMT 2
Ha-ha it is indeed  It was awesome meeting you both and seeing another MX getting into things. Was an odd problem you had, I guess I've always taken a bit of a break every half an hour or so which must be why I've never come across the problem. I can however attest to just how hot that engine was, my fingers are actually a little burnt from holding the wrong part of the bonnet support! We'll have to have a rematch and this time I'll try not spin, going sideways is just to much fun though! Glad you headed back to the pan, I spent the rest of the day at the track taking people around. Thrashed her from around 11:30 to 3:30 and everything was still running smooth. My brakes didnt even fade the whole time |
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Post by Cliff NC on Oct 12, 2015 9:10:36 GMT 2
Ha-ha it is indeed It was awesome meeting you both and seeing another MX getting into things. Was an odd problem you had, I guess I've always taken a bit of a break every half an hour or so which must be why I've never come across the problem. I can however attest to just how hot that engine was, my fingers are actually a little burnt from holding the wrong part of the bonnet support!We'll have to have a rematch and this time I'll try not spin, going sideways is just to much fun though! Glad you headed back to the pan, I spent the rest of the day at the track taking people around. Thrashed her from around 11:30 to 3:30 and everything was still running smooth. My brakes didnt even fade the whole time Sincere apologies and many thanks for the assistance. Car was perfect the rest of the time. I don't think Marischka is 100% ready for track just yet. I need to teach her how to control the rear a bit more in case the back steps out through a corner... She's counter steers perfectly but doesn't steer back in fast enough and is still uncertain of where exactly her wheels are pointed at the time... Once she's mastered that then it's track time...! Then I can start bringing my car out to play and race against her... If your breaks weren't fading then you needed more motivation... I'll come join you on the track next time... |
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Post by waylander42 on Oct 12, 2015 14:21:59 GMT 2
Haha not a problem, just couldn't believe how hot it could actually get!!
Track definitely takes time to get used to. The afternoon session is the time to go as most people have left by then. While the MX-5 is rather tail happy and somewhat of a handful on the skid-pan she's a completely different animal on the track.
Firstly the brakes are phenomenal, I only brake around the 35m mark going into turn 4, which is later than my mate with the BRZ who's doing 1.20s.
Secondly the car is weakest in a straight line against everything else. Therefore overtaking people is next to impossible.
Thirdly she wobbles a lot through the high speed corners. This is due to the rubbish standard Bilstein shocks, but don't worry she holds on properly through the corners.
Lastly baring the bouncy suspension she's very stable. Naturally understeers, but a very slight trail brake will pitch the nose in perfectly. Getting back on the power intermediately makes the car nice and level. The only time I get the car stepping out on me is through the slower stuff when I trail brake just a bit to much.
Overall incredibly easy to drive and an excellent car to start your track experience.
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Post by Cliff NC on Oct 12, 2015 14:29:36 GMT 2
Haha not a problem, just couldn't believe how hot it could actually get!! Track definitely takes time to get used to. The afternoon session is the time to go as most people have left by then. While the MX-5 is rather tail happy and somewhat of a handful on the skid-pan she's a completely different animal on the track. Firstly the brakes are phenomenal, I only brake around the 35m mark going into turn 4, which is later than my mate with the BRZ who's doing 1.20s. Secondly the car is weakest in a straight line against everything else. Therefore overtaking people is next to impossible. Thirdly she wobbles a lot through the high speed corners. This is due to the rubbish standard Bilstein shocks, but don't worry she holds on properly through the corners. Lastly baring the bouncy suspension she's very stable. Naturally understeers, but a very slight trail brake will pitch the nose in perfectly. Getting back on the power intermediately makes the car nice and level. The only time I get the car stepping out on me is through the slower stuff when I trail brake just a bit to much. Overall incredibly easy to drive and an excellent car to start your track experience. Really looking forward to this... I'll follow you for a few laps and see how Lyla holds up... 1.20s is quick... An S2000 with a great driver does 1.16's... I've taken a few sharp bends on the high side of 190 GPS speed (Private-Road at 02:00AM) so I'm confident with how it'll sit through the bend but I haven't done Zwartkops though. will need to learn the lines before I can start pushing but it won't take me long... Should be loads of fun |
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Post by waylander42 on Oct 12, 2015 14:37:39 GMT 2
Ya he's definitely a better driver than me (not that I'd admit it to him)! I'm doing 1:24s with my rubbish tyres. 190kph in the MX? How long was the run up to the bend? And ya it is loads of fun. Best thing about a track day is it's all about you having fun, driving within your own limits and not worrying about racing anyone |
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Post by Cliff NC on Oct 12, 2015 14:50:15 GMT 2
Ya he's definitely a better driver than me (not that I'd admit it to him)! I'm doing 1:24s with my rubbish tyres. 190kph in the MX? How long was the run up to the bend?And ya it is loads of fun. Best thing about a track day is it's all about you having fun, driving within your own limits and not worrying about racing anyone It's a very long approach and steep downhill all the way... Wide too, roughly equivalent to a highway with 5 lanes... (Give or take a few cm) sweeping left hander from one wide section to the next... I'd highly recommend it... at around 02:00AM |
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Post by waylander42 on Oct 12, 2015 15:14:53 GMT 2
Wow that sounds like an amazing place, and a private road too?? Dare I ask where?
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Post by mrmazda on Oct 12, 2015 15:24:25 GMT 2
Upington airport?
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Post by Cliff NC on Oct 12, 2015 15:31:48 GMT 2
Wow that sounds like an amazing place, and a private road too?? Dare I ask where? Just between Pretoria and JHB... (at 02:00AM it's very private) I can PM you the details if you want to check it out... |
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Post by waylander42 on Oct 12, 2015 15:36:59 GMT 2
Please!
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) I have hired the Rock Race way this Saturday 24 June, if you would like to come onto the track and use the strip you are welcomed to will be R300 per person.
Jun 20, 2017 8:59:14 GMT 2
I myself will be off to Bloem
Dec 19, 2018 9:02:11 GMT 2
!! I won't make it, besides not having the Mazda to play with I also have plans. Hope you guys enjoy it though.
