Housey's MX-5 Race Car Plans!

In brief terms not a great weekend for me. The head gasket went in 2nd session during the Friday test day, so I got very little time running the car on Friday bar 30 minute wet session at start of day and then 3 or 4 laps on the second session with a misfire before I had to call it a day. We then had to change the head gasket during the Friday and I simply twiddled my thumbs.

I will need a new engine build as I decided not to go with a head skim or any work on my engine, simply running a stock lump and this has proved an error as not only is it not likely to last but is also well down on power, which the 2 long straights showed at Snetterton where I was losing huge amounts of time which pretty much stuffs you. My car is also over weight by over 20kilo's, which is significant so that also needs work both car wise and me wise. I finished both races so completed my stint but was very dissapointed with my lack of pace down the long straights which was obvious to see on the video. Made a fantastic start in race one passing 3 or 4 cars only to be passed before the first bend due to power deficit, again depressing. My testing day at Donington had been misleading it turns out as I was matching the other car out from our team for times with a well experienced driver but Snetterton was not the place to be down on horses. Had a flat in the 2nd race to add insult to injury, though did a full pitstop for a change and got back out.

My car is back home, needs money spending on it and will need engine work and weight reduction to be competitive as well as some new set up work due to me having a few excursions trying to carry speed onto the start straight. In reality due to other things going on in my life right now this will be most likely parked until the new year but I completed my first 2 races and have my stamps so progress, but really for me a disappointing weekend.

But as Arnie says....
 
If you need an engine rebuild, I'm sure we'd do it at the uni campus for free as long as you bought the parts. We have ex-f1 lecturers watching over and helping so the standard of work would be top notch still.

Might be worth considering to save on labour :)
 
Just saw a link on MX5 Nutz to a very nasty looking crash at the Snetterton meet. Looks like it happened just behind one of your teams cars...


Thankfully the chap is ok bar a broken arm :eek:
 
It was massive and very nasty crash as his arm was crushed. The safety cage survived very well and to be fair this was a fluke accident really but at the next race a few more drivers were wearing arm tethers!
 
5s don't really go much beyond 100 when aero more significantly comes into play. Ergo the weight saving on slower speeds / acceleration with no soft top or hardtop is better.

I've a hardtop fitted to mine for getting to and from track + if it rains and while it noticeably improves the topspeed, noise and weather proofing it does seem to take a small edge off the acceleration.

Caveat: I've a lowly stripped 1.6.
 
My plan is to get it finished off with a full race engine and a few other bits and bobs in the next couple of months then get it back out and get some serious track time in the car. I need seat time more than anything and once I have some of that then I shall look at where I go race it, but it's currently sitting in my garage in need of some TLC.
 
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