Autocrossing Miata Challenge

[Duke]

Welcome aboard, jp! Good time there.

Stratos, I'm thinking about dusting off my oversexed MX-5 from way back in the day. The dial-in is probably miserable because I haven't driven it in more than a year. But so far I'm just having fun in the two lower-powered machines.

 

[Goomba]

Welcome JP!

All times have been updated, and a slight change to the classes. I believe I put Street Prepared when I meant Street Touring. No changes as far as allowed modifications, simply the name.

Edit: Looking at the rules, a Miata isn't eligable for street touring, but it's already set up and Street Prepared doesn't exactly look very interesting. Call it whatever you want, it's in the middle and the mods stay the same.

 

[///M-Spec]

I thought this map of the circuit might be useful in thread discussions


M

 

[///M-Spec]

I decided to run the Sunburst Yellow Miata LS I had gathering dust in the garage. Tuned to the limits of the rules, she cranked out 177hp and was quite a sight to behold. On to Monaco we go.

Team Proton Racing CS #190

2:01.280 (+3)
1:59.808 (+2)

The first few runs were me coming to terms with the stock LS's dodgy body control and the track's corner entry points. The circuit is wonderfully technical and very rewarding to master --a true driver's circuit.

2:00.337 -
1:59.106 (+2)

I was getting the hang of the course, but still had two problems: taking the first turn onto VIRAGE ST. DEVOTE without lifting always caused a slight wall tap when I tracked out. Attacking the turn less aggressively cost big time headed up hill.

The other problem was balancing the floppy Miata through the fast left hander into CASINO SQUARE. The car did not transition fast enough; scrubs speed too fast and wanders off line with little provocation.

It was then I finally realized that I had put the Sports Suspension Package on the car and didn't even check the settings! As I suspected, the default shock rate was woefully low. So I set them to full hard rear and just one tick below full hard front. -3.0 and -2.3 of camber and... the result was very noticeable.

1:59.479 -

The car was stable under rotation and transitioned much better. Under braking, it practically drives itself into the sharp right near HOTEL MIRABEAU. Clean runs are no longer an issue. Excellent.

1:58.905 -

Once I had the Miata figured out, the final step was to set it up correctly for the most important turn of the course, the sharp right onto VIRAGE DU PORTIER. Exit speed was crucial, and once I coaxed the Miata into a very late apex line, I was rewarded with my best time of the evening.

1:58.171-

I'm still leaving a couple of seconds on the table at least. The chicane coming out the tunnel and probably the hairpin at VIRAGE RASCASSE have yet to be fully exploited. I can probably pick some time up by CASINO SQUARE. It will have to do for now.


M

 

[Duke]

Nice runs, ///M. I was thinking about running some laps this after noon, but the comp seemed to be fading, so I tried and lost the Spec Miata Enduro in a 120-hp 1-gen on Sports tires.

 

[Goomba]

So the leader board is now current, and I see that I've dropped down to fourth. I see it's pretty much neccesary to have a newer generation Miata in order to competitive. Unless your ODP, who posted once and I would like to see what he can do *coughhintwinkhintcoughcough*. I was having a little fun with the OLR last night, but I think it's time to get back to this race.

 

[///M-Spec]

Originally posted by neon_duke
Nice runs, ///M. I was thinking about running some laps this after noon, but the comp seemed to be fading, so I tried and lost the Spec Miata Enduro in a 120-hp 1-gen on Sports tires.

Thanks! Now you've got some incentive to get your 1st place back


M

 

[CFM]

Well, I got my PS2 to work for a few hours (now it won't read again ) and got the following times:

C Stock: 2003 Miata LS 172 HP (not broken in yet) - 1:56.759 (clean)

C Touring: 2003 Miata LS 215 HP (still not broken in, Lightweight 1 NOT installed yet) - 1:49.694 (clean)

Street Mod: PS2 died before I got started

I am going to try and get it running again tonight because I know there's more time here, especially on the C Touring run. I will also upload the replays when I'm done so they can be viewed by anyone who wishes (and is able to)

Hopefully I'll get my runs down and replays uploaded in a few days

 

[Duke]

Dang! Put a smackdown on both of my times! Excellent runs!

 

[CFM]

OK I took apart my PS2 and I think it's fixed for the time being

Anyway, I improved both my times as I got the cars fully broken in and setup and ran some more laps. Final results:

C Stock: 2003 Miata LS, 177 HP - 1:55.502 (clean)

C Touring: 2003 Miata LS, 219 HP - 1:48.464 (clean)


I'll work on the Street Mod run tonight if I get a chance

Here's my replay for C Stock:

 

[Goomba]

Originally posted by neon_duke
Dang! Put a smackdown on both of my times! Excellent runs!

Haha, yeah. I totally forgot CFM was racing in this. It was a nice feeling, and then when I saw him post, I knew it was all over. Very nice runs.

Well guys, its 5:41am here in Denver, and I'll be autocrossing in about four hours. Wish me luck! Hah, did I mention I've only driven the Miata about four times before today?

 

[CFM]

Originally posted by neon_duke
Dang! Put a smackdown on both of my times! Excellent runs!

Thanks for the kind words Duke...maybe I'm not ready to retire yet after all This was a fun idea Goomba, makes me want to get my car out of the garage and on the roads


Replay for C-Touring:

 

[CFM]

Originally posted by Goomba
Haha, yeah. I totally forgot CFM was racing in this. It was a nice feeling, and then when I saw him post, I knew it was all over. Very nice runs.

Well guys, its 5:41am here in Denver, and I'll be autocrossing in about four hours. Wish me luck! Hah, did I mention I've only driven the Miata about four times before today?

Sorry I had to cut some more off those runs, I have to defend the honor of the Miata

Good luck at the track and have fun....keep the rubber side down Let us know how it goes

 

[///M-Spec]

Wow, nice runs CFMan. Guess you found my missing two seconds and then some.

I'm on vacation this week.. time to bust out the PS2 again.


M

 

[Goomba]

Well, the day was interesting none the less. I'm burned and sore, but I had fun. The Miata was a good experience to drive, one that I hope I will never have to do again, haha. Subaru's and Hyunda Accents don't let tires spin like the Miata could.

I ended up last in my class, by two seconds off because of a stupid !(@# cone, but I came to a decision. I'm going to drive relatively slow and keeping working on different things. First, hand movements, nice and coordinated. Then throw in some left foot braking. I can do it on the streets easily, but like the saying goes, "When the flag drops, IQs drop into the single digits.". Then, work on this insane theory of keeping either on the gas, or on the brake. Still scares the crap out of me. But, something I'll have to get comfortable with.

On July 25th, about 40 or so Subaru guys (throw in an Evo or two) are renting out a track here for a day. It'll be my birthday present. Hopefully I can learn a lot there.

 

[CFM]

I had a bit of time to play last night so I ran the Street modified run.

Miata LS (340 HP) 1:37.742


Hey Goomba we should do another one of these with a WRX next week...just a thought

Replay:

 

[Sleek Stratos]

Originally posted by CarbonFiber Man
...Miata LS (340 HP) 1:37.742...

Ow, my pride. Well, at least I have something to shoot for now. Boy, do I ever... Superb job, CFman.

 

[Goomba]

Originally posted by Sleek Stratos
Ow, my pride. Well, at least I have something to shoot for now. Boy, do I ever... Superb job, CFman.

Haha, you wanted some competition, now you've got some. Becareful what you wish for.

 

[Sleek Stratos]

No kidding, I can probably shave a second off my previous time but other than that... it don't look that great. Now if you'll excuse I have to go turn some laps in my LS.


Edit: Actually, nevermind what I said. I thought I had it in me to get under 1:39.xxx but it won't be anytime soon. If I had to make up an excuse I'd say I've gotten distracted from GT3 for a while so I might be a tad rusty. If I had to make up an excuse.

 

[Goomba]

Okay, so, it seems like a lot of people have turned in times with the Miata, and a lot of our hopes and dreams were crushed by Carbon Fiber Man's earth shattering times. So, now what?

I was thinking of tossing in a Honda S2000 into the mix, eh? Or the Mazda RX-8? Hrm??? Any suggestions people?

 

[CFM]

Both choices sound nice to me...RX8 and S2000's are quite nice...

My vote is for RX8 at Laguna Seca. I promise I will not shatter the earth this time We were all lucky ODP and a few of the uber-elite didn't show for this one, I know I left a chunk on the clock for all my runs

I just bought the Logitech Driving Force Pro on Tuesday and spent about 6 hours just getting some sense of control back. I don't know if I'll ever be able to run as fast as with the DS/2 but I sure as hell am gonna try my best The game is realy a lot of fun with the wheel, I'm glad I waited for the new wheel though so I can use it with GT4 @ 900* rotation

 

[Sleek Stratos]

I'm all for the RX-8, any track is fine, though I would like to see a road course rather than a street course the second time around, those penalties sure were a pain sometimes.
I'm also voting for the RX-8 since I don't have an S2000 in my garage at the moment.