Car

In order to compete in the Ma5da Racing Championship the base car needs to be a 1.6 Mazda MX5 Mk1 (1989-1998). We bought our car ‘race ready’ and then set...

In order to compete in the Ma5da Racing Championship the base car needs to be a 1.6 Mazda MX5 Mk1 (1989-1998). We bought our car ‘race ready’ and then set about making improvements. The reality was that the car was far from race ready and required a complete overhaul. In my first season we’ve developed the car from finishing 35th at Silverstone to 6th at Croft. As well as developing the car i’ve had to develop my own knowledge as I had no previous mechanical experience. Now I feel more than comfortable tackling any aspect of the car and do my own engine rebuilds, and suspension alignments. The following engine modifications have been made to bring the base car up to racing specification;

Engine

Klarius Racing De-Cat Exhaust
Skimmed Cylinder Head (50 thou)
Three Angle Valve Cut
Ignition Timing Advance
High Flow K&N Oil and Air Filters
Valvoline VR1 Mineral Racing Oil
Oversized Aluminium Radiator
Cold Air Feed
Cleaned and Flow Tested Injectors
Limited Slip Differential
Competition Spark Plug Leads

All these modifications mean that the MX5 produces around 125bhp at the flywheel. The minimum weight limit is 960kg so the performance provides a lively car especially in the wet. 0 – 60 mph would be just over 7 seconds compared to the factory 9.1 seconds. Realistically the MX5 is not about the engine power and it’s appeal comes mainly from it’s handling.

Performance Engine Klarius Racing Exhaust

Suspension, Wheels & Tyres

Safety Devices Roll Cage and Door Bars
GAZ Coilover Adjustable Suspension
Personally Developed Alignment & Corner Weights
EBC Yellow Stuff Brake Pads
Braided Brake Lines
Rota Slipstream 15″ Alloys
Kumho KH31 Tyres (195/50/R15)
Fully Stripped Out Interior and Wiring Loom
Corbeau Racing Seat
TRS 5 Point Racing Harness
OMP Steering Wheel
Starter Button and Custom Switches
Lifeline Fire Extinguisher
Lap Timer

TRS Race Harness

The specification listed above will be present on almost all of the 80 MX5′s that compete on any given race weekend and this is because the modifications you can make are controlled by the rules in the 2012 Regulations. For example they prevent the use of ABS, and traction control. This makes the racing closer and on-track advantages are therefore gained in the quality of components, standard of modification work and the attention to detail in preperation for things like alignment.