Mad about MX5's
Sept 12, 2020
148949
Bought Supermiata adjustable swaybar endlinks in the hopes of stopping the loud clunk when cornering at the track. Installation was simple (providing I did it correctly) and I followed the instructions provided by super Miata. As it turns out, the clunk is still there. Oh well, at least I’m ready for lowering and larger sway bars.
Sept 12, 2020
148949 miles
Bought a cheap ~$100 plastic front lip off eBay and installed it. It’s the stereotypical lip everyone installs but I like the look it has. I was surprised to see that this cheapo lip adds a PAX point to my racing classification as it changes the aerodynamics. So be it. I like it
Sept 6, 2020
148,947 miles
When doing heel-toe shifting and rev matching (poorly that is) occasionally my foot would slip between the brake pedal and accelerator making for a very exciting corner, especially corner 5. So I decided to buy the flyin miata accelerator pedal extension.
I ordered it and installed it when it arrived. 3 bolts included and it took less than 5 minutes to install.
Problem solved.
Aug 29, 2020
148,711 miles
I’m writing this a month after the event so my memory is a bit foggy…first race session with the roll bar and 5 point harness…first impressions are the roll bar does make the car seem more rigid. I even got a couple comments from one of the corner marshalls who said the same. The harness works well and I had to learn that it needs to be extremely tight or else you will move around. Once I got it buckled in I was locked in tight and could concentrate on driving instead of bracing myself for every corner. My times also were a bit more consistent in the high to mid 1:13. Saturday weather was great, Sunday afternoon was rain. I only went out once in the rain.
Almost forgot, it was a competition weekend with cash prizes for the top 3 finishers in each class. It was pretty awesome to come in 2nd place in the T3 class, and I didn’t think I had any hope and was just there to have fun. I was surprised how good it felt to get a prize.
Many people complimented me on my Miata… it is coming along and starting to look good.
Aug 10, 2020
148626 miles
Bought a 5 point Pyrotect safety harness locally from Classic Motoworks. After taking all weekend to install the roll bar, I had no patience to install the harness especially to figure out how to mount the 5th point. I took the car and harness to a local WSCC members garage and he installed it for me. It looks great and allows me to use both the harness for racing, and the regular seatbelt for on the road driving. One thing I realized is that it needs to be super tight, or else you will move around as you take corners on the track.
Aug 10, 2020
148,626 miles
Went and had my car assessed for the collector car program. Basic requirements are 1) at least 25 years old, 2) worth at least $5000
Since I met both criteria my car was approved so I got my collector plates.
I now don’t need to put my car on lay-up for the winter months when I’m not driving and re-register in the spring.
Aug 9, 2020
148,600 miles
I’d been looking and wanting to install a roll bar since before I started racing in the track. Though the fibreglass hardtop is approved protection at my local track, knowing there’s just a thin layer of plastic between me and the pavement was a bit disconcerting.
After searching the web, one manufacturer came up time and time again.
bethania-garage.com. makers of the Harddog brand of roll bars. I contacted Tom, described my car and what I would be using it for and he suggested the M2 Sport as it is a better fit for the functionality of the car and will meet all of the regulatory requirements. A day later I ordered:
Total cost including shipping $850 USD. A few days later it was delivered an I arranged to pick it up.
Installation was not difficult, but a bit tedious. I installed it over the weekend, working on it on-and-off, and was glad when it was over. Many YouTube videos out there that accurately describe the install. I did not enjoy it, but if I were to do it again (hopefully not) it would go much faster.
Installation was a success and I immediately noticed an improvement in how the car felt. Much more responsive and solid. a great addition that will no doubt make me feel safer in the track.
July 3, 2020
147950 miles
Car was running hot at the track in June so I decided to upgrade the radiator and decided on a Koyo radiator. Called Speed factor to see if they could get it and yes they could so I asked them to order it for me and about a week later the radiator came in. Installation was pretty easy. I removed the old radiator and just needed to swap the fans over from the old radiator to the new radiator and everything fit in nicely. I filled it with 30% coolant water mix plus a bottle of water wetter and it was good to go. I will see how cool it runs at the track. 👍
June 30, 2020
147950 miles
Inspired by Gingium on YouTube I decided to install Auxbeam switchback LED headlights on the Miata to replace the pretty poor OEM lights. Ordered the headlights from the Auxbeam website and got them a few days later. Installation of the headlights was pretty simple. It was a simple swap and adding the driving halo and the switchback turn signals required tapping into the appropriate wires for the signal light and driving light but still pretty easy. they work awesome and I love how they look.
June 23, 2020
147930 miles
You’d figure that no one needs air conditioning on a convertible, and you might be right except i use the hard top on race days in the summer. Driving to and from the track, plus sitting on the grid before races can get extremely hot especially on 31* days.
So I took the car to a local shop to get the AC fixed. Turns out it had a leaking high pressure relief valve, and a leaking low side fitting. A few hours and a few hundred dollars later it’s blowing cold air instead of hot. Hot track days will be more enjoyable now.
Mad MX5