Matt's MY08 NC Roadster.

[Jeo]

So that was you at the start of the day! On your first run I saw you pull up to the grid and get out of the car and I thought it was you. Then I noticed the wheels and assumed you must have had track tyres on your stock wheels. Cool, makes sense. Then I saw you later in the day with the enkies back on and figured that it wasn't you at the start...

See, what an exciting story!

Twas a good day though. You back in December?

[Regie]

at least you couldnt see my sad face at the end of the straight in that picture

i wanted to really get out there!!!!

next time

[Guran]

Great report on the track day Matt. 1:14:95 is a very respectable time for a basically stock NC on road tyres. For perspective, the club record is 1:14.38 for a stock NC (Class 3). If you were able to qualify for Class 3, I reckon it wouldn't take you much more to knock off that record.

Since so many drivers had signed up for the day, the typical track day format had given way to a Supersprint style of event, with groups running 5 laps each, while the next group was formed up on the dummy grid so they could be released as the last car left the track.

Actually, this is not correct, as it was pretty much the same format as always: half-lap warm-up, 4 timed laps, half-lap cool-down. The changes were:

1) They started the next group as soon as the last car in the previous group had crossed the finish line in the fish-hook. This meant they didn't need to wait until the last car had entered the pits. Saved about a minute per group ... not much, but it added up to almost an hour when spread across the eight groups and six sessions!

2) There is usually a half hour lunch break which was skipped for this track day.

3) The usual 6-lap regularity event after lunch was skipped in favour of a conventional 4-lap sprint.

Considering how many drivers there were, it was incredibly good management to get everyone through at least six sessions of 4 laps each.

[CoffeeBoss]

Great report on the track day Matt. 1:14:95 is a very respectable time for a basically stock NC on road tyres.

Humbled. Thankyou! Truth be told I've been scrutinising your videos a bit, you have the professional 'Driving Miss Daisy' way of handling the wheel as you go around that I've been trying to emulate. Smooth is indeed fast.

Since so many drivers had signed up for the day....

Actually, this is not correct, as it was pretty much the same format as always: half-lap warm-up, 4 timed laps, half-lap cool-down.

Ah, I see. I was under the impression that the Supersprint style format wasn't how MX5 track days normally ran. Not sure who told me this... anyhow, edited original post for truth.

Considering how many drivers there were, it was incredibly good management to get everyone through at least six sessions of 4 laps each.

Wholeheartedly agree. Even with a few recoveries, the whole day still ran like clockwork. I was genuinely surprised at how much track time I managed in the end, even despite all the stuffing around I did with my wheels in the morning.

If you were able to qualify for Class 3, I reckon it wouldn't take you much more to knock off that record.

I hear you on the Class 3 idea, however they seem quite strict regarding mods which is fair enough. I'm content to set my own goals with road tires. Hope to be back at Wakefield to set some times with my semi-slicks in December. If I end up getting a daily driver, which is just an idea at present, then I'd be all set to hunt down Phil and Chris...

Incidentally, was down your way early Sunday morning. Would have called by I didn't want to upset anyone as the drive wasn't my idea, i was merely invited. 630AM is a good time to be on the Pass so will likely do this again soon

A couple of iPhone pics to commemorate the event.

[CoffeeBoss]

Oh, and a big shout-out to Guy who PM'd me on OzMazda a few weeks back - he's drives a black NC, and lurks about the usual forums (including this one). He imported some overnight parts from Japan for me... well, some Premium Fuel actually. High octane stuff. Like NOS, only tastier. Very grateful!!

[Charlie Brown]

Great report on the track day Matt. 1:14:95 is a very respectable time for a basically stock NC on road tyres. For perspective, the club record is 1:14.38 for a stock NC (Class 3). If you were able to qualify for Class 3, I reckon it wouldn't take you much more to knock off that record.

I can see that Guran hasn't had a peek at your suspension, intake, etc, etc, Matt that sticks you firmly into Class 5 with or without R-Spec tyres.

I'm really looking forward to having both yourself and Sailor (first run coming up in the December meeting) putting in times under 1:12s. There’s nothing better than close racing.

[Guran]

I can see that Guran hasn't had a peek at your suspension, intake, etc, etc, Matt that sticks you firmly into Class 5 with or without R-Spec tyres.

Yeh I only noticed the suspension mods after writing that post. Ooops! I had checked Matt's garage details and only saw the intake listed, which would be easy to swap out for the stock one if you wanted to go for Class 3. Looks like you're stuck in Class 5, Matt.

[Guran]

Humbled. Thankyou! Truth be told I've been scrutinising your videos a bit, you have the professional 'Driving Miss Daisy' way of handling the wheel as you go around that I've been trying to emulate. Smooth is indeed fast.

Why thank you sir! That's something I've been concentrating on improving based on the advice of more experienced drivers, and it does seem to be helping. Smoothness is definitely the key in an MX-5. I've noticed that my quicker laps have less tyre squeal through the corners than what I was getting when I first started and was hurling the car around. And I've also been braking quite early and gently (only ~0.7G deceleration typically!) in order to avoid lock-ups and judge the entry speed more accurately.

Incidentally, was down your way early Sunday morning. Would have called by I didn't want to upset anyone as the drive wasn't my idea, i was merely invited. 630AM is a good time to be on the Pass so will likely do this again soon

No worries. Next time, if you give me an SMS the day before, I'd be happy to join you. I took out my 135i for a drive on Sunday arvo instead. It was too bloody hot for the MX-5.

[CoffeeBoss]

I can see that Guran hasn't had a peek at your suspension, intake, etc, etc, Matt that sticks you firmly into Class 5 with or without R-Spec tyres.

*sssshhhh*
(seriously Bryan, why do you think i write all this stuff! haha!)
Truthfully though, I mod more for improving the feel of the car then for any belief that mods = faster track times. Better driving = faster lap times, mods just make the car feel better, driver feels more confident, pushes harder. I don't believe that I'm able to push a stock NC to it's limit around a circuit, let alone a modified one. Granted though, brakes and tires make an appreciable difference to track times even for a novice such as myself. But the rest is just fun.

Besides, you just can't run with the young kids these days without a lower car with lower offset

I'm really looking forward to having both yourself and Sailor (first run coming up in the December meeting) putting in times under 1:12s. There’s nothing better than close racing.

Agreed. One of the most fun track days I've had at Wakefield was back in my Altezza Club days when there were 4 of us there with stock-engined IS200's. Hugely entertaining stuff.

I'll get there. I'm loving driving a car that has so many drivers/times I can compare with. With the IS200, there was really no-one else outside of our little group.

[CoffeeBoss]

AUTOEXE/GRUPPEM/K&N SPRING CLEAN
Have had a few questions about the Autoexe Ram Air filter so thought i would post this up. As will become apparent, filter clean out was long overdue!

The Autoexe RAM Air filter is made by Gruppe M in Japan and uses a K&N filter. Since I work such long hours, and then use my car most of the time that I'm not working (or sleeping) I thought I'd get another K&N filter so I could wash the existing filter at my leisure, and still use the car while it was out. So I contacted GruppeM in Japan - afterall, they make the thing, so they should know the part number. I got an awesome response, in Engrish:

Hello.
This filter is a filter of only GruppeM.
It cannot purchase in K&N.
Please understand the situation.
Thank you.


I wasn't sure if I understood the situation, so I got in touch with Autoexe and they provided a part number for the filter.

To date, I've yet to find anyone who will actually source the part for me (tried the usuals: New Era, Nengun, AAI).

However I've yet to contact K&N themselves. I suspect it's a universal K&N filter rather than a bespoke one for this application, so hopefully I can find it in a K&N catalogue with a K&N part number.

Anyhoo - finally found some time to take out the filter. It's all very straightforward:

There's a bracket and nut that holds the carbon fibre air box in place



and this nut needs a hex-shaped alan key



revealing the K&N filter which rests neatly inside the box



Here you can see the space left by the departure of the box.
Entry to the throttle body clearly visible (which I cover with a plastic bag when there's no filter there) and directly opposite that sponge sits around the tube that feeds air from the grill just near the number plate:



A reminder, particularly for country drivers such as myself: clean thy filter regularly! This is about 25'000kms of driving:



It was an entymologists dream.

I bust out the recharge kit, and soak the filter with the cleaning solution, then run water from the clean side through the dirty side.
All the while inspecting the filter for any signs of fraying or wear.

It takes some time to get all the dirt out. Then let the filter air dry overnight, and oil it up the next day.

The carbon fibre airbox:



All back together:



Once the filter is clean, the car makes a lovely gulping sound when you snap open the throttle.

[sliq]

awesome. might do mine in the next coming week or so. did your filter still have a greyish colour to it?

[Hammer]

It's coming along well, Matt.

[CoffeeBoss]

Thanks Alan! It goes along well too

did your filter still have a greyish colour to it?

Actually the foam in my filter should be red, however most of that has been stained grey now. It's the other reason why I'd like to get a second filter, just to spread the 'wear and tear' over two filters.


Spinning Wheel visit

Also dropped in to Spinning Wheel to get my standard wheels rebalanced. For those playing at home, you will recall they are the track rims with the A048 semi slicks on them.

We figure that after the shenanigans of that day at Wakefield (see earlier post above on my MX5 Club track day at Wakefield), the loose McGard wheel nuts probably caused one of my wheels to drop it's weights. Which is why they were out of balance when I refitted them with the stock lugs.

Spinning Wheel is a great place - no rattle guns, so no worries of any damage to my McGard lug nuts. They also get some fairly tasty cars through there. During my visit, Stu was throwing on some new wheels and setting up a new alignment for this customer - an ML63 AMG on 22" HRE's. Looked and sounded quite tasty. Nice guy too. Didn't strike me as the baller type. He was telling me all about the 'lowering program' he had installed.



Incidentally Stu doesn't like the more modern servo-assisted suspensions there are less manual adjustments allowed for camber, castor and so on.

Spinning Wheel rebalanced my stock wheels, and race-taped the wheel weights. We fitted them on the car so they were ready for their next outing (which was the following day).

Then, around to Indy at ISMR for a brake fluid change. All set for Oran Park



Oran Park report to follow when I get some more time!

[CoffeeBoss]

Circuit Club / Oran Park South / 29-11-09



Yes, believe it or not, my first drive around Oran Park. And probably my last. *sad panda*



What a fantastic circuit. After booking the full GP circuit, we were stiffed by certain people associated with Oran Park who went and booked the north circuit out from under us. So no runs over the bridge.

However Oran Park South is still hugely entertaining. Many of my friends have dríven around here already, and a few of them have ended up victims of the walls (we even had one on this particular day). I've been here before for race days as a spectator, but I could never envisage just how committed you have to be to tackle this circuit. It really asks you: just how enthusiastic is your right foot?

For my first session I grabben Ben Porter, once of the instructors to give me some pointers.



Remember, this was also my first trackday outing on my Yokohama A048's. Here's a suitable hero shot to commemorate the event:


Once I had a basic understanding of the lines, I got stuck right in. The first time I went flat in 4th over the flip-flop was memorable, and the first time I went through there flat in 3rd was butt-clenchingly fun. It's a legendary piece of track. There simply isn't a dull moment. And the walls, well they are there, but I didn't really notice them. By the end of the day, I was working on trying to take the top layer of paint off my drivers-side mirror coming onto the straight. Didn't manage to get that close though. It's a great corner that last one.

I can only hope if and when they complete the replacement facility for Oran Park that it will still have all the dips and crests and off-camber sections. Oran Park: never a dull moment.



Natsoft result: fastest time was 0:55.6370. With the semi slicks the car was certainly capable of quicker times, and my good mate and support crew Karl was quick to remind me of his PB of 55:00 which he did around Oran Park South on street tires in his 172 RenaultSport Clio.
Nevertheless, in booking a GoPro camera from Marc for the day, I inadvertently entered myself into the EPCC racing series which is now open to allcomers. Which resulted in a second place in the Open Class and I somehow managed to scoop the "Stig Award" for fastest driver on the day. For the $20 admission you get some great footage from the GoPro cameras - the prizes are an awesome bonus! I highly recommend Circuit Club goers to sign up for a camera the next time they are out there, the series deserves all the support it can get, and it's a great way to see how your car and more importantly your driving stacks up against your peers.

The Yokohama A048's after a day at Oran Park South. I can finally say: great track tire. Super consistent all day, reasonably telling before breakaway, I love these tires.



Most of these photos were taken by Karl, who will be the subject of my next post. Here he is surveying his favourite racing circuit in the whole wide world

[CoffeeBoss]

A few more pics from the day.


The Blackheath Beast - fastest time of the day with a 49:1100 second lap.


Glenn, a mate of mine with his track-prepped turbo SW20. You can see one of the drift kids in the background.


CLK Black. Such a nice car. Ian's a series contender behind the wheel of this thing nowadays, and was 4th fastest on the day. So good to see a car like this being used the way it was intended.












Even Eric Bana showed up for some happy laps


Circuit Club days often feature swarms of Evo's, and this one was no different It's only a matter of time before Circuit Club starts up an Evo one-make series for your Evo drivers (it's not like the rest of us can keep up anyway!)




Karl also took this amusing pic of Ed-209, our trusty support car for the day. A hero will rise...


Once the festivities had concluded, Karl in the Murano joined his fellow Circuit Club staffers for a parade lap of the south circuit. It just felt like the right thing to do, being that it was Circuit Club's final outing at Oran Park. Oran Park, you will be missed.