The Roadster NA Journey Begins

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 2:04 pm

SKYHI wrote:Glad it worked out for you. Looking forward to seeing more data

Morgan Park will be the next 'test'. Will have the rear dampers hooked up, but not the fronts.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:58 am

Had a great day at Morgan Park on 21/07/18. Whilst managed to set PB's on both Layout E and K, reviewing the data shows that the times could have been so much faster but for little mistakes

Morgan Park (E) - was 1:12.883 now 1:12.459
Morgan Park (K) - was 1:31.754 now 1:31.683

The car feels so much more stable, brakes are better as was the grip. The Blackbird engine mounts seem to have been a positive change and contributing the cars much more 'stable' feel. Whilst this was not as not noticeable at QR, at Morgan Park I ran the car 'normally' with its 225/45/15 AR-1's. However, the pressures were dropped to 28 hot and again this contributed to the overall feel.

Video of Layout K. The predictive timer tells the story

The big turn down the back section of the course is very similar to T1 at SMSP, like at SMSP I lack the testicular fortitude to 'attack' the corner. There is lots of time to be made in this part of the course.
https://www.facebook.com/teamracepak/videos/2134961560121097/

Also tested the Racepak CL1, whilst no RPM was hooked up it worked very well and times in the pits were able to be viewed live... Will do a post in the Data logging thread in how it went. Suffice to say it was very simple to use/setup and was useful even with only GPS.

This lap time photo sums up the day..

Notes on the AR-1's

Photos from the day
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.820308258356975.1073741904.388115094909629&type=1&l=b43c86810b

The American · Postby **The American** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:05 am

I’ve heard that back sweeper can be taken very quickly with ample bravery. Do you know what your max speed in the corner and exit speeds were?

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:49 am

I do like Morgan Park, it's a very fun track. Wish it weren't so far away for me though.

Have the BBFW mounts "broken in" at all? Or is it still such a rattle trap you wouldn't even know?

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:08 am

The American wrote:I’ve heard that back sweeper can be taken very quickly with ample bravery. Do you know what your max speed in the corner and exit speeds were?

Lift off at 168, mid 140 and exit 150. Like T1 at SMSP, I do not need to slow down as much as I do but, the brain says slow down. In my defence in 2017 I was slowing to 130, so I have improved...

ManiacLachy wrote:Have the BBFW mounts "broken in" at all? Or is it still such a rattle trap you wouldn't even know?

They have broken in, based upon that I have not noticed/heard any more 'rattles'

Ear plugs help

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 2:21 pm

Well done on the PBs. Great to see you chipping away at it and always improving.

Looks like you could carry a little more speed under the bridge and use a bit more of the track on exit and the little oversteer at Siberia definitely cost you a few tenths. Easily a 1:31 flat in there

Good job though Mark. Hopefully the stars will align and we'll catch up at the track soon.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 3:27 pm

SKYHI wrote:Easily a 1:31 flat in there

The data suggests that if I could have put all my best sectors into one lap there is a 1:30 and I do not disagree!

Next trip to Morgan Park will be 15/08 and will see if I can improve on Layout E. Have some small changes to make to the car before this event.

Plan is:
05/08 - DTC Lakeside (ICC round)
08/08 - QR Mid week (possibly)
15/08 - SDT at Morgan Park
24/08 - QR Skid Control (PM)
26/08 - QR General Practice and Street Sprints

Then it will be in the shed for most of September before a few events in October.

SKYHI · Postby **SKYHI** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 2:45 pm

Lots of seat time

Really want to have a run at QR. Will either try to get to the Sprints on the 26/08 or the Time Attack event on the 30/08.

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 3:28 pm

Love the lap time photo - unbelievable Porsches everywhere - and a bloody fast MX5!

That fast turn is probably flat to turn in then steady throttle through the apex for me but with only 3 sessions I hadn’t taken enough bravery pills :lol:

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 6:50 pm

Custardtart wrote: I hadn’t taken enough bravery pills

I hear you!

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:54 am

Round 5 of the 2018 Interclub championship was held at the DTC Lakeside, low speed Autocross event! 4 members of the MX5 Club Queensland ran, would have been nice to have more club members there, however there was a NB there as a "privateer'.

Managed a 49.114 which was faster than at the same event this time last year. Mind you it was only the second time doing this!

More photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.837361973318270.1073741905.388115094909629&type=1&l=bc27a6db7b

1 hour in 35 seconds
https://www.facebook.com/mx5na6/videos/837354903318977/

The American · Postby **The American** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 9:14 am

Being I creasingly time limited, I’m wondering if these DTC events will be the way to get my fix. This location is the closest to home for me. I haven’t made it to one yet, but it’s on the list.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 4:06 pm

The American wrote:I’m wondering if these DTC events will be the way to get my fix.

Just like a hill climb event, but without the hill to climb

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:08 pm

You let Elmo drive your car?

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:31 am

Spent the weekend resolving a 'noisy' rear suspension issue, found the issue and fixed it. However, the initial fix was only because I could not remove the rear axle nuts.

Ended up using about 1.5m of breaker bar to get it to 'crack'. Have to order new axle nuts now as the ones on the car cannot be reused.

DSCN9846 by Eipeip, on Flickr

The new setup has almost zero bind and falls down under its own weight (with the damper and rollbar disconnected)! Will grease the rear slider pins as well as replace the pads. Since setting up the bias towards the rear, the rear pads are getting worn out VERY VERY quickly! The fronts will be done this weekend then it will be off for an alignment before a track test!

DSCN9838 by Eipeip, on Flickr