yoyoyo
I’m a relatively new owner and just snagged myself a place on the Blyton park track day in a month. My car is pretty stock with new toyo tr1’s and front strut brace. plenty of life in brake pads and oil etc done this winter.
I’ve been recommended a spanner check is wise before any track day and have been wanting a fast road alignment for a while. I chatted to BRAM in Castleford who can do both but they said if I’m planning coilovers i should get them installed first so as not to need aligning twice - all very sensible.
My question to the forum is whether I should keep it cheap and cheerful and run stock suspension, learn the car/track etc. or get the coilovers now, blow the budget and save future expense?
All thoughts welcome, I’m guessing there won’t be consensus on this.
Oh! I think id pick the new meister sport z coilovers, they sound like a good balance for me.
My model of MX-5 is: __eunos roadster
I’m based near: __north yorkshire
I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __track prep
For first time out I would not go overboard with ton of performance related modifications. If you are happy with the tyres you have, go with them. Otherwise consider something you will feel confident in. That said, for first time out these would do just fine.
Brakes is another important one. Look out for work out disks and/or pads, warped disks, sticking calipers, etc.
If your steering is straight and the suspension is in good condition I would go with it as is. For the first one it will do, later you can change it how you see fit.
These are all safety related in my book so I would not count that as blowing the budget.
Now, this is my checklist so many might disagree, but works for me:
tyres:
any nails? not good
loosing air? not good
low thread? not good
bulges? not good
brakes:
pads/disks (as discussed above)
when was the last brake fluid change? change it
ensure there are no brake fluid leaking
engine:
last oil & filter change? change them
air filter? change it
oil coolant level check
steering fluid check
any leaks of any fluids - not good (you will be black flagged if marshals suspect your car is leaking fluid)
suspension:
any knocks or other noises that shouldn’t be there? inspect and consider if it is safe to take on track
any parts rusted beyond recognition? check they are still strong (trust me, I have been there lol)
When it comes to oil and oil filter, I change them before each track day. Some would also/or change them after a track day. It is not expensive, your engine will thank you. During track day season I also keep a close eye on the brake fluid and ensure it is changed regularly for optimal performance. Once every 6 months with quality fluid would also suffice.
Anything in particular you want to ask let me know! I’d be glad to help out as much as I can
First track day just do the normal car checks. If it was me I would also change my brake fluid to something more track focused. Think I used Motul 660 last time and also consider some track focused pads. See how you go on then spend the money.
Hi.
All very exciting for sure.
Along with all of the sage advice here, a similar thread on the forums recently also recommended to hold fast on any mods, at least initially.
The consensus on the other thread was tuition was almost as important as mods.
Enjoy your track day. I’m positive it will be a blast.
Thanks Yoan, lots of tips! I’m loath to dump 3 month old oil that’s probably only done 1000 miles max! Brakes sounds like a very sound idea though, do you know what the fluid capacity of an NA is? Do I need any specialist kit Gor bleeding them?
Will be our first outing of any kind in an mx5 at Blyton lol…its spent the weekend in garage being stripped, painted cleaned etc. Really looking forward to our first track day with it!!
Can’t tell you what the capacity is but a bottle is usually enough (500ml). Maybe get two if you want to be safe.
You can get a self bleeding kit, they’re not expensive. Even cheaper is a plastic bottle with some clean fluid at the bottom, which can work just as well. (plenty of info on youtube on how to do one yourself).
My recommendation would be that if you don’t have plenty of meat on your brake pads or if you’ve only got cheap pads fitted, invest in some quality pads. Other than that just make sure you’re up to date on general maintenance.
Turn up with your petrol tank at least three parts full. Your mpg will more than half. I’m pretty sure there’s no petrol on site.
If you do run short go into Gainsborough. Don’t let your satnav take you to the nearest petrol filling station in the village of Corringham. It is NOT self service. I stood in the shop for a full five minutes hopping from one foot to the other, tearing my hair out, while the owner served a small boy who couldn’t decide which colour ice pops to buy with the contents of his money box.
Thanks all for top tips.
I’ve ordered roddisson pads and dot 4 fluid from bofi. I might ask the local garage to do it and let me watch as I’m not sure doing it for the first time then going on a track day sounds the greatest idea.
I will keep it simple as advised and concentrate on grinning from ear to ear.
I may have got the wrong end of the stick and correct me if I’m wrong but I think others have warned about having to bleed the clutch at the same time as the brakes. Or is this just the nc3??
It’s always a case of walking on eggshells mentioning this to a mechanic but, anecdotally, not all garages do it.
All prepped and ready I think.
Dot 4 fluid and Rodissons pads installed,
Oil and filter change. Checked coolant and blown out air filter, topped up screen wash ( please don’t rain?!?!) and added a brake booster brace.
I’m now wondering how many tools etc to bring? Does anyone know if there is a place to leave stuff when you’re out on track or do you have to put it all in the car?
Super stoked.
I just used a ground sheet folded over what little I took . Your stuff won’t get pinched - definitely not to be carried in the boot.
Take any loose or ill fitting drivers footwell mats out. I’ve jammed my throttle on before now and it’s not a pleasant experience.
What a day! So much fun!
I really enjoyed the car, it’s an absolute riot on stock suspension and I learnt sooooo much about weight transfer and braking.
The car did pretty well though it threw its power steering belt around lunch time, I managed to get it back on but it lasted less than a minute before flying off again so I drove the afternoon unassisted! Pretty heavy but plenty of feel?! Also the engine now sounds a lot more tickety tickety than before, I’m wondering if I should be using 10w 40 (it has fresh 5w 30 fully synthetic in it now) as it’s done 130,000 km?! Anyone got opinions on that?
When’s the next club track day then?
