MX5 NB 1.8 vs BG 1.6 Astina vs 6.0 Holden Calais.

[MadMaz]

Hi all

Participated in a full on multi-lap car race on a 1.1 km section of shared
private tarsealed driveway in a rural zone this afternoon. Born of a joke
yesterday, it quickly developed into serious territory - and all the people
who own the driveway gave their permission for it to be used - and came out
with their families to watch three madmen race each other and have the time of
their lives.

All front tyres on all three cars (including the NB 1.8 MX5) were written off
- shredded right down to the steel belts in one case. It was even more
exciting than Pukekohe Park Raceway Test days in many ways. There was pieces
of rubber everywhere and we all got airborne over a large hump in the
"circuit".

Just reading all the List Posts from the weekend this evening, I'm sorry to
see zorruno go like that - I've found the list to be a great source of info and
many thanks to all who've posted info (and sent to my personal box including
Chris) to help me find the right MX5 . I've selected a little used NA with
low k's which I'm buying off the present owners when they depart for London in
December - it's worth the wait.

Look if it's any help - there's always problems with any forum, public or not
- so if there's a problem of any sort it's best to deal with it decisively and
then end of story - others do.

By the way re Pete Hodgen's reply to our letter, it'll be forwarded to several
other ministers for their reply. Any reply from now wouldn't be posted on the
List without the prior permission of the List administrators to whom anything
would be sent first. Did Parker resign because of the letter? Tongue in
cheek I was playing on the co-incidental timing.

Someone took it the wrong way though. How's it written: lol (never knew about
that one before & had to look it up).

Wouldn't mind inviting him along to Pukekohe Park Raceway for a full-on high
speed Duel on the Racetrack on a Test Day some time using 1.6 litre normally
aspirated Mazda's. It would be an education not quickly forgotten. And more
interesting than boring talk.

Cheers
Mark

From supasparky@yahoo.co.uk Fri Apr 27 17:53:42 2007
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Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2006 10:55:58 +0100 (BST)
From: glenn roberts <supasparky@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Re: MX5 NB 1.8 vs BG 1.6 Astina vs 6.0 Holden Calais.
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
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Come on mark... thats just teasing...
who won the race???


Glenn "SLYDIT"
http://miata.cardomain.com/id/supasparky
Hairdressers car??? well no. but it does have a HAIR DRYER!

[MadMaz]

Hi Glenn

I did by a whisker. The Holden could not get the revs up in the short
spaces of time that the short straight (300m) in the "circuit" allowed - so
the much higher power of his machine never really came into play. The
high 1st gear ratio of the auto transmission soaked up too much power at
lower speeds - where it really counted - because all the sharp curves didn't
allow for more than 90 k's. And up to that level of speed and a bit higher,
front drive generally beats rear drive in traction at full throttle.

Don't get me wrong - the Calais would have eaten me for breakfast on a
straight any longer than 300 meters - the 6.0 litre Chevy develops 260 Kw
stock, running 98 octane - and is capable of 250 k's on a straight no probs.

The NB had an off and slid into a shallow ditch beside a fence The driver
is not a happy chappie and blames his Khumo tyres, which in his defence, had
shed all it's outer layers right down to the steel belts. He did very well
through and I was very impressed with just how well it went - my Astina
simply had better tyres and a thicker rim bead. Mind you - my tyres were
certainly not WOF standard at the end as well.

We were taking sharp corners at ridiculously extreme speeds for road cars -
but even so, were amazed at how incredibly easily tyres fry and shred when
the temperatures really build up. Can understand why Formula 1 car
syndicates put so much time and dosh into working with tyre companies.

Anyway it was a lot of fun - even though it cost us all in tyres.

Looking forward to Pukekohe Park Raceway Testdays in June. Anyone care to
join me?

Cheers
Mark