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EPISODE 1
We take delivery of the car from Daytona Mazda but before we can touch it, abiding by the rules, SCCA must seal the engine, transmission and differential. Aaron Coalwell from SCCA Pro Racing shows us how it’s done and we’re off to weigh the car and give it a preliminary run on the dyno at BNO Performance.
EPISODE 2
The crew from BSI Racing complete some preliminary checks (fluid levels, torque lug nuts etc.) to ensure the car is safe to drive on a track and we’re off to Roebling Road to gather some baseline performance data on the MX-5. With everyone wanting a turn at the wheel we get lots of feedback on the performance and potential of the car. Glenn Stephens from Traqmate records all the numbers so we don’t have to rely on the ‘seat of the pants’ method of testing. Chip Herr looks right at home in the seat of the MX-5 and can’t wait to start converting this to a spec racer.
EPISODE #3
Back at BSI Racing Stu Brumer and his crew do what they do best – convert stock Mazda Miatas and MX-5’s into very fast spec racers. First step is to get rid of everything that is not needed – seats, convertible top, door panels, carpet etc. Mazda Motorsports then supplies, and BSI installed, a set of interior panels to clean up the look of the spec racer. In all about 300 lbs. Of material were removed before we start to put weight back in with the panels, roll cage and other safety equipment.
EPISODE #4
Safety is the foremost concern for all involved in any race series and the Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Hankook is no different. A spec roll cage from Racing Cages is required for all cars in the series. BSI Racing fits the cage kit while at the same time fitting in the interior trim panels from Mazda Motorsports.
EPISODE #5
Continuing with the safety theme Chip shows off his new G-Force custom made racing suit, Stu Brumer talks about the HANS device, the crew fit the racing seat and Tim Suddard of Grassroots Motorsports details other safety items supplied by Racetech, G-Force and Saferacer.com.
EPISODE #6
With most of the safety items addressed it’s time to get serious about horsepower. The guys at BSI Racing remove the OEM exhaust and air intake. In their place goes a new AEM cold air intake as well as a DC Sports header and exhaust system all supplied by Mazda Motorsports. Then it was off to BNO performance again to check out progress. Wow, very impressive increase in both HP and Torque – but we’ll keep the numbers to ourselves for the time being!!!
EPISODE #7
Data acquisition has become a critical component of every successful pro race team over the past few years. We at Sports Car Revolution use Traqmate for all of our testing to accurately document ‘before and after’ test results. The Mazda MX-5 CUP presented by Hankook has mandated the use of the AIM data system. This unit very easily attaches and generates critical information for the race team, the driver as well as the series sanctioning body – SCCA pro Racing.
EPISODE #8
The team at BSI Racing go back under car to ‘upgrade’ the brakes and suspension. Mazda Motorsports has supplied an Eibach suspension kit consisting of spec springs, double adjustable, remote reservoir shocks and adjustable front and rear sway bars/links. The brakes on the MX-5 are great right from the factory so we merely install a set of braided lines. We’ll test different friction compounds (pads) during testing to determine best set-up for each track.
EPISODE #9
Rules for the Mazda MX-5 CUP presented by Hankook also allow the use of several ‘heavy duty’ parts for better service under extreme use. Mazda Motorsports has supplied and BSI Racing install an AWR heavy duty aluminium radiator, an oil cooler kit which mounts between the engine and oil filter as well as an ACT clutch assembly which by the rules must bolt directly to an unmodified stock flywheel.
EPISODE #10
It’s time to get ‘the power to the ground’! The series allows the use of only 2 styles of wheel – both 17”x7”, both available from Mazda Motorsports. We’re going to test both. Tires are specified by the series for both wet and dry races. The dry tires are Hankook Ventus Z214 C50 compound and the wet tires are Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212. Both tires are specified in the 225/45R17 size. Fit a set to the car, give it the BSI Racing alignment check and head for the track.
EPISODE #11
Back at Roebling Road we again run Traqmate data to check how far we have come from our initial ‘right out of the box’ performance. We look at different suspension settings and a Hankook technician checks tire pressure and temperatures to get a read on how the car is handling. Everybody gets time in the car and the comments on the transition tell the story.
EPISODE #12
Stu and the guys at BSI Racing still have a lot of wrenching and ‘fine tuning’ to do prior to the first race but we not turn our attention to making the MX-5 spec racer a “thing of beauty”. Keeping in mind the series requirements for sponsor identification and ‘reserved areas’ for corporate I.D. we employ a graphics team to come up with an eye-catching design for the car.
EPISODE #13
First race for the 2006 Mazda MX-5 CUP presented by Hankook is scheduled for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca weekend of May 5,6,7. The plan is to contest the first race and then turn the car over to the series to be used as a ‘guest racer’ for celebrities, journalists etc. in order to generate exposure for all involved. How do we do in the first race? Check Sports Car Revolution airing Wednesday May 17th or watch for the complete MX-5 project to be detailed in Grassroots Motorsports Magazine (GRM). The guys at GRM have worked with us and helped coordinate this project every step of the way. Thanks also to all of our other partners (see below) on this project especially Hankook Tire, Mazda Motorsports, and BSI Racing.
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BNO Performance |
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Daytona Mazda |
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DC Sports |
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