How not to race a MX5.

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Sun May 13, 2012 8:15 pm

When Brian ran Fanta in championship winning trim (ie with no hardtop and no windscreen) the small alloy wing he ran on the boot was supposed to be worth around a second a lap in back to back testing with two drivers at Eastern Creek.

To look at it you couldnt imagine how it picked up any aero, but it apparently worked and Fanta was one of the quickest non turbo MX5s of the day.

Postby **NitroDann** » Sun May 13, 2012 8:21 pm

No windscreen.

Dann

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Mon May 14, 2012 9:10 am

If it is faster, it could be because the wing is smoothing out the airflow at the back of the car. And possibly slightly less lift.

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Mon May 14, 2012 12:08 pm

NitroDann wrote:No windscreen.

Dann

Yes, Fanta was an unregisterable NA6 import and ran to Prod Sports regulations, so the windsreen and frame were completely removed and a small perspex aero screen fitted. No side windows or interior, etc. There were a number of these built in Qld and some still run up there. Brian ran something like 135 Rwk at 820 Kg to fit power to weight for the class. I think it ran in the 1.05s around Wakefield Park on Dunlop slicks.

Brian won the Prod Sports championship in the mid 2000's running a Jaeger built motor and close ratio box. I bought the rolling chassis and fitted a reasonable 1600, so ran around 93 Rwk and 840 Kg, and could get 1.09.2 at Wakefield on slicks and 1.10.0 on semi-slicks.

Fanta is in Sydney and being improved to hit the track again - a great fun car and the no screen gave that real sportscar field, especially on a wet day at Goulburn. There have been photos in the magazine, etc. Fanta is easily recognised because of its orange colour and no screen.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:46 pm

What's the button on the steering wheel rim for?

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 1:21 am

Just watched the whole lot, clearly they have no consideration for others, especially on braking lines, passing lines etc.

Makes me sick and glad I only run timed events.

Postby **Boyracer** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:37 am

I didn't post this to put people off racing, it's just unfortunately part of the game that there are people who come along with huge bags of money and no talent.

evil_weevil · Postby **evil_weevil** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 1:22 pm

and if you are like me you are at the back of the field having fun with like minded enthusiasts!

in all seriousness, dont let these guys deter you from racing like boyracer said.
Im sure the stewerds will have taken note for the next round.

Smokinscotty · Postby **Smokinscotty** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 2:54 pm

I think the stern words in the pits post race would have helped the message get across about driving standards....

Nearly got to fisty cuffs.
Regardless, I'm still looking forward to having a crack at the next round.

evil_weevil · Postby **evil_weevil** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:29 pm

oh fisty cuffs!!!!

would have been interesting for sure!

Postby **Boyracer** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:30 pm

I think it must be a white MX5 thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtnpA0qmD20

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:15 pm

Boyracer wrote:I think it must be a white MX5 thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtnpA0qmD20

Shocking, I hope that video is / was made available to the officials and the drivers licence endorsed.

crewmans · Postby **crewmans** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:19 pm

PeterB wrote:
NitroDann wrote:No windscreen.

Dann

Yes, Fanta was an unregisterable NA6 import and ran to Prod Sports regulations, so the windsreen and frame were completely removed and a small perspex aero screen fitted. No side windows or interior, etc. There were a number of these built in Qld and some still run up there. Brian ran something like 135 Rwk at 820 Kg to fit power to weight for the class. I think it ran in the 1.05s around Wakefield Park on Dunlop slicks.

Brian won the Prod Sports championship in the mid 2000's running a Jaeger built motor and close ratio box. I bought the rolling chassis and fitted a reasonable 1600, so ran around 93 Rwk and 840 Kg, and could get 1.09.2 at Wakefield on slicks and 1.10.0 on semi-slicks.

Fanta is in Sydney and being improved to hit the track again - a great fun car and the no screen gave that real sportscar field, especially on a wet day at Goulburn. There have been photos in the magazine, etc. Fanta is easily recognised because of its orange colour and no screen.

I bought an mx5 with Brian's engine in it and ran it in prod sports up her e in QLD. I've just completed a fresh'n' up by Mark Yaeger and still developing 135 wrk with a very robust tune and no extra development. This is great fun in a road registered car that is fairly competitive on the track. Mind you there are some 2f cars up here with bigger hp than me, still good fun racing with them.
Cheers Paul.

brian f · Postby **brian f** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 7:54 am

On my red car I have two distinct indentations in the boot lid where the wing mounts go and it's not from leaning on it. The advantage of a wing and no hardtop or windscreen is air flow over the car, the air is less disturbed when it gets to the wing with only my boof head in the way.
Re Fanta, I bought my car as a 2A with windscreen already removed but it made so much sense, 30kg less and all in the wrong place. I was amazed to see Brian Andersons car the first time we came South who had come to the same conclusions we had. He and I had some of the best dices I have ever had and never once swapped paint.