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Hey guys,
Im doing my first sueprsprint on sunday @ EC in the mx5 - last time I drove @ EC it was pouring rain and I was in my R33 (being a boat it suited the conditions - plus I did a 2.36 - got a youtube vid somewhere of it!) and last time before that was 3 years ago, so Im not too familar with it

So with the mx5's - are there any tips anyone can give me to make the most of not having much power but focusing on corner speed?

Cheers!

Chris

I've only dríven Eastern Creek once in my NA6, but have done four "Driving Solutions" track days previously in my MINI. I'll leave it to more experienced drivers to offer considered advice. But the one thing I will say is that once you commit to turn 1, don't lift the throttle! I did once in my MINI, and destroyed two front tyres after sliding sideways to a stop from 160km/hr . I've been very cautious with my entry speed into turn 1 ever since. Looking forward to seeing your video after Sunday!

There's probaly only 1 spot that I'd say was dangerous to you. That's turn 4, midway through it there's a crest and if you jump on the gas the car can go very light. It's very easy to oversteer to the inside of the track and clip the wall. You'll know the section when you see it from all the paint marks on the wall.

Just build up your speed and don't try to set the lap record your first lap and you'll have an awesome time. Eastern Creek is a fun track.

Trail brake and watch out for lift-off oversteer.
Turn 1 is nice and fast so don't forget to brake smoothly for Turn 2. I came in far too hot and spun

Wot he (Hellmun) said ^^ !

Take it slow, build up to a speed, and you will be fine. Seconding the 'dont lift in the corners', but that won't be a problem if you take it easy.

Re turn 1, go up on the roof and plot your turn in point - its a late apex so the turn in perhaps is further along than you might imagine. An atmo MX on R-specs is probably flat through there, so if you get the line right FIRST, then build up to something like a lift or a dab before you turn in, you will be doing good for a first outing in an MX.

Oh, did I mention to take it easy at first? Turn 1, the crest after T4, there are lots of places for EC to bite ... Wakefield it is not.

Have fun, learn a bit, and bring it home in the same state you brought it - - that makes for a good day

Thanks gents!

Cant wait to get out there *fingers crossed* weather is good!

yeah my first session or two I'll be learning ALOT!
wouldnt even know what times to aim for, maybe the magic 2 min mark?

Turn one is usually a slight lift in top gear (hard brake in a turbo) before slowly re-applying the throttle so you are flat at the apex which is close to where the pit lane exits then let he car drift back to the outside ripple strip on the way to turn 2. There are at least 2 ways around turn 2 so it doesn't matter which one - single late apex or double apex. Turn 3 is flat biscuit pulling gears clipping the inside ripple and drifting on the exit to the outside ripple I(sometimes a short shift is required just past the exit). Turn 4 is a brake and turn in, feather the throttle kinda corner as Mark said it goes on and off camber before dropping away in to turn 5 which is a fast uphill let hander drifting onto the astro turf on the exit. Straight line the stupid turn 6 flip flop and brake hard for turn 7 the left hander up the hill leading to turn 8 or corporate hill. Turn 8 is easy to stuff up carrying too much speed on the exit so balance the throttle mid corner and squeeze it on the exit to drive down to turn 9. Again, a hairpin so a couple of ways around it. As there is a straight after it you need the exit that maximises speed on the exit so a slightly late apex is probably the go. Turn 10 is a kink approaching another stupid flip flop turn 11 which you need to position the car so you can brake in a straight line on the approach. Once through you kinda throw the car into turn 12 balancing the throttle to maximise corner exit as it is the most important corner on the track. The final corner is tricky too as it rolls off camber and then flattens out toward the exit.

Cheers Chris!
Thats great - appreciate the post, I'll be memorizing it haha

For my car,1.8l 94 model, has around 75rwkw maybe? Im fairly sure the diff ratios and gear ratios are standard - what sort of gears would I be using for some of the turns?

Cheers!

evil_weevil wrote:Cheers Chris!
Thats great - appreciate the post, I'll be memorizing it haha

For my car,1.8l 94 model, has around 75rwkw maybe? Im fairly sure the diff ratios and gear ratios are standard - what sort of gears would I be using for some of the turns?

Cheers!

Going from memory here:

Turn 1 - 5th probably (I was usually at the top of 4th)
Turn 2 - 2nd
Turn 3 - 2nd changing up to 3rd
Turn 4 - briefly shift to 4th before the braking point, then back to 3rd for the corner
Turn 5 - 3rd
Turn 6 - 3rd, braking near the apex
Turn 7 - 3rd
Turn 8 - 3rd
Turn 9 - 2nd
Turn 10 - 4th
Turn 11 - 3rd
Turn 12 - 3rd

evil_weevil wrote:
For my car,1.8l 94 model, has around 75rwkw maybe? Im fairly sure the diff ratios and gear ratios are standard - what sort of gears would I be using for some of the turns?

Cheers!

Not sure about the 5 speed box but in the six speed you are only using 3rd, 4th & 5th. Turn 2 is the slowest so maybe in a 5 speed you will grab 2nd.

As Chris said, Turn 2 is either a two apex corner or a one apex corner. You decide.
I work on a one apex corner because at Supersprint I'm not trying to protect the inside line from people overtaking.
Apex is 3 metres before the end of the last ripple strip on the inside. Apex too early (easily done) and you will be understeering dramatically on the exit, backing off to stay on the track.

Awesome lads!
Thanks heaps!!!!!
Cant wait till sunday now!

Had I seen this sooner, I could have posted you a DVD of our incar from one of the 1hr races.

All good Cal!!

oh, and now it seems there maybe a few showers forecasted for sunday oh noes

Eastern creek is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

evil_weevil wrote:Eastern creek is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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