mx5cartalk.com

Hi, I'm setting myself up for some track days etc and I'm looking to pull the trigger on a rollbar soon. I'm 6ft so I'm keen to sit in a car running an Automotive plus tall boy and Sparco Sprint combo to make sure it'll work for me. My main concern is getting the seat back far enough which the tall boy obviously compromises. Or maybe other bars will work fine? Advice appreciated!

I'm pretty much set on the Sprint. I've got GSM fixed brackets for the seats, but not 100% sure the final height with these.

Wondering if anyone in the ACT has that and is alright with a visit sometime? Or will perhaps be at Wakefield sometime over the next couple weeks and don't mind random visitors?

I just had a Sparco Sprint fitted to the standard runners which makes it as low as possible.
I have a Brown Davis CAMS approved half cage on order and am told it will not affect the seat at all.

Come to the May 14th Supersprint at Wakefield, there will a ton of MX5s there with all sorts of seat/bar combinations. Alternatively, or in addition, there is a Club track day at Wakefield on 23rd April. That way you can kill two birds - check out seats, and get a taste of MX5 competition!!

You might also want to do a search on here, unsurprisingly this question is a regular.

Thanks guys.

I'm planning on my first run at the track in the MX5 on May 4th, so I'd like to be sorted by then. I'll hit up the Club trackday as a spectator on the 23rd though for sure (that's my first sunday of 8 in my first ever long service leave... Looking forward to it!). For some reason I don't want to run on the track without a rollbar, even though I certainly wouldn't plan to roll the car.

Given I'll be on LSL, I'll come watch the Supersprint too. May as well!

I'm with you regarding the roll bar.
I am told there is no record of a MX-5 ever rolling on the track but if I am the first i don't want it to be without a roll bar.
I rolled my mum's Morris Minor in 1968, then a Datsun 1600 in 1974 in a NSW rzlly and the same car in 1975 at Mandurah autocross (WA). Then we fitted a roll bar but persisted with lap/sash belts and no helmets. Our PB210 rally car had full cage when we rolled in the first round of ARC 1979.
I am much more safety concious now and hve the seat, harness, FHP and FIA approved helmet to suit, race suit, gloves , socks, underwear, balaclava, shoes.
Just waiting for the roll bar and I'm ready for the track.
If the bar arrives in time Im thinking of the CSCA Supersprint on 2nd April at Eastern Ck and if not it will be the hillclimb on 30th at Ringwood as i have a family commitment on 23rd April.

Hi, I'm in Canberra on the south side at Stirling. I have a Brown Davis in my 2003 NB with NC seats. I had a MX5 plus in my first MX5, the NA8.
You are welcome to check it out the BD set-up if you'd like. Jon 0409594522.

Nuddy wrote:I am told there is no record of a MX-5 ever rolling on the track

Google specmiata rollover

manga_blue wrote:

Nuddy wrote:I am told there is no record of a MX-5 ever rolling on the track

Google specmiata rollover

Ok he must have meant on a track day or supersprint.

Nuddy wrote:

manga_blue wrote:

Nuddy wrote:I am told there is no record of a MX-5 ever rolling on the track

Google specmiata rollover

Ok he must have meant on a track day or supersprint.

Maybe not a track day (though I once went very close at Wakefield), but it definitely has happened at a supersprint.

greenMachine wrote:

Nuddy wrote:

manga_blue wrote:

Nuddy wrote:I am told there is no record of a MX-5 ever rolling on the track

Google specmiata rollover

Ok he must have meant on a track day or supersprint.

Maybe not a track day (though I once went very close at Wakefield), but it definitely has happened at a supersprint.

I can't rightly remember who it was - I think either greenmachine or PeterB - but I was watching from about 100m behind when he put it up on two outside wheels to about 45deg coming off the ripple strip on turn 4 (top of the hill) at Wakefield in an MX5 club event. I was staring at his whole floor pan. A bit scary I thought.

45 degrees - precision drivers used to drive at that angle all the time.
A roll is a roll. A near roll is nothing.

If you haven't rolled it then how do you know how far you can push it

olboy wrote:If you haven't rolled it then how do you know how far you can push it

That's where the near-roll comes in.
That said, I've never had a near-roll.
My first 2 were quick 180 degree rolls and the third and fourth were 360 degrees.
No.3 I landed on the wheels but the engine cut out and I had to restart it costing about 20 seconds on lap time.https://www.facebook.com/NuddSport/photos/a.1886928874920794.1073741828.1886924758254539/1886928991587449/?type=3&theater

I've seen a couple cars go over at Wakefield. Going into the side trap sideways can happen to anyone, and I assume none of them were planning it! Better safe than sorry.

MX593 wrote:Hi, I'm in Canberra on the south side at Stirling. I have a Brown Davis in my 2003 NB with NC seats. I had a MX5 plus in my first MX5, the NA8.
You are welcome to check it out the BD set-up if you'd like. Jon 0409594522.

Thanks mate. Everything about that combo seems like it won't really help. Haha! but I absolutely appreciate the offer! Do you think any of it translates to an NA?

greenMachine wrote:You might also want to do a search on here, unsurprisingly this question is a regular.

You know it! I'm an ol' school forum user who likes a good search. I've probably read all the applicable threads 5 times. There's no substitute in this case for actually sitting in a car though.

im also in Canberra, 6"2 and looking at the best combo. so tallboy limits seat recline? hard top still work?

keen to meet up with some of you Canberra lads!