Autocross/Open Track your MS3/3 Wagon?

[Georonimo]

I know these cars are being flogged at Autocross events and road courses all over. I just don't know where to find pics and feedback on how well they perform in stock and or modified configuration. I'm curious to know their shortcomings (brakes, driveline, etc).

Thanks

 

[gar777]

I don't have personal experience but there was a guy with a black MS3 at a COM event at Lime Rock this past Nov. He said the car was awesome on the track, lots of power but not as tossable as as Protege (which I was driving). I'm not sure if he's on here or not but hopefully someone will post some first hand info on this topic as I'm interested to hear more as well.

 

[ag bullet]

I autocross my 04 hatch. I had only one previous event about 6 years ago, so really I was starting over with the 3. It is a very easy car to push hard and fairly easy to control at the limit. I upgraded several parts of the suspension throughout this last season. The two biggest improvements were the front swaybar and the better tires. Last month I added the Koni Yellow shocks and will be dialing those in at our test and tune event in February. Basically the way my car is setup, I run in STS. In HS where the stock ones are classed you have to compete with the Minis and they do very well. STS gives some freedom of mods and lets you compete with somewhat like cars. If you want to see some pics, you can click on the link in my signature. Here is a link to one of my runs from earlier in the season. Again I am a rookie, but finished 4th in points in STS this year.

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/ecujeb/?action=view&current=Firstrun.flv

 

[dcomiskey]

I'll be hitting Limerock, NHIS and hopefully Watkins Glen in mine this year. I live in CT and my track season ended in Sept (because of baby, not weather) before I even thought about buying a new car.

 

[Georonimo]

I autocross my 04 hatch. I had only one previous event about 6 years ago, so really I was starting over with the 3. It is a very easy car to push hard and fairly easy to control at the limit. I upgraded several parts of the suspension throughout this last season. The two biggest improvements were the front swaybar and the better tires. Last month I added the Koni Yellow shocks and will be dialing those in at our test and tune event in February. Basically the way my car is setup, I run in STS. In HS where the stock ones are classed you have to compete with the Minis and they do very well. STS gives some freedom of mods and lets you compete with somewhat like cars. If you want to see some pics, you can click on the link in my signature. Here is a link to one of my runs from earlier in the season. Again I am a rookie, but finished 4th in points in STS this year.

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/ecujeb/?action=view&current=Firstrun.flv

What else is done to the suspension? The car looks great going down that last straight/slalom.

Anyone autocross an MS3?

 

[msp35]

kinda cold for Auto-X season isn't it?

 

[xelderx]

A Mazda3 sedan finished 2nd in HS at the SCCA Nationals this year. I think it is a better HS car than an STS car, but you have to be able to spring for the high dollar shocks and tires for HS. The MS3 will be a DS car and the only thing holding it back will be the weight and crappy rim size.

 

[ag bullet]

Hey Justin, thought I remembered you from NCAC this year... It is cold for auto-x. The club I am in starts up the end of February I beleive.

As for my car the suspension includes:

-Tein H-Tech Springs
-Koni Yellow 4-way Adjustable Shocks (not on car last season)
-Racing Beat 27mm Rear Sway Bar (not on car last season. I was running the Progress 22mm bar)
-Whiteline 22mm front sway bar
-GT Spec rear lower tie brace
-GT Spec front strut brace (probably not much benefit from that, but it looks nice)

Wheels are MB Motoring Boost 17x7 +45mm wrapped in 225/45ZR17 Hankook Z212 RS-2 tires (wheels not my first choice, given thier weight, but I work for Discount Tire and they sponsored me so, beggars cannot be choosers)

 

[xelderx]

Hey Justin, thought I remembered you from NCAC this year... It is cold for auto-x. The club I am in starts up the end of February I beleive.

As for my car the suspension includes:

-Tein H-Tech Springs
-Koni Yellow 4-way Adjustable Shocks (not on car last season)
-Racing Beat 27mm Rear Sway Bar (not on car last season. I was running the Progress 22mm bar)
-Whiteline 22mm front sway bar
-GT Spec rear lower tie brace
-GT Spec front strut brace (probably not much benefit from that, but it looks nice)

Wheels are MB Motoring Boost 17x7 +45mm wrapped in 225/45ZR17 Hankook Z212 RS-2 tires (wheels not my first choice, given thier weight, but I work for Discount Tire and they sponsored me so, beggars cannot be choosers)

Yep...I remember seeing you there. I noticed the video you posted was from Danville. I love that place but it chews up tires pretty bad. I'm really looking forward to seeing your car again. The upgraded suspension should work really well. Do you have any interest in running a 16X8 wheel? I'm using FD RX7 16X8 (16lbs) wheels for street with 225/45-16 Z212 tires. The Mazda3 could possibly fit a 245 series tire easily. Just a thought...I happen to have an extra set of FD wheels sitting in my garage.(poke)

 

[ag bullet]

Yep...I remember seeing you there. I noticed the video you posted was from Danville. I love that place but it chews up tires pretty bad. I'm really looking forward to seeing your car again. The upgraded suspension should work really well. Do you have any interest in running a 16X8 wheel? I'm using FD RX7 16X8 (16lbs) wheels for street with 225/45-16 Z212 tires. The Mazda3 could possibly fit a 245 series tire easily. Just a thought...I happen to have an extra set of FD wheels sitting in my garage.(poke)

I might be down for a test fit, but the 245 width is too wide for STS...

 

[ag bullet]

Yep...I remember seeing you there. I noticed the video you posted was from Danville. I love that place but it chews up tires pretty bad. I'm really looking forward to seeing your car again. The upgraded suspension should work really well. Do you have any interest in running a 16X8 wheel? I'm using FD RX7 16X8 (16lbs) wheels for street with 225/45-16 Z212 tires. The Mazda3 could possibly fit a 245 series tire easily. Just a thought...I happen to have an extra set of FD wheels sitting in my garage.(poke)

I might be down for a test fit, but an 8 inch wheel and rubber wider than 225 would bump me from STS.

I like Danville too. It is hard on tires but not as hard as Laurinburg. Sanford is probably my favorite site.

I have way to much to undo and run HS, so I am pretty much sticking with where I am...

 

[ag bullet]

double posting FTW!

 

[xelderx]

Ah yea...you are right. Stupid 7.5" rule. I might have a few suprises for you involving Danville this season. I'll get back to you as soon as I confirm them.

 

[Georonimo]

I just watched your autocross vid again. That course is awesome. We run on a narrow runway at a small airport. The course is basically run one way, 180 degree turn, and then run the course the other way. Challenging but kind of boring since you pretty much know what the course is going to look like every single time you get there. The video in my sig gives you an idea.