Mazdaspeed 3 and Autocrossing...

A

AutoXRacer

Member
I took my Mazdaspeed 3 for the first time autocrossing yesterday...

I've been autocrossing for slightly over 4 years with a Mazda Miata. I was so unsure about autocrossing a FWD vehicle and one that is so big and high off the ground...

Anyway, the car handled beautifully!! (2thumbs)
I was very surprised how well she took the turns and the brakes were simply amazing.

I could have done better I guess, but I was just so uneasy in the car.
I need more seat time... lol

I ran all my runs with the traction control off and tried one run with the stability control off. All I'm going to say is that I did not like running with the stability control off...she was all over the place. With it on, she was pretty solid.

How do you guys run your Mazdaspeed3s...?
Any suggestions or comments on autocrossing a MS3?

Thanks
 
I can only assume you're running in DS with street tires? I haven't heard of anyone running an MS3 on R-comps yet, but I'd love to hear how it handled. I'm considering an MS3 for a dual-duty car in the next year or so.
 
I run in DSP due to my mods; none that help me though...

I do use street tires, but I use RX-8 wheels with 225/40/18 which I want to upgrade to 235/40/18.

The car handled great. I was very surprised with its capability.
Though, I know I will not be competitive enough against the dominating DSP leader; BMW. I can see a set of sway bars and springs in my future. But this car really impressed me with its handling...
 
I did a couple of AX last year and I have one coming up next weekend. :) :)

I also transitioned from a RWD (Miata and RX8) and it's actually taken me a "while" to adjust to a FWD car..., especially the MS3 with so much torque steer and power...

Last year I pretty much ran Stock, then I transitioned to RX8 wheels and now I just got me a set of full slicks R-comps. I will be running the slicks for the first time next week. I can't wait...

Due to the MS CAI and slicks 235x40 on a 17x8.5 SSR Comp I am now under STU against the STi... I am sure it'll be fun but no way I'll be competetive against those cars... oh well...

In the track however, the car is a "BEAST"... it handles amazing and when driven properly, by my instructor BTW :), the car can give the M3, STi, Corvettes and a few Porsches a RUN for their money...

I know I need to dial in more negative camber and get rear TOE equal to zero so it can rotate easier... I had a hard time rotating the car during slaloms and sharp hairpins...

I DO MISS RWD however and I believe once I decide to sell this car in the future, I'll go back to another RWD... I miss my turbo Miata... lol lol

My 2 cents,
Carlos
 
Last edited:
I'm looking at a new car, and right now the Mazdaspeed 3 is high on the list of things I'm considering.

I see some people autocrossing them at the local/regional level, and the only person I've seen run at a National event won the Finger Lakes (Seneca) single course ProSolo, albeit barely, over an established driver, Bryan Hertweck. Looking at the times, it appears that the MS3 driver was pretty consistent over his 9 runs, while Hertweck needed 8 runs to come within 0.019.

What kind of suspension changes have any of you done? Is there a front sway bar available? Shocks/struts? I have been talking with Lee Grimes at Koni about what they may have for the car too.

Thanks for any insight.
 
Penelope said:
I'm looking at a new car, and right now the Mazdaspeed 3 is high on the list of things I'm considering.

I see some people autocrossing them at the local/regional level, and the only person I've seen run at a National event won the Finger Lakes (Seneca) single course ProSolo, albeit barely, over an established driver, Bryan Hertweck. Looking at the times, it appears that the MS3 driver was pretty consistent over his 9 runs, while Hertweck needed 8 runs to come within 0.019.

What kind of suspension changes have any of you done? Is there a front sway bar available? Shocks/struts? I have been talking with Lee Grimes at Koni about what they may have for the car too.

Thanks for any insight.
Click to expand...

Mazda has a Mazdaspeed line of suspension upgrades; springs, coil-overs, sway bars, and camber links. In addition, there are other vendors making parts also; Hotchkis, Eibach, H&R, Tien, etc...

So there is plenty out there...

I am running the stock setup which I am very surprised how well it handles. I am going to stick with this until I become comfortable with the car and learn its characteristics. Then, when I am able to drive the car to its full potential, I'll start upgrading the suspension...

I can't stop saying it!!! I am so surprised how well the MS3 handles!!! (2thumbs)
 
Cobb has lots of goodies for suspension. Springs and front/rear sway bars.

There are some companies that do coil overs.
 
Penelope said:
...the only person I've seen run at a National event won the Finger Lakes (Seneca) single course ProSolo...
Click to expand...

What class was he running in? I'm considering a Speed3, but I don't know if there's a class it's likely to be very competitive in. I don't know if it can beat the ITR's in DS, and I'm about positive that it can't beat the STi's in STU.
 
Penelope said:
I'm looking at a new car, and right now the Mazdaspeed 3 is high on the list of things I'm considering.

I see some people autocrossing them at the local/regional level, and the only person I've seen run at a National event won the Finger Lakes (Seneca) single course ProSolo, albeit barely, over an established driver, Bryan Hertweck. Looking at the times, it appears that the MS3 driver was pretty consistent over his 9 runs, while Hertweck needed 8 runs to come within 0.019.

What kind of suspension changes have any of you done? Is there a front sway bar available? Shocks/struts? I have been talking with Lee Grimes at Koni about what they may have for the car too.

Thanks for any insight.
Click to expand...

Thinking of staying in DS? Do you still have the GC8? Is this Karen???

If not, you may ignore my post.
 
apexlater said:
Thinking of staying in DS? Do you still have the GC8? Is this Karen???
Click to expand...
Hi, Wayne. Yeah, this is Karen. I figured some of you Atlanta guys would recognize the screen name. ;)

I wouldn't be changing it past stock class rules, so, yeah, DS. No springs, RSB, coilovers, etc.

It doesn't look like anyone's really done a serious effort with the MS3 for National level DS, and despite some poo-pooing by a certain MP3 driver last night (yeah, Crembo, I'm calling you out ;) ), I think it has potential. Granted, this idea is based primarily on the rather spirited test drive I took yesterday evening (I was very happy with how I was allowed to do that :) ), and the meager results I've seen.

I received an email back from Jeff Speer at Hoosier regarding a good tire size for the car (he suggested the 245/35R18), and I'm hoping there is enough clearance for them (it was close on the WRX with the 245/40R17). Just looking to see what other people have done.... and since I'm good with RWD and AWD, and have no idea about FWD, picking others' brains seems like a good start. ;)

I do currently still have the GC8 and both Camaros, though if I can get the black Camaro sold, then I'll throw the GC8 up for sale and start looking at the financing.
 
moxnix said:
What? one more forum for Karen to hide out on?
Click to expand...

hahahaha seriously. Looks like we may convert her to our silly little japanese cars after all! ;) Welcome!


And you can only expect so much talking to Cremb0 ;)
 
Last edited:
AutoX, where did you run the car at? I am in Tampa and have been wanting to try this for the first time. Since you are new to this, maybe we can hit the track together and see who wins? (nana)

I am only running the MS CAI but with a couple of stickers, I am sure to be pushing 300whp. ;)
 
I'm not sure if I've ever been on a forum that blocks the names of other forums. Paranoid much?

Anyway, message sent. I hope you guys can work somethin' out.
 
Please log in or register to reply here.

New Posts and Comments

M
Not detecting speed sign
Replies
2
Views
130
moonj
M
sm1ke
    • Wow
    • Sad
2016~2023 CX-9 Rear diff failure at 113k kms (70k mi)
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
DustyB
D
Antoine
  • Sticky
What have you done to your Miata today?
493 494 495
Replies
10K
Views
1M
CTt3P5
CTt3P5
S
  • Question Question
Miss or random miss fire
Replies
3
Views
156
madar
M
W
    • Wow
Electronic parking brake issue
Replies
1
Views
193
rovi
R
J
Chrome wheels
Replies
0
Views
61
jack z
J
View more…

New Threads and Articles

Back