Road Racer, Drag, or Rally?
- Thread starter Maz2001MP
- Start date
well the REAL quesiton here is what do YOU find to be the most fun? as that is why you are getting into it...because its FUN....
PICK ONE>.....as you noted, each and every one has a different set of things you will need to do to your car.
As for any of the sports.....take some factors of each into consideration to make your decision....
the NO#1 consideration in MY mind would be....what investment will I have to make to be competitive...and even WIN in the particular class you chose to compete in. IF money is not a factor...or if daily drivability is not a factor for your Pro once you enter into this, that will help determine which class you want to compete in.
IF you wanted to...most area dragstrips have a stock class...that is NOT heads up racing...but strictly bracket racing...and ANYONE can compete and win with just about anything that will roll and go. for its all driver and consistancy and not the car. of course we all know its FUN to go fast. but what class in dragracing would that put you in with the turbo....could you compete?
Just some things to think about and questions to ask to help you make your decision.
PICK ONE>.....as you noted, each and every one has a different set of things you will need to do to your car.
As for any of the sports.....take some factors of each into consideration to make your decision....
the NO#1 consideration in MY mind would be....what investment will I have to make to be competitive...and even WIN in the particular class you chose to compete in. IF money is not a factor...or if daily drivability is not a factor for your Pro once you enter into this, that will help determine which class you want to compete in.
IF you wanted to...most area dragstrips have a stock class...that is NOT heads up racing...but strictly bracket racing...and ANYONE can compete and win with just about anything that will roll and go. for its all driver and consistancy and not the car. of course we all know its FUN to go fast. but what class in dragracing would that put you in with the turbo....could you compete?
Just some things to think about and questions to ask to help you make your decision.
Me Personally... I would go with Rally... But the reason I am not racing Rally as we speak is that its too easy to crash, roll, break something, dent something etc... In other words Rally is way F'n expensive and if you race seriously for 2-3 mos you will do all of the above mentioned if not more during practice and official racing. But Given the three that would be numero uno...
Next would be Road racing...
And third I would not want to Drag unless I was strapped into a 5000 hp top fuel dragster running a quarter at 4 sec. After watching those cars run, all drag cars that are still street legal look just plain boring to drive in a straight line. Yea 11-12 seconds is a good time for an import but then again its a straight line. Throw some curves in to get the adrenaline flowing.
Just my opinion....
Next would be Road racing...
And third I would not want to Drag unless I was strapped into a 5000 hp top fuel dragster running a quarter at 4 sec. After watching those cars run, all drag cars that are still street legal look just plain boring to drive in a straight line. Yea 11-12 seconds is a good time for an import but then again its a straight line. Throw some curves in to get the adrenaline flowing.
Just my opinion....
cjstringer
Member
Have you considered SCCA Solo II? Autocrossing is a great form of competition that isn't damaging to the point of a rally or road race, but the competition and potential car prep are almost as important as your driving skill.
Another bonus to Solo II is that you can do mods in stages, and there will always be a class that will fit your car.
Just a thought, but it has done very well for me so far, and in my MP3 I took a regional class and overall championship this year and 3rd in another region.
It's a great car even stock, and if I you are going to mod it, I'm sure it will only get more competitive.
Good luck!
Another bonus to Solo II is that you can do mods in stages, and there will always be a class that will fit your car.
Just a thought, but it has done very well for me so far, and in my MP3 I took a regional class and overall championship this year and 3rd in another region.
It's a great car even stock, and if I you are going to mod it, I'm sure it will only get more competitive.
Good luck!
I don't see how an aluminum wing would help in any way shape or form, even if you were turbocharged. =/
I have to go with the Solo II autocrossing as well. I've never had so much fun in my car! It really comes down to your skills as a driver. But if you got into that, you might want to look into a set of racing tires.. and you'd need to find a way to get low-end power, as you would probably never get out of second gear.
I have to go with the Solo II autocrossing as well. I've never had so much fun in my car! It really comes down to your skills as a driver. But if you got into that, you might want to look into a set of racing tires.. and you'd need to find a way to get low-end power, as you would probably never get out of second gear.
Maz2001MP said:
Umm as saying those 747 aircraft wings that you see on the back of Honda's??? First off a wing on the back of your car is going to cause downdraft to the rear of the car. Saying that it is going to push the back of the car down. Two points one we have a front wheel drive car so it doesnt help too much if not any to have downdraft on the back of the car. Two once you change the suspension to a stiffer spring, coilovers and anti-sways or whatever you do it may help in keeping the back end down when you are on a hard corner.. but wings in my opinion on a front wheel drive car are mostly for looks.. especially the ones that are on a Honda that look like its going to make the car tip over backwards.. Plus big ol wings add weight......
Maz2001MP said:
The best set-up is what you want or like.... to give you my opinion starting off with body components ... Depending on what your future engine upgrades are if any, you may want to look into a different front end. One that allows more air into the engine compartment and has a decent open area for a 2nd cooler if you decide to get a turbo.. and one that helps detour more air around and over the car instead of underneath to avoid air lift during high speed driving... Sideskirts will also help in road racing for controling air lift... If you lower the car I would still get these body mods...
To go with suspension what I would do to a plane jane car is first get a nice Z-rated tire with a light rim.. Tires make a huge huge difference. I would next get a nice set of coilovers so I can control the ride hight, or center of gravity.. The rule is the lower the center of gravity the better the handling and response of the car. The I would go with both front and rear stabalizing bars a front strut bar, and just doing these will run $1000 to $3000 depending on how name brand you want to be. Dont forget installation, bushings, shocks, coilover mounting fee.. and on and on...
Engine mods... everyones different... I would like to see a supercharger for the protege for that constant power.. but if you can hack the lag of a turbo which is not too bad then thats cheaper sometimes but not always. I dont know alot about the internal workings of an engine as far as pistons, fuel rails, larger injectors, etc, etc. You will have to get one of our master MP3 mechanics on this board.
As for your P.S. about the Sports Suspension, Probably some special name Mazda gave to adding $20 stiffer springs to your car and charging you $800 extra.. In all I dont know what that package is but a Mazda dealer should be able to find out...
I hope I have helped you somewhat...
Have a good one and good luck!!!
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OK. You've decided on road racing your Protege. What sort of budget do you have? Unless you are just going to play on an open track day, you need to research what class in what sanctioning body might work best. You will have to build your car to meet their rules.
Best bet: go to driving school. Volunteer as a track worker at a local road course. Autocross is a super way to understand the basics without a large $$$ commitment. Ask others what they have done.
Learn what it takes to really race before worrying about if you should buy a rear wing.
Best bet: go to driving school. Volunteer as a track worker at a local road course. Autocross is a super way to understand the basics without a large $$$ commitment. Ask others what they have done.
Learn what it takes to really race before worrying about if you should buy a rear wing.
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how can no one mention brakes? brakes are an integral part of road racing and i'm sure that the stock brakes are less than adequate..
i would at least upgrade to a race oriented pad.. maybe ebc reds or yellows.. the stoptech upgrade would be optimal.. they make great products..
as far as suspension goes, in the little bit i have read here, wont an mp3 suspension bolt onto your 01? i would go that route with some lowering springs unless there are cheaper comparable alternatives that i'm unaware of..
then i would hit the track.. i would skip body mods for the time being, they really wont make much of a difference until you're trying to shave .5 seconds off your best lap time.. and please for the love of god reconsider the wing...
engine mods are limitless as usual.. my main gripe and it seems to be everyone elses as well, is the lack of power.. the great handling will off set this a bit with higher cornering and exiting speeds compared to other cars with slightly more power..
i would go with basic bolt ons unless you really had the bucks to burn on a turbo kit.. you have the entire winter to think about it since the east coast racing season is almost up...
- eddie -
i would at least upgrade to a race oriented pad.. maybe ebc reds or yellows.. the stoptech upgrade would be optimal.. they make great products..
as far as suspension goes, in the little bit i have read here, wont an mp3 suspension bolt onto your 01? i would go that route with some lowering springs unless there are cheaper comparable alternatives that i'm unaware of..
then i would hit the track.. i would skip body mods for the time being, they really wont make much of a difference until you're trying to shave .5 seconds off your best lap time.. and please for the love of god reconsider the wing...
engine mods are limitless as usual.. my main gripe and it seems to be everyone elses as well, is the lack of power.. the great handling will off set this a bit with higher cornering and exiting speeds compared to other cars with slightly more power..
i would go with basic bolt ons unless you really had the bucks to burn on a turbo kit.. you have the entire winter to think about it since the east coast racing season is almost up...
- eddie -
cjstringer
Member
Well, I don't drag because any monkey can drive straight, but I can't see how lowering the car would help if you were to drag.
If you are going to get tires/wheels specific to drag racing, look for a smaller and lighter wheel, I'd guess a 13 or 14 incher with some drag slicks for the front. On the rear it doesn't really matter except for weight.
It's surprising that so few people have tried autocrossing when it is so readily available and inexpensive. You can run your factory setup, and any protege in even stock form is a great trophy contender in 95% of the regions across the US. The cost is minimal, you don't have to mod the car at all, and it's a blast. What more can you ask for?!?
As for my future mod plans, once the warranty is up, I plan on putting in a cutom cold air scoop (already have the design), LSD, Camber plates, 15" rims and 225 series tires. Possibly going to stiffer springs and adjustable Tokicos all around. (Koni doesn't make them as Mazda screwed them on the MP3. Koni developed the originals and Mazda sold out to Tokico) Hope to drop the car about 1-1.5 inches and add about 3deg camber up front.
Not sure what else I want to do yet, but a turbo kit is sounding nice, though it would move me into street mod class, and that would open a whole new bag of worms to mess with.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
If you are going to get tires/wheels specific to drag racing, look for a smaller and lighter wheel, I'd guess a 13 or 14 incher with some drag slicks for the front. On the rear it doesn't really matter except for weight.
It's surprising that so few people have tried autocrossing when it is so readily available and inexpensive. You can run your factory setup, and any protege in even stock form is a great trophy contender in 95% of the regions across the US. The cost is minimal, you don't have to mod the car at all, and it's a blast. What more can you ask for?!?
As for my future mod plans, once the warranty is up, I plan on putting in a cutom cold air scoop (already have the design), LSD, Camber plates, 15" rims and 225 series tires. Possibly going to stiffer springs and adjustable Tokicos all around. (Koni doesn't make them as Mazda screwed them on the MP3. Koni developed the originals and Mazda sold out to Tokico) Hope to drop the car about 1-1.5 inches and add about 3deg camber up front.
Not sure what else I want to do yet, but a turbo kit is sounding nice, though it would move me into street mod class, and that would open a whole new bag of worms to mess with.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
