Woohoo! Autocrossers and HPDE enthusiasts sound off

GRM Tom

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Contributor
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11 Mazda2 Sport in Crystal White Pearl. Ready to be transformed!
Hey all-

I know I'm not alone in my enthusiasm for the new car, especially as a tool for motorsport use in this age of $4.00/gal (or more) gasoline. Like the old saying goes, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than to be stuck going slow in a fast car.

I'm hitting my first autocross with the Mazda2 this Sunday, but I know some of you have already been out in yours. I'd love to establish a knowledge base for the community, so I'll be sure to share what I learn from the car's first event and hope that others will join me.

For what it's worth, I did get to take the Mazda2 out for some Parade and Touring lap sessions while at the Mitty in Road Atlanta this past weekend, and it's an absolute hoot on track even though speeds were limited and I was still on the OEM rubber. (drive2)

Who else is out there?
 
Count me in. I got my first taste of autocross in my last car as well as a few track days. I live by the slow car fast creed, so the Mazda2 was a shoe-in of a choice when the time came to give up my MINI. As much fun as HS would be in the M2, I think I'm going to go more of a STS route with the 2. That'll make it a bit more fun for both daily driving as well as HPDE's. I plan on doing my first autox in the 2 around August when Speed Ventures holds one of their awesome all play and no work events at California Speedway. I'll be looking to see how the car handles the cones stock before I start throwing mods at it.

Even though I plan on making educated decisions when it comes to the route I'm gonna take with this car, I really have my eyes, heart and wallet set on a set of Bilstein PSS10 coilovers as I believe they will fit my needs perfectly. Who knows, after August there could be more suspension options for the 2. On my last car I had a Bilstein/H&R setup and I was satisfied to a point as I wish the dampers where adjustable like the Koni's.

I can talk and talk about what I want to do with my awesome little Mazda, but I'll refrain. Just know that I'm a total dork about suspension tuning and racing in general, so this section will be seeing a lot of me.
 
Im guessing your are going to the Daytona Autox this weekend? nice. I need to find out how much it is for spectators because the 6 is in no condition to be autox'd
 
I autocrossed mine after 3 weeks. It wasn't that bad. for a stock car it handled really well especially for it being a economy based car. Then again this is a mazda. The only downside is the 1-2 shift. RPM's drop too much. You probably wouldn't notice it much on track though. I keep telling myself not to do an HPDE with it. I am spending money on my miata making it faster, and I don't have a cage or a roll bar. When I got the 2 I thought for a while about how I could to a track day with it. Here are some pictures of me autocrossing it.

205204_10150151875557622_755307621_6483943_263368_n.jpg


199027_10150151871307622_755307621_6483833_5810289_n.jpg


Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlG8iY0Lt_s

Tom that was you with the White one at the mitty? I had the Black one which was parked next to you for a while before I went to turn 6 to watch the racing after lunch.

I have done some interesting looking around at the car recently as well. I have some interesting plans in the mix. I will update you more when I can. Small teaser, everyone says that the ECU is cooled by the intake air. It is not completely true. The ECU board sits inside of the plastic part, but the air doesn't flow over it at all. It just is on the other side of one of the walls. So basically the ECU will get hottest when the car is idling just sitting there heat soaked. Pics of it will be coming.
 
Been wanting to give it a shot; it's actually the reason I bought the car...
Should be able to give it a try later this spring...

Problem is: I originally wanted to run h-stock, but recently I'm thinking about upgrading to racing beat springs and sways, so I have a feeling I am not going to be that competitive in street touring... At least for a while! ;)

Aaaannnnd EDIT: Just ordered the Racing Beat Springs and Sway Bars.... so I will get to find out what ST will be like!
 
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^^ That looks like mine, alright.

I was surprised that I only saw three over the weekend; yours, mine, and the green one from the dealer. It's cool to be an early adopter. (rockon)

@ Tungsten-
Yep, I'll be there. I'm hoping to drag someone with me to take photos, but it's a tough sell on Mother's Day. I know my wife is pissed, but the kids don't mind. Entry should be free, but you never know when the Speedway is involved. Shoot me your phone # in a PM and I can call you if/when I find out for sure.
 
Doubt its free. Considering its SCCA and the crappy speedway. I'll PM you when i am on here from my crappy iPod
 
Alright well if you can find out if its free ill go.
or even like $10 I don't mind. Just let me know. Ill put both my cameras on chargers just in-case.
 
I hate you guys (and girls). I was planning to autocross mine today but my better half stole my ride! She claimed she had to go flying a Cherokee 140 or some BS like that.
Meantime I had to sit home and do some work for work (urrrrgh!).

Now I have to wait over a month 'till the next opportunity. I'll just have to convince her to get her own!
 
Thanks for the ride to over to the course tom!
didnt take any pics of you because i left early (had some other things i had to take care of).

I had a great time and I will be driving the next event.
 
I ran with the local Porsche club on Sunday, did pretty well considering most of the "O" (other) class were serious SOLO drivers with trailered cars, NASA stickers, full set-up etc. I had the 949 15x7" wheels and RE-11's...car tends to understeer when pushed too hard. I had 36psi in the fronts and 30 psi in the rears, after the 3rd run my front tires were warmed up and rear's still cool (65F OAT) Front tires were scuffed slightly on the beginning of the sidewalls so I didn't want to let any more air out even thought it MAY have helped with the understeer. SRI and catback definitely helped with the acceleration and throttle response.
Results in the attached link....I'm on page two and not in last place..whew...
http://cpa-pca.org/events/2011/5-11/5-8autocross/PCA_2011-05-08_Results.pdf
 
My first outing with the 2 was good also. I was still on the OEM Yokohamas, so I got a little clobbered against the Acura RSX and Integra that ran in my class who were on race tires, but I was within the window I'd expect to be (~2.5 seconds on a 45 second course) so I'm not too discouraged. I'd have been mid-pack in the Street Touring class in a completely stock car, so I can't be too upset.

The course was out of character for an autocross; it was held on a kart track that is inside the Daytona speedway property so I spent more time than usual at speeds that were a little low for 2nd gear.

I've got some in-car video that I'm cooking up. I hope to be able to post it tonight.

...and nice meeting you, Tungsten!
 
I took mine to the local test n tune. Our courses are very short and slow, ~35second courses for FTD. 15x8 with 205/50/15 RE-11's. The car would have beat all the STS cars, including some modded Honda Fits on the same tires.
Car understeers under steady state cornering, quick slalom transitions can make the rear a bit loose. Overall, it's a very easy car to drive fast. Gearing is very bad though, long 2nd gear, and lots of bogging on corner exit.
It was quite enjoyable to beat on, it could be an HS contender with a front sway, better shocks, and 205 race tires.
 
I have been running our Mazda 2 in ST class this year. The only cars that are ahead of me are the 89-90 vintage Honda civics. With more tweaking I should be able to get some faster times to take them out.

-Derrick
 
Good luck Derrick, please keep us updated on the mod list.
I'm getting a bit tired of my SSM miata, and am thinking of modding the M2 for ST as well. I'm going for PAX, and SSM PAX sucks. :)
 
Out of the 133 people who ran at the last event, the Mazda 2 was 38th with the PAX factored results.

1m PDP 90 Jim Daniels 94 Mazda Miata 55.821 * 0.867 = 48.397
2m PES 95 Jerry Jenkins 94 Mazda Miata 58.866 * 0.825 = 48.564
3m DP 194 Ron Bauer 11 Mazda MX5 56.838 * 0.867 = 49.279
4m CM 89 Mike Marich 84 Swift DB1 54.489 * 0.906 = 49.367
5m PSS 180 Ryan Otis 03 Corvette Z06 57.893 * 0.857 = 49.614
6m BSP 52 Dallas Cutler 06 Mitsu Evo 57.855 * 0.859 = 49.697
7m CSP 162 Victor Livengood 06 Mazda MX5 57.972 * 0.858 = 49.740
8m BS 47 Tom McDaniel 89 Chev Corvette 59.285 * 0.839 = 49.740
9m BSP 99 Keith Brown 06 Pors Cayman S 58.136 * 0.859 = 49.939
10m PCS 155 Adam Ruff 07 Pontiac Solst 59.969 * 0.833 = 49.954
11m PSTR 93 James Paulson 06 Mazda MX5 59.954 * 0.836 = 50.122
12m DP 94 Karl Coleman 11 Mazda MX5 57.842 * 0.867 = 50.149
13m WDP 90 Tami Daniels 94 Mazda Miata 57.875 * 0.867 = 50.178
14m CSP 62 Vickie Livengood 06 Mazda MX5 58.747 * 0.858 = 50.405
15m ES 95 Kyra Jenkins 94 Mazda Miata 61.202 * 0.825 = 50.492
16m PSTX 71 George Hudetz 04 Mazda RX8 61.372 * 0.824 = 50.571
17m PSTR 193 Brian Clemons 06 Mazda MX5 60.537 * 0.836 = 50.609
18m STR 98 Morris Green 09 Mazda MX5 60.556 * 0.836 = 50.625
19m BS 21 Chuck Spittal 91 Corvette 60.755 * 0.839 = 50.973
20m SMF 198 Becky Zacharda 06 Mini Cooper 59.688 * 0.855 = 51.033
21m SM 75 Don Nimi ?? Nissan 240SX 58.930 * 0.869 = 51.210
22m ST 23 Brad Czopek 89 Honda Civic 62.548 * 0.820 = 51.289
23m SMF 13 Perry Keller 91 Honda Civic 60.065 * 0.855 = 51.356
24m CS 11 Bill Randleman 06 Mazda MX5 61.902 * 0.833 = 51.564
25m SMF 98 Allan Zacharda 06 Mini Cooper 60.444 * 0.855 = 51.680
26m CS 17 Bruce Harmon 07 Pont Solstice 62.107 * 0.833 = 51.735
27m EP 19 Dan Kuehn 77 Mazda RX3 60.001 * 0.863 = 51.781
28m SSM 42 Jared Still 93 Mazda RX7 59.400 * 0.875 = 51.975
29m BSP 199 Kristi Brown 06 Pors Cayman S 60.690 * 0.859 = 52.133
30m SS 121 James Shepherd 03 Corvette Z06 61.088 * 0.857 = 52.352
31m STX 35 Matt Zyskowski 05 Infiniti G35 63.587 * 0.824 = 52.396
32m XP 41 Britain Smith 74 Porsche 914 59.081 * 0.887 = 52.405
33m STX 66 Des Toups 06 Infiniti G35 63.621 * 0.824 = 52.424
34m SMF 65 Gilbert Calkins 04 Dodge SRT4 61.582 * 0.855 = 52.653
35m SS 21 Steve Barnes 03 Corvette Z06 61.510 * 0.857 = 52.714
36m DPL 19 Amy Coleman 11 Mazda MX5 60.895 * 0.867 = 52.796
37m SSM 7 Greg Olsen 00 Porsche 911 60.372 * 0.875 = 52.826
38m ST 71 Derrick Ambrose 11 Mazda 2 64.532 * 0.820 = 52.916
39m STX 53 Keith Gover 11 Mini JCW 64.250 * 0.824 = 52.942
40m SMF 165 Stephen Brooks 04 Dodge SRT4 62.025 * 0.855 = 53.031
41m TCS 56 Nick Bender 99 Mazda Miata 63.682 * 0.833 = 53.047
42m EP 9 George Wilder 77 Mazda RX3 61.673 * 0.863 = 53.224
43m XP 7 Josh McCall 87 Mazda RX7 60.016 * 0.887 = 53.234
44m SMF 96 Bryan Simmons 08 Honda CivicSi 62.303 * 0.855 = 53.269
45m SM 251 Brian Brummel 96 Eagle Talon 61.423 * 0.869 = 53.377
46m CM 170 Andy Howe 82 Reynard 59.017 * 0.906 = 53.469
47m FSP 11 Travis Walter 04 Mazda 3 64.152 * 0.835 = 53.567
48m STX 77 Duncan Minalga 85 Toyota Coroll 65.029 * 0.824 = 53.584
49m SM 25 Chris Nigh 95 Eagle Talon 61.676 * 0.869 = 53.596
50m SMF 196 Shane Kienholz 08 Honda CivicSI 62.743 * 0.855 = 53.645
51m FSP 115 Brendan Hughes 04 Mazda 3 64.469 * 0.835 = 53.832
52m TBSP 12 Barry Cogut 10 Pors Cayman S 62.972 * 0.859 = 54.093
53m DP 41 Derek Loree 90 Mazda Miata 62.513 * 0.867 = 54.199
54m BS 17 Adan Espino 06 Honda S2000 64.679 * 0.839 = 54.266
55m TDS 9 Ethan Ott 03 BMW 325 66.461 * 0.817 = 54.299
56m SS 80 Lacey Otis 03 Corvette Z06 63.485 * 0.857 = 54.407
57m SM 13 Dan Hall 99 Subaru RS/STi 62.701 * 0.869 = 54.487
58m STX 69 Brian Verdecchia 09 Mazda RX8 66.358 * 0.824 = 54.679
59m ST 123 Leah Nagengast 89 Honda Civic 66.690 * 0.820 = 54.686
60m TDS 7 Tina Rainforth 07 Mini Cooper S 67.000 * 0.817 = 54.739
61m EP 6 Britt Guerlain 74 Cosworth Vega 63.537 * 0.863 = 54.832
62m TBS 43 Chuck Jarvie 04 Porsche Boxst 65.596 * 0.839 = 55.035
63m FS 99 Carol Christensen 99 Ford Cobra 66.657 * 0.827 = 55.125
64m FRUN 189 Mike Marich 84 Swift DB1 55.152 * 1.000 = 55.152
65m FSP 71 Aaron McCarthy 71 Datsun 510 66.064 * 0.835 = 55.163
66m TDS 22 Scott Turner 07 Mini Cooper S 67.568 * 0.817 = 55.203
67m TCSP 5 Phillip Leavens 93 Mazda Miata 64.370 * 0.858 = 55.229
68m FRUN 194 Ron Bauer 11 Mazda MX5 55.750 * 1.000 = 55.750
69m TDS 37 Russ Rainforth 07 Mini Cooper S 68.245 * 0.817 = 55.756
70m HS 56 Charles Hergert 03 Toyota Matrix 70.559 * 0.791 = 55.812
71m FRUN 170 Andy Howe 82 Reynard 55.898 * 1.000 = 55.898
72m SMF 31 James Keller 90 Honda Civic 65.568 * 0.855 = 56.061
73m ST 32 Tyler Rakes 08 Toyota Coroll 68.428 * 0.820 = 56.111
74m FRUN 470 Dennis Healy 82 Reynard 56.278 * 1.000 = 56.278
75m EP 16 Travis Gripp 74 Cosworth Vega 65.284 * 0.863 = 56.340
76m SMFL 113 Andrea Keller 91 Honda Civic 65.903 * 0.855 = 56.347
77m BS 89 Nick Trusillo 89 Corvette 67.177 * 0.839 = 56.362
78m XP 71 Kendall Reed 87 Mazda RX7 63.630 * 0.887 = 56.440
79m XP 14 Alan Wizemann 74 Porsche 914 63.816 * 0.887 = 56.605
80m STR 134 Ed Moeller 99 Mazda Miata 67.730 * 0.836 = 56.622
81m FRUN 96 Keith Brown 90&11 Mazda MX5 56.648 * 1.000 = 56.648
82m FM 27 Dominic Stone 87 Red Devil 63.119 * 0.904 = 57.060
83m FRUN 94 Karl Coleman 11 Mazda MX5 57.063 * 1.000 = 57.063
84m FRUN 41 Britain Smith 74 Porsche 914 57.438 * 1.000 = 57.438
85m FRUN 89 Carol Wong 84 Swift DB1 57.550 * 1.000 = 57.550
86m FRUN 62 Victor Livengood 06 Mazda MX5 57.705 * 1.000 = 57.705
87m FRUN 9 Amy Coleman 11 Mazda MX5 57.885 * 1.000 = 57.885
88m FRUN 75 Don Nimi ?? Nissan 240SX 57.926 * 1.000 = 57.926
89m SM 9 Sam Hatago 83 Toyota Supra 67.127 * 0.869 = 58.333
90m CML 170 Heather Howe 82 Reynard 64.490 * 0.906 = 58.428
91m SM 42 Andrew Maas 95 Subaur Imprez 68.059 * 0.869 = 59.143
92m CM 70 Dennis Healy 82 Reynard 65.521 * 0.906 = 59.362
93m DPL 9 Alyson Bauer 11 Mazda MX5 68.552 * 0.867 = 59.435
94m CM 189 Carol Wong 84 Swift DB1 66.231 * 0.906 = 60.005
95m FRUN 98 Morris Green 09 Mazda MX5 60.084 * 1.000 = 60.084
96m FRUN 441 Derek Loree 90 Mazda Miata 60.665 * 1.000 = 60.665
97m FRUN 99 Kristi Brown 06 Pors Cayman S 61.127 * 1.000 = 61.127
98m FRUN 127 Dominic Stone 87 Red Devil 61.263 * 1.000 = 61.263
99m CSP 116 David Russell 95 Mazda Miata 71.467 * 0.858 = 61.319
100m FRUN 7 Josh McCall 87 Mazda RX7 61.392 * 1.000 = 61.392
101m FRUN 70 Heather Howe 82 Reynard 61.408 * 1.000 = 61.408
102m FRUN 471 Kendall Reed 87 Mazda RX7 61.762 * 1.000 = 61.762
103m CML 70 Bernadette Kuehn 82 Reynard 68.503 * 0.906 = 62.064
104m FRUN 49 Joshua Voight 91 Mazda Miata 62.172 * 1.000 = 62.172
105m FRUN 14 Alan Wizemann 74 Porsche 914 62.226 * 1.000 = 62.226
106m FRUN 66 Des Toups 06 Infiniti G35 62.372 * 1.000 = 62.372
107m FRUN 36 Larry Fenley 07 Mazdaspeed3 63.087 * 1.000 = 63.087
108m FRUN 153 Allan Zacharda 11 Mini JCW 63.125 * 1.000 = 63.125
109m FRUN 13 Dan Hall 99 Subaru Imprez 63.195 * 1.000 = 63.195
110m FRUN 141 Becky Zacharda 90 Mazda Miata 63.213 * 1.000 = 63.213
111m FRUN 325 Jeff Petersen 90 Mazda Miata 63.342 * 1.000 = 63.342
112m FRUN 53 Keith Gover 11 Mini JCW 63.405 * 1.000 = 63.405
113m FRUN 401 Zane Undercoffer 94 Mazda Miata 63.825 * 1.000 = 63.825
114m FRUN 19 Alyson Bauer 11 Mazda MX5 64.257 * 1.000 = 64.257
115m CHAL 71 Jeremiah Church 97 BMW M3 64.384 * 1.000 = 64.384
116m FRUN 35 Matt Zyskowski 05 Infiniti G35 64.472 * 1.000 = 64.472
117m FRUN 496 Bryan Simmons 08 Civic Si 64.549 * 1.000 = 64.549
118m FSP 12 Mark Jeffries 79 Honda Civic 77.740 * 0.835 = 64.913
119m FRUN 532 Morgan Petersen 90 Mazda Miata 64.938 * 1.000 = 64.938
120m CHAL 37 Gary Fairchild 06 Honda S2000 65.446 * 1.000 = 65.446
121m FRUN 5 Derrick Ambrose 10 Mazdaspeed3 65.763 * 1.000 = 65.763
122m CHAL 137 Jackie Smith 06 Honda S2000 66.230 * 1.000 = 66.230
123m FRUN 442 Andrew Maas 95 Subaru Imprez 68.596 * 1.000 = 68.596
124m CHAL 6 Rafael Perez 96 Honda Civic 68.844 * 1.000 = 68.844
125m CHAL 4 Christian Peters 92 Honda Civic 69.562 * 1.000 = 69.562
126m FSP 21 Glen Morris 79 Honda Civic 83.562 * 0.835 = 69.774
127m FRUN 417 Richard Harris 11 Mazda 2 70.969 * 1.000 = 70.969
128m FRUN 416 Sue Bewley 06 Mazda MX5 72.052 * 1.000 = 72.052
129m FRUN 116 Dave Russell 95 Mazda Miata 72.080 * 1.000 = 72.080
130m FRUN 461 Sue Bewley 06 Mazda MX5 73.125 * 1.000 = 73.125
131m CHAL 97 Joseph Garbarino 97 Impreza 76.782 * 1.000 = 76.782
132m FJB 100 Allyson Scott Kart 94.611 * 0.826 = 78.149
133m CHAL 406 Robert Rashid 92 Honda Civic 78.572 * 1.000 = 78.572

-Derrick
 
Awesome! Not bad at all. I counted 4 cars in ST. Knowing you bested a Civic is pretty sweet. After the rule changes next year the class is the Mazda2's to take.
 

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