MX-5 OC Forum

 Wow these guys did brilliantly last weekend at Brands. Jonathon Blake 2nd, Alec Livesley 3rd and Michael Pearson 13th out of a grid of 29 of the best tuned up Jap cars on the U.K tracks. Only 4 hundreths of a second separated the 2 fastest laps.The MEV Exocet kit car which these are based on is modified for racing and includes a full cage and steel floors. They skim the head to boost power but other than that these are MX5 MK1 cars with a 1.8 engine and a replacement light weight space frame chassis. The Nippon challenge event had some powerful cars to compete against too but it is great to see the little Exocets nipping around the big tin tops. They will be racing at Croft this weekend on the back of the MK3 MX5 grid. It will be interesting to see how they perform against the more powerfull MK3 cars. They will also be at Snetterton for the 12 hour endurance race on the 12th of November.

 I would love to see some photos Stig and on that bombshell.................

 Hi, I took a little video, sorry about the quality!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7rctrSPhQ&feature=related

I think I'm right in saying that Jonathan is hoping to run a series for these little pocket-rockets to run alongside the Ma5da Racing Championship and Cup next year...shoulkd make for some cracking action.

Malcolm Foxwist:

 I would love to see some photos Stig and on that bombshell.................

Here's a shot I took of Mr Blake in action earlier in the year at Castle Combe...

 Nice pic JB.

Here is what happened today!

Following on from an amazing 2nd and 3rd for Jonathon Blake and Alec Livesley last week at Brands Hatch (Nippon event) they travelled north to Croft this weekend. The race is for MX5 MK3 cars but the Exocets were allowed to enter on special grounds. It was clear from the qualifying times that those who doubted the performance figures we expected must eat some humble pie. The MK3 cars are stripped out and tuned to 180 BHP. The Exocets (MX150R's) are around 140 after a head skim. However the MEV's went so well that the race organisers decided that they should start from the back of the grid and be held for 10 seconds after the green light. What a long 10 seconds that seemed to me, poised with my little video camera. We later checked the on board camera on one car to see an 18 second gap before they were given the green flag. We then witnessed what must have been totally unexpected to everyone. Within 2 laps they had caught the back markers and by the end of the race they finished in an amazing 5th and 6th.
More good news followed too as whilst the noises we heard in the pits were to the effect that these kit cars were no match for the MK3 cars we dicovered after the race that Jonathon recorded the fastest lap time of the race. This suggests that he would have been 1st if he was not delayed somewhat at the start. Alec also achieved very quick lap times, the 2 were separated by only 3 hundreths of a second. Again going to show how close these cars and drivers are matched. The same thing happened on Sundays race too. This time a delay of around 10 seconds seemed to be correctish. Again Jonathon took the fastest lap time with Alec nono seconds behind. Michael Pearson also had a great race and managed to catch and take a few back markers depsite his car being the prototype and somewhat heavier and slightly more tired than the other 2.
Fantastic to watch and a great demonstration of what we have a chieved in a very short time.
Thinking about joining in the fun? Contact www.ma5daracing.com or come to www.mevltd.co.uk for more details of the cars.
Next weekend the 3 cars will be in action again. These hard working/hard driving trio will be at Mallory. I seriously recommend a visit. This time they will be competing against the best Jap cars on the UK circuits. We are not expecting a win due to the 500 bhp some cars in the race will be running but we have already seen them show a clean set of heals to 7 type cars on many occasions as the Exocet corner exit speed are far superior. It will be great to ee them next week as some of the cars they will fly past have far more power but drive the front wheels. How odd is that?

What is the power-to-weight ratio of one of these little beauties then?

 The power is on the up as we play with tuning options. Right now we are around 144bhp. Great racing today at Mallory.

 What date are they in Pembrey Stig? If it works out, I wouldn't mind seeing if we can organise an area event to go and watch. they look like a lot of enntertainment.

snurfen:

 What date are they in Pembrey Stig? If it works out, I wouldn't mind seeing if we can organise an area event to go and watch. they look like a lot of enntertainment.

I found this;

http://www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.com/series-nippon-calendar.php

 Thanks Stig, I'll see if I can drum up any support for a ride down there on October 8th. It's a blowey old spot Pembrey, so we'll wrap up well. Cheers.

Is the MX150R similar to an Exocet?

There was a red MX150R at Stowe on Saturday, and 2 unbadged orange & green cars with longer noses. Were these Exocets?

DanKent:

Is the MX150R similar to an Exocet?

There was a red MX150R at Stowe on Saturday, and 2 unbadged orange & green cars with longer noses. Were these Exocets?

Well spotted Sir, there was indeed an MX150R or 2 at Stowe, I think they were giving charity hot laps. The cost was an engine though in one of them but it was quickly changed over night and raced at Mallory yesterday. The cars are Exocets with a cage and other race special mods to them such as steel floors and a removable rear bar.