Hi Brian,
I've read through the ND forum and your website, and would like to pass on my congratulations on a very well done and informative website and forum.
I've just bought a new Sport Recaro LE ND (basically a sport nav with recaro seats, aluminum pedals and the aero bits) here in the UK (I know you don't ship to London - I'm an American and happy to have parts shipped to my US address and bring them over myself).
My intent is to drive to the many UK and European circuits (Spa, Nurburgring, Magny Cours, Monza, Mugello, Imola, Zandvoort, Zolder, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Donnington, etc.), do aggressive track days and drive home. I'll do some occasional touring trips through the UK (rough roads) and Europe (smooth to rough roads).
I used to live in LA and street drove and raced a 1973 Porsche 911 RS (a real one - crazy I know) in ITGT SCCA (San Diego and LA Regional Champion) back in the mid 90s [yes, I'm an old guy now at 51, old 911s were cheap then, and remember competing in the Buttonwillow inaugural race - still hold the lap record for 13 CCW (
http://www.calclub.com/html/html2/archi ... w13ccw.htm), and Holtville holds a very special place in my heart], driving it to the track, racing and driving home again with the sport exhaust or straight pipes depending on the event. I currently have a March Sports 2000 for vintage racing and recently gave up a Ferrari F430 to get the ND to focus on something more lightweight and that my wife and I can do track days with at more sane speeds, lower overall consumable costs, and even more fun!
With that said, as I have limited (no) experience with the MX-5 ND, can you give me your best recommendation for the right components/spec/rates to add? Fyi... I'm typically late and hard on the brakes and trail brake quite often, while my wife has a few track days at Spa and Silverstone in a BMW 335i and a Caterham Academy Car and at the Ring in a BMW 335i and a Clio Cup car, but is still just starting out... I've followed the build on the 'race/blue' and 'street/red' cars, and find I just can't sort out which way to go to accommodate both our driving levels and the intended purpose...
My initial thought is to go for everything you've done to the blue/race car with the exception of 17x8 6ULs with 215s vs the 17x9s with 235s. I'm curious as to your thoughts on the right set of upgrades, and also the best spring rates for the Ohlins for tracks like Spa (very smooth, with a massive compression through Eau Rouge), the Ring (also pretty smooth, but with undulations, and a couple of airborne moments) and other circuits where apexing and exiting over the curbs is the norm. I've noted you are trying rates in between what is offered on your site (8 front and 5 rear), and thought that may be the way to go. I'm also curious as to your thoughts on upgraded rear calipers (I believe I read these are coming) and for best dual purpose pads for driving to and on high speed circuits like Spa, Monza and Silverstone.
I appreciate the help and advice you can give, and keep up the great work.
Cheers!
David