NA Mazda MX-5 Cup Car - General Discussion

Welcome to our first ever North American Spec Cup featured in TORA's Pitlane.

Season 1 will feature the Mazda MX-5 Cup Car.



"When the original Mazda Miata MX-5 was introduced in 1989, Mazda knew they had reinvented the roadster. What they didn't know was that they would also be reshaping the nation's motor sports landscape. The MX-5's combination of a light weight chassis, 50/50 balance, and neutral handling made it a true sports car – one that would be at home on the track as well as the road." - © 2014 MAZDA MOTOR OF AMERICA, INC.

Enjoy!

Really want to join this series and make it my 2nd TORA event.  I LOVE the fact that it is catering to us non-euro's so we can actually participate during the week!  Anyone want to share a good generic "open source" tune for this setup?  Something I might be able to just tweak for each race?  I SUCK at tuning. (So spec cup might not be the right series for me to join, lol)  Probably not, but it's worth a shot though, right?  (Now I need to go practice and see if I can drive without TCS on.  Never even attempted it before, so I might not even be able to join this series.)

(Also, a complete side note for future series.  There is probably a good reason, and I'm REALLY new to TORA... but just curious why both series I have entered have a car that is at the bottom end of its class as far as PI.  If there are multiple cars, I get different settings to balance.  But with a series like this with the same car and PI, just wondering why not have it at least close to maxed.  The reason I ask is because I want to spend plenty of time getting to know the car, etc, but would be nice to be competitive in lobbies or rivals and stuff.  So I could use the car everywhere instead of just hotlapping for practice.  Again... I'm a noob, so ignore my ignorance.  But if there isn't a specific reason for it, perhaps it is something that could be considered in the future?)

EDIT: I REALLY hope that didn't come across as "complaining" about the car choice or anything. I like things that make me drive new cars. It was just an honest question and I'm sure there is a good reason.

mainly because we make builds that make cars easier to drive from the get go. for instance the F2000 car. Putting the max tire width on that car up's the PI but makes the car harder to drive and more difficult to tune because it goes out of balance.

Cap10MorgueN, there are a few reasons for this. One is to keep people from grabbing a leaderboard tune (not sure if thats an issue in FM5, but was in 4) another is to limit the amount of tuning required (makes it easier for newbies and makes the driver more important than the tuner) and three, it is closer to real world SCCA Spec Miata racing (and IMO is the most important reason of all)

Cap, XPR Venom has a tune up(i think) that i have currently and its a great base tune for all the tracks. If you like it, then we can get you the setup.

As for the car and the settings, i feel you will get along with it very nicely

WOW! Didn't expect so many answers, lol. Thanks! Again, I was pretty sure there was a reason, but was just curious. I know a lot of thought goes into the cars and balancing. (From what I have read, it can be a nightmare!) By no means was I 2nd guessing that or anything.

And thanks for the tune recommendation! I am going to go look for it now and see if I can learn to drive without traction control on. Funny thing is, I think I might have already gotten the hang of it, but not sure. I tried a lap or 2 last night, but didn't do so hot. (Not TOO bad either) Then I guess when I went to turn it back on, I accidentally hit STM only instead of TCS only. Went into a couple hoppers and won some races, until I was in S class and took out the Viper. THAT is when I realized TCS was off. (Actually won that race too, but only after I slid around a corner and bumped another S class trying to pass me) Funny, I didn't even know it for like 10 races, lol. I've never noticed STM help at all, but then again, I've never had STM on with TCS off. Hopefully I learned how to drive without TCS and not just a fluke with STM actually helping, lol.

Its funny how some cars on fm5 are just easier to drive with TCS off. We find ourselves doing the same thing now and again.

The main reason for the MX-5 was because the car has a great balance to it that with a little bit of practice, the TCS control won't engage if the assist is even turned on. But I hope that doesn't discourage you, because if you need any tips, I'm sure any of us can be online to help you out.

Greetings to all,

If some one need a tune for this Cup, mine will be available tonight. Thank you!

I would recommend the following of which takes a lot of practice but in the end you end up 4 seconds quicker

Turn all assists off maybe leave racing line on (preference
Turn Steering type to simulation

Go to leader boards in a similar car watch replays back where top guys drive with no assists see where the break how the power out of corners in the end you get a lot of tips and experience which in turn you replicate make yourself a better driver

Takes time but well worth it

And with these cars, its all about momentum. And using as much speed and track as possible, which in the case for Long Beach you'll be on your toes 90% of the lap.

Thanks.  Actually, I either learned a lot last night, or it was the tune.  I'm thinking a LOT of it had to do with the tune! I just ran 10 laps and the car felt great.  You are right, doesn't need TCS.  (Except the last turn at Sebring...can't stop from "drifting" around that turn, lol)

And thanks for the idea about the replays.  I did a lot of that in Pro Enduro.  There were actually some people with an 807 PI BMW on the LB's (most were TORA, but not all... wierd)  Learned a LOT!  Especially watching in car view and watching when they shift, what gear, etc.  Got a lot faster for sure, but still have a long way to go!  I definitely need to watch some videos to learn how to take that last turn in a car without TCS.  I'm used to relying on TCS to get me around that corner.   

Awesome dude

Thanks. Got a long way to go to get anywhere near that 2:35 Kilroy mentioned (after only 6 laps) in the calendar thread. But I guess I'm happy with the progress I've already made. My first 10 laps were around 2:44, lol. Then the next 5 laps basically shaved a second off each time. Still at 2:39 for now. Good thing I have plenty of time to get more practice in. I know I'm not gonna be the fastest, but I would like to at least SEE the cars in front of me during the race!   

I want to say Me and Venom were flying around Sebring in the 2:32s but I wasn't paying attention to lap times as we kept swapping spots.

Well damn you and your 2:32's!!!    I just watched a few more replays and then cut off 2 more seconds. Was feeling pretty good about that 2:37 for a minute. Then you had to go and ruin it all! Just kidding, I'm sure some ridiculous times ill be posted by race day. I know I've got a lot left also. I actually just figured out I'm faster in some turns if I just let it get a little loose and stop worrying about trying to keep it glued to the track. Maybe its the car or maybe it's learning no TCS, but kind of blew my mind when my lap times were getting faster when I was screwing up and losing grip on a couple turns. Who knew? lol

Funny you should say that, cuz in some cars TCS on is slower. As the car still grips, a lil spin is great but when the TCS comes on, its a power limiter. So if you spin the tires, your still getting max power out of the car. When TCS activates, your actually getting less as the car takes power away to regain traction.

Not longed signed up at TORA and think this will be my first official event so I'm really looking forward to it.

Cap, if it makes you feel any better my first few laps in the car have been in the 2:43s and I'm now away to look at a few videos and practice a bit more. I know I can improve on that time but I doubt I'll be anywhere near the 2:32s so maybe you will have someone to race!

I strongly recommend, using the XPR Venom tune or mine, you will see that you will improve your time. My best time was 33s and looking forward. You also, can see the video in the rival section to see my brake points and my line.

HorZa IX wrote:Not longed signed up at TORA and think this will be my first official event so I'm really looking forward to it.

Cap, if it makes you feel any better my first few laps in the car have been in the 2:43s and I'm now away to look at a few videos and practice a bit more. I know I can improve on that time but I doubt I'll be anywhere near the 2:32s so maybe you will have someone to race!

It's always nice to have some company in the back of the pack. Can get lonely back there sometimes, lol.

Cap10MorgueN wrote:It's always nice to have some company in the back of the pack.  Can get lonely back there sometimes, lol.

Doh, just realised I misread the times this is running at. It will be a bit late for me so I won't be racing

DTechR wrote:I strongly recommend, using the XPR Venom tune or mine, you will see that you will improve your time. My best time was 33s and looking forward. You also, can see the video in the rival section to see my brake points and my line.

I'll definitely take a look at both the tune and the replay. Helps a lot to see someone running not only the same car, but same tune. Sometimes I watch a replay and just shake my head saying "there is NO way my car will do that" lol. Gonna be hard pressed to beat Venom's tune, cause I really did like it. But I am absolutely open to anything! Thanks!!!

HorZa IX wrote:

Cap10MorgueN wrote:It's always nice to have some company in the back of the pack.  Can get lonely back there sometimes, lol.

Doh, just realised I misread the times this is running at. It will be a bit late for me so I won't be racing

Dang! Back to keeping up the rear on my own I guess. Hope to race with you in another series.

Entries are opened up, good luck!

Thanks for setting it up, Soundwave! Thanks for racing, everyone!

I've shared both replays.

Well that was crap. Sorry about holding up the qualifying due to this terrible system. Lagged on the next to last turn in race 2 came out of lag sideways. XB1 is terrible.

WhoIsJohnGalt87 wrote:Thanks for setting it up, Soundwave! Thanks for racing, everyone!

I've shared both replays.

Had some good racing with you. Great side by side for a few corners there.