Redline Time Attack, Round 2

[projectMS3]

I wanted to give you guys an update on what is now the sole Mazda(speed) 3 competing in Redline Time Attack. Me! Some of you may know that Bergenholtz racing brought their highly modified regular Mazda 3 to round 1 of RTA. They set a new record for street FWD. My car at that round suffered almost complete brake failure. Even with the brake problems we managed a 6th place finish.

This in a car that I drove to the track, changed nothing, competed in, and drove home. To my knowledge no other cars in the top 7 were driven to the track. They all seemed to have been trailered there.

Fast forward to round 2 at Willow Springs, Bergenholtz decided to focus on their upcoming Unlimited RX-8 and I'm left to defend the Mazda 3 crown in my Mazdaspeed 3. Looking for improvements from round 1 my main focus was to get the brakes working! I felt like I could have finished at least 4th if the brakes had worked in round 1. Tri-Point engineering really came through for me in figuring this out. We had to replace a lot of components but we got it sorted.

The next thing I wanted to improve was the mechanical traction/grip of the car. At round 1 we ran a 225/40 Yokohama AD07. It was a hugely impressive tire, it was also the narrowest of all the top 10 FWD cars. Most were running 245 or wider. I wanted to run the 245/40 AD08 but Yokohama had these in very short supply. For round 2 I got my wish (I keep saying I because I'm the driver, pit crew, and engineer, etc..) and Yokohama delivered with a set of 245/40 AD08 tires. Not only are they wider but also a stickier compound than the AD07. The AD08s got mounted on a set of Volk CE28 wheels, 18x8.5 +52 offset, with a 10mm spacer. I also ran the spacer in the rear and quickly shredded a tire. Oops, a bit too wide. So ultimately I ran the rears sans spacer. I have to cut and roll the rear fenders.

The next improvement was to have HKS re-valve the hipermax III sport coil-overs. They're meant for uber smooth tracks. Neither Buttonwillow or Willow Springs are what I would describe as smooth. The newly valved dampers worked like a charm. Between the extra grip of the AD08 tires and more compliance from the suspension, I had almost zero wheel spin even in the tightest and bumpiest of corners.

I had also wanted to finish installing the cp-e front mount (note the core got installed, we lost two silicon hoses which prevented me from finishing the installation), fuel pump, and custom tune the cp-e stand back computer. Time and luck were not on our side. The only addition from round 1 was a cp-e full control flash. In terms of power we just had the cp-e downpipe with cat, their cold air intake and exhaust. We dyno'd these parts in the June issue of Dsport and got 273hp to the wheels and 294lb ft of torque. Not bad, but we're competing against a FWD eclipse rumored to be making 600 or more HP!

Off I went. I did my qualifying runs on the old AD07s to save the new super sticky AD08s for the timed rounds. I ran a lap of 1:41:00, which is not great. There was just too much traffic to get a clean run. The tires felt like they could do a 1:39:00 or so. I pulled off. Switched to the AD08s and prepared for the first timed run. I go out, one warm up lap and I tick of a 1:38:3 according to the Traqmate system. I was beyond happy. I decide to back off for the next two laps and just feel out the limits of the AD08 tires. They are considerably stickier than the AD07 and also seem a lot more progressive at the limit. You can feel the edge of traction easier and they're a tad more predictable and forgiving.

Second timed session I go out and I feel like I'm driving much better. However, it's much hotter out and the lack of the front mount really hurt engine output. Acceleration is significantly slower and my times reflect that. My fastest for the second session was 1:38:6.

I come in, talk with Robert Choo from Dsport about how he's doing in his street RWD S2000 and just wait...and wait...and still no lap times or results. I'm a tad worried about maybe just missing out on a podium.

Not to fear. Awards ceremony arrives and drum roll....We finished 3rd in street FWD! Yet again, we drove to the track, this time we did change wheels and tires, and drove home. 2nd place was barely a street car and well 1st place might as well be an unlimited car. Just goes to show how amazing a car the Mazdaspeed 3 is! Not to mention how with just a few mods like basic coil overs, a Tri-Point rear sway bar, some power bolt ons and super sticky street tires like the AD08, and you can run with some fast cars.

For example we ran better lap times than a lot of street RWD cars and had I run in Modified class. Running street class tires (the AD08 Yokohamas) I would have also taken 3rd place in modified and that class allows tires with a tread wear of 40 or higher, versus 140 for street class (which also says a lot about how sticky the AD08 is).

[Lex]

Congratulations. Those are great results!

I am guessing no engine or transmission issues? Did the car overheat at all?

Also what modifications did you make to the brakes?

[Fobio]

Coincidentally, we also have a CWP MS3 kicking ass in Time Attack here in Ontario, Canada...good job!

[projectMS3]

I haven't had any overheating problems. I've run the car hard at track days, for testing in 90+ degree weather. No issues what so ever. The car never fails to impress.

Also no engine or transmission issues. I shift very slowly to reduce the stress on the clutch and tranny. One thing I did notice. The LSD doesn't work as well with synthetic transmission fluid as with regular stuff.

For the brakes there weren't any mods other than Carbotech pads which were amazing! Tri-Point replaced the master cylinder and the booster and that pretty much fixed the problems we had in the first race.

[opt_ms3]

very cool dude, congratulations. I'm impressed with the one-man operation. I've been keeping up with your blog, and I hope to hear more about your racing adventures.

[projectMS3]

Originally Posted by opt_ms3 very cool dude, congratulations. I'm impressed with the one-man operation. I've been keeping up with your blog, and I hope to hear more about your racing adventures.

Thanks. It's been a ton of hard work and awfully trying at times. Getting a podium finish was good validation of my efforts and all the sponsors work too.

[phantom3]

I don't know if the red bull time attack come to alberta at all but, if it does and you need any assistance contact me and I'll be there night or day.

Anyone for that matter in the Edmonton area, If you need a hand contact me.

[senor blanco ms3]

congrats on all your success with the ms3. i really wish i could get a redline event or series here in tx. i'm addicted to their twitter updates.

[Fratman]

Nice Job!!!!!!!

We are also campaigning an MS3 in RTA on the east coast. In the RTA in New Jersy we came in second by .080 sec. Then we were in Chi and came in 4th with a few problems, but like you said the tow them in on trailers and are full blown NASA time attack cars.Full rollcages and 6 piston wildwood brakes. As far as the stockish cars are concerned were right there with only bolt ons.