Croft Track Review in a Mazda MX5 ND2 including costs

[@jaguarplugins3493]

Love that you can see the gearstick literally shaking as the revs build up - really shows the power of the car and reminds you how mechanical everything is. Driving instructor by day, speed demon by night 😎

[@RichardFanders]

Haha 😄 The gearstick moves because it goes directly into the gearbox which in underneath it. The gearbox on most cars is further from the stick and controlled via cables so there is no shaking.

[@534tgrg6yrtgdf]

Does changing the gear oil help in anyway with shifting? Thicker or thinner oils?

[@diptarupghosh4431]

@@534tgrg6yrtgdf not really, the thing is there are different viscosity of oils that work optimally at different Temps, ofc if ur driving at the track ur gonna heat up more so u wanna use appropriate oil, and street is not as hot so appropriate oil for that. Same for engine oil

[@sam7765]

It's so satisfying when people can heel and toe properly. I'm still learning to downshift smoothly 😂

[@iamjonwright]

I enjoyed that and nice to hear honesty and common sense. It’s my local circuit and as you say not too long. It was resurfaced prior to your video so nice and smooth for you.

[@cheeseballs8u]

Absolutely awesome !!!

[@samteague3977]

Nicely driven - could see you catching up with the Ginetta on the hotlap! Croft is on my to-do list. Is it worth the drive from the south east?

[@RichardFanders]

I felt it was worth it. Stayed at a hotel for about £60 in Northallerton which is quite a nice little place. Suits the MX5 as it's not a power circuit.

[@thrupnybit]

Very nice footwork. I like the socks.

[@devardilshad3944]

One of the best!

[@nickelcammayo1097]

Do you need to look at the rev counter for upshifting and downshifting? Or do you shift gears by feel/engine sound? Especially in the race track

[@RichardFanders]

Mostly engine sound with an occasional check if I want to get every last rev. As I get used to cars though I can normally tell what red line sounds like.

[@fishbert17]

I enjoyed the video, thanks very much. Quick question - I've never quite got to the bottom of what the purpose of heel and toeing is.

[@1061shrink1061]

in mx5 you can definitely be full throttle though the small chicane (3rd 4th corners). No need to lift off on the way in like you're doing here. I'm also forced to agree on the roddisons pads. I did two full days (blyton and croft) on a set, and they're almost gone already. They're super soft. Which tyres are you on? I find croft to be fairly decent on them.

[@RichardFanders]

Michelin PS4

[@richfixescars]

Shows how much fun these cars are. How were the Michelin PS4s? I found Pirelli PZero Nero GT lasted about 4 laps at Castle Combe on a hot day before feeling overheated and squidgy.

[@RichardFanders]

The PS4s were excellent. I did 40 mins in one session and I was knackered before the car or the tyres. Lost roughly 0.4mm of tread from the day. Bit less and a bit more depending which part of the tyre you measure.

[@534tgrg6yrtgdf]

Thanks for the tutorial🤩

[@fullbinky]

Sparkling Water 🔥

[@lllllloh1428]

Great video! Whats the left foot braking for ?

[@RichardFanders]

That's so I can switch from gas to brake and back again more quickly.

[@maalikserebryakov]

@@RichardFandersyea F the clutch 👍

[@nelz9299]

I've heard people say the MX5's steering lacks feel and it doesn't self center, keen to know what your experience is with it, and if you are going to do anything about it.

[@RichardFanders]

It doesn't self straight as quick as most cars but I've found that to be the case with the other double wishbone car I used to own, the VX220. As for feel, it's not a Lotus but it's nice.

[@534tgrg6yrtgdf]

These are comments from those German guys from one lap hero’s or something. Can’t compare this to an actual go kart or cars in the 90s

[@nelz9299]

@@RichardFanders that's right, one of them would be from the guys from one lap heroes, they disliked the steering so much they actually sold the car I believe. Interesting how people experience differently

[@Rick1984FL]

@@RichardFanders I had an evora GT and while fun, my nd2 is even more fun to me because I can get everything out of it without necessarily achieving go to jail speeds or breaking the bank on consumables and maintenance items. And for that I prefer my RF. That said, the evora in and of itself was also a joy to hit some backroads with.

[@koen3910]

I noticed that when your are downshifting while braking you tap you gass padel with your heel. Why do you do this?

[@BudKing96]

Heel-Toe Shifting research it, i still dont really get it myself lol

[@maalikserebryakov]

I still don’t understand it. The point is to increase the Engine revs before you go down a gear (heavier gear) So I think it helps you maintain speed? Since when you swap a lighter gear with a heavier gear, the tyre Speed should reduce immediately. Unless u counter it with a Throttle blip

[@Spike00773]

@@maalikserebryakov It's to be able to get off the clutch quickly while downshifting for a corner so that you have the car in gear and ready to accelerate or engine brake.

[@a84758]

@@maalikserebryakov When you downshift, it's because you're approaching a speed at which the gear that you're currently in is too high for. The speed of the engine will be decreasing, and even more so once you push the clutch in. Since the wheels are spinning the transmission at a higher rpm than the engine is spinning at once the clutch is in, you have to blip the throttle to bring the engine rpm up to the same rpm as the transmission which is being spun by the wheels. This way, you can drop the clutch as soon as you've shifted gears, and since the transmission and engine are spinning at the same rpm, your next, lower gear will engage smoothly without the need to slip the clutch.

[@cooltroop2]

I wonder if there was a part of Rich that wanted to give the Evo a run for its money hahaha

[@RichardFanders]

Not a lot of chance of keeping up with that.

[@jeff702]

Mickey Lauda’s long lost son

[@rubenhage3273]

Wish I had you as my driving instructor, I’m sure mine would never dream of revving an engine past 4k rpm 🤣

[@AKAMustang]

Reasonably fun looking track. Hope you can upgrade the brakes again soon. That Micra pick-up was an interesting spot. 😆

[@Fizzyahmad]

This is what I call a driverrrr

[@MadelnMachines]

It would be good to see some of your drifting techniques on video with commentary and footwork. I enjoyed seeing the footwork and hearing commentary on this video. What are your tactics for knowing how much to break and what speed you want to enter a given corner? Is it just a case of starting off cautious and gradually keep increasing speed as you learn the circuit?

[@RichardFanders]

Yes very much so, I start off cautious and gradually build myself up until I over cook it slightly. Judging the limit is all part of the fun, you have to go slightly beyond the limit to find the limit.

[@MadelnMachines]

@@RichardFanders Would you say the stock ND is an easy car to drift/slide? How is your gearbox holding up? I'd be quite tempted to add forced induction but hear many reports of blown transmissions. Makes me think the NC would be a better choice.

[@secutexy646]

imagine losing to a man with rainbow socks. I love your socks btw, they're great!

[@jesuslivesinmytoilet]

Absolutely fantastic look at what a track day looks like 👍

[@Wakka100w]

loved my ND2 (on lease), too much body roll (+scary in the wet) but gave me a real connection to the car. Wish wasn't on lease so i could track it.

[@spartanV48]

Why couldn't you track it on lease?

[@Wakka100w]

@@spartanV48 in the lease terms and conditions

[@spartanV48]

@@Wakka100w is there a way they would actually know that you tracked it assuming no modifications?

[@RichardFanders]

I do adjust it but it still wipes too much or too little.

[@scalit]

Hi Richard! Nicely driven! Why the left foot braking?

[@daysofgrace2934]

I’m surprised you don’t have an all in one trackday road insurance policy

[@bestofwarden8558]

What's the reason to do the left foot breaking?

[@TheGreedygibson]

Great video as usual Richard 👍

[@joebizzle7238]

one of the best videos ive ever watched

[@elliotashley2582]

Hi. How many sessions do you usually do in a day? With how many laps? You say you burnt through around £70 of tyres, is that because you’d been going hard at it all day? I went to cadwell in my old mk3 (my first track day) and i think i barely moved the tread 😂

[@RichardFanders]

I tend to do around 150 miles on most track days. I used about 0.5mm of tyre tread.

[@junlee7763]

I can totally see Miata is built with right side driver minded. Parking brake is there between gear stick and you, knobs on console stay further away from driver.

[@RichardFanders]

I agree, but the earlier MX5s had the handbrake on the left side.

[@534tgrg6yrtgdf]

Is there a risk of lift off oversteer with traction control on? I know you have it off. I am too afraid to turn it off!

[@RichardFanders]

I never have it on but I would assume the risk is less with it on. All cars get lift off oversteer when provoked. When driving near the limit it's important to be smooth without sudden inputs. The MX5 is probably the easiest rear wheel drive car I've driven, it gives a lot of feedback. The VX220 was probably the most difficult because it was snappy without much steering lock to help.

[@lnlsun]

Awesome video, Richard!

[@harryhunter552]

As a relatively new driver is there anything I can do in advance/preparation for a track day like should I be taking lessons of some kind or something?

[@RichardFanders]

The best thing you can do is mentally prepare yourself to do things at your own pace. Don't feel the pressure to keep up with others and be willing to let faster cars pass. The more hours you have on track the better you will get but if you end up in the wall that usually puts an end to track practice for a while unless you have very deep pockets and you don't get injured. The second most important thing is to understand the racing line and do most of your braking in a straight line before the bend. Build yourself up slowly and always stay within your limits and you will likely enjoy yourself. You can learn a lot from fellow track users and there are videos. I'll have two videos on this soon being re-uploaded in the coming weeks. Oh, it's better to have a standard and reliable car with track brake pads. Power doesn't matter, more power won't make you better any more quickly, it will likely just cost you more money and modified engines tend to need more maintenance. Reliability is key to getting more hours of practise in and having more fun in my opinion.

[@maalikserebryakov]

@@RichardFandersye but when on the track everybody wants to race lol

[@khaledali-di9mt]

If mazda didn't increase the roll stiffness in the next generation mx5 (NE)....it will lose its position in the segment !

[@RichardFanders]

The thing is, it kind of is the only model in the segment. What other new roadsters can you buy for the same price? In my opinion it's about right, it's a compromise.

[@khaledali-di9mt]

@@RichardFanders No, it is not alone ,The toyota Gr86/subaru brz is its main competitor and with its second generation it did surpass the mx5 in the driving dynamics....mainly because of the increased roll stiffness and body control....so Mazda needs to make alot of benchmarking and make the mx5 atleast with the same roll stiffness ..otherwise the gr86 will take its position (which it doesn't really deserve!)

[@BN99239]

@@khaledali-di9mt People like to say that the 86 is a main competitor but that's mostly in price and rwd. Everything else stops there. There are no other convertibles within the MX-5's price range. It is perfect the way it is because most people actually don't buy the car to track it. The stock suspension is perfect for street driving. For people who want to track it, it's very easy and cheap to upgrade suspensions. Even for serious tracking, people don't use the stock suspensions on the 86 either so there's no point for Mazda to spend money and time on suspensions for 5% of their buyers. Mazda targets the bigger demographics and those are not track drivers.

[@khaledali-di9mt]

@@BN99239 with all my respect.....brz is a competitor to mazda ....yes it is not a convertible....but we compare the vehicles with their platform capability not by their body style,second if the roll stiffness is not that important to the Mazda consumers why is Mazda trying very hard with the limitations of the current platform to reduce the body roll to the extend that it introduced a system that reduces the body roll using the brakes!!!....why would a company do that ???....third...saying that the roll stiffness is only important to track drivers or professional drivers is again plain wrong ....alot of people who is buying the mx5 drive on an ultra twisty and challenging mountain roads....and having a car with ultra low roll stiffness does effect the driving pleasure negatively....so it is not about race tracks or laptimes....it is about the enjoyment of driving which is the soul reason behind the existance of these vehicles!! ....and as I said the sweet spot is the gr86 suspension and as u said if some really want to track their gr86 he will need to increase the roll stiffness but the gr86 suspension did hit the nail on the head and it is the perfect suspension for the mountain roads....so mazda needs to eliminate this problem by making the roll stiffness equivlant to the gr86 otherwise it will lose to the gr86 ...and Mazda really deserves to be the best !!