Tucker Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Going to come down to Chesham soon for a full alignment in my new (to me) MX-5. Before I book, is rim kerbing (not by me I hasten to add!) an obstacle to getting an accurate alignment for you? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 It'll be fine. Tony has said before that you can actually get a geometry done without any wheels on at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted October 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Cheers Rich. Will book a session soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 11, 2019 Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 Sorry for the delay Tucker, I've been out of the UK but i think i did reply to your email........As Rich said our technology measures the wheels "run-out" and compressions. In the event there's an issue the machine shuts us down!.... It also has the ability to move past the wheels as an option and it uses targets on the brakes ( reflectors ) but again it has to approve the datum point. Basically I paid loads of money so that the AI took human error or laziness away from our promise to do exactly what you are paying for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted October 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 Hi Tony. Superb! I'm finding my 5 grippier than I expected, even in the wet, so it'll be interesting to see what the geometry is currently. Also the steering in annoyingly offset to the left slightly, a rel bugbear of mine! What weekend slots do you have from November 2nd to 17th inclusive? Our other car is an Octavia, which also needs an alignment this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 The steering position is deemed cosmetic but boy it's so annoying if it's off-centre..... The dates offered work for me but what sort of time are you thinking?..... As for the Octavia that's a very different challenge?...... Front and rear toe angles are adjustable but any front camber change involves moving the subframe!!! Historically the Octavia chassis is very good.....Put it this way I wouldn't make a living off the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Tucker said: 'm finding my 5 grippier than I expected, even in the wet, so it'll be interesting to see what the geometry is currently. What year MX5 do you have? I've got a 99 MK2 NB on Toyo tyres. They're superb in the dry but aren't great in the wet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted October 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Rich said: What year MX5 do you have? I've got a 99 MK2 NB on Toyo tyres. They're superb in the dry but aren't great in the wet! It's a '12 Sport on original spec Potenza RE50s Rich. I did brave turning off stability control in the downpours we had yesterday for some tail happy fun (my first in the 5) in the work car park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted October 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 2 hours ago, Tony said: The dates offered work for me but what sort of time are you thinking? 10 or 11 am good for you Tony? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 I'll check and confirm when I'm back on Tuesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 15, 2019 Report Share Posted October 15, 2019 I can do 10.30 on the 2nd, will that work for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted October 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2019 Thanks Tony. Wife's terminally ill best friend finally passed away last night, so I can't commit until we have the funeral date. It's in Somerset so will be a two day affair with travelling. I'll let you know as soon as I know, but if another customer comes along then feel free to move me down the queue. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 15, 2019 Report Share Posted October 15, 2019 Really sorry to read that..... Currently, your the only person booked that day so i'll leave it for now but please let me know when you know for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 I certainly will Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted October 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 Hi Tony, 10:30 on the 2nd November it is; see you then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 21, 2019 Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 Excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted December 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2019 My first chance to drive the car aggressively in anything approaching 'normal' conditions came Saturday with my Cadwell Park trackday. A damp greasy track dried out in places as the day went on, and the temperature was about 7-8°C. Happy to report the car handled well, no nasty habits, neutral balance, happy trail braking into apexes, and just the occasional oversteer when being a bit too enthusiastic on damp corner exits. Managed a fastest lap of 2:02, and the quickest I can find a standard MX-5 NC doing it in is 1:52. Considering it was my first ever track day, and that the track was still damp in places, I could undoubtedly make up some time. Very happy with the alignment thus far. In car video, quickest lap at 13:32 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 I've edited your post to show the vid., I hope you don't mind..... Your track day looks absolutely excellent..... Cutting the corners and using the oversteer was flawless..... A key to your ability and the cars chassis positions is the activity on steady-state corners. The steering action needs to be minimal which it is looking at the video.. Some people might think why does steady-state action matter?.... Well it's condition of what i would call "harmony" meaning the chassis geometry and the driver's ability matches...... You're not fighting the car and the car is delivering your requests...... Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted December 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 Cheers Tony, Can't wait to got back when temps have risen and the whole track is dry (May onward?) to see how that goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted December 11, 2019 Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 Please keep us updated because your position is exactly where i work...... Apex in, on, out is where handling really matters.... Straight line speed is for the V12 club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted December 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2019 Will do. With the exception of my spotty teen years and trying to break 100mph (laughable now!), I've never been overly impressed with straight line speed; a breeze block on the accelerator pedal can drive quickly in a straight line! It's always been about the corners for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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