2023 the year I finally gave in and bought a track only car.
I spent awhile searching for something different, that would be fun to learn how to drive on track and wouldn't cost the earth to maintain and get plenty of seat Time.
I stumbled across this cool looking (in my opinion) Car in Wales one Friday evening. No idea what it was or if I would even fit in it(I'm not the smallest of people).
I messaged the seller for some basic information and done a little bit of research on it. I rang the seller on the Sunday morning and a deal was done.
It was a nerve racking few weeks waiting for it to be collected and delivered to me.
100 questions going through my head,will I fit in it,will I like it,is it fast etc.
When it was delivered ,I was delighted!
I fit in it will a fair bit of room and comfort. Brought it for a quick spin and I was very happy.
So the MEV EXOCET is basically an mx5 stripped down and rebuilt around a skate/exo frame. It uses most parts from mx5.
1.8 jdm mx5 engine (120-130bhp)
Mx5 gearbox, lsd diff
Mx5 subframes,wishbones, coilovers,ecu,loom,clocks etc.
Mx5's are known for reliability and fun,with there main weakness being rust.
The guy I bought it off in Wales owns a repair shop that specialises in mx5's.so it was well maintained when I got it.
I booked my first track day at jdm classics, it was 50/50 grip drift.
The first few laps were very overwhelming with no roof or windows and cars getting very close.takes a bit of getting use to.
At the end of the day I felt I was overly hard on the car and not getting the best out of it.it was kicking out unexpectedly and I was nervous in corners.
I seen Kevin Doran ( division88_ ) had setup his own company, offering coaching, car setup etc.
I spoke to Kevin and I got him to give the car a once over before I booked a coaching session with him.
The car needed x2 seals.one on the Prop and one on the rear lsd.
While Kevin was looking it over,he weighed the car.it came in at 669kgs!
The next day out was run by trackdays.ie and I had Kevin with me most of the day coaching me and offering advice.
He is very passionate about his job and with years of experience in driving mondello/nurburgring I couldn't think of a better coach.
I learned it was my driving style that was making the car kick out in corners.
By the end of the day,I had a lot more confidence in the car and my own driving. Learning how to drive the car faster and easier on the car itself, better lines around corners etc.
I honestly couldn't recommend his services more.
I had booked in for fundracer the following week and remembered most of what I had learned with Kevin.it was great getting to bring friends and family out on track and show them what the car was like.brought a few strangers out too,as its a charity day to raise money for autism.
There was even x2 kids sessions were they allowed kids out on track which is normally forbidden.fundracer is a pretty unique day as you share the track with drift cars drifting at the same time as grip driving.
There was a massive variety of cars on track. From kit cars,road cars,buggies,drift cars to high performance and even super cars.
Really enjoyable day!
I met a few club members near the end of the day,but unfortunately didn't have time to offer them a few spins.(if you's are ever around, drop over early in the day and I will try my best to get use out for few laps)
I was lucky enough to be off two weeks later for the next trackdays.ie day,so I booked it.
Kevin had mentioned previously that a slightly bigger steering wheel would leave the car that bit easier to control and be more predictable, so I ordered a 330mm steering wheel and it arrived before the day.
The steering wheel left it an awful lot easier to control/drive.again I remembered most of what I had learned previously and got alot of seat Time.
That's x4 full days out do far with nothing but x2 seals ,steering wheel and fuel.
Next step is get it back down to division88 for fluid change, check over and address a cooling issue.
I picked up a set of 15" 6.5j rays stark alloys,they are light weight at 4.83kg each. They should help with unsprung weight.
Looking forward to plenty more seat time, will try and keep this updated
Few pictures, because everyone loves pictures
I spent awhile searching for something different, that would be fun to learn how to drive on track and wouldn't cost the earth to maintain and get plenty of seat Time.
I stumbled across this cool looking (in my opinion) Car in Wales one Friday evening. No idea what it was or if I would even fit in it(I'm not the smallest of people).
I messaged the seller for some basic information and done a little bit of research on it. I rang the seller on the Sunday morning and a deal was done.
It was a nerve racking few weeks waiting for it to be collected and delivered to me.
100 questions going through my head,will I fit in it,will I like it,is it fast etc.
When it was delivered ,I was delighted!
I fit in it will a fair bit of room and comfort. Brought it for a quick spin and I was very happy.
So the MEV EXOCET is basically an mx5 stripped down and rebuilt around a skate/exo frame. It uses most parts from mx5.
1.8 jdm mx5 engine (120-130bhp)
Mx5 gearbox, lsd diff
Mx5 subframes,wishbones, coilovers,ecu,loom,clocks etc.
Mx5's are known for reliability and fun,with there main weakness being rust.
The guy I bought it off in Wales owns a repair shop that specialises in mx5's.so it was well maintained when I got it.
I booked my first track day at jdm classics, it was 50/50 grip drift.
The first few laps were very overwhelming with no roof or windows and cars getting very close.takes a bit of getting use to.
At the end of the day I felt I was overly hard on the car and not getting the best out of it.it was kicking out unexpectedly and I was nervous in corners.
I seen Kevin Doran ( division88_ ) had setup his own company, offering coaching, car setup etc.
I spoke to Kevin and I got him to give the car a once over before I booked a coaching session with him.
The car needed x2 seals.one on the Prop and one on the rear lsd.
While Kevin was looking it over,he weighed the car.it came in at 669kgs!
The next day out was run by trackdays.ie and I had Kevin with me most of the day coaching me and offering advice.
He is very passionate about his job and with years of experience in driving mondello/nurburgring I couldn't think of a better coach.
I learned it was my driving style that was making the car kick out in corners.
By the end of the day,I had a lot more confidence in the car and my own driving. Learning how to drive the car faster and easier on the car itself, better lines around corners etc.
I honestly couldn't recommend his services more.
I had booked in for fundracer the following week and remembered most of what I had learned with Kevin.it was great getting to bring friends and family out on track and show them what the car was like.brought a few strangers out too,as its a charity day to raise money for autism.
There was even x2 kids sessions were they allowed kids out on track which is normally forbidden.fundracer is a pretty unique day as you share the track with drift cars drifting at the same time as grip driving.
There was a massive variety of cars on track. From kit cars,road cars,buggies,drift cars to high performance and even super cars.
Really enjoyable day!
I met a few club members near the end of the day,but unfortunately didn't have time to offer them a few spins.(if you's are ever around, drop over early in the day and I will try my best to get use out for few laps)
I was lucky enough to be off two weeks later for the next trackdays.ie day,so I booked it.
Kevin had mentioned previously that a slightly bigger steering wheel would leave the car that bit easier to control and be more predictable, so I ordered a 330mm steering wheel and it arrived before the day.
The steering wheel left it an awful lot easier to control/drive.again I remembered most of what I had learned previously and got alot of seat Time.
That's x4 full days out do far with nothing but x2 seals ,steering wheel and fuel.
Next step is get it back down to division88 for fluid change, check over and address a cooling issue.
I picked up a set of 15" 6.5j rays stark alloys,they are light weight at 4.83kg each. They should help with unsprung weight.
Looking forward to plenty more seat time, will try and keep this updated
Few pictures, because everyone loves pictures
great purchase good story enjoy
