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So I autocrossed against a BRZ on Saturday...

slugg

slugg

Diamond Member
It was completely stock, except the owner had put proper tires and wheels on it: Toyo Proxes R1R mounted on RPF-1's.

It ran in the dry and ran a 53 + change. I ran later in the day when it was raining and my Miata managed to pull a best time of 52 + change + 1 cone for a total of 54 + change. In the rain.

Keep in mind that my 1999 Miata is nearly stock; all upgrades are still legal for our stock class. Mine isn't a "sport package" or "10th Anniversary Edition" Miata, so I have softer springs, no ABS, and smaller brakes. Here's what I have for upgrades:
- KYB AGX adjustable shocks
- Shock tower brace
- Rollbar
- Wilwood brake proportioning valve
- Bigger front swaybar
- Proper tires (Dunlop StarSpec)

... and that's it. Had I not barely nicked a cone, I would have had the BRZ by one second while I was running in the rain and it ran in the dry.

I know what you're thinking: "the driver must suck!" But we know the guy and he's a pretty decent driver, above average for sure. As for me, I'd say I'm decent too, but not the next Senna or anything. Just "decent."

I'll be autocrossing with him again next month. We'll see if we create a pattern.
 
I'm not surprised. Motortrend did a 28K roundup and it only beat a VW GTI (where you can't fully disable ESP) by a little over 1 sec around Willow Springs Raceway. The FRS was only .32 sec faster than the GTI. That car is begging for boost. They used professional driver Randy Pobst as well, it wasn't just some magazine reviewer going around the track.
 
cbrsurfr said:
I'm not surprised. Motortrend did a 28K roundup and it only beat a VW GTI (where you can't fully disable ESP) by a little over 1 sec around Willow Springs Raceway. The FRS was only .32 sec faster than the GTI. That car is begging for boost. They used professional driver Randy Pobst as well, it wasn't just some magazine reviewer going around the track.
Click to expand...

Is Scion or Subaru planning a turbo version?
 
We already saw similar results on a racetrack. The miata lost, but not overwhelmingly, and it was due to much better performance in the curves, which is impressive considering the power gap. A 200hp miata would have eaten the BRZ/FRS easily.
 
This begs the question : Mazda could adapt their new 2.5 pretty easily to rwd setup, and tune for 200hp. 🙂 wonder if they will respond, or just leave it to the aftermarket.
 
Arkaign said:
This begs the question : Mazda could adapt their new 2.5 pretty easily to rwd setup, and tune for 200hp. 🙂 wonder if they will respond, or just leave it to the aftermarket.
Click to expand...

Has Mazda ever upped the power in the miata. I swear i hear miata and think of the same exact car for the past 15 years
 
Arkaign said:
This begs the question : Mazda could adapt their new 2.5 pretty easily to rwd setup, and tune for 200hp. 🙂 wonder if they will respond, or just leave it to the aftermarket.
Click to expand...

Apparently some NC Miatas have the 2.5L shortblock swapped in... with faptastic results!
 
I take it the BRZ/FRS is ideally going to be for people under 6 foot or have car makers finally realized tall people drive cars as well.
 
Don Karnage said:
Has Mazda ever upped the power in the miata. I swear i hear miata and think of the same exact car for the past 15 years
Click to expand...

They have. I don't remember what it started with, but even a decade ago it was pretty low (around 130bhp?). The Mazdaspeed Miata was turbocharged to a whopping 160-170bhp! These days the normal Miata has that power.
 
Any reports on helmet space on the BRZ? In my G35 I barely had enough room and ended up getting a new seat to have room for the bumpier courses. I wonder how kindly a dealer would take me bringing my helmet when I check out a BRZ/FRS.
 
cbrsurfr said:
I'm not surprised. Motortrend did a 28K roundup and it only beat a VW GTI (where you can't fully disable ESP) by a little over 1 sec around Willow Springs Raceway. The FRS was only .32 sec faster than the GTI. That car is begging for boost. They used professional driver Randy Pobst as well, it wasn't just some magazine reviewer going around the track.
Click to expand...

but it won the matchup, no?
 
Aharami said:
but it won the matchup, no?
Click to expand...

Against a fairly portly FWD setup, it's not exactly thrilling.

The showdown I mentioned against the MX-5 showed that the handling, while very very good, isn't quite up to Miata standards. Without the fairly significant power gap, the MX-5 would almost certainly have won that race, as it was already tracking more quickly through the curves. One might put at least some of the blame on the tires on the BRZ/FRS though.
 
Don Karnage said:
I take it the BRZ/FRS is ideally going to be for people under 6 foot or have car makers finally realized tall people drive cars as well.
Click to expand...

I am 6' 5". If I could fit in a Miata I would've bought one years ago. I sat in a BRZ a week ago and was comfortable. Visibility seemed acceptable even, but I'll know more when I drive it.
 
Imported said:
Any reports on helmet space on the BRZ? In my G35 I barely had enough room and ended up getting a new seat to have room for the bumpier courses. I wonder how kindly a dealer would take me bringing my helmet when I check out a BRZ/FRS.
Click to expand...

sat in one at the local autoX and was surprised to find that the passenger and drivers head space had a bump in it to help clear helmets was surprised im 6ft with quite a long torso and had plenty of headspace id fit with a helmet and space to spare.

and Slugg your car is actully quite well set up for autoX be surprised what a good set of dampeners and a front bar will do for most cars. also the R1R have a tendacy to over heat and become really slick they are a great cold weather/rain autoX tire the RS3 and starspec is a much better summer autoX tire. but on that note i think the FRS/BRZ will be a good match for you and once his mods match yours. i think it may just be faster depending on course i think it will bounce. but either way a good rival and makes for a good time!
 
I have a decently modified '06 MX-5, and feel no attraction whatsoever to the Subieota.

Even if I had kept it stock, likely not. But with a few minor mods, the car is a gem, and the BRZ would be a downgrade, at least in terms of fun.

I am glad to see a positive reception for a lightweight, RWD car without a ton of HP, though.
 
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