Im curious as to which setup would be faster for my TT class, option 1 or 2. Basic VVT MS3 with bolt ons and coilovers making 140whp 125wtq. Tires must be 205 size.

1
No aero
Nankang CRS/A052/RE71RS

2
NLR air dam, splitter and 64” wing
Hankook RS4s or Falken RT615k+

 

Aero can be worth 2-3 seconds/lap. My vote would be rs4 + aero. That being said, I have a set of crs in my basement that I’m excited to try out for lap time changes vs Toyo RR, but I’m also changing my wing at the same time… so my results won’t be conclusive.

 

Those nangkang are fast though, could also be worth 2-3 seconds over a 615+ and the aero will slow down the car a bit on the straights.

I think the answer depends on the track, which track is this, high speeds?

 

Im on the fence because the new 200tws are really fast. I won my class championship in 2022 on CR1s and have ran multiple sets of CRS on my C6 Z06. I don’t know if the aero will have much of an advantage over the super 200s.

Two tracks I frequent the most and also TT are Palmer Motorsports Park and Thompson Motorsports Park. Both tracks have decently fast sweepers where the aero may benefit. I’m hitting 110mph down the straights at these tracks.

 

I guess the question becomes are the super 200s 2-3 seconds faster than a RS4 or 615.

 

Highly depends on the driver and track, without that we’re mostly just guessing from our own personal experiences. If you’re racing wheel to wheel, it’s a lot easier to pass on the straights with more power and/or no aero. If you’re a decent driver, you might benefit from the increased speeds entering and exiting corners.

 

I don’t race wheel to wheel, I like my car in one piece. Not a brag but I can extract 100% out of a tire in this car. Been racing Miata’s for 13 years now. Doesn’t sound like it’s worth the effort and cost of adding aero when I can just easily throw on another set of super 200s. Last time I ran “slow” tire was when the RS3s were all the rage some 10 or so years ago.

 

Tires are almost always a better spend. They increase speed on every part of the track at every speed range. Aero only helps on a few parts of the track.

Aero helps more for TT than w2w. TT is a lap time contest. w2w is a track position contest. Being the fastest in the corners but slower on the straights isn't always a winning combo for w2w, bit can work in TT.

 

Makes sense thanks

 

You can quantify the difference with a lap simulator:
https://optimumg.com/product/optimumlap/

I wouldn't recommend using it for raw lap times, but once you get it in the ballpark it's useful to make changes and get a time delta from your base setup.

 

OP,
I live in western ma. I am very familiar with both tracks. And I instruct with SCDA. Palmer will be faster with aero, Thompson might be faster with tires. For others in forum. Palmer is 2.2mi and a good laptime is 1:50, no straightaways, combination of high speed 75mph+ turns and tight uphill turns <50mph, I believe the elevation change at the track is 300ft. Thompson is 1.6mi, has a very long front straight and 3 turns are slow, 2nd gear 180 deg. 1:23 in a Miata is a good lap time here.
to throw another wrench in… Palmer in reverse might be faster with tires just due to the configuration of uphill/downhill turns.

fwiw the Miata with the naturally aspirated lap record at Thompson runs rs4 and a 9LR medium downforce kit. And mark from rosmar runs front & rear aero and rs4s, he’s always battling for 1st..

 

cool I’ll check it out thanks

 

Y
eah for sure Palmer is more aero friendly in general. Last turn at Thompson is crucial though for the straight, I bet there is a gain there. I’m running low 1:50s on Hoosier SMs and low 1:52s on Nankangs at Palmer. Thompson mid 1:22s on SMs, high 23s on Nankangs. 2400lbs race weight.

what is the lap record at Thompson with that setup? What is his power?

 

I believe his record is a low 1:18 and “170 hp” I put that in quotes because the guy I referenced can’t pass him on the straight and is 195 whp naturally aspirated.

Emilio is certainly the expert though. If you can’t run flat out after a lift/brake tap after the chute, then you need aero. FWIW I hit 116 on that straight braking at 3-1//2 (supercharged 177hp)

 

Last turn at Thompson I have to lift, not enough front grip. I’m full brakes where the little uphill is in the braking zone for turn 1. Helps me not lock up by using the elevation.

Were you at masstuning trackday at night a few weeks ago?

 

I haven’t been out this season. My car is awaiting a new 9LR rear **** and 15x10 w/ 245 nankang crs. And I sold my tow vehicle… so there’s that too. But I’ll be out in September for sure and possibly late August. SCDA is going to club Motorsport and I liked that track a lot.