Redrider with the inch and an eighth front bar you have to buy the heavy duty sway bar mounts.stock mounts well rip off and the patch kit using the long bolts wont line up with the greasable bushing slots and you might breack off bolts. Lots of custom grinding and cursing involved trust me buy the Mazda competition sway bar mounts from the beginning. Making the rb patch sway bar stiffening kit work isn't worth it even if you have the skills and patience. Been there done that.
Federals hate heat to the extreme!!! Really cheap buy in too.

I thought I read that this wasn't the case if you were running stiffer springs. Specifically SM... Has anyone running 700 lb/in front springs had issues with the stock mounts? Tried searching but probably didn't use the right wording.

After some searching I've decided to just use the extra mounting hardware from RB. I also ground the bushing down to make sure it didn't bind.

The first priorities are seat time and good instruction. Try to ride with someone that has experience in a low hp rwd vehicle. Cheap tires and pads are fine until you notice chuncking/mohawk tread or your pads are only lasting 2-4 laps. Focus on track time first. I would caution you against old race rubber as I've noticed that the break away characteristics are non-linear and they also take forever to heat up. I would guess good street rubber under 350 ish teadwear should be good. Dont over think it, your not racing Rolex 24.

Ericwh, even with the Racing Beat patch kit to stiffen the sway bar mounts the mounts flex hard under track conditions. This has been proven with gopro cameras mounted under the car aimed at the suspension. Buy the Mazda speed sway bar mounts and go faster without ripping the sway bar mounts off the car in the middle of a race (fail) at speed. This well eventually happen to you as it has happened to others.

So if a noob were looking for predictable, safe handling characteristics and the cheapest tire per track day, what would they look for?

An 'extreme performance tire' to handle the heat? Some hard minivan tires (so you go off at lower speeds while trying to trail brake like a noob)?

How much power?

110bhp.

First time out? Then regular old street tires.
Learn the balance of the car and the proper line around the track at a manageable speed.

There will be PLENTY of time for stickier tires once you learn to catch oversteer and manage understeer at safer speeds.


The first time out it isn't about speed. It's about learning.

Direzzas. That's the tire of choice for the competitive Chump teams and it is a very good tire for what it is. It won't overheat too bad and its predictable when cold, hot, and overheated.

Just take anything that will run.

I got my cheap ass Kuhmo all seasons ready to go. If those don't last through the couple of track days I plan on doing, then I will get some Star Specs. Or maybe some more $60 all seasons depending on how cheap I am.

There you go.

Go have fun. Your car sounds like it is really nice.
Always: use the portable potty before buckling up. You cant race if your uncomfortable . Make sure to check everything on the car before you ever get to the track. Don't wait tell the last minute or do all kinds of crazy night before the race mods. That way nothing gets overlooked and you're not stressed at the track and you can trust your car prep.

224/45/15 Hankook RS'3 best noob track tire ever.

Just get out and drive with anything that has tread. Rt615s,nt01s,or starspecs are all relatively cheap and will you get a good amount of time out on track.

I ran my toyo T1Rs for the first event, which are my street tires. After wearing them down pretty good I invested in some specific track only wheels and tires (Nitto01s on TR motorsports)

Wow. What is, Go big or go home! your motto? Haha. Good for you. We need more enthusiasts like you. Have fun and hope to see you out there sometime! Aaron

As a NASA TX instructor and new to this forum (need to get my post count up) here is what we tell our students how to prepare for a track day and this applies to your next 3 to 5 track days.

1) Look at your tech inspection and make sure the car will pass.
2) Show up to the event with an open mind.
3) Chill you are in the learning mode, not racing, that's a year or two away.
4) Make sure you attend every class session and listen.
5) Meet your instructor before the first session to discuss your goals.
6) Chill you are in the learning mode, not racing that's a year or two away.
7) Listen to your instructor we don't make things up.
8) Chill you are in the learning mode, not racing that's a year or two away.
8) Sign up for as many events as your budget can afford.

Notice there was nothing about mods, tires, suspensions, etc. Do waste your money on track time. If you want to, or have to mod your car, invest the money in seats like Sparco's and a good set of 6 point harnesses.

On last thing if you are in the NASA TX region from time to time we have Pro Racers who will guest instruct. All of us regular instructors get jealous of students who get lucky enough to have the Pro Racer, cause we all can learn more.

OK I think I am at a post count which opens the door to PM's etc. My two cents and back in the dark I go. I do hope to see some of you and possible get the chance to instruct at a NASA TX event, or an Apex driving event, or even a BMW Lone Star event.

This thread sucks now.