Donnington on 23rd August 2002

After an excellent day last year, I had to go back again with this yearly event with the club. This was my first real track day in the silver roadster after my little accident, so I was really looking forward to see how this car handles on the track and to see how much difference the modifications make compared to the other cars on track.

Once again, we were in our own session with just mx5's. This time there were only two sessions instead of three, so we had half an hour on the track at a time, which was excellent, and Jen didn't come along as she was looking after the kids so I had all the track time to myself!

I was really impressed with my new roadster - its handling was excellent. Just as good, if not better than the V-Spec, even though that had koni shocks. I'm still not 100% sure what shocks are on my new roadster, I think they are actually standard, but the springs could be different. The engine modifications were excellent too. I was the fasted NA mx5/roadster on the track. Gordon Bell was doing some unofficial timing from the pit wall and the supercharged cars were going around in about 2.30. The majority of the NA cars were doing the circuit in about 2.40 and I was going around at about 2.35, narrowly beating one of the newer mk2 models. As it was only my second time at Donnington, I don't think I can say that I was perfect around the bends, so I'm pretty sure there is another second or two that can be taken off....

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