Mazda MX-5 Cup

TYRES

• Compound: Semislick
• Front: 26.5 PSI cold (targeting ~30.5 PSI hot)
• Rear: 26.0 PSI cold (targeting ~30.0 PSI hot)
• Optimal operating temp: ~80–90°C for peak grip on this compound.
• No tyre blankets assumed — first lap must build heat progressively through Abbey/Farm before committing at Copse/Maggotts.

ELECTRONICS

• TC: N/A (not fitted)
• ABS: N/A (not fitted)
• Engine Braking: N/A (fixed, no adjustment on this car)
• Brake Bias: 56% front (adjustable in-cockpit, see below)

SUSPENSION

• // FRONT
• Ride Height: 55 mm
• Wheel Rate FL / FR: 46000 N/m / 46000 N/m
• ARB: 12000 N/m
• Brake Torque Multiplier: 100%
• Brake Bias: 56%
• // REAR
• Ride Height: 60 mm
• Wheel Rate RL / RR: 42000 N/m / 42000 N/m
• ARB: 8000 N/m
• Diff Preload: 40 Nm
• Diff Coast: 0.5
• Diff Power: 0.6

DAMPERS

AERO

• Front wing: N/A (no adjustable aero)
• Rear wing: N/A (no adjustable aero)
• Downforce: N/A — car has no aero devices
• Brake ducts: N/A

KEY SETUP NOTE

• This is a momentum car through Maggotts-Becketts — the slightly stiffer front ARB (12000 N/m) versus rear keeps rotation sharp without a wing to stabilize the rear at high speed, but ride height and softer rear wheel rate keep the rear planted through that fast direction change; do not stiffen the rear further or you will snap loose mid-Becketts at 130+ km/h.

TRACK GUIDE

• Copse and Maggotts-Becketts must be taken essentially flat or with only a lift — any hard brake input here destabilizes the low-grip semi-slicks; trust the setup's compliance and carry min speed through, not max entry speed.
• Brake hard and late into Stowe and Village/Loop — these are the two biggest overtaking/time zones; trail-brake into Village to rotate the car early for the following left.
• Traction out of Farm, Vale, and Luffield is where the MX-5's low power must be protected — get the car straight before full throttle, use the diff's power lock (0.6) to squat and drive off the corner rather than spin the inside rear.
• Club corner (both instances) rewards a wide, late-apex line — exit speed here dictates Hangar Straight and the run to Stowe/Woodcote, so sacrifice a tenth on entry to gain three on exit.
• Woodcote and the final sweep onto start/finish should be taken with full commitment — with no aero,