Mazda MX-5 ND Cup

TYRES

• Compound: Soft Slick (Cup spec)
• Front Pressure: 29.5 PSI
• Rear Pressure: 29.0 PSI
• No tyre blankets (AC Evo)
• Optimal operating temp: 85–95°C

ELECTRONICS

• TC: Off (0) — no TC in Cup spec
• ABS: Off (0) — no ABS in Cup spec
• Engine Braking: Fixed (mechanical, N/A)
• Brake Bias: 58% front (adjustable via brake balance only)

SUSPENSION

• // FRONT
• Ride Height: 108mm
• Wheel Rate FL / FR: 32000 N/m / 32000 N/m
• ARB: 9
• Brake Torque Multiplier: 100%
• Brake Bias: 58%
• // REAR
• Ride Height: 113mm
• Wheel Rate RL / RR: 28000 N/m / 28000 N/m
• ARB: 6
• Diff Preload: 20 Nm
• Diff Coast: 0.3
• Diff Power: 0.2 (open diff, minimal lock — base Cup spec)

DAMPERS

AERO

• No adjustable wings (Cup spec roadster, fixed aero). No brake ducts. Downforce negligible at MX-5 speeds — focus entirely on mechanical grip.

KEY SETUP NOTE

• With an open diff and no electronic aids, 130R and the Esses will punish any mid-corner steering correction — the low ride height and stiffened ARBs are tuned to minimize roll so the rear stays planted through these flat-out sections without inducing snap oversteer on corner exit from the Hairpin.

TRACK GUIDE

• Esses (T3-T7): Commit early, use a smooth, continuous steering rhythm — any lift unsettles the rear on direction change; carry min-speed higher than feels comfortable since MX-5 has no aero load to lose.
• 130R (T17/18): Flat in top gear if the car is settled on entry from Degner/Spoon exit — this is the biggest time gain/loss zone; trust the setup's stability, stay full throttle.
• Hairpin (T14): Late, hard trail-brake entry, rotate the car on entry since the open diff means exit traction is king — get straight and full throttle early for the back straight.
• Degner (T12/13): Partly blind, brake in a straight line before turn-in; aggressive attack here risks snap oversteer due to open diff, so prioritize a clean, early-power exit over max entry speed.
• Final Chicane (T19/20): Sacrifice entry speed here to protect exit — never compromise 130R minimum speed for a better chicane line.