Mazda MX-5 Cup

TYRES

• Semi-slick (spec compound), Front 27.0 PSI cold / 31.0 PSI hot target, Rear 26.5 PSI cold / 30.5 PSI hot target. No tyre blankets assumed (session option off) — expect 1 warm-up lap before tyres reach 70–85°C optimal window. Optimal operating temperature for max grip: 75–85°C.

ELECTRONICS

• TC: N/A. ABS: N/A. Engine braking: fixed (not adjustable on spec MX-5). Brake bias: see Suspension section (cockpit adjustable).

SUSPENSION

• // FRONT
• Ride Height: 95 mm
• Wheel Rate FL / FR: 58000 / 58000 N/m
• ARB: 14000 N/m
• Brake Torque Multiplier: 100 %
• Brake Bias: 58.5 %
• // REAR
• Ride Height: 100 mm
• Wheel Rate RL / RR: 50000 / 50000 N/m
• ARB: 8000 N/m
• Diff Preload: 60 Nm
• Diff Coast: 0.5
• Diff Power: 0.6

DAMPERS

AERO

• Front wing: N/A (fixed). Rear wing: N/A (fixed). Downforce: none (spec road-type body). Brake ducts: N/A.

KEY SETUP NOTE

• The MX-5's low power means momentum through T5 Esses and T12 exit traction matter more than outright braking setup — this build uses slightly softer rear ARB and a touch of coast lock to keep the rear planted through the Esses transitions while still rotating sharply into T10A under heavy trail-braking.

TRACK GUIDE

• T1: carry speed in, late light brush of brake while trail-braking to rotate — don't scrub entry speed, this car's momentum is everything.
• T5 Esses: commit fully, smooth minimal steering inputs, keep the car planted — lift here costs multiple tenths through the whole sequence, trust the rear.
• T6: get the car rotated early and get on power progressively for the run down the Back Straight — this is the biggest lap time corner on the lap.
• T10A/10B chicane: heaviest braking zone on track — brake in a straight line, release pressure progressively trail-braking to T10A apex, then minimize steering correction to T10B to protect exit speed onto the final sector.
• T12: late apex, prioritize straight-line exit traction over entry speed — this feeds the longest straight (main straight), so exit speed here is worth more than mid-corner speed.

THEORETICAL BEST LAP

• 1:34.800 — theoretical optimal sim lap, clean air, full push, no mistakes, 2018 GP layout.

REAL WORLD RECORD

• No official record (MX-5 Cup lap records vary by spec/year; no single ratified record for this exact car/config at 2018 layout).

SIM RACING RECORD

• 1:35.200 — Assetto Corsa, MX-5 Cup class, dry/optimal conditions, best community hotlap estimate (leaderboard-level).