No replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

 

For competitors in open rules classes or using the car for track day fun, a supercharger and sequential transmission up the fun factor

 

When Mazda took the approach of using Long Road Racing as a single-builder to create a homologated car for the second generation of MX-5 Cup, competitors in Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires were sure they were getting a well-built car equal to the others.

 

It was realized from the very beginning that not everyone buying a global cup car would be using it to compete in the homologated Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires series. For those who aren’t racing where it has to be presented in homologated form, there are new options that can make the car even faster, like the new SADEV sequential transmission and Edelbrock supercharger.

 

“The SADEV is a 6-speed sequential transmission,” explains Long Road Racing Vice President of Engineering Chad Boyd. “Customers can purchase SADEV in three different ways: They can buy it and have it installed by a local professional near them, buy it and have us install it or they can include it on a new race car build. It’s pretty seamless as far as it doesn’t take a lot of modifications. The ECU also has to be re-flashed to do the auto-blip and shift assist. It’s pretty nice because it does everything for you. It’s clutchless, hammer down, pull back to shift up, push to shift down, and it’s not a very aggressive auto-blip so you get some engine braking. The shifts are under 100 milliseconds so it’s much quicker than stock.”

 

The SADEV, which was developed by racers Chad McCumbee and Tom Long, is good for about two seconds a lap, but unfortunately isn’t an option for those competing in Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup, SCCA Touring 3 or Pirelli World Challenge TCA. However, there are plenty of other places to use it, along with Long Road’s new supercharger.

 

“We’ve seen some really great horsepower and torque numbers out of that,” Boyd says. “With the race exhaust and supercharger, you’re up in the 200hp range, and that’s quite an increase from stock.”

 

These items can be installed not only on a Global MX-5 Cup build, but on a fourth generation Miata road car as well, something that Long Road Racing has been doing with its Ultimate MX-5 builds for customers looking for extra performance.

 

At the same time, Long Road is also getting back to its Spec Miata roots. They’ve developed a standard cage kit for first- and second-generation Miatas in partnership with famed SM engine builder Mike Rossini, and can do custom cage work and fabrication as well.

 

For more information, see www.longroadracing.com.