Mira is the Motor Industry Research Association near Hinckley in Leicestershire. The sprint takes place on their handling circuit and is high speed.
Map Of The Sprint Course. Sorry the map is of a poor quality
it is the
best I could find.
From the start I accelerate around the first bend into 3rd
gear then feather the throttle for
the remainder of the bend changing into fourth on the exit. The next left
kink is taken
just about flat at around 100 mph. A heavy brake is required for the right
left by
the control tower. On the exit of the left there is a tyre wall and crash
barrier.
The following three pictures were taken by Steve of Steve
Wilkinson Photographic
from the control tower.
By the look of the car I am braking hard here.
Again braking hard.
Going around the right hand bend by the control tower. This bend and the next
left
is where time is lost at Mira. I think I was quite slow through here.
Car Set Up
As Mira is a fast sprint I thought I would start with a stiff set up and try
the rear bar.
Springs: As before (Front 170 lb/inch, Rear 200 LB/inch)
Front ARB: Drop link on the rocker in the outer hole and in the neutral position
on the bar.
Rear ARB: Fitted in the softest setting.
Dampers: Front Bump 8, Rebound 5. Rear Bump 5, Rebound 5.
1st Practice
64 ft...........2.56 secs
Time ..........61.03 secs
Notes: Oversteer! On the first long bend I was cornering hard in 3rd and the
rear stepped out a little and I thought I was holding a power slide but it
went too far and I was lucky to catch it. I only use 3rd and 4th gears.
2nd Practice:
64 ft...........2.65 secs
Speed........96 mph (speed trap on the straight before the control tower)
Time..........60.33 secs
Notes: Rear ARB removed for this run, still a little oversteer
under power.
1st Timed Run:
64ft............2.52 secs
Speed ........99mph
Time...........58.78 secs
Notes: Front ARB put to full stiff. Car felt well balanced. Still going too slow through the Control Tower complex.
2nd Timed Run:
64 ft ...........2.45 secs
Speed ........105 mph
Time ...........58.69 secs
Notes: Took the left kink after the first bend with a very slight lift and the back end stepped out a little on the exit!
Summary: This was the fastest event I have done. The first and last bends
were quite easy to get right as it was a matter of accelerating as hard as
I could until the tyres reached their limit. The middle sector by the control
tower was difficult to get right and is where I felt I was loosing time.
Also in my class was a Darrian (mid engined fibreglass bodied car) powered
by a well tuned Vauxhall twin cam running on slicks. His best time was 54.44
secs with a speed of 107 mph.
