The Mazda MX-5 is the most popular car in iRacing, and every driver in the simulator has likely raced it at least a few times. However, the MX-5 is not limited to the Rookie series: you can find it in the D-licence Production Car Challenge, the C-licence Advanced Mazda Series and occasional special events.
This article is for those who want to race the MX-5 in the Advanced Mazda Series and get the maximum out of it with an open setup.
The Mazda MX-5 Car
The most important aspect of the low-powered MX-5 is momentum. The Mazda only has about 180 horsepower, so carrying as much apex speed as possible is crucial. Make sure you always use as much of the track as possible to maintain speed without running off on the grass.
In the MX-5, corner exit is more important than entry because the engine does not have much power for acceleration. A better exit means more speed on the following straight and a quicker lap time. Be smooth and think about carrying as much speed as possible onto the straight.
Since it’s a relatively light car, being too abrupt with the steering wheel can quickly cause a loss of traction. When setting it up, the most crucial parameters to focus on are the toe and ride heights, as these significantly impact both the car’s feel and its top speed.
Another tip is to stay out of the ABS. The MX-5’s ABS is not as advanced as those in GT3 cars and braking into ABS is not as efficient. Aim to brake at about 80% for maximum braking performance.
When should you change gears? The Mazda MX-5 makes peak power at about 7000 RPM, with the red line at 7450 RPM. Avoid hitting the rev limiter, especially in the first and second gears because it will slow you down. Optimal gear shifting is between the 7000-7200 rev range, but be careful on downshifts to avoid over-revving the engine, which could cause damage.
Unlike in many other cars, the first gear in the MX-5 is quite usable. You can shift down to first gear in slow corners to help with rotation on corner entry.
The Advanced Mazda Series
The Advanced Mazda Series is an open-setup championship accessible for drivers with a C-licence or above. It is one of the popular C-licence championships with 60 drivers and 3 splits on average.
Reaching the C-licence is easy, and you can race only the MX-5 to acquire the required safety rating. In addition to the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup for rookies, you can use the MX-5 in the D-class Production Car Challenge.
As for the costs, the car and 3 circuits on the calendar are included in the base iRacing subscription. The other nine circuits cost 14.95 USD each, so the total cost for all content required for the full season is 134.55 USD before any discounts for bulk purchases, which does seem very expensive for a car that is free.
If you are serious about your racing however, it’s a worthwhile investment. You can expect the Mazda MX5 experts to come out in force for the Advanced Mazda Series.
Race Format
The series follows a typical format for an entry-level series, allowing drivers to join quick races regularly. However, with 30-minute races and up to 26 drivers on the grid, it is more demanding than the Rookie or D-licence races in iRacing.
The MX-5 can race in the rain after the 2024 season 3 iRacing update, and the Advanced Mazda Series has a chance of rain on a number of circuits out of 12 available during the season. So make sure you get that wet practice in as well.
Here is the summary of the race format:
- New race sessions appear every hour
- Qualifying is 8 minutes
- Each race is 30 minutes
- Maximum grid is 26 drivers
- Changeable weather
- Standing start
Need Setups for the Series?
Coach Dave Academy provides setups for the Global Mazda MX5 at every stage of your career, covering all of the series available in this pocket rocket with setups for the Production Car Challenge and Advanced Mazdas.
You should also try out Delta Data – our brand new live telemetry tool – as part of the subscription so you can get up to speed faster! Track your speed, throttle, brake, steering and tyres.
Plus get every other setup Coach Dave Academy provides by having a Coach Dave Delta Subscription allowing you to focus purely on your on-track performance.
- Race setups
- Qualifying setups
- Onboard laps
- Data packs
- All created by professionals
What’s So Special?
If you are not in a rush to race more powerful sports cars and are willing to learn the MX-5, the Advanced Mazda Series is an excellent choice:
- This championship is designed for more experienced drivers and offers strong competition. You will face the MX-5 specialists in the top splits, who can show you the car’s limits and driving techniques.
- Unlike other MX-5 series, the Advanced Mazda Series allows open setups. You can fine-tune the performance to suit your driving style and the specific track conditions. It also gives a deeper understanding of vehicle dynamics and engineering, making the racing experience more immersive and rewarding for those who enjoy the technical aspects of sim racing.
- There are no concerns about the balance of performance for a specific circuit or season. The car is the same for everyone, and the results are down to the setup and your driving skills.
- The Advanced Mazda Series features a variety of challenging tracks that require different driving skills and strategies. From twisty to high-speed circuits, this series will test your skills and consistency. Racing on diverse tracks keeps the experience fresh and helps to improve the overall performance in sim racing.
Summary
Although the MX-5 isn’t the most difficult car to drive, it is one of the more challenging cars to master. It will keep you entertained for a long time while you progress through iRacing licences. For those willing to master the MX-5, the Advanced Mazda Series is the ideal choice thanks to competition and open setups.
Even after you get your A licence we can guarantee you’ll be back in the Mazda at some point, it’s too fun to forget.
