The MX-5 world is a big one – here’s a quick glance at some of what’s going on out there. Race prep outfit creates ‘Ultimate MX-5’ road car.
Long Road Racing, the North Carolina-based race prep outfit that has built all of the mk4 Global Cup circuit cars for Mazda North America, is embarking on a second career as an MX-5 tuner. And Long Road’s first project is an allareas upgrade for the mk4, which it’s calling Ultimate MX-5. Company owner Glenn Long explains: ‘I’ve been playing with Mazda race cars for years now – I’ve built over 250 of them, but who’s counting… – and wanted to showcase what an enthusiast really wants in a street car. To that end the Ultimate MX-5 sounds a little better than stock, handles much better than stock but still affords a comfortable ride, much improved brake feel and better stopping capabilities, and just more fun. A true street car for enthusiasts.’
Helping the Ultimate MX-5 to live up to its name is an Edelbrock E-Force supercharger (for which we’ve yet to hear a power claim), that Long Road has teamed with an ACT performance clutch and a limited-slip diff. Much attention has been paid to cooling, with cooler kits for the engine oil, differential and transmission, and front brakes: there’s also a C&R uprated water radiator. Bilstein springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bushes, together with a Long Road Racing front strut tower brace, take care of the suspension, and there’s the almost inevitable Wilwood six-piston Big Brake Kit, complemented by a selection of high performance brake pads to suit different road and track needs. A set of chic Rays wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich g-Force Sport COMP- 2 tyres round off the Ultimate MX-5 package Although Long Road is pushing the idea of a complete conversion package, it’ll sell any of the components separately, although it does recommend you opt for the beefier clutch if the Edelbrock blower is on your shopping list. For more info go to: longroadracing.com.
