PHRT and auto-x?

Printable View

09-11-2008, 08:55 PM
MoonieGT

PHRT and auto-x?

Anyone running a PHRT for auto-x duty? I know that ideally I should go with the soft top for the reduced weight, but I'm needing a daily driver...

Would I be better off getting the soft top and optional removable hard top?

Thanks for your input. I think I'm finally going in for my first test drive on saturday (assuming the weather isn't dreadful in the morning).
09-11-2008, 09:43 PM
POS Racing

Haven't seen a PRHT running AX yet, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

My sister in law had a Hardtop for her NC it was expensive and they put it on the car maybe twice before they sold the car. I have a Hardtop for our NB's and have not had it on the car since last winter. YMMV
09-12-2008, 06:24 AM
jrj512

Unless you plan to compete on a very high level, the extra weight of the PHRT will not affect you. Since the car will be a daily driver, I would buy the PHRT if you can afford it.
09-12-2008, 06:50 AM
sammm

The PRHT is the best of both worlds IMO. Go buy one and bring it out to an AX event!
09-12-2008, 06:52 AM
Kestrel

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrj512

Unless you plan to compete on a very high level, the extra weight of the PHRT will not affect you. Since the car will be a daily driver, I would buy the PHRT if you can afford it.

Yep, you are not going to "win" with a PHRT, but if that's not a big deal for you -- if all you are looking for is to push yourself and the car to test each other's limits -- I'd definitely go for the PHRT.

I think Mazda has done a great job with the PHRT -- looks good, is not that much more expensive than the softtop, and doesn't add much weight (I think it's only about 50 pounds?) either.
09-12-2008, 06:57 AM
jrj512

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestrel

Yep, you are not going to "win" with a PHRT, but if that's not a big deal for you -- if all you are looking for is to push yourself and the car to test each other's limits -- I'd definitely go for the PHRT.

I don't see why you could not win local events in a PHRT. I was referring to National Level events.
09-12-2008, 07:28 AM
Nails

Closer to 75 lbs.
09-12-2008, 07:30 AM
Titus

IIRC, The PRHT actually has a slightly stiffer front spring and a slightly larger rear sway bar. Supposedly these changes were to to compensate for the added weight.
09-12-2008, 08:14 AM
TurboDuane

I love mine, no regrets, but I have yet to do an Auto-X with it. I'm probably being a :cat: and don't want to flat spot my daily tires and screw up the nice new ride, at least not yet. ;)
09-12-2008, 08:21 AM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboDuane

don't want to flat spot my daily tires and screw up the nice new ride, at least not yet. ;)

It's called ABS :cat:
09-12-2008, 08:22 AM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboDuane

I love mine, no regrets, but I have yet to do an Auto-X with it. I'm being a giant :cat: and don't want to flat spot my daily tires and screw up the nice new ride, at least not yet. ;)

Fixed it for you. How do you flat spot tires with ABS? :rolleyes:
09-12-2008, 08:23 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestrel

Yep, you are not going to "win" with a PHRT, but if that's not a big deal for you -- if all you are looking for is to push yourself and the car to test each other's limits -- I'd definitely go for the PHRT.

If he runs tire class locally he may be able to outrun a Porsche Cayman! ;)
09-12-2008, 10:52 AM
Kestrel

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrj512

I don't see why you could not win local events in a PHRT. I was referring to National Level events.

Nothing locally in CS beats that Black 1999 Sport. Tire class? We'll, he can easily beat this Porsche I know, but I think he'll find it difficult to beat some of the other cars -- and PAX Indexes -- in that class too.

My point is, unless you have a burning desire to be competitive, buy the car you want. And autocross it anyway... :D
09-12-2008, 10:56 AM
Kestrel

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

If he runs tire class locally he may be able to outrun a Porsche Cayman! ;)

Yup, unfortunately you are right. No seat time for the driver and an underprepared Cayman are no match for most of the people running Tire Class right now. Not much chance to rectify that this year, but hopefully in the spring I'll come out to play a little more often.
09-12-2008, 11:23 AM
blackzx3_13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestrel

Nothing locally in CS beats that Black 1999 Sport.

There is a silver 99 that does every once in a while. . .::Banana::
09-12-2008, 01:52 PM
TurboDuane

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

Fixed it for you. How do you flat spot tires with ABS? :rolleyes:

:oops: good point, however I did have a tendency to go through gates either sideways or back-wards with the '97. :burnrubr:
09-12-2008, 02:28 PM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboDuane

:oops: good point, however I did have a tendency to go through gates either sideways or back-wards with the '97. :burnrubr:

So what I go through gate sideways and hit stuff with a car made of plastic and I'm still alive :D